Neeson: Aslan Symbolizes Christ, Muhammed, Buddha
DailyMail recently posted this quote from Liam Neeson (Aslan):
‘Aslan symbolises a Christ-like figure but he also symbolises for me Mohammed, Buddha and all the great spiritual leaders and prophets over the centuries.
‘That’s who Aslan stands for as well as a mentor figure for kids – that’s what he means for me.’
No, I am deffinitely not saying what you think. I'm not changing Lewis's opinion at all, what he said he said, if he wanted Aslan to represent Jesus, then that's what it is.
I didn't realize for a long time that Tash represented Satan, or what we Muslims call the Jinnaat.
As I grew, and heard more stories in my Islamic Religion, I realized how similar they were with Christianity.
First of all, we believe our God, Allah, sent Angels to a woman named Mariam. They blew on her, and she became pregnant with Isa. In Christianity, they correspond to Mary and Jesus.
And, though we do not wear crosses, we DO beleive that Isa was killed on a cross and brought back to life. I am NOT suggesting that this means Aslan also represents Isa in our religion, Astakhfirullah (though Jesus and Isa are I guess the same person, only viewed differently sometimes).
I never realized that CS Lewis meant for Aslan to represent Christ until many years later after I read "The Line". I was heartbroken when I found out, because I'd considered myself to be a devoted person to Aslan, and I'm Muslim. I thought maybe by being such a lover of this series I would be a Christian, and I could never leave Islam.
I'm not saying that Islam is the only religion to follow, but I've become so attached to it I couldn't possibly leave it.
Your words give me some hope.
This is horrible, I am so dissappointed I know he's an actor and stuff, and you can't expect Neeson to be totally Cristian about it. He isn't, but well, it is still very dissapointing to think the the voice of Aslan thinks that way.
Hey I really agree narniafan #1 so now you know that someone did read your comments.
I vote we all read Luke 6:27-42! Especially Luke 6:37. That's the very reason why this article concerns me- it seems to forget that… We can do all the finger pointing and name calling we want, but we have no right to. Only God has that right, because he is the only one who knows our hearts… what we can do is pray for wisdom to do whatr's right, and pray that the cast and crew all grow closer to him through this experience, and that he uses it to reach the audiences…and that people stop their hateful bashing of others when it's only based on a few comments.
I agree too! Maybe that's why this comment doesn't bother as much as one he gave in an interview for PC, when he said something along the lines of "Well…I essentially play God." Because Aslan is only an allegorical symbol and fictional representation of Jesus, not Jesus himself in real life. Actually the two contradict each other a bit… canceling each other out. 😛
While there are some similarities between Christianity and Islam if you compare them as religions, there is a difference between "religionized" Christianity and a true, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Religionized Christianity is not as much a personal relationship with Christ as much as it is submission to the hierarchy of the establishment. A true relationship with Jesus Christ is as real and as interactive as I am talking presently with you. And while I respect the worship of any religion, I will respectfully submit concepts that are at least worthy to be considered by any individual. Go Narnia!!! almost 3 more days!!!
Little Joe…I am currently in the process of receiving the correct translater of the quran….i will tell it to you here as soon as I receive it…sorry for the delay…and sorry Annabeth…I wouldn't have said more…but I didn't want to ignore Little Joes's question…so yh 🙂
Nicly put, Rob. W Case.
Your right, PB and J. We should not pray just for neeson, we should pray for everyone.
While Christianity and Catholicism are very similar, there are a few things that are different.
Wow….I think this has the most replies to one comment ever. 😛
I am also disappointed to read this comment by Neeson. He is the actor portraying Aslan in Narnia which has become a box office success and for him to make a comment like that has us all surprised. It doesn't mean I don't respect other religions and philosophers, but Aslan was only created to symbolize Christ. It's disappointing that Neeson made that comment. He is a fantastic actor and his voice does Aslan justice, but that comment does not belong in the advertising of Dawn Treader for which I'm greatly looking forward to watching.
Hi, am new here. Am a fan of narnia books and movies. How can he said that Aslan represent Jesus or Muhammad. Those are great men and aslan is just a character in a story. Am muslem and as a muslem i must love and respect Jesus, Muhammad and all the prophets more than anyone else.
Why are people getting so upset about this? Although Narnia has quite quite deep roots in Christianity, it has universal themes like love, forgiveness, courage and loyalty that every one can relate to, no matter from what religion. I am not a Christian and although I can understand some people may get upset about it, Liam was just expressing his personal opinion and was trying to wider the perspective of the film. I am just a teenager and I can see that Liam is not the writer. Besides that, thats the beauty of writing – you can interpret from it what you wish. I am a Muslim and I can tell you that it also agrees with some of the key themes in the novel. I would also like to remind people that this isnt a platform to start expressing views on other religions and i have felt quite offended from reading some of the comments on this page. Calm down everyone!
i soooooooo agree with you High Queen on Narnia, thanks for pointing that out
Thanks for that Princess Lucy. Being a muslim I know that is very true. Context also needs to be taken into account when looking at evidence. Little Joe keep your views on other religions to yourself – its a movie at the end of the day!
Georgie Henley defends Liam Neeson on Aslan. And she says other cast members were 'very excited' on hearing his view of Aslan at Thursday's press conference…
http://thecatholicspirit.com/featured/neeson-narnias-aslan-the-lion-represents-all-great-spiritual-leaders/
Hey Princess Lucy! As a muslim as well (and a dedicated Narnia fan!), i just wanted to say you are doing a great job in showing people that Aslan can represent whoever one choses him to reprensent (if that makes sense 😉 ). I go to a Catholic College and fully respect the views of Christian, Islam and Christianity have been very closely related for centuries. However its sad how some people take the similarity offensively and as usual, although Muhammad and Buddah are mentioned, its Muhammad people have the issue with! Keep up the good work!
ASLAN DOSE NOT, NOT, NOT REPRESENT ANYTHING BUT ASLAN! THAT IS SOOOO WRONG! It reminds me of Tashlan!
It's just like Tashlan! It's the most ABSURD thing I have ever heard in my entrie life! Aslan represents Jesus and Jesus alone. Jesus is the ONLY way. All other religeons are pure nonsense!
LEWIS WAS ALMOST PROPHETIC with his narnia series. He anticipated a day would come when
the antichrist (shift the ape) mushed 2 gods together theologically( jehovah/aslan and Tash/satan) and pass them off as one god(PC politically correct "let's be tolerant and end up meaning nothing": Tashlan) and the innocent/naive narnians (the overly agreeable, spineless, uninformed "sheeple") fall for, to their demise. The hidden point was- DON"T BE CONNED -stand up for JESUS- he is the ONLY DIVINE leader-not human men with different philosophies and fables. THIS IS HAPPENING TODAY!
YES , but Lewis believed the universal appeal would ultimately lead to Jesus- THE way, the truth and the life. that the pagans unconciously sensed something christlike in their heart's longings but expressed it with their knowledge to date (hence the pagan myths)
last i knew, neeson rejected catholicism-
because it is insulting to Jesus if self-professed christians are "tolerant" of another religion that specifically says he was NOT divine, and that He did NOT die for our sins, when He did. If we don't recognize him before men, why should he recognize us before the Father? We are obligated to be faithful to him publicly after all He did for us.
the two are not mutually exclusive
like what?
catholicism was the only christianity, until denominations started forming and breaking themselves off and away from the originally held beliefs- 1500 years after the death of christ beginning with Luther's revolt..
you don't follow a religion because you're attached to it- you follow it because it's true,. read the book "Prophet of Doom" and see how you feel.
sorry, i immediatly felt like puking on the political correctness
sorry, but Muhammed and buddah are just dead men: creatures. Jesus is divine and is the creator. They are not analogous. Muslims might compare aslan to allah, more likely.
sounds like jehovah's witness or latter day saints doctrine . but the bible said thsat jesus declared he was divine, the son of god and fufilled the prophecies pointing to the messiah's return.. you either believe him or you don't . he never said he was a messenger, that was started by men who refused to accept his authority.
sorry, but the koran directly says that mohammed killed over 8,000 men, looted their belongings, raped women, and mated with a 9 year old. get your facts straight.
pre Mohammed, the arabic religion WAS polytheistic, and Allah was the moon god. one of 365 gods. Muhammed chose allah to promote as the solo god and borrowed parts of the hebrew bible's theology, getting some parts mixed up. (like the virgin mary lived in noah's day, etc.) tha'ts why the jews got mad at him and drove him out of town, and he got revenge later.
God doesn't want it, he allows men free will to do as they please and won;t force them.
people just have an issue with mohammed denying christ's divinity. that is one of the major doctine's of islam.
because mohammed would kill you if you didn't renounce christ, THAT'S WHY
YOU HAVEN'T been listening to too many Islamic leaders around the world then. They are directly calling for the death of jews and for them to be wiped off the face of the earth. I think the professional inmans know muslim doctrine a little bit better than you.
one of the most popular diversionary tactics in islam is to tell non arabic speakers they didn't translate it right. how many times have muslims shouted allah is great before they killed an innocent person? it's a religious act to them. that needs no tranlation at all.
it's downright creepy hearing alsan's voice praising the anti-christian mohammed.
looks like the day of Tashlan is here—— beware
in america we have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. we do not have to stop our discussion only because YOU are offended. That is a form of emotional blackmail and it's about time the spineless ones in america wake up and stop being suckered in by people and their objections. How about YOU get over "being offended" and stop demanding we kowtow to you?
there are at least 2 translations into english that are accepted by muslim authorities, so that excuse doesn't wash anymore.
this topic is more important than a movie, and relates to what is being said about the movie. try reading last battle and see how it is being played out in real life right before our eyes.
hey High Queene Shelly Belly….um they may call themselves islamic leaders and sheikhs,…BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE RELIGION CORRECTLY…infact they are doing the opposite..i think i know more about islam than u…u only hear bits of it from media that is against muslims too…so its not goin to help you thinking we are bad…GET UR FACTS RIGHT!!!
Thankyou onedayit'llbeme for your extreme kindness…its nice to hear someone not criticing us for for sake of it…btw everyone i hope yous enjoy the film and lets not continue with this subject…its making me depressing and i am sure for you too…lets celebrate for the film and rather appreciate what the staff in this website are doing for us …please 😉
Give the person a break…can't u see the comment is written in a sweet way and i read yours and you are basically backstabbing the person just because he/she is muslim…i am not going to call you racist..but please like respect everyone..we are not planning to kill yous if thats what u r thinking…well at least we are the few that follows the religion correctly…the one that teaches us not to kill anyone…btw why are the jews killing muslims..can u answer that…we are human and we all get offended with things so wake up and be nice for a change…please
u obviously read the wrong one…i am too sad to even say more
onedayit'llbeme …i know aye!!!!…its all about muhamad…i haven't seen one comment about budda…so yh ur right…thankyou for your EXTREME kindness….u make me feel much better…i guess i am trying my best to give out the correct information 😉
mohammad doesn't kill people..infact in islam…it is the biggest sin after blasphemy to kill ourselves/ kill others
Its fascinating how so many Christians are insistant, even desperate, to equate Aslan with Christ alone, and dismiss the prospect of any other spiritual guide, as in Neesons comment. This is clearly a reaction to secularism, and the Godless society that the liberal west has forged. Its as though they are starved of proudly proclaiming their Christian identity, in the usual ways, and therefore need ownership of it, even if its in the form of a lion!
It is a simple matter of fact. CS Lewis wrote the books. He meant Aslan as a symbol of Jesus Christ. Period. No insistance, desperation etc. He as a matter of fact symbolizes Jesus and no one else. Neither this actor's or anyone elses opinion matter in terms of this fact.
it says right in the koran that mohammed killed thousands, and don't give me that line that I'm reading an incorrect koran, it's the basis of many islamic sermons throughout the world.
I am not getting my facts from the media, i have studied the theology of Islam directly in comparative religions studies. You cant sugarcoat that Mohammed killed those who woulnd't submit to his man made doctrines that are some times so ridiculous its obvious he just made them up- like satan sleeps in your nose (that's a great one) or that a woman can determine the sex of a baby- we know now it is from the man's dna.
and i am not being argumentative in an angry way, I am sorry for the people ensnared in this "religion" that they are not allowed to leave even if their conscience bothers them, for they face a death sentence if they try, and by their own family's hands. not even close to being a peaceful religion,,but the creation of a power hungry madman.
it's not the person i have a problem with , it's the doctrines of Islam that teach its followers that they can lie and decieve to promote the cause of Islam. And the "I am offended" line is a common ploy to use social pressure to get the foolish to censor themselves. as i said, i hope all muslims have a chance to escape the brainwashing, they deserve better.
High Queen Shelly Belly, if Islam is so terrible, why according to recent statistics even used on the BBC, are 10,000 Americans converting to Islam every year!?!? Islam is clearly filling a void that something else has created. The question is, what is that something?