I think that whether ALL of the statements presented in the film are accurate in fact or not, is irrelevant. The point is that any film, book, or conversation that encourages a person to “think for themselves” is a very good thing indeed.

It seems silly that in this age of environmental thinking, that which we most tend to “recycle”, is ignorance. From the time we are very young, we tend to adopt the “beliefs” that surround us. Sure we love our parents, so its easy to believe what they believe, and quite often perhaps, for no other reason than that we have “faith” in them because they take care of us as we grow, so anything that they hold as truth, must be true.

Does that make them “correct”?
Maybe not, but for a while at least, they do provide for us, and when we`re young, they are our means of survival. It is odd though, that even though we know some of the struggles our parents may have had, most of us tend adopt similar patterns along the way, and the same kind of life with similar struggles manifest in our own lives, not too differently than they had for our parents.

Point being, is that it is very easy not to think for oneself. In fact, its irresponsable, and from an early age, highly addictive. Why do we never even question the words we use? We talk to others all of the time and tell them what we “believe” in, and/or have “faith” in. Do both of those words not sound like something a little less than certainty?
In the other direction, the scientific-minded like to suggest that “this rock is 330 million years old” because of carbon dating. Well, have we been using carbon tests for that long, so that we may know that without a doubt?

There is a common thread in a lot of films of this type, and that being, that if we have an open mind, just about anything can drop in. But if we go (and stay there) one way, or the other, our decision to do so slams a lid down upon us, and we are destined to dance to the limited message of that one song.

The very fact that so many here of varying opinions have watched this movie, is refreshing to say the least!! Because if you think you already have all of the answers, then why are you watching these films in the first place? Hmmm, still looking for more answers perhaps? Good on you, whoever you are!!

To all, no matter on what side of this debate you`re finding youself, keep that open mind open, and keep searching for what we lack. Thats what gets me up every morning!!

We can call each other stupid, and un-enlightened all we want, but has that ever helped anybody? If so, please do tell who it has helped. My experience has been that it only keeps us slaves to the “stupid” that we all do collectively create, EXACTLY the point, (or did we miss it), of the film.

Religion having faith and belief, science wanting proof and evidence,,,,, who cares?! No matter where we are all coming from, and going to, we are all in this together, and we are just humans being. That makes us all the same.

As long as there is willing followers, there would be exploitive leaders. And there would be willing followers until humanity reached that philosophical plateau where it recognized that its greatest mission in life had nothing to do with any struggle between classes, races, nations, or ideologies, but was, rather, a personal quest to enlarge the soul, liberate the spirit, and light up the brain!
On that quest, politics is simply a roadblock of stentorian baboons.

Where does magic and beauty go when its driven from this world?
PS, i liked the film

I never bother to read the comments people leave behind on movies, articles and so on. I feel what I personally take away is more important than reading other peoples opinions, even those who have loved it as much as I did. Having said that, tonight I did the just that. I read through almost every comment.

It hurts to know some people can be so angered by something I find so enlightening, but then again I understand that I probably feel the same way about what they believe in, and so we become reflections of one another.

But there are a few comments above which ridicule the claim that the Earth is a living, conscious organism. Those are by far the saddest, most ignorant comments and I can not hold back. No matter what or who you believe in, and no matter what your philosophy in life is, you can not deny that this planet gives us all life because it is itself alive. Our very existence depends on this planet’s life force. Forget the film, forget all the biological similarities we share with Earth, or even mundane things like our mood changes with the weather. Where do you think the life sustaining food we consume or the air we breathe and the water we drink come from? Seriously?

Looking back at the film, this is where Stewart talks about the separation from the Self.

Perhaps those of us who believe they exist upon a lifeless rock, see themselves that way.