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.’
In the press coverage surrounding Liam Neeson’s remarks on the character of Aslan in the latest Narnia film, there is reference to an order of “American Catholic priests and a Lenten CD of spiritual meditations.”
The Redemptorists of the Denver Province collaborated with Liam Neeson in 2009 on the Lenten production, “Praying the Way of the Cross.” Proceeds support the work of our foreign missionaries in Brazil and Nigeria.
The CD is available through Little Lamb Music at http://www.littlelambmusic.com
I think it is very clear that Aslan is based on Christ. I'm not quite sure how you get Muhammed or Buddha from C.S.Lewis's books. But i except that is different for different people.
220chrisTian / AslansLily, thank you for posting that link.
This comment is for Swordebrithil12:
You must know first of all that I am a Christian, but I have been where you are in Spirit. Also know that, "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that, what he desires for himself." (Abu Hamza Anas).
Now, there are three main areas of common ground upon which Christians may stand with Muslims. First, that there is one God—the Creator of all things. The second area is the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was a prophet of God. The Bible makes this clear: "And He shall send Jesus Christ,…For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like to me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say to you" (Acts 3:20–22). The Qur’an (Koran) says: "Behold! The angel said ‘O Mary! Allah giveth you Glad Tidings of a word from Him. His name will be (Christ Jesus) the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah’" (Surah 3:45). In Surah 19:19, the angel said to Mary, "I am only a messenger of thy Lord to announce to you a gift of a holy son." Surah 3:55 says, "Allah said: ‘O Jesus! I will take you and raise you to Myself." It is because of these and other references to Jesus in the Qur’an that a Muslim will not object Christianity when it is clearly established that Jesus was a prophet from God.
This brings us to the third area of common ground. Muslims also respect Moses as a prophet of God. Therefore, there should be little contention when Christians speak of God (as Creator), Jesus the prophet, and the Law of the prophet Moses. Most Muslims do have some knowledge of their sinfulness, but few see sin in its true light. It is therefore essential to understand the spiritual nature of the Ten Commandments. We both know that the Law of Moses begins with, "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before Me." Take a look at how the Law was presented in which Jesus gave it in Luke 18:20. He addressed the man’s sins of the flesh. He spoke directly to sins that have to do with his fellow man.
Therefore, in light of the Law…I asked of myself, "Have I ever told a lie." When I admitted that I had, I knew what that made me. Then, I asked if I have ever stolen something, even if it’s small. I'll be honest, I have. And I know what that makes me. Then the big one for me…was when Jesus said, "Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27). So by my own admission, I am a "lying, thieving adulterer-at-heart." At that point I realized and had to come to terms with the following, "If God judges me by the Law of Moses on Judgment Day, will I be innocent or guilty?"
As a Muslim I would more than likely say that I would be innocent, because I confess my sins to God. However, as the Qur’an says: "Every soul that has sinned, if it possessed all that is on earth, would fain give it in ransom" (Surah 10:54). In other words, if I possessed the whole world and offered it to God as a sacrifice for his sins, it wouldn’t be enough to provide atonement for my sins. Imagine that a criminal is facing a 50,000 fine. He is penniless, so he sincerely tells the judge that he is sorry for a crime and vows never to do it again. The judge won’t let him go on the basis of his sorrow, or his vow never to commit the crime again. Of course, he should be sorry for what he has done, and of course, he shouldn’t break the law again. The judge will, however, let him go if someone else pays the fine for him.
Swordebrithil12, remember that Moses gave instructions to Israel to shed the blood of a spotless lamb to provide a temporary atonement for their sin; and that Jesus was the Lamb that God provided to make atonement for the sins of the world. Through faith in Jesus, we can have atonement with God. All his sin can be washed away—once and for all. God can grant us the gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ on the basis of His death and resurrection.
The uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth was that He claimed He had power on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2–6). No other prophet of any of the great religions made this claim. Only Jesus can provide peace with God. This is why He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
God commands sinners to repent and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, or they will perish. Much archeological evidence, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, prove that God has preserved the Scriptures. In fact, the accurate prophecies of Isaiah 53, Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3 prove that this is the Book of the Creator. This is the truth of the gospel. It is God who makes it come alive (1 Corinthians 3:6,7). It is God who brings conviction of sin (John 16:7,8). It is God who reveals who Jesus is (Matthew 16:16,17). All God requires is your faithful willingness to believe the truth (Matthew 25:21).
In Christ's love,
bp
Thank you. And I have been aware of the similarities of our Religions for a while.
You're welcome! I pray that this has given rise to your heart to seek out the God of the Bible and know the truth: No man may come to the Father except through Christ Jesus. It is that truth which provides the atonement for sin and God's grace is poured out to us when we accept Jesus as our savior. Amen!
I think that Lewis saw Alah or the Antichrist to be Tash. Notice that so many people say that Alah and God are the same. Like in LB. And notice how the carlomens are described like muslims in medieval time? I have nothing against any muslims and this comment is not about blaming you. It's just a thougt and I believe that that's what Lewis wanted to say.