Sergeant York now on DVD

Entertainment
1 Mar, 2007
3

In 50 Spiritually Significant Films, I mentioned the classic biography entitled Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper. This 1941 film explores the main character’s struggle with pacifism and the need to stop the Nazis. And it’s now out on DVD. Everyone who struggles with whether or not pacifism is the most spiritual path should see this film (they might also want to see The Mission).

Tags: Entertainment

Cineaste says:

1 March, 2007 at 3:29 PM

Coincidently, I just finished watching another true story about idealism in defiance of the Nazis. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days The dialog of her interrogation is taken directly from Gestapo records. The records show she had a razor sharp logical mind which was equally matched with the keen intellect of her interrogator, Robert Mohr (Alexander Held). Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch), is considered an anti-Nazi martyr in Germany. What Christians will find noteworthy is that she is a Protestant of deep faith. Her faith lends her comfort and strength. Also noteworthy is she was a liberal of deep principle. After watching this, I understand why she is considered a martyr.
The next part of my comment is for Stewart, Louis, Sam and anyone else interested in the history of Western Civilization. We have been discussing Buddhism, Christianity, Morality, Logic, and a host of other subjects on 2or3.net over the course of the year. How you ever wondered how it all connects? I wanted to find the answer to this and I did! Please watch “The Day the Universe” changed by James Burke. I’ve linked all 10 episodes in order, below. I’ve been watching one per night and they are absolutely fascinating. This series is something that no education would be complete without, IMHO. Aaron and Seeker, I hope you can watch these as well. Though this is a 10 episode documentary, it belongs in any list with the description “spiritually significant” because it will change your world view. This series costs $750 on DVD or you can download it for free. Please enjoy!
The Day the Universe Changed
A Personal View by James Burke
(NOTE:Work your way up from the bottom of the page when viewing)
1. The Way we Are

In the West, our attitude toward the world is characterized by a rational, questioning attitude that we inherited from the Greeks. This attitude has repeatedly led us to change our view of the universe over the past 20 centuries. Nonetheless, at any given time, we were sure that our view was absolutely correct. This program summarizes the series and its thesis — that when our knowledge changes, we change.

2. In the Light of the Above

After the Roman Empire, the Greek questioning attitude gave way to the teachings of Augustine, who held that only the next world mattered. Then in the 11th century, Crusaders invading Spain captured a treasure of classical knowledge preserved in Arab libraries. This knowledge led to the creation of universities, revolutionized life in Europe, and caused bitter conflict between reason and faith.

3. Point of View

Starting when thought was mystical and the earth virtually unknown, this program shows the startling changes that grew out of the study of Arab optics. From the discovery of perspective geometry came new painting and architecture, the ability to measure at a distance, map the world and the confidence that allowed Columbus to cross the Atlantic. Above all, new knowledge led to a new individualism.

4. A Matter of Fact

The medieval world, which had to rely largely on memorized knowledge and the spoken word, was transformed by Gutenberg’s discovery of printing. Suddenly learning was available, people outside monasteries learned to read, and the acceleration and systematization of knowledge was enormous. Printing contributed to the Protestant Reformation and the beginnings of nationalism.

5. Infinitely Reasonable

The Scientific Revolution demolished Aristotle’s physics and caused bitter conflict with the Church. This program explores Copernicus’ explanation that the heavens do not revolve around the earth, the contributions to science of artillerymen trying to improve their aim, the finding of new bodies in the heavens, Galileo’s exploration of the acceleration of falling objects, Newton’s theory of gravity, and more.

6. Credit Where It’s Due

In 18th century England, the industrial revolution got its impetus from growing wealth and industrious religious dissenters barred from all activities but trade. These dissenters, using innovations in business and credit, created a new industrial society based chiefly on the steam engine. The program shows the growth of urbanization, the factory system, and industrial working class, as well as the exploitation of the planet.

7. What the Doctor Ordered

By the end of the Napoleonic Wars, clinical science was beginning to replace the ignorance which had always characterized medicine. This program looks at the rise of modern medicine and public health and their surprising relationship to statistics, which doctors learned to apply to diseases and epidemics. As medicine became increasingly a science, patients became increasingly statistics.

8. Fit to Rule

People believed in the 1700s that all forms of life were unchanged since creation. Then the study of geology and fossils produced new ideas about change in living things and the age of the earth. Wallace and then Darwin concluded that species evolved to survive in their environments over great periods of time. The concept of survival of the fittest was later adapted to justify Nazism, robber baron capitalism and communism.

9. Making Waves

Beginning around 1800, the study of electricity, magnetism, light and other phenomena led to findings which Newton’s physics could not explain. Einstein and others sorted the scientific puzzles out; the process led scientists to believe that one cannot know with certainty what the universe is doing. The public, however, thinks science is technology; while most of us live in a common sense Newtonian world, science struggles with a world which is relative and uncertain.

10. Worlds Without End

The knowledge that people in other eras possessed, and their view of the world, worked for them. Is moving from one form of knowledge to another therefore “progress”? For today’s Buddhists of Nepal, their truth is as valid for them as our point of view is for us. Our truth, based on our science, will be superceded tomorrow as our scientific knowledge changes.

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Louis says:

1 March, 2007 at 8:21 AM

Yes, I saw this when it was first played on PBS. It's a great series! Thanks for recalling my attention to it.

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Cineaste says:

1 March, 2007 at 2:35 PM

Begin your day properly!
Fighter Plane + Monks + Switzerland = Heaven
Man, that tune really got into my head!

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Sergeant York now on DVD

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