Constantine and the Problem of Evil

I did not go into Keanu Reeves new movie, Constantine, with a great deal of confidence. But I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised. It isn't a great movie or a very good movie, but it certainly wasn't the waste of time most of the critics seemed to be saying it was. Then again, I ran into this problem with the last two Matrix movies, which were panned, because I thought that both movies were actually quite worthwhile.  To quote Mugatu, "It's the SAME LOOK. I feel like I am taking crazy pills!"  When it comes to semi-philosophical Keanu Reeves vehicles, I feel like I am taking crazy pills.

The premise of the movie is well summarized by the following sentence, uttered in the film: "What if I told that God and the Devil made a wager, for the souls of all mankind.  No direct contact with humans, that would be the rule."

I feel that this Bipolar, Manichean, Supernatural Cold War is really what Christians think is actually going on.  They seem to think that the influence of the Devil somehow explains away evil. Alvin Plantinga, for example, thinks that natural disasters are caused by fallen angels (I am not joking).

But does this really make any sense? What sensible parent would make such a wager? "Hey, Mr. Child Molester, let us make a wager over my child. No direct contact, just influence and let's see what happens."  Would an all-Good God leave our souls, and the eternal torment of failing Her, the chance outcome of some cosmic game?  So God sets the rules, creates the Devil, lets him live, and produces a set of fallible beings that are open to manipulation and suggestion so they can both have a little entertainment?

What an asshole. I put forth the modest suggestion that the appropriate response to both the Devil and to God upon hearing of this little game is "Fuck you pal, we are not your tools and pawns. Get the fuck out, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out."

Too bad the movie falls back into line at the end (however, it is Satan that actually saves the day, oddly enough). A darker, anti-God ending would have made it more interesting.

Carnival of the Godless Update: Thanks for coming. If you are looking for more about why God as popularly conceived, check out this post about omniscience and moral perfection.

Comments

[vjack]

Yeah, the whole god vs. the devil thing does seem to be exactly what Christian extremists believe is happening. Anyone who disagrees with them is immediately associated with the devil. Worse still, the are arrogant enough to claim to know the mind of god and have no qualms about condemming non-believers to their imaginary hell. It is like they get their ideas about god from bad movies.

[Megan Good]

If you're really interested in a "screw you both"-type ending, check out the Hellblazer book. That's exactly the attitude it takes--that humanity is fine on its own, thanks, and anyone who wants to interfere can sod off.