08.31.25 "The Spiritual Messages In Superman"

I saw the new Superman film for the first time shortly after it was released in theaters around the middle of July. I liked it. It was fun. Even then, I thought it would be good to see again from the comfort of my home theatre system when it was released on streaming platforms. Then I could turn on the subtitles to not miss so much dialogue. I could also pause it, if I wanted to back up and watch something again. I’ve gotten so used to these benefits I find I prefer watching films at home now.

Over the next month, as I waited, I found myself thinking about the film again and again and the overall message the film had. I looked forward to the video release so I could watch it from a new perspective. In the mean time I have been aware of the controversy about this new film with its lighter, brighter, and more humorous tone than the previous 3 Superman films with their serious, darker, and brooding affect.

This week I got that opportunity and have now watched Superman not once, but twice from home. There are powerful, spiritual themes all throughout this film, themes also talked about in ACIM. I was quite impressed by the overall message of healing kindness. The new Superman is very kind, and merciful. One could say he is SUPER kind. "Holiness created me holy. Kindness created me kind. Helpfulness created me helpful." (WkBk.67.3)

Superman is kind not just to humans but to animals as well. Much of the film is devoted to him trying to rescue the super dog Krypto from Krypto's torturous imprisonment by the villain Lex Luther. Superman also makes a "super" effort to save another random dog in peril in the film … and even a squirrel. Superman’s dedication to animals reminded me of the kinship ACIM implies we have with "all living things" "[Christ's] perfect lack of specialness He offers you that you may save all living things from death, receiving from each one the gift of life that your forgiveness offers to your Self." (Tx.24.46)

At one point Lois Lane, who is Clark Kent's / Superman’s romantic interest, is telling him how different they are. She tells him that she is cynical but that he always sees the absolute best in everyone. It sounds like he’s seeing everyone through Christ’s Vision. Another time Superman argues with the other meta-human super heroes, as they battle a gigantic, fire breathing monster wreaking havoc on Metropolis. The others are trying to kill it, but Superman wants to capture it alive and bring it to a science zoo so it can be studied. (Alas, Superman looses this argument.)

I was surprised just now to see that the phrase "all living things" appears 15 times in ACIM. I thought it was only 2 or 3 until I actually did a search. Here's another one, "[The risen Son of God] has recognized himself as God created him, and in so doing he has recognized all living things as part of him." (Mn.23.2) When challenged by Lois Lane as to why he (Superman) is expending so much effort in order to rescue Krypto, Lois reminds Superman that Krypto is "... just a dog." Superman replies, "He's not even a very good one, but he's out there and he's probably scared.” Rescuing someone from fear is apparently a high value for Superman.

There were many other little loving and spiritual message hidden in Superman. Join me in this talk as I explore these and others.

25 min.
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