Theological Symbolism In Media

The concept of "God" as per different variants of global theology, seems to be pretty diverse. One thing that is common though in all religions; past and present, is the idea of God being a "benevolent, omnipotent deity". Being a man of religion that being Islam, I may have a one-dimensional view of God myself; more on the lines of a monotheistic one. Although this is what we believe to be the solemn truth, yet there exist some stark contrasts between my religion and the world. The Hindus with their "Bhagwaan" and "Ganesh" (I would call them polytheists yet their servitude and allegiance lies ultimately in one deity in particular), the Christians with their Holy Trinity; and establishing Jesus as the Son of God where in Islam it is starkly mentioned that God never conceived any offspring. Similarly, the polytheists with their ideology of multiple gods; the Romans and the Greeks deserve special mention; Zeus sitting on the throne at Olympus, Hades charged with ruling the Underworld where the torment of the damned prevails forever, Thanatos, the god of death, Venus the goddess of beauty; Athena imparting infinite wisdom upon humankind; Poseidon bringing the wrath of the seas. But here, there is conflict; the gods have met their match in the Titans, posing such a threat that they have to be kept imprisoned in Tartarus, deep within the recesses of the Underworld. Oft times in mythology films, Hades is seen to unleash said Titans on purpose, wreaking havoc across the world and putting Olympus to task. This was merely an introduction as to the fundamental idea of God in different religions.

Then there come the sceptics, the atheists, who dont believe in the notion of the existence of such a deity. They don't agree with the occasional Christian going to mass, or the occasional Muslim going to the mosque, or the particular words we often hear "The End is nigh, repent on your sins".

This is where the true conflict comes in; reason and rationale trumps faith, whose fundamental definition goes so forth.

"Faith is to believe in what you do not see, and the reward of that faith is to see what you believe"

This is where science comes in. Science, with all its innovation, strives ever and ever to answer the fundamental questions, going as far as to explain the creation of the universe as we know it as well as "what is god?" The thirst for logic and reason, conforming to the general human mind thus embraces it with open arms. That is my opinion, although  an addition to it was aptly provided by Dan Brown, author of the two books most relevant to this extensive vichyssoise of verbiage, "Angels and Demons" as well as "Origin" that the concept of a deity being benevolent should surely not cast the those who do not agree with Him into hell and those who do in Heaven. That betrays the concept entirely making God essentially no different from that of a tyrant watching over His creation.

This was merely an introduction into the various views surrounding God as far as my limited opinion would provide.

Then there comes the version of God that lies in pop culture. I would specifically be referring to comic book films that have reinforced this concept that god is essentially any person or entity whose powers defy rationale or explanation. But in this particular case, there always lies the possibility of that person or entity being bested. I'd begin this discussion by mentioning the film "300"- the tale of 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, going to battle against the mighty Persian army led by Xerxes, the "God-king". By the end of that film, we are introduced to the concept of "making God bleed", as in the end, Leonidas thrusts his spear with full force aimed at Xerxes but instead of killing him, it injures him; enough to betray the notion that he is not the God he thinks himself to be as a man has succeeded in getting the best of him. I wonder if Leonidas did that intentionally, as to me, it wouldn't have mattered if he killed him or not, making him lose his preconceived notions and beliefs, taking him completely by shock was enough to betray his God complex. Similarly, in the Marvel movie Iron Man 2, the antagonist, Ivan Vanko, makes a very chilling statement to Tony Stark in prison, 

"If you can make God bleed, the people will cease to believe in him. Then there will be blood in the water and the sharks will come."

This, in my opinion, was a clear foreshadowing of what was to transpire later, as in Avengers: Infinity War, when the Mad Titan Thanos, who proved to be indestructible, even going as so far as to best the God of Thunder, and the God of Mischief, a mere mortal, that being Tony, by his use of innovative technology, ends up making the Titan bleed; as a heavy metal punch yields only a drop of blood; insignificant to the uninitiated maybe, but should one look closely enough, it enforces the notion of "making God bleed" as Tony did, leading the viewer to take solace in the fact that no matter how strong or powerful any entity might be, it can always be bested. In this case as technology and science is involved, hence at the same time also enforcing the notion that science is superior. I also sometimes wonder if the foundation of Scientology took root from these essential concepts depicted in film and media.

Then comes Batman v Superman, from the same man at the helm of 300. Again incorporating the same theological and philosophical elements, although in this case making no case at all to hint at them or embed them beneath the plot, for the initiated to recognize, rather they are out in the open this time, screaming from the rooftops if you will. First we see a lot of debate regarding Superman on the television, statues being erected in his honour; being heralded as a saviour of humanity. Then comes the antagonist's foreshadowing remarks about "God vs man" , "the greatest gladiator match in the history of the world" and of course the man himself, finding himself responsible for the lives lost including the ones he cares about; throughout the film readying himself for the ultimate showdown, and succeeding at that in the end, had it not been for the completely disappointing ending though that is irrelevant.

I sometimes wonder if the poem Ozymandias, penned by Percy Bysshe Shelley,  pays homage to these God complexes, presenting such a figure with proud expressions overlooking a barren wasteland and a decrepit wreck. Unlike Batman v Superman though, no one was around to paint "False God" on the statue.