Drowning in Faith

[@ProfessorViral]

4 eggs to crack: Link to the movie: archive.org/details/angels-egg-1985-english-subtitle Support us on Patreon to improve our content: www.patreon.com/professorviral Join our Discord for some more discussion: discord.gg/AfwXGKx Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date: twitter.com/Professorviral

[@RenjiMaili]

I am an atheist and I could list the reasons both personal or historical for my disdain, or perhaps bewilderment, of organized religion but I feel like thats unfair to the good folks who do follow these religions. They arent those problems. Those existed since Abraham cast out Ishmael, Cain struck Abel or whatever else we could name. As for the anime: All the girl has is her faith in that dumb egg and I must admit that I admire that kind of dedication to the idea something is out there, something that could make it all make sense so long as it causes you to live well. You may think "how is she living well?" She's kind and she's patient, as shown by that damned egg and her protection of it. Maybe you can see her as stagnant and not aware of her own value or abiliti s or anything else compared to us and our struggles but where else could she go, what else could she hope to do or achieve in that setting? I see no sign that theres a grand world she could save by giving up the egg and joining a Polysci study group or orphan annie think tank. Its the egg or its wandering alone in the ark with nothing but emptiness to keep her company. I dont know about you but in her shoes, and in that enviroment which is that devoid of hope, I'd pick the egg too. Because literally any reason to keep moving is the best one.

[@aqualucasYT]

Oshii is such a genius that people are still discussing his almost 40 year old works, they're so full of pathos and symbolism that I can't help but watch and rewatch digging deeper into the ideas present within his mind to contextualize my own. Glad you finally got to Angel's Egg arguably his most avant garde work, great video

[@ProfessorViral]

It was just a tip from a good friend, I'd never heard of it until than. Glad I got to see it though

[@chrisisapracticalmess563]

I’ve never watched this but just recently heard of it. Seems too bleak. What I did notice in the few scenes is there is a lot of Golden Ratio imagery. The staircase and the nautilus shell. I’m not sure what they’re trying to say with that except it’s never ending. The color scheme of grayscale and some red plus her little face never smiling. Do they ever say where the shadows come from? Who’s projecting them? This anime seems very interesting but I’ll need to be in a better mindset to watch it.

[@PunkinThePie]

I love how this is such a unique topic to talk about in a video, and I love the fact that you always make us fans think about these things we wouldn’t on a normal basis, and I love that so mych

[@ProfessorViral]

Ah thank you, it means a lot to hear that : )

[@ness877]

I have literally heard this exact take from others, there is nothing new under the sun

[@bookfan1239]

I’ve watched Angel’s Egg just so I could watch this video with full context and your analysis made that ending make way more sense lol. What a fascinating movie with great themes. You definitely did it justice!

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you very much! It means a lot to see someone watching it first and then this to get the full picture, and having high praise 💙

[@joshuaharris3039]

Even though I've heard of this film through Bonsai Poo years ago, I still haven't been able to see it for myself. Even after watching your analysis, there's this fear of looking into the abyss and not knowing what will happen if I do watch it. I'm glad there are people like you who can and are willing to share what they've gained from it! Also, from your analysis, it reminds of an episode of The Boondocks. One of the MCs, Huey, tries to free an incarcerated man from being executed for a crime he didn't commit. Despite Huey's intelligence and determination, his plan fails no one can/is willing to help him. Despite not having any faith, Huey, in a moment of desperation, resorts to praying to anyone for help. Miraculously, a lightning strike causes a brief power outtage that delays the execution and in that time, a pardon is given for the prisoner. Huey comes to this conclusion: there's a chance of thins and beings far beyond any human understanding exist, but humans can still perform there own miracles. Despite acknowledging the existence of a higher power, he still has faith in himself and so can we!

[@sophaloph1129]

happy to see you cover this film! Your interpretation was very interesting, your take is somewhat simple compared to others that I’ve talked to. At least, your interpretation of the girl and her motivations is.

[@ProfessorViral]

I felt right to keep it as something rather simple to match how the movie felt to me, I guess. I never really considered whether I was being simple or not to be honest though, but my arm could be twisted to say maybe I used a lot of words to say something rather simple here haha. Not in some attempt to make the video longer, that's just how it came out in writing

[@marocat4749]

I think that egg of a channel adds a lot of value :P Also well and thoughful presented

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you 💙

[@lauraazure6462]

I've watched Angel's Egg so many times and EVERYTIME I've watched it I've just had more questions then answers

[@ProfessorViral]

I can't tell if it's exceedingly simple, or overly complex, and I guess that's the magic haha

[@elios7623]

i'm adding Angel’s Egg to my watch list omg

[@ProfessorViral]

Happy to introduce you to it!

[@puddingpanda645]

Onto the watchlist it goes! Thank you for introducing us to yet another interesting movie😌 I saw the visuals before but never heard of the title! The medium that recently got me thinking was Link Click. It showed a good contrast of the good of the people and a grim reality of the city, loneliness and the impact of your choices. It gave quite the food for thought.

[@antsanity]

Prof, your egg hatches a hope I often struggle to find. Your ideas don't fall on deaf ears, they open searching minds up to the possibilities of the lights that still shine in this often dreadfully dark world. May your days shine as bright as your mind and your nights bring sweetly still calmness, you've helped me desire to grow and change and I hope to take your lessons to heart, to flow into who I'll become rather than stagnate as who I am. Your heart is a beautiful one

[@DaTLMusic]

Would love to see you do a video about Mawaru Penguindrum. It leans HEAVILY into symbolic and metaphoric imagery and themes, especially later in the series. Would love to see you dissect it

[@Temhy]

love your vids it helps me process through a lot of my own feelings, thank you

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you for letting me help! Always happy that I can

[@AngDevigne]

This was beautiful. Thank you.

[@ValirianDefiance]

Angel's Egg was a expression of Mamoru Oshii deconversion from Christianity, the emotions o hisf apostasy given visual expression. I hope he has found peace and happiness in freedom.

[@andyb1169]

This film holds dear to me. I was much younger when i initially watched it. Myself having deconverted from Christianity into atheism. I was recommended it by a fellow atheist who felt it perfectly represented their feelings. However i did not have the same take away. This film is ultimately what brought me back to religion. While faith here is shown as ultimately meaningless. It is the only thing keeping the girl from the horrors of the world around here. A man enters and leads her to question it. Leads her to begin to doubt explains that its the only thing keeping things from getting better. Its a parasite holding the enter world from growing. She doesnt waiver she finds ways to reaffirm it to hold onto that hope. And when its finally broken so to is she. It causes her to no longer be the person making it through a world that doesnt seem worth living in. She ends up taking her own life and is in turn encased in unchanging stone. Lost to eternity. It made me realize that whether or not the faith itself has anything behind it, faith is what gets us to keep living and keep moving forward. I was in a dark place at the time and this made me feel that even if i didnt believe in a higher power, i wanted to believe. I started living my life with faith as my egg. Nurtuing it and protecting it and i found that my depression was fading, i started living with a purpose. I bettered myself and now see it as the most important moment of my life. There are many ways to live and I would never tell someone they have to take my path to be happy. But this film put me on my path so it holds near and dear to my heart. (I understand that my view is not the norm, but to me it screams death of the author)

[@ProfessorViral]

There are certainty ways I could disagree. But, I believe Oshii stated expressly there is no correct meaning for the film, and in line with that, the important thing about whatever we believe is that it allows us to keep living, and doing so as the best we can be. So, even if its different, I'm glad that the film had this important meaning for you

[@SilverInkblot]

If there was never any hope for that world anyway, then taking away the girl's faith was little more than an act of cruelty. She doesn't grow or change by having her belief ripped away - instead, it kills her. The video leans into portraying this as a positive, which I find rather odd. It's hard to get more stagnant than dead.

[@ProfessorViral]

It's a cruel act, but without that there would be no emphasis on the point. I'm not saying he was right, I'm only saying what I take as why it all happened, and how the prolonged period of faith with no reason was harmful shown in what happens when its broken. There is nothing left

[@Hannah-vy6lu]

I love your videos so much!!! I can hear how passionate you are about the essays you make and it is so beautiful to hear you talk about these things! I am so happy i found your channel, i've been watching your videos for days now and showing them to my friends. I really love your work! The only thing is: Please invest in a good microphone, i feel like it would make your videos sound much smoother & professional with a better sound quality!

[@AMagicalBakewell]

I love your videos and your profound way of looking at reality, philosophy and ideas. Faith is a particularly interesting one as it is seen as something so postive and righteous, while simulateaneously motivating and justifying some of the greatest evil. Those without faith (especially in a higher presence) are often seen to be as lesser, broken or lacking when in fact it is those who see reality most clearly. I especially liked your line "if we must have faith and we must grow from it, then what else is there than oneself". More people need to hear that. Keep up the amazing work, friend.

[@lurker-xy8fl]

You know I often hear people say this but I don't know what they mean are they talking about war or are they talking about people following corrupt systems?

[@ravendelacour1917]

I think the issue with humanity is that they identify themselves as a mind, not a whole self. They press the rest of their selves into the service of the mind exerting it's will upon the world to redefine their external reality to match their conception of their internal reality, regardless of how viable that internal reality would be in the conditions of the external reality. Thus we have a species that prides itself on the very ideas that have created the conditions that is killing it. Even the idea of finding a means of existing indefinitely is simply to preserve that mind at the cost of everything other aspect of being. "I AM" is the saying attributed to the Abrahamic god upon their self creation, not "I THINK". Surely if the act of merely being is enough for such an august entity, it can be for us.

[@doompoison2365]

so you're saying we should just return to the primordial soup?

[@ravendelacour1917]

@@doompoison2365 No. To consider yourself a full person in mind, body and spirit. Not a mind trapped in material existence it seeks to escape from.

[@bwackbeedows3629]

1:28 Dafoe? Buscemi?

[@fittlea8248]

Amazing Video, Just adding a comment so the algorithm will notice you more, and another thing I just saw a video about "We are alive when we have something to lose." Which kind of correlates with this video in some way depending on what you value.

[@szob4961]

I love your video's keep making them

[@jakariashafin1695]

Although this video despite there being others before it felt particularly depressing I suppose before there were characters commiting atrocities involved that made the situation more far off from comprehension but this this was pure depression the story you talked about I mean.

[@mr.andrewpuppet9491]

Nice video and topic😗👍 (Also I given a watch the movie later) Yeah , faith is hard subject to talk because there were so many things , thoughts , opinions that throw around that makes you have more headacne if anything . Truth be told , I feel like everyone has an egg with them like the MC(main character) was . (We don't know what inside , why we're doing what we do , we question it and yet we keep it with ourselves either hatching or not) 🙁🥚

[@ProfessorViral]

I think we all do for sure. It's kind of like, we have to act before we can understand our actions, that's just how life is in a way. We'll only know how our goal feels once we achieve it, the idea alone never does it justice

[@mtt8072]

So cool

[@jakariashafin1695]

Fifth like yeah I mean not that it matters I just think its cool anyway awesome video. Also if anybodys wondering about the edit I asked a question but decided to edit it out after looking it up.

[@ProfessorViral]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jakariashafin1695]

@@ProfessorViral hey I know you probably don't have the time to read a lengthy visual novel but can you by any chance check out a house in fata morgana I don't claim to know your preferences but with the kind of anime you cover its right up your allay

[@internalizedhappyness9774]

It’s like basking in light of a Phantom Tree…

[@internalizedhappyness9774]

The light of sun shines on the moon, warming it such but still reflect a light, one which can pierce through the darkest of nights. some of the times! But, Fire and Friends will bring a warmth that will get you through the darkest of nights! Keep on Keeping on! 🌈🌤️ P.s 🇮🇪✊🏼 Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@kittyneko5521]

Maybe I'm wrong maybe I'm sad but when it comes down to faith i get that some people need it get by but i think people also need to think about if that faith is truely helping live a healthy life or if it's just a just a curtain blocking out the light of truth. There is time's in people's lifes where stuff happens and it's not there fault but most of the time any issue in someone's life is made by them and faith can be a double edged sword some of it can help to get to to start moveing but to much faith and you will drown wither it's faith that tomorrow will be better or the faith in a higher power both are pointless and possibly toxic if you relay on it be you and do what you want to with out relaying on other's

[@ProfessorViral]

At the end of the day, I only want people to believe whatever makes their life, and their impact on others and the world, as positive as it can be. That's why this was a very middle take, showing the power of it, but also its corruption when used as the sole motivator. And not just for religion, but even in people. I've seen relationships so harmful simply because one placed all their value and faith in another. Any belief should include an internal element; it is our decisions, our world, our lives, and to place that only in the hands of something which asks for blind faith is dangerous. I guess to summarize, what I'm asking for from others is what I always do; consideration rather than simple acceptance

[@Sand.]

hey, you should make a video on the anime Happy Sugar Life. check it out if you haven’t because its the darkest show i have ever watched

[@Eric1738-7]

Pp Life has been a little weird lately but another early catch today :D

[@ProfessorViral]

Sorry this video will make it just a bit more weird haha

[@kenpanderz]

faith is a desperate response to a world not worth living in. its what you resort to when the desire to live is made up only of the desire not to die. its not good, but its better than the worst. faith is a child that will never be born, a tree that will never bear fruit. a hope that will never be realized. it is, in essence, a waste of your time, a waste of your life. the egg she holds is personal and unassuming, but is ultimately the same as the larger looming eggs choking the world. to break the smaller egg she holds dear is pointless if you dont break the larger ones too. its merely symbolic cruelty in the guise of saving that one person. its not enough to break one person's faith, because the real problem they pose is only expressed on the grander scale. the only "faith" worth having is the gaps between confusion and certainty when knowledge cannot suffice. the infinitesimal unknowns at the very bottom of our deepest questions. but the addicted pursuit of faith to try to answer questions we already have better answers to is to carry a burden you have no use for, until it becomes a burden to everyone else aswell.

[@pixelmorgaming398]

This is an interesting one. I don't agree with you, but I understand your reasoning. I do however think this a incredibly well made video. Heaven is personally not my goal for christianity, I follow God because without a doubt I know he exists, and if I can't deny that then what can I do. if he improves my life, and if he gives my life purpose beyond anything I desire for myself, then I will have faith. You are a fantastic KZbinr. I cannot state how much you've helped me in the past. Pain is something to accept and live with, not run away from. You helped teach me that. Thank you for all you have done for not only me, but everyone who watches your videos. Whether they improve their own videos, think deeply, or bring them to some realization that helps them. Thank you

[@entitledindustries9135]

seems like the whole video went right over your head then lol. the entire point of the film is to highlight how faith traps people. indeed, in your case, prof’s analysis has fallen on dead ears.

[@pixelmorgaming398]

​@@entitledindustries9135Not exactly. I understood it, and it caused me to reanalyze myself in some ways, I disagree, that doesn't mean I didn't understand the point and reasoning of it.

[@skepticalcentral8795]

​@@entitledindustries9135 Agreed.

[@atzon8]

👍

[@ProfessorViral]

🫡

[@jeremyhilliard4366]

A lot of people don't know about this.

[@ProfessorViral]

I had a good friend say we should watch it, and that was that haha

[@shaynemaskall6984]

I recently saw Devilman Crybaby. ....and let me tell you this..... That anime sick as hell man, you got some bravery. The anime shows you just how evil and wicked humanity is. I have never seen an anime like this one before; plus it's based on the book of Revelations. Sex and violence in the characters reality are brutally realistic. It....Is...Just...To...REAL. No western animation could ever compare to this anime. I once gave my friend who is a pastor It's You Guys Fault I'm Not Popular, it's an anime. He said it gave him anxiety. No joke man! I wonder how he'll react to this one. Also I just wondered if you can do an deconstruction of the music of Devilman Crybaby. It has that techno- synth and electronic dark wave music that I really enjoyed. Very fitting for a rather somewhat ather gothic anime.

[@bobmartell5849]

👍🐻👍

[@ramphastos1]

Engagement

[@arstotzkanplaguedoctor]

🥚

[@ProfessorViral]

🐣

[@fedamist1450]

Fred durst First

[@ProfessorViral]

something something second

[@kingofAwsomness]

Heya, are you an absurdist? Or know about absurdism?

[@ProfessorViral]

I would say somewhat? I'm a big Camus fan, and my most popular video is correlating different series to "The Myth of Sisyphus." But I haven't had the chance to get properly into more than just the novels of a major absurdist yet

[@777serve]

This is a very fathless interpretation of a faith-centered movie. You cannot see the beauty of the movie, and any work like this, if you yourself already come into it denying and distrusting God as loving and merciful. The girl in the movie was rewarded with eternal life with God because she held onto her faith and hope against impossible odds. This is the same thing God does in the real world, preserving the souls that chose to be his and became his faithful children and servants. To dismiss faith itself as foolishness just because you cant see it is like trying to dismiss love or trust because you cant see it. But then again, it is not the uploader's fault that he cannot see the truth of this since the Bible itself states, "For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. The cross that broke the egg did not destroy her faith but perfect it in the same way the cross perfected Jesus Christ to be Savior and Messiah, allowing him to learn obedience and step into his role as true Son of God: "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 5:8-10. When you view the movie with the lense of Faith and God, it actually becomes a very faith-affirming movie. You can also see how the white-haired man who lacked faith is left behind in the dark world while the white-haired girl who had faith ascends to be with God. In the same way Judas who betrayed Jesus and forced the cross on him is left behind to be in hell while Jesus ascends to be with God.

[@ProfessorViral]

To say "I can't see the beauty of it" simply because I have a different outlook on where to place faith is something I truly hate. Should I quote out of context from a book to make my interpretation more valid? I try not to be rude, but I gravely dislike when people spend so much time trying to convince me of something I never asked for

[@777serve]

@@ProfessorViral I was simply providing you with the interpretation most Bible-reading Christians would come to since the movie itself has heavy Christian themes as was the director's original intent. Regardless, I took time in that response because I genuinly liked your other videos and it saddened me that the conclusion you came to in this one was so anti-God, as if the girl was on the losing side at the end, whereas, just like Christ, the pain of the cross is what allowed her to ascend into an honoured place with God. I admit that I criticized your conclusion because to dissuade others from having faith in God, especially if theres a possibility that he exists, would be leading them astray. Actually, many people live closely to God everyday, therefore on the basis that he does exist and he is good, then this video would be harmful to those who may wish to seek him. Regardless, I thank you for taking the time to read my reply and I sincerely have enoyed your other videos and hope that you keep up the good work and maybe even seek God directly and experience him yourself so that what I had said to you earlier may cause you joy instead of hate.

[@777serve]

@@NamelessMist Yes, this is a great film to analyze due to its archetypal symbolism, and I did not expect for everyone to share in my interpretation just because I proposed it, but rather, to give insight onto what someone from the opposite side of the uploader's stance would propose, thus allowing for both God-affiirming and God-denying stances to be understood. As for the film itself, I am familiar with the director losing his faith, however, the substance of the film still reflects the common understanding of the story of Jesus, which the director was either consciously or subconsciously portraying. It would be a whole different story if the white-haired girl died and that was the end of the film, but the fact it shows her ascencion and unification with the great eye that clearly represents God redeems her tragedy into a story of God redeeming the one that was faithful to him even in the face of death and the pain inflicted by the cross. In the same way, if Christ died and that was that, it would have stayed a tragedy, but due to his resurrection and then ascension, his life showed that to have faith in God to redeem your tragedy even to the point of death shows that God's love is greater than death itself and glorifies his providence. At the modern day, with Christ being exalted as higher than any human has ever worldwide while everyone who opposed him during his time is now seen with great disgrace, it seems that his life-story was definetly redeemed by God. Even the eggs is in the film after the girl's death reflects the proverb of "the blood of the martyr is the seed of the church", calling back to how early Christians who were killed and persecuted led to the great increase of believers due to their deaths glorifying God, showing the strength of their conviction, and how evil and wrong it was for them to be killed even though they lived very innocent lives. The white-haired girl's death parralelled this, with her death leading to others to have an oppertunity to share in the same faith in the same way the deaths of the early Christian martyrs did. Jesus Christ even confirms and describes this in detail when he says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." John 12:24-26 That verse alone does a great work at revealing the faith-centered truth of the film once it is accounted for. Actually, re-watching the movie with that verse alone in mind will reveal a totally different narrative than the one someone who is secular would come to. This is why I said those who have read the Bible will be able to see what I am saying, not to be exclusive, but because there are symbols and themes that can only be effectively understood with a Bibical foundation. Anyways, I hope this provided insight onto this side.

[@Nixxyiom]

​@777serve Ah, yes, the interpretation that every Christian shares. Not that there aren't multiple denominations or anything regarding what people believe. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Recognize this? If anything you should've consulted this passage to understand why you shouldn't judge others. It doesn't matter what they believe in. You need to treat everyone's opinions with respect. He spent so much time writing his own well thought out opinion so why not complement him instead of condemn him? If you are only hating on someone's perspective, can you really call yourself a Christian? I'll end with this. The very meaning of Christian is universal. Stop judging.

[@777serve]

@@Nixxyiom A true friend tells you the truth that can save you, an enemy tells you lies that comfort you but keep you in folly. This is shown by the verse: "Faithful are the wounds from a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6 When a Christian stands up for truth, many might hate them because they presume they are being judgmental, however, there is a stark difference between judging and exercising righteousness as Christians are called to do: "Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them." Ephesians 5:11 This video in itself discourages faith as a conclusion, which has the effect of drawing people who can be influenced by it away from God. Jesus himself shows his distaste of others who lead others astray when he says "But whoso shall cause one of these little ones who believe in Me to fall, it were better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 Would you prefer that your friends tell you lies that keep you happy or truths that help you gain understanding, wisdom, and character? Anyone who loves God, who is the God of Truth, will love truth, and will value telling the truth to others more than decieving them for the sake of pleasing them. Additionally, if you knew your friend was confidently walking a path that would lead to pain, a path you yourself walked and realized would only lead to destruction, wouldn't it be your responsibility as their friend to tell them the truth? There are many who call themselves Christians but are not Christians, "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. These Christians that have no pull in their hearts to exercise righteousness and goodness out of the love of God, a natural byproduct of their good faith and the residence of the Holy Spirit within them, will be judged by the Judge as not worthy of entering heaven. Finally, If you had read my second comment, you would have seen that I did show honest appreciation and love for his works, and those compliments were sincere, they were not forced or untruthful for the sake of people-pleasing. In regards to his works that I enjoyed, I gave sincere and honest praise, in regards to his works I found fault in, I gave sincere and honest criticism so that he may be drawn to explore the subect of faith and God in a deeper way. Wouldn't it be a fake and godless world if people valued people-pleasing over sincerity? Valuing Artificial-Love over Sincere-Truth? As it is written: "Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold onto what is good." Romans 12:9.