Montana Smith said:
If those other faiths also had a proven ability (as Mola Ram's Kali cult proved that it could work supernatural powers), that would mean Indy believed in different gods, or at least very different methods of pleasing the same god. Methods that would be inconsistent with most Christian ideals.
Let's not discount the existence of the demonic.
Montana Smith said:
Indy's world differs from ours in that a 'supernatural' is shown to exist, that it's still undefined by science means that it isn't yet incorporated into the natural world (even though it is a 'natural' part of Indy's world).
I think Indy would have to keep an open mind, as relating everything he witnesses or experiences to a Christian understanding would prove difficult, based on the Bible. Though, if he took the apocryphal texts (which von Daeniken used to interpret the 'Most High', the flying machines, and God as a spaceman etc), then he might be able to bring the Inter-Dimensionals into some sort of Christian definition.
In tribal Africa, there is no doubt of the supernatural. We're not talking about digital effects and camera tricks. They don't have such technological barriers between them and the supernatural.
Christianity espouses there is one God who created this world, the heavens (universe), and all that is in them. IDBs are not a problem under that canopy of belief. Part of the created world(s); apocryphal texts not necessary.
Montana Smith said:
Rather than an atheist, I think Indy has to be a polytheist. Indy's world appears not to be dominated by a single God, but many.
While I profess belief in one God - one Creator, one ultimate God - I do see evidence of many gods in the world...whether they are myths or not is irrelevant; the fact is, people believe in them and worship them. The reality of many gods (as affirmed by the existence and practices of their worshipers) in the world does not conflict with Christian theology, as the Bible itself acknowledges that various peoples and tribes worship other gods; in Acts Chapter 17:16-34, the author Luke states that in Athens there was even an idol to "an unknown god" (v23)...probably put there just in case the worshipers missed one.
I believe the key tenant of polytheism isn't so much that one believes in the existence of many gods, but that one also
worships many gods. So I do not see Indy as classifying himself as a polytheist.