The Avengers (2012)

Related: Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

This movie features a band of so-called superheroes who unite to take vengeance upon an alien army led by a false god of the Norse pantheon. Each of the superheroes, in one way or another, practices or embodies actual evil (as defined by God's law), while simultaneously taking vengeance into their own hands against imaginary evil. Using colorful costumes and imaginary super powers, this movie distracts viewers from the realization that in order to enjoy and follow along with the story and characters, God's Word and commandments must be set aside, thus defiling the mind and effectively conforming it to the thinking, standards, and values of the world, and leading children and adults to take pleasure in sin.

This movie should therefore be avoided. It is filled with profanity (at least 18 instances, including a profanely sworn oath), contains blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 3 times), and involves and/or promotes immodesty, sexual immorality, drunkenness, polytheism, sorcery, deceit, and disdain for authority. Since its heroes practice sin, this movie conditions viewers to substitute evil for good and good for evil (Isa. 5:20) by praising evildoers who ought to be despised (Ps. 15:4; Pro. 28:4).

Violations of God's Law

Defiance against God

This movie violates the First Commandment. God explicitly forbids the entertainment of any other god in his sight (Ex. 20:3) and requires that their names are neither mentioned nor remembered, except with abhorrence and detestation (Ex. 23:13; Ps. 16:4; Zec. 13:2; Deut. 12:3; Hos. 2:17). This movie, however, honors the memory of false gods by glamorizing them into superheroes, to be loved and idolized by children and adults.

• This movie recognizes the Norse pantheon, whose deities are not merely imaginary comic book characters, but demons (1Co. 10:20-21; Deut. 32:17) who have enslaved and been worshiped by untold multitudes among the heathen (and even by many still to this day); and so influential and embedded has their false worship been that even the days of our week bear its imprint.
  • The false god Thor is glamorized as one of the main superheroes of the movie. He claims to love this world and that it is under his protection; the Scriptures tell us, however, that the demons have inspired these pagan deities with pure malice and hatred of this world and all mankind, seeking to keep as many as they can from being saved (2Co. 4:4). The one who truly loves the world is God, and he has demonstrated this love by sending his Son Jesus to save and die for sinners (Jn. 3:16-17; 1Ti. 1:15). This movie is instead committed to presenting a false god as earth's savior.
  • The false god Loki is glamorized. He calls himself a god several times. After violently pummeling him, Hulk quips, "Puny god." The first and second Hulk films develop the idea that Hulk's power surpasses the limits God has placed on mankind, so that the Hulk himself becomes "Godlike." The audience is made to laugh at idolatry and admire Hulk's power as capable of defeating "gods" like Loki.
  • Natasha claims Thor and Loki are "basically gods." Steve corrects her claim, saying, "There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that." This may appear to be due honor given to God, and uninformed Christians have even used this line as a justification for watching the movie. However, the context of the movie (which is replete with favorable references to false gods), combined with the context of Steve's character (namely, his pattern of profane, irreverent speech) demonstrate that this line amounts to nothing more than yet another instance of blasphemy, a mockery of biblical truth. Furthermore, since Steve hails from a previous generation (during WWII), and joined the Avengers team after being frozen for 70 years, he is shown repeatedly throughout the film as representing that which is old fashioned, in which case it can be argued that the film is simply depicting a strict adherence to monotheism as an antiquated religious tradition of a bygone era.
  • Asgard is referenced, the dwelling place of the Norse gods
• Sorcery:
  • Loki is said to have placed various people under a spell
• Throughout most of the film, Tony is shown wearing a shirt emblazoned with Black Sabbath, a rock band whose name was inspired by an experience Geezer Butler (one of the band members) claims to have had, in which the devil appeared as a dark apparition at his bedside. Their song "Black Sabbath" (inspired by the same apparition) features the following lyrics: "What is this that stands before me? … Big black shape with eyes of fire, telling people their desire, Satan's sitting there, he's smiling…" The lyrics of another song in the same album: "My name is Lucifer, please take my hand … follow me now and you will not regret…"
• At least one appeal to luck

Blasphemy and Profanity

This movie violates the Third Commandment. God has warned that he will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain (Ex. 20:7). God requires oaths to be sworn by his name (Deut. 6:13).

• Steve, consistent with his portrayal in the first Captain America movie, is shown using profanity and taking God's name in vain
• Bruce and a scientist also each take God's name in vain at least once
• Natasha swears a profane oath ("on my life"); the Lord Jesus explicitly forbids swearing on or by ourselves, because we cannot "make one hair white or black" (Mt. 5:36)
• Tony makes a profane reference to what he calls the "tale" of the biblical prophet Jonah just before entering a large extraterrestrial vehicle that resembles a whale
• Profane references: hell (6), damn (4), among others

Disdain for Authority

This movie promotes violations of the Fifth Commandment. Those who despise government, to whom God has given the sword, are likened to brute beasts who will be condemned (2Pe. 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).

• Vigilantism: This movie centers around a band of superheroes who unite to usurp God's exclusive right to vengeance, as they take it upon themselves to avenge the earth.
  • Tony says, "If we can't protect the earth, you can be damn well sure we'll avenge it."
• Feminism: Natasha is shown repeatedly fighting men and alien soldiers

Abuse, Violence, and Murder

This movie promotes violations of the Sixth Commandment. The Bible warns that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1Co. 6:9-10).

• Thor testifies that his friend, Dr. Erik Selvig, "is a good man." Erik, however, is portrayed in the first Thor movie as one who unrepentantly speaks profanity and engages in a drinking contest, drinking himself into a drunken stupor. The Bible does not testify that such people are good, but rather are foolish and wicked (Prov. 20:1; Isa. 5:22).
• Tony jokes about the Hulk managing anger with the help of a "huge bag of weed"

Immodesty and Sexual Immorality

This movie violates and promotes violations of the Seventh Commandment. The Bible warns that those who do not repent of sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co. 6:9-10), but will be judged by God (Heb. 13:4). We are commanded to "flee fornication" (1Co. 6:18).

• Tony (Robert Downey Jr., married) and Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow, married) are shown kissing
• Natasha is shown immodestly dressed, showing cleavage, in a 3-minute long scene
• Bruce is shown tearing out of his clothes when he turns into Hulk, to be left completely naked when he returns to normal. In one scene meant to provoke laughter, a security guard describes him as "Big and green and buck-ass nude" before offering him a set of clothes
• Tony is introduced donning his Iron Man suit for the first time in the film listening to the song "Shoot to Thrill" by AC/DC, which is about lonely and bored housewives who, high on Valium, go out seeking extramarital sex, according to the songwriter and lead singer Brian Johnson (source).

Deceit

This movie promotes violations of the Ninth Commandment. The Bible warns that all liars, whom God hates (Pro. 6:16-19; 12:22), shall have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

• As he's about to die, Agent Coulson tells Nick, "This was never going to work, if they didn't have something to…" (speaking of uniting the Avengers around his death). Nick proceeds to rally them together by tossing Coulson's card collection (of each super hero) before them, which are stained with blood. "These were in Phil Coulson's jacket. Guess he never did get you to sign them," Nick tells them. "There was an idea … called the Avengers Initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if they could become something more, to see if they could work together when we needed them to, to fight the battles that we never could. Phil Coulson died still believing in that idea, in heroes." Later, when his agent confronts him, "Sir, those cards were in Coulson's locker, not his jacket," Nick replied, "They needed the push." This reveals that the Avengers are rallied together based upon a lie.

Sinful Content in The Avengers

Warning! The following table contains direct quotations from the film, which include instances of blasphemy, profanity, and other vices.