"Silence" (2016) movie review - Revision history

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	<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.		<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

	<sup class="versenum">27</sup> “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ~~â€˜Father~~, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!”		<sup class="versenum">27</sup> “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!”

	'''Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.		'''Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

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	<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.		<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

	<sup class="versenum">27</sup> “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!~~â€~~		<sup class="versenum">27</sup> “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!”

	'''Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.~~â€~~''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.		'''Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

	<sup class="versenum">30</sup> Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. <sup class="versenum">31</sup> Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. <sup class="versenum">32</sup> And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.~~â€~~ <sup class="versenum">33</sup> He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.		<sup class="versenum">30</sup> Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. <sup class="versenum">31</sup> Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. <sup class="versenum">32</sup> And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” <sup class="versenum">33</sup> He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
	</div>		</div>

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	:: There is no agony in the Garden in the gospel of John:		:: There is no agony in the Garden in the gospel of John:
	<div class="hang">		<div class="hang">
	<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, ~~â€œThe~~ hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.		<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

	<sup class="versenum">27</sup> ~~â€œNow~~ my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!â€		<sup class="versenum">27</sup> “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!â€

	'''Then a voice came from heaven, ~~â€œI~~ have glorified it, and will glorify it again.â€''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.		'''Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.â€''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

	<sup class="versenum">30</sup> Jesus said, ~~â€œThis~~ voice was for your benefit, not mine. <sup class="versenum">31</sup> Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. <sup class="versenum">32</sup> And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.â€ <sup class="versenum">33</sup> He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.		<sup class="versenum">30</sup> Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. <sup class="versenum">31</sup> Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. <sup class="versenum">32</sup> And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.â€ <sup class="versenum">33</sup> He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
	</div>		</div>

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	[[File:DSC 0121-622x700.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|right\|<div align="center">[https://voices.nationalgeographic.org/2015/10/08/nagasakis-hidden-christians-survive-persecution-and-the-atomic-bomb/ Ari Beser, "~~Nagasakiâ€™s~~ Hidden Christians Survive Persecution and the Atomic Bomb"]</div>]]		[[File:DSC 0121-622x700.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|right\|<div align="center">[https://voices.nationalgeographic.org/2015/10/08/nagasakis-hidden-christians-survive-persecution-and-the-atomic-bomb/ Ari Beser, "Nagasaki’s Hidden Christians Survive Persecution and the Atomic Bomb"]</div>]]

	Two women for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration suggested that I should watch [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490215/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''Silence'' (2016).] So I did.		Two women for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration suggested that I should watch [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490215/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''Silence'' (2016).] So I did.
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	<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, â€œThe hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.		<sup class="versenum">23</sup> Jesus replied, â€œThe hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. <sup class="versenum">24</sup> Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. <sup class="versenum">25</sup> Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <sup class="versenum">26</sup> Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

	<sup class="versenum">27</sup> â€œNow my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this ~~hourâ€™~~? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!â€		<sup class="versenum">27</sup> â€œNow my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? â€˜Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. <sup class="versenum">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!â€

	'''Then a voice came from heaven, â€œI have glorified it, and will glorify it again.â€''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.		'''Then a voice came from heaven, â€œI have glorified it, and will glorify it again.â€''' <sup class="versenum">29</sup> The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

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To be continued ...

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	== To be continued ... ==		== To be continued ... ==

			* "Pray with your eyes open."
			* "They are too humble to compare themselves to Jesus."

	For what it's worth, I've ordered the novel to see how it compares to the movie. It was written by a Japanese Catholic, and is considered a masterpiece.		For what it's worth, I've ordered the novel to see how it compares to the movie. It was written by a Japanese Catholic, and is considered a masterpiece.

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	:; Ferreira<nowiki>:</nowiki> We were taught to love those who scorned us.		:; Ferreira<nowiki>:</nowiki> We were taught to love those who scorned us.
	:; Rodrigues: I feel nothing for them.		:; Rodrigues<nowiki>:</nowiki> I feel nothing for them.

	:: Loving people for whom we feel love is a great consolation; loving enemies is a different case entirely. Love, like sin, is in the will, not in the feelings. "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:44) is a command for us to overcome our ''natural inclinations of resentment, recrimination, and revenge'' by an act of faith in the mercy of God. Those who cannot feel antipathy toward others cannot fulfill this law of love.		:: Loving people for whom we feel love is a great consolation; loving enemies is a different case entirely. Love, like sin, is in the will, not in the feelings. "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:44) is a command for us to overcome our ''natural inclinations of resentment, recrimination, and revenge'' by an act of faith in the mercy of God. Those who cannot feel antipathy toward others cannot fulfill this law of love.

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Vorgriffe

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	Two women for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration suggested that I should watch [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490215/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''Silence'' (2016).] So I did.		Two women for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration suggested that I should watch [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490215/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''Silence'' (2016).] So I did.

	== Vorgriffe ==		== Vorgriffe (Preconceptions) ==

	I put some "preapprehensions" on the record before I took the time to watch "Silence" this afternoon.		I put some "preapprehensions" on the record before I took the time to watch "Silence" this afternoon.

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Links

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	== Links ==		== Links ==

	* Deacon Steven D. Greydanus at ''Decent Films'' [http://decentfilms.com/reviews/silence2016 ~~gives the movie~~ a charitable review.]		* Deacon Steven D. Greydanus at ''Decent Films'' gives the movie [http://decentfilms.com/reviews/silence2016 a charitable review.]

	[[Category:Movies]]		[[Category:Movies]]

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	::- emphasize classic Japanese Shinto-Buddhist spirituality;		::- emphasize classic Japanese Shinto-Buddhist spirituality;
	::- downplay the necessity of preaching Jesus as the Savior of all of God's children;		::- downplay the necessity of preaching Jesus as the Savior of all of God's children;
	::- justify apostasy as the highest form of love for God and neighbor--the greatest evil is death of the innocent, and therefore the greatest good is to save the innocent by repudiating the gospel;		::- justify apostasy as the highest form of love for God and neighbor — the greatest evil is death of the innocent, and therefore the greatest good is to save the innocent by repudiating the gospel;
	::- silently recommend that Christians should be silent in today's culture wars because preaching Jesus does more harm than good;		::- silently recommend that Christians should be silent in today's culture wars because preaching Jesus does more harm than good;
	::- cultivate indifferentism: if God is love, and loves all of His children whole-heartedly at all times and in all places, then why should missionaries go out to all the world?		::- cultivate indifferentism: if God is love, and loves all of His children whole-heartedly at all times and in all places, then why should missionaries go out to all the world?
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	:: Those who suffered were those who believed the message of the gospel. Those who thought that the missionaries brought only disaster would give up the faith immediately. The ''action'' of the faithful contradicts this counsel of despair.		:: Those who suffered were those who believed the message of the gospel. Those who thought that the missionaries brought only disaster would give up the faith immediately. The ''action'' of the faithful contradicts this counsel of despair.

	:; The way Rodrigues celebrates Mass is "low Church"--no vestments at Mass, no candles.		:; The way Rodrigues celebrates Mass is "low Church" — no vestments at Mass, no candles.

	:: This is how Protestants and contemporary modernists celebrate communion services, not Catholic priests of the 17th century.		:: This is how Protestants and contemporary modernists celebrate communion services, not Catholic priests of the 17th century.
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	:: Rosaries, crosses, scapulars, candles, holy water, icons, rings, incense, bells, vestments, and the like are material things that help us to remember spiritual realities.		:: Rosaries, crosses, scapulars, candles, holy water, icons, rings, incense, bells, vestments, and the like are material things that help us to remember spiritual realities.

	:: In his interior monologue, Rodrigues says, "I worry, they value these poor signs of faith more than faith itself. But how can we deny them?" If he was anxious about their use of the blessed objects, he ought to have seized the moment to teach the people that when we pray, God looks at what is in our hearts, not at the things in our hands or on our walls or on our bookshelves. Rodrigues is as guilty of superstition as they are, breaking his rosary up into parts and treating the beads as holy objects with magical powers. The people could and did make rosaries and crosses themselves. A handmade crucifix is in the final scene of the movie--there was nothing more holy about the wooden crosses or rosary beads that he distributed.		:: In his interior monologue, Rodrigues says, "I worry, they value these poor signs of faith more than faith itself. But how can we deny them?" If he was anxious about their use of the blessed objects, he ought to have seized the moment to teach the people that when we pray, God looks at what is in our hearts, not at the things in our hands or on our walls or on our bookshelves. Rodrigues is as guilty of superstition as they are, breaking his rosary up into parts and treating the beads as holy objects with magical powers. The people could and did make rosaries and crosses themselves. A handmade crucifix is in the final scene of the movie — there was nothing more holy about the wooden crosses or rosary beads that he distributed.

	:: I wanted to shout at Rodrigues what I heard a mother say to a cranky child: "Use your words!" The film makers believe that remaining silent about the nature of faith is the most loving thing to do. They don't think that the questions they raise have meaningful answers. They and Rodrigues think that the best thing to do in the face of ignorant superstition is to distribute more religious trinkets that will be used in a stupid and supertitious fashion. <dope slap!>		:: I wanted to shout at Rodrigues what I heard a mother say to a cranky child: "Use your words!" The film makers believe that remaining silent about the nature of faith is the most loving thing to do. They don't think that the questions they raise have meaningful answers. They and Rodrigues think that the best thing to do in the face of ignorant superstition is to distribute more religious trinkets that will be used in a stupid and supertitious fashion. <dope slap!>
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	:; A child's faith will not get us through adult difficulties.		:; A child's faith will not get us through adult difficulties.

	:: Rodrigues is a simpleton. I foresaw as I watched the first hours of the movie that he would be crushed when he discovered that his hero had committed apostasy and was living happily ever after. He thought that having faith means that God will answer all of our prayers and protect us from suffering and death. That is what children naturally and understandably and innocently believe. But Jesus did not say that faith would keep us from suffering in this lifetime--far from it! He said that if we had faith, we would suffer and die as He did.		:: Rodrigues is a simpleton. I foresaw as I watched the first hours of the movie that he would be crushed when he discovered that his hero had committed apostasy and was living happily ever after. He thought that having faith means that God will answer all of our prayers and protect us from suffering and death. That is what children naturally and understandably and innocently believe. But Jesus did not say that faith would keep us from suffering in this lifetime — far from it! He said that if we had faith, we would suffer and die as He did.

	:; Why does God allow innocent suffering?		:; Why does God allow innocent suffering?
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	:: This man has no faith whatsoever! He thinks that God is at his beck and call. Every time he prays, he expects God to dance to his tune. In his view, if God does not obey us when we speak to Him, then God is not listening or, if He is listening, He is unloving.		:: This man has no faith whatsoever! He thinks that God is at his beck and call. Every time he prays, he expects God to dance to his tune. In his view, if God does not obey us when we speak to Him, then God is not listening or, if He is listening, He is unloving.

	:: God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He knows us better than we know ourselves. His attention to each one of us is unwavering. He never sleeps; we do. These are truths we can know from [[Natural theology\|"natural theology."]] He knows the whole of our lives--all that He has done for us, all that He is doing for us, all that He will do for us. When He allows us to suffer, it is because that is what His love for us requires of Him.		:: God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He knows us better than we know ourselves. His attention to each one of us is unwavering. He never sleeps; we do. These are truths we can know from [[Natural theology\|"natural theology."]] He knows the whole of our lives — all that He has done for us, all that He is doing for us, all that He will do for us. When He allows us to suffer, it is because that is what His love for us requires of Him.

	:: God has not given us a "God-button" that will summon Him whenever we wish to meet with Him face-to-face. It is a great [[Consolation and Desolation\|consolation]] when He does make His presence felt and a great desolation when He does not. God does not want to be "the opiate of the people." Heroin always does what heroin does, when you snort, smoke, or inject it. Electricity always obeys the laws of physics. It has no choice. If we make a correct circuit, power flows where we want it to. God is not like that. "No" is as much an answer to prayer as "yes." Rodrigues has no clue about God's sovereignty and freedom. His one thought is, "If You let them suffer, You are not answering their prayers." This mindset is a counterfeit of faith:		:: God has not given us a "God-button" that will summon Him whenever we wish to meet with Him face-to-face. It is a great [[Consolation and Desolation\|consolation]] when He does make His presence felt and a great desolation when He does not. God does not want to be "the opiate of the people." Heroin always does what heroin does, when you snort, smoke, or inject it. Electricity always obeys the laws of physics. It has no choice. If we make a correct circuit, power flows where we want it to. God is not like that. "No" is as much an answer to prayer as "yes." Rodrigues has no clue about God's sovereignty and freedom. His one thought is, "If You let them suffer, You are not answering their prayers." This mindset is a counterfeit of faith:
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	:; The power and weakness of Baptism		:; The power and weakness of Baptism

	:: The question raised by the parents is a good one. Instead of looking like a deer caught in the headlights, Rodrigues should have said, "You know well that we adults sin. That is why we have Confession and the Eucharist. Baptism saves us and sanctifies us, but when your child is old enough to make her own choices, she will have to decide for herself--just as you do!--whether she will live for love. At the moment, she is innocent and full of grace, like Mary. If she dies before she can make her own choice, she will enter Heaven. If she lives long enough to have the power to love, as we do, then she will be judged on the quality of her choices, as we all are.		:: The question raised by the parents is a good one. Instead of looking like a deer caught in the headlights, Rodrigues should have said, "You know well that we adults sin. That is why we have Confession and the Eucharist. Baptism saves us and sanctifies us, but when your child is old enough to make her own choices, she will have to decide for herself — just as you do! — whether she will live for love. At the moment, she is innocent and full of grace, like Mary. If she dies before she can make her own choice, she will enter Heaven. If she lives long enough to have the power to love, as we do, then she will be judged on the quality of her choices, as we all are.

	:: This kind of reflection on the nature of baptism should have taken place during the years of formation that all Jesuits received. As with the question about innocent suffering, it is strange that the movie makes it seem that the two Jesuits have never thought about the issue of "once saved, always saved" until they had landed in Japan and started baptizing babies.		:: This kind of reflection on the nature of baptism should have taken place during the years of formation that all Jesuits received. As with the question about innocent suffering, it is strange that the movie makes it seem that the two Jesuits have never thought about the issue of "once saved, always saved" until they had landed in Japan and started baptizing babies.
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	:::: All who have rejected the faith under torture have my deepest sympathy. I do not bear pain well, and I doubt very much that I could endure five hours of being suspended upside-down in a black pit without breaking down. When it comes to martyrdom, I am ready and able to cheer the martyrs on from a safe distance in time and space. It was not watching others suffer or desiring to end their suffering that caused the real Ferreira to throw in the towel; it was his time in the pit that changed his mind.		:::: All who have rejected the faith under torture have my deepest sympathy. I do not bear pain well, and I doubt very much that I could endure five hours of being suspended upside-down in a black pit without breaking down. When it comes to martyrdom, I am ready and able to cheer the martyrs on from a safe distance in time and space. It was not watching others suffer or desiring to end their suffering that caused the real Ferreira to throw in the towel; it was his time in the pit that changed his mind.

	:: The native Japanese religion, like most native religions, has a huge pantheon of deities--supernatural forces that surround us at all times and can bless or curse us. The imported Buddhist religion is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that "worships" the Buddha as a kind of deity. It is patently false to say that "the Japanese are incapable of thinking beyond nature." What an insult to Japanese intelligence and culture! The movie accuses the Jesuits of not being willing to learn about Japan, but it suffers from that very defect.		:: The native Japanese religion, like most native religions, has a huge pantheon of deities — supernatural forces that surround us at all times and can bless or curse us. The imported Buddhist religion is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that "worships" the Buddha as a kind of deity. It is patently false to say that "the Japanese are incapable of thinking beyond nature." What an insult to Japanese intelligence and culture! The movie accuses the Jesuits of not being willing to learn about Japan, but it suffers from that very defect.

	:: When Japan allowed westerners to enter the country in the 19th century, tens of thousands of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakure_Kirishitan "hidden Christians"] were found in the area near Nagasaki and in other rural areas. [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Christianity_in_Japan 40,000 Christians near Nagasaki] were driven into exile. Most of the "hidden Christians" rejoined the Catholic Church when the ban on Christianity was lifted in 1873. Ferreira's claim that Christianity could not take root in Japan was false in the time of persecutions (17th century) and is false today.		:: When Japan allowed westerners to enter the country in the 19th century, tens of thousands of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakure_Kirishitan "hidden Christians"] were found in the area near Nagasaki and in other rural areas. [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Christianity_in_Japan 40,000 Christians near Nagasaki] were driven into exile. Most of the "hidden Christians" rejoined the Catholic Church when the ban on Christianity was lifted in 1873. Ferreira's claim that Christianity could not take root in Japan was false in the time of persecutions (17th century) and is false today.

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	:; The movie is on the side of the torturers		:; The movie is on the side of the torturers

	:: It is manipulative. "These people are suffering because of your dream of a Christian Japan." The inhuman enmity of the torturers and sadists is given a pass.		:: The movie is manipulative. It attributes all of the evil to the desire of the missionaries to tell the good news to the whole world: "These people are suffering because of your dream of a Christian Japan." The inhuman enmity of the torturers and sadists is given a pass. Their part in the suffering of the faithful is treated as a force of nature. The only people who are condemned are the evangelists.

	:; Ferreira<nowiki>:</nowiki> We were taught to love those who scorned us.		:; Ferreira<nowiki>:</nowiki> We were taught to love those who scorned us.
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	:; The one who betrays Jesus is the one who serves Jesus best.		:; The one who betrays Jesus is the one who serves Jesus best.

	:: The movie raises the question of whether Jesus was happy and pleased with the betrayal by Judas: "What you must do, do quickly" (Jn 13:27). The thought that Judas was obeying God's command is an ancient garbling of the gospel. Ferreira and the moviemakers believe that it is a great act of love for Jesus to betray Him, and not just Him, but everyone who has laid down their lives in imitation of Him.		:: The movie raises the question of whether Jesus was happy and pleased with the betrayal by Judas: "What you must do, do quickly" (Jn 13:27). The thought that Judas was obeying God's command, that he was ''forced'' to hand Jesus over to death, is an ancient garbling of the gospel. Ferreira and the moviemakers believe that it is a great act of love for Jesus to betray Him, and not just Him, but everyone who has laid down their lives in imitation of Him.

	:: Ferreira: "You are about to perform the most painful act of love."		:: Ferreira: "You are about to perform the most painful act of love."
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	:: Buddhism is a religion that originated in India and came to Japan by way of China. The exaltation of Buddhism in the movie repudiates the thought that the Japanese are locked into a culture that excludes all other cultures. If Buddha can be preached in Japan, why not Jesus? If there is no difference between Buddhism and Christianity, why persecute Christians and endorse Buddhism?		:: Buddhism is a religion that originated in India and came to Japan by way of China. The exaltation of Buddhism in the movie repudiates the thought that the Japanese are locked into a culture that excludes all other cultures. If Buddha can be preached in Japan, why not Jesus? If there is no difference between Buddhism and Christianity, why persecute Christians and endorse Buddhism?

	:; ~~The~~ Japanese do not worship the same God as Christians because St. Francis Xavier chose the wrong word to translate the Judeo-Christian concept into Japanese.		:; Ferreira claims that the Japanese do not worship the same God as Christians because St. Francis Xavier chose the wrong word to translate the Judeo-Christian concept into Japanese.

	:: Ferreira: "The Japanese are incapable of thinking of anything beyond nature. They have no concept of 'God.' The word Francis Xavier chose just means the sun. It rises every day."		:: Ferreira: "The Japanese are incapable of thinking of anything beyond nature. They have no concept of 'God.' The word Francis Xavier chose just means 'the sun.' It rises every day."

	:: Christianity does not stand or fall on the meaning of one word. The creed is a complex unity of ideas.		:: Christianity does not stand or fall on the meaning of one word. The creed is a complex unity of ideas. The understanding of God as one, supreme, all-good, all-present, all-knowing, all-loving, all-merciful, all-beautiful, all-truthful, pure spirit, not trapped in space and time as we are but the first cause and final judge of all that is, is woven into the whole of the tradition. The whole task of catechists, whether they work at home or in foreign missions, is to see that the full gospel message is transmitted.

	:: "Xavier was welcomed by the Shingon monks since he used the word Dainichi for the Christian God; attempting to adapt the concept to local traditions. As Xavier learned more about the religious nuances of the word, he changed to Deusu from the Latin and Portuguese Deus. The monks later realised that Xavier was preaching a rival religion and grew more aggressive towards his attempts at conversion."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier ''Wikipedia,'' "Francis Xavier.]</ref>		:: "Xavier was welcomed by the Shingon monks since he used the word '''Dainichi''' for the Christian God; attempting to adapt the concept to local traditions. As Xavier learned more about the religious nuances of the word, he changed to '''Deusu''' from the Latin and Portuguese Deus. The monks later realised that Xavier was preaching a rival religion and grew more aggressive towards his attempts at conversion."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier ''Wikipedia,'' "Francis Xavier.]</ref>

	:: Xavier was in Japan from 1549 until 1551. The historical apostate, Ferreira, renounced the faith in 1633 "after being tortured for five hours."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crist%C3%B3v%C3%A3o_Ferreira ''Wikipedia,'' "CristÃ³vÃ£o Ferreira."]</ref> Xavier had already realized the limitations of "Dainichi" and coined a new word 80 years before the events of this movie take place.		:: Xavier was in Japan from 1549 until 1551. The historical apostate, Ferreira, renounced the faith in 1633 "after being tortured for five hours."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crist%C3%B3v%C3%A3o_Ferreira ''Wikipedia,'' "CristÃ³vÃ£o Ferreira."]</ref> Xavier had already realized the limitations of "Dainichi" and coined a new word ''80 years before the events of this movie take place.''

	:::: All who have rejected the faith under torture have my deepest sympathy. I do not bear pain well, and I doubt very much that I could endure five hours of being suspended upside-down in a black pit without breaking down. When it comes to martyrdom, I am ready and able to cheer ~~them~~ on from a safe distance in time and space.		:::: All who have rejected the faith under torture have my deepest sympathy. I do not bear pain well, and I doubt very much that I could endure five hours of being suspended upside-down in a black pit without breaking down. When it comes to martyrdom, I am ready and able to cheer the martyrs on from a safe distance in time and space. It was not watching others suffer or desiring to end their suffering that caused the real Ferreira to throw in the towel; it was his time in the pit that changed his mind.

	:: The native Japanese religion, like most native religions, has a huge pantheon of deities--supernatural forces that surround us at all times and can bless or curse us. The imported Buddhist religion is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that "worships" the Buddha as a kind of deity. It is patently false to say that "the Japanese are incapable of thinking beyond nature." What an insult to Japanese intelligence and culture! The movie accuses the Jesuits of not being willing to learn about Japan, but it suffers from that very defect.		:: The native Japanese religion, like most native religions, has a huge pantheon of deities--supernatural forces that surround us at all times and can bless or curse us. The imported Buddhist religion is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that "worships" the Buddha as a kind of deity. It is patently false to say that "the Japanese are incapable of thinking beyond nature." What an insult to Japanese intelligence and culture! The movie accuses the Jesuits of not being willing to learn about Japan, but it suffers from that very defect.