RELIGIOUS THEMES IN SILENCE 1

Religious Themes in Silence

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Silence is a film that illustrates the persecution of missionaries and Christians in Japan.

The film describes the journey of two Jesuit priests on a mission to spread Christianity. In this

mission, newly converted Christians are persecuted and tortured for renouncing their belief. The

main characters of this film are Rodrigues, a Portuguese priest, and Garupe. The foreign

Christianity introduced by these Jesuit missionaries posed a threat to Japanese culture and,

throughout the film, doubts and beliefs arose during various events (Scorsese, 2016). This

document will discuss the religious themes and the techniques used to emphasize them.

The film begins when the Japanese authority is brutalizing new coverts as the first

Portuguese priest Ferreira witnesses helplessly. A few years later, the Italian priest learned that

Ferreira had renounced his belief after being touched by Chinese authorities. Two other priests

were sent to Japan to continue missionary work (Scorsese, 2016). The two priests were Garupe

and Rodrigues. When the priests arrive in Japan, they saw the Christians who live in the villages

for fear of the inquisitor (Scorsese, 2016). When the two priests found out that the authorities

were looking for Christians to persecute them, they fled the village on an island called Hirado

and thought that their presence would further harm the residents.

Garupe then reveals Rodrigues. Rodrigues is locked up in Nagasaki, where he wants to

meet "the Inquisitor." Garupe is also detained and tries to explain to his partner why he was

cheating on her. Garupe apologizes in a confession (Scorsese, 2016). In the Romans' film, Paul

says that those who confess are forgiven. Garupe admitted her mistake and was saddened by

what she confessed. He then had to walk in smoke as a symbol of the rejection of his Christian

faith. Garupe died on the bench shortly after the shot to try to rescue a drowned prisoner.

Rodrigues witnessed the death of Garupe and the other four prisoners that he saw refusing to fall
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despite everything. Garupe could not imagine that Christ denied him in heaven on the day of

judgment and decided to die as a martyr. Garupe's decision was quite courageous and made me

think. The courage of Japanese Christians, with Garupe, who was tortured, was immense. In

general, any situation necessary to maintain faith (Scorsese, 2016).

Religion Theme and Techniques

The religious themes have been displayed in Silence in many ways. First, the film's main

central point is Christian persecution in Japan. The other ways are some of the virtues that were

used to express religion. The attributes include Charity and Hope. This section will address the

various thematic techniques present in the document.

In the film, Father Rodrigues and Garrupe are characters who highlight the problem of

religion by firmly believing that excellent news determines the Christian way of life.

Undoubtedly, it is an essential nucleus that all living beings throughout the universe must know.

After all, they are asking for help from Japan to investigate one of their mentors, Father Ferreira,

who had condemned his Christianity for declining the faith (Scorsese, 2016). They then travel to

Nagasaki to dispel their confusion and prove their innocence as the personification of the

established religion in question. By the way, they find a volunteer leader who is a Japanese

Christian who became an alcoholic again when he betrayed the Lord before, an illustration

without a debate about religion.

Power is the most powerful and influential thing in the world. People who consider

themselves dominant in society often use it to suppress it or to influence others. The theme of

power and oppression is reflected in the film. The power given to soldiers is reflected in their

compulsive acts of harassment against anyone who violates the local religion. The inhuman
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torture witnessed by Father Rodrigues and the inhabitants with a slight ideology of Christianity is

a true expression of the way in which power is used against the expected standard. The soldiers'

final inspection, which causes enormous damage to neighbors, opens up the struggles people

face when they are canceled (Scorsese, 2016). The torture suffered by the inhabitants for their

intrusive decision reflects oppression. The analogy provides a comprehensive analysis of how

the regime suppresses the local community, thereby restricting their freedom of expression and

worship.

Suffering, persecution, torture, and abuse of power, as expressed in the film. In most

cases, opposition meetings change due to the unprecedented outcome that surrounds them.

Perhaps Japanese soldiers and the regime fear that the spread of Christianity will lead to an

unparalleled result among locals. Rodrigues and his partner Francisco Garrpe are aware of the

torture suffered by the inhabitants because of Christianity. They know that the change they are

advocating is more complicated because the rigidity of the local regime and religion is much

more influential (Bergman, 1957). Their knowledge of the government-led position and the

unwanted interference from a highly perceived "Western" culture makes them an alternative

means of penetrating the inhabitants. The film shows that Jesuits are more sensitive to the factor

resulting from the change they advocate and must share the gospel in a culturally sensitive way

to avoid direct conflict and resistance, not just by traditional scholars—the time regime.

Charity in the film Silence is represented in various ways by different characters, and,

compared to the film, it shows the character's altruistic actions even in situations of risk to help

others. On this basis, the charity of Catholic priests is seen when they travel from afar to spread

the gospel. This altruistic act in Christianity is considered to be a charity for the human
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population that has not yet found the light of Christ. In addition, Catholic priests are committed

to celibacy according to Church rules. This adoption of a ban on persecuting the priesthood to

spread the gospel in dangerous and risky areas is an act of selflessness and charity. From the love

that flows for the love of humanity, they dedicate their lives to the preaching of the good news.

When Father Rodrigues and Father Garupe move to Tomogi, they continue to preach to people

who have been forced by the government to hide without expecting anything in return. This

initiative is aimed not only at the charity of chaplains but also at the community that welcomed,

welcomed, and protected them from the local government.

Kichijiro's character is also charitable when he offers his parents to find the village of

Tomogi. He knew the consequences of helping the inquisitors, but he stepped forward and

succeeded. He introduced them to the inhabitants of the region and extended his service by

directing them to Father Ferreira, who had denounced his faith (Bergman, 1957). Kichijiro risked

his life despite the certainty of the death that awaited him and helped the priests to overcome

something useless, practicing the Christian teachings he knew. These examples represent charity

motivated by Christian love for people and human love for God. The assurance that priests loved

God motivated their benevolent desires.

Father Ferreira shows hope in his words when he wants native Japanese to pay attention

to Christian teachings and become the Christian faith. Wait for better days to meet their loved

ones who were taken to heaven by death. Hope, he explains, is the optimism that, despite the

gloomy conditions of today's world, something good or positive will happen, such as Christian

persecution in the film “Silence." In the movie, however, hope is replaced by pessimism with

greater persecution and torture. Father Rodríguez and Father Garupe also left Portugal in the
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hope of finding the priest alive. Although Father Ferreira expressed pessimistic thoughts about

Christianity, which is flourishing in Japan, Father Rodriguez expressed feelings of hope for the

religion that is also flourishing in the region in the face of death.

The film Silence portrays Kichijiro as a man with undulating faith, in addition to Father

Ferreira. Father Rodriguez and Garupe are considered to be men of great faith. The two priests

present their faith through the Catholic Church and, despite the torture and persecution of

Christians in Japan, remain faithful to their faith. Faith does not guarantee that there are no

disadvantages in life. On the contrary, it strengthens a Christian's trust in the Creator to move

forward strongly. Silence reinforces this concept when Father Rodrigues explains: “Although a

man may fall in the two ways above, he can remain united to God by faith.

The act of apostasy is a significant theme that is repeated throughout the novel Silêncio.

An essential character in this novel is a man named Kichijiro, who used to ask to fall to save his

life and endanger the lives of many other peasants and priests. Kichijiro is described as a dirty

drunk who p. Rodrigues finds it challenging to trust. During the romance, we learn that Kichijiro

is unreliable and will do anything to save himself from others. At one point, government officials

capture and kill Kichijiro, and two others, if not, are linked to the shores of the sea and suffer a

slow and painful death. At one point, the samurai grabs Kichijiro and two others to fall. All three

are forced to find smoke-spitting smoke. However, Kichijiro is the only one to follow and be

released. The rest had to face the consequences. The novel shows that the judge wants all

Christians to fall more than anything.

Loss of faith is when a member of a particular religion admits that he no longer believes.

The act of apostasy throughout history is seen in different ways. The act of apostasy means that
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the priests of the Jesuit mission are forced to walk with smoke, which generally means that Jesus

dies on the cross. There are many different reasons why a person can ask for apostasy;

sometimes, they can lose confidence after many difficulties. In this scenario, however, Jesuit

priests are forced to fall to save themselves and save the Christian people of Japan. Christianity

is illegal in Japan today. Nagasaki's chief justice, Inoue, forces the abandonment of Christianity.

What is said to the Jesuit priests is very simple. If they fall, they are told that they will be

released and that they will no longer suffer or be tortured. It is a moral dilemma that all

Christians face when they renounce their faith, are released, or trust in God, and are sent to die.

Apostasy

Apostasy can literally be defined as a "rebellion against God." Apostasy is terrible in

itself. Work throughout history has been seen as an unforgivable sin. According to the first

Christian law, apostasy was a sin that could not be forgiven after baptism. Apostasy has been a

feature in different religions and cultures throughout history. In some civilizations, falling was

considered a crime. The act of apostasy is regarded as the supreme form of betrayal because it

renounces belief in God, who is a supreme sin.

According to the Christian religion, one can only be saved if they believe in God.

Sacrificing for their faith is extremely honorable. As the book shows, Christians were martyrs

respected by peasants. Kichijiro, however, is continuously described as a coward and a traitor.

Apostasy is not only the final betrayal of God but also the final betrayal of other Christians who

hide their beliefs in Japan. Rodrigues was captured because Kichijiro had fallen and assumed

where his father was. Rodrigues was found. That makes Kichijiro a coward. Rodrigues could

never trust Kichijiro. The government paid Kichijiro to make room for Father Rodrigues.
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Kichijiro asks Father Rodrigues to forgive him while they drive him away. This is an example of

why apostasy is not only the greatest betrayal of God but also of other Christians living in the

peoples of Japan, P. Rodrigues comes to apostasy to alleviate the suffering of innocent Christians

who are tortured by a judge. Rodrigues remains a moral dilemma as to abandoning his belief and

saving other people's lives. Father Rodrigues is convinced of Father Ferreira, who says that

saving other people's lives is more critical than Rodrigues' belief that he is more interested in

self-rescue than in rescuing innocent Christians tormented at the well. Ferreira proclaims that

saving others is essential for the church. Finally, Rodrigues is convinced to follow in Ferreira's

footsteps and, finally, bet on smoke. In conclusion, the film has centered around religion. It has

tried to justify why it was important to protect the Christians who were in Japan rather than

killing them.

The film was able to bring out the theme of religion. The author used various qualities in

the characters. He was able to give them character qualities that were real imagery of a typical

Christian. The film director also used various Christian qualities that needed further analysis in

order to understand. For example, the quality of faith and hope. This needs a person to be more

critical in his analysis to be able to get the issue being addressed. Lastly is being able to compare

two different cultures and beliefs. Some never thought Christianity was the option, and they had

their form of beliefs in the film.

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Bergman, I. (1957). The Seventh Seal (1957). Four Screenplays of Ingmar Bergman, 350.

Scorsese, M. (2016). silence [film].