【國際夢工場：經典復刻 🎬】 《沉默》 與「新香港」：怎樣才算是「叛教」，怎樣才算是「大局為重」？（下）
Added 2024-09-05 08:01:01 +0000 UTC到了明治維新，日本重新開國，天主教再次傳入，但幕府時期的隱藏教徒，卻與新近皈依的「地上教徒」格格不入。前者堅持不在公開場合透露自己的宗教身份，習慣了暗裡堅守信仰，被稱為「隱蔽的教徒」（隠れキリシタン）。
這種故事，對今日「新香港」，自然最有啟示。
在德川幕府時期，他們以家庭為單位，組織地下教會，秘密進行施禮等宗教活動，將「拒絕公開自己天主教信仰」變成一項「理念」。由於葡語、西班牙語的聖經都被銷毀，這批秘密信徒將經文口耳相傳，以至於原本的《聖經》語句幾乎完全被訛傳。
這樣的情況下，只有基本的基督宗教儀式得以保留，教義自然卻越傳越扭曲。這就像電影那些偷偷崇拜的教徒，究竟知道多少教義、以怎樣的心態維持自己的儀式，很可能已是本末倒置。
直到今天，日本一些「隱秘的教徒」依舊不公開成為光明正大的信徒，他們對自己信仰的堅持，和信仰內容與「正統」教義的偏差，令他們被視作「天主教日本化」的典型。
說得正面點，這是「在地化」；說得尖銳的，就自行領會了。
電影又借一位叛教神父口中分享，其實日本幕府也消化了天主教義，只是以自己的方式表達出來，「日出」和「神」，不也是那麼回事。既然是這樣，自己做出象徵叛教的「踏繪」，又有何不安？那些「隱蔽教徒」得其形、失其神，正如不少身邊的教徒都是重形式多於實質，又有甚麼意義？
天主教傳入東方時，與亞洲社會融合的例子並不少，但成功的不多。在中國大陸，耶穌會傳教士利瑪竇容許華人拜祖先，才得以做出一點成績，這正和日本天主教大盛的年代相若。但真正要在東方大規模信教，卻往往弄得非驢非馬，例如「太平天國」，宗教教義完全是神化個人獨裁的包裝；越南揉合佛教、天主教等教義的「高台教」，也不遑多樣。
假如德川幕府沒有禁教，西方列強也沒有強攻日本，演化下來，「日本耶教」又會變成怎樣？
《沉默》公映後，導演馬丁．史高西斯曾與教宗會面，梵蒂岡對這部影片也讚譽有加。劇組曾專門請天主教神父Father James Martin作顧問，最後的政治正確字幕是頭盔，對教徒自然要有所交待。這位教宗是一個左派，曾多次批評教徒作風虛偽，同時自己又犯了不少左膠對極權的謬誤，究竟能否看出原著小說和電影的弦外之音？
▶️ 王少勇牧師：《沉默》的「肉身殉道」與「靈魂殉道」對牆內牆外香港人的啟示
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spfEaNLz9RM
Comments
我諗，期望一個宗教去到咁唔同的文化環境仲要經歷時間同政治的洗禮，都仲可以保持原貌，太一箱情願了吧
James Green
2024-09-08 10:55:08 +0000 UTC記得有一次主持學校的分享活動，校長談及信仰，說當戰爭、屠殺慘劇發生而上帝抱持沉默，確實會令人問很多問題和懷疑信仰
堅離地書院 College
2024-09-06 08:50:18 +0000 UTC“Silence" is among my favorite movies. At its core, it presents a poignant exploration of the struggle between faith and doubt. Scorsese masterfully captures the internal conflict of the characters, portraying the agony of spiritual crises and the questioning of divine silence in the face of suffering. The film skillfully juxtaposes the clash of cultures and beliefs, highlighting the tension between Christianity and the dominant Buddhist and Shinto traditions of feudal Japan. Stepping back, the story serves as an epitome of the clash of civilizations on a larger scale, a phenomenon that unfolds daily in our world, as depicted by Samuel Huntington. The film raises questions about the ethics of missionary work. Is it right to impose one’s beliefs on another culture, especially when that culture has endured suffering and persecution? Scorsese does not provide easy answers but instead presents the complexities of faith and the often-painful consequences of belief. The portrayal of religious persecution and the ethical quandaries confronted by the characters deeply resonate with audiences, prompting contemplation on the essence of religious tolerance and faith itself. The film delves into the nuances of belief, illustrating how faith can be both a source of strength and a cause of profound suffering. Implicitly, it poses a moral dilemma: should one stand firm in their beliefs, or should he act to alleviate the suffering of others, even if that means compromising his own faith? How do we define apostates? These profound inquires extend beyond religious considerations, urging us to ponder how we balance noble convictions such as national interests with freedom, the well-being, and safety of others. One of the most striking elements of the film is its exploration of the "silence" of God. Throughout the film, Rodrigues, a Portuguese Jesuit missionary, cries out for divine intervention, yet he’s met with silence. The recurring motif of silence serves as a metaphor for the absence of divine intervention, the ambiguity of faith, and the enigmatic nature of God's presence in a world filled with suffering. It reflects a universal experience of doubt and despair. This silence forces Rodrigues to confront the reality of his faith—whether it’s a genuine belief or merely an ideological construct. As the narrative unfolds, the film also explores themes of redemption and forgiveness. Rodrigues’s journey is not solely about searching for his mentor but also entails a quest for understanding and reconciliation with his own beliefs. In the film's climactic moments, when Rodrigues faces the ultimate test of his faith, he’s compelled to confront the true meanings of sacrifice and love. Eventually, he apostatizes, takes a Japanese name and wife, and is forced to stop practicing his former religion in secret. Following his death, a traditional Japanese funeral is held for him. During the ceremony, his wife is granted permission to place an offering in his hand to repel evil spirits. She chooses to lay the small, crudely crafted crucifix that was gifted to him upon his arrival in Tomogi, symbolizing Rodrigues' enduring Christian faith throughout his life. His eventual choice to apostatize while retaining his religious beliefs in his heart reflects a deep comprehension of the complexities of faith and the often-painful realities of human existence. Doesn't this draw a poignant parallel to the hearts of Hongkongers post-2019, no matter whether staying within or out of the dictator’s long arm? The film does not shy away from the darkness of the human experience, instead embracing it as an integral part of the journey toward understanding. Scorsese’s work is a reminder that belief is not a straightforward path. It is deeply intertwined with doubt, suffering, redemption, forgiveness, and the search for meaning, the elements composed of our life. It invites audiences to engage with deep philosophical and theological questions that resonate across cultures and eras. The success of “Silence” lies on its meticulous attention to detail, atmospheric cinematography, and powerful performances. The film's exploration of profound philosophical questions and moral complexities has been lauded as thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Silence stands as a testament to the enduring struggle of the human spirit in its quest for understanding and connection with the divine.
George
2024-09-05 23:57:14 +0000 UTC
