Of Gods and man

1. Introduction

1.1. Gods and Man

1.2. Inspiration: This film was based on a true story of the killings of Trappist Monks in the 90's which assassination remained a mystery - was it the government forces that assasinated the monks or the Guerillas

1.3. This film can be analysed on two levels: From the point of view of theology as applied theology: The focal theme is the mathyrdom, ascetism, and the expression of monastic values which spill over the film with eloquent tranquility.

1.4. The aim of our analysis of this film is on the political level

2. Conclusion

2.1. Of Gods and Man

2.2. Decisions taken by authoritarianism but ceded to consensus....or coercion

2.3. Symbolism at its best: The last supper together climax of the film represents the last supper in the narrative concerned with the Crucifixion of Christ. The instances when there was the rejoicing in the village preceding holy mass which follows the Hebrew rite...semitic rite common in the Middle East

3. First paragraph

3.1. Central to the understanding of this film is the link between Tocqueville and the City of God by St.Augustine

3.2. In this film there is a clear indication of the separation between on the one hand the temporal dimension and the sacred dimension

3.3. The temporal dimension: There is this image of a failed state: There is this constant message of the state as being impersonified by the military. But this failing state is witnessed by the 'helplessness' of the innocent civilians

3.4. The City of God stresses on the necessity of having a just political society based on the respect of the dignity of each individual

3.5. It is clear that the malfunctioning of the state the absence of the state is visible in the film in the absolute destitution of the populace, and the Trappist monks are actively working to remedy this malaise....yet we have this dialogue between Christians and non-Christians in this film which is interesting: This idea of common citizenship: This quest for the Christian monks not to leave because they are a beacon of hope in a supposedly secular islamic nation .... there is this concept of oneness based on the common understanding of man being created in the image of God.

3.6. But it is interesting to note that in the film there is an interesting reference by Luc to Pascal wherein there is this famous saying of his that "man is not that willing to do evil liberally were it not for religious motives...." the irony of life

3.7. De Tocqueville believed in proper politics where in there is centered this cooperation between religious institutions and Civil government

4. Second paragraph

4.1. The Film equates the failing state to the lack of co-operation between religious institutions and the state

4.2. Constantly in the film there are two major decision makers the State impersonified by the military and the religious institutions which are symbolised by the Trappist monks

4.3. Mistrust by the Trappist monks of the Government is reciprocated by mistrust from the troops .... this was evident by the fact that the Trappist monks refused protection from the State, and the State ordered the Trappists to leave....at the same time you had the scenes of brutal coercion by the troops where they were requesting documentation from the villagers awaiting services from Luc....because they were suspecting that the Trappist monks were hiding or giving protection to the guerillas.

5. Third paragraph

5.1. Decisions Taken

5.2. On the one hand you have the process of consultation: The Trappist Community: Christian was rebuked and warned decisions have to be taken not by the leader alone but with the consultation of his fellow freres. Indecision,hesitation,fear in view of the uncertainty....when they were going to be killed...kidnapped....should they stay or should they go.....finally a consensus was reached after deliberation to remain .... yet in the process of deliberation there was this talk concerned with the value of marthyrdom...the duty of remaining because the good sheperd does not abandon his flock ..... again theology is seens as the model for proper government.

5.3. There is this constant concern by the monks of not being detoured by their mission by external forces....the refusal of government protection....this plea of being neutral by being autonomous....this decision to remain neutral .... is a political decision taken by Christian.....but eventually this lead to a tragedy....many of the Trappists where captured by the guerillas....collateral damage of the warring between seperatists and a failing state all caused by 'religious motivations'....extremists.... who do not know what the Koran says....