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Essay / The ideals of Catholicism in The Passion of the Christ and for Greater Glory
A review of Dean Wright's For Greater Glory and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ reveals various themes related to Catholicism, particularly in regarding the virtues of dedication and power against oppression within For Greater Glory, as well as those of the Passion of Christ, the many actions and beliefs of Jesus as an individual which reflects himself the ideals of Catholicism as a religion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an original essayOne of the ways in which Dean Wright's film can be analyzed as being related to Catholic ideas is to analyze the film as reflecting the virtue of religious devotion. Throughout the film, many individuals are seen as those who are dedicated to practicing their religion, regardless of the consequences they might face if they continue to practice their religion. For example, characters are seen throughout the film as suffering or perishing due to their desire to continue practicing Catholicism. The character Father Christopher, for example, is murdered by the Federals because of his continued practice of Catholicism (Wright). Such actions (and consequences) indicate that Father Christopher was indeed dedicated to the practice of his Catholic faith. Likewise, the same goes for José Luis Sánchez, who witnesses the murder of Father Christopher and later follows in his footsteps to become another individual who continues to practice Catholicism, regardless of the threats against him if he continues to practice (Wright). In José's case, he is captured, his captors torture him and try to force him to renounce his religion, and he is murdered when he refuses to do so (Wright). The character of José therefore clearly continues to practice Catholicism, whatever the consequences he might suffer such as a refusal to abandon his religion. These actions demonstrate a sense of dedication to religion, which is one of the traits and virtues that Catholicism demands of its followers. Thus, the film and the dedication of its followers reflect these Catholic themes. Another Catholic theme visible in For Greater Glory is the ability of its followers to persist and survive against any oppression that exists against them. Such a theme can be seen in relation to the film's eventual closure, particularly in relation to the religious freedoms that will ultimately be granted to the nation, as well as the actions of the Pope. These end results are similar to the ideas of Catholicism, indicating that the film relates to these results and themes. For example, Catholicism itself often faces oppression from anti-Catholic groups; the fact that Catholicism itself has persisted and remains one of the most important Christian religions indicates that it survived these struggles and almost conquered power. Additionally, individuals within the religion itself, like Jesus, have proven that it is not only possible, but almost expected, to do the same and endure these same struggles and judgments. The story of the film is therefore similar. For example, Catholics within the religion endured attempts at oppression and continued to survive despite attempted executions throughout the film (Wright). Additionally, the fact that the end of the film is followed by the restoration of religious freedom suggests that the Catholics' struggles were not in vain, and the Pope's eventual recognition of José as an individual who suffered these religious crimes and murders. indicates that the group still had some power over these oppressors. Overall, For Greater Gloryeffectively reveals the virtues of the power to persist in the face of oppression, thus indicating a relationship with the themes of the Catholic religion. One of the Catholic themes that is visible in The Passion of the Christ is the overall devoted and compassionate manner with which Jesus is shown acting for his disciples and believers. In this way, the film reflects the virtues of justice and even kindness. Overall, the film's focus on the time leading up to Jesus' suffering and death on the cross may reveal his kindness and devotion to others, and even the justice he believes he does through his actions altruistic. For example, Jesus decides to voluntarily continue his crucifixion, not because of his faith in God or his knowledge that he can return in order to convey a message to his disciples and unbelievers, but because of his kindness under - underlying: that he has compassion towards the suffering of others, so that he can die for his sins, and that he wishes to engage in this death, satisfied with the understanding that it would benefit all his believers following this crucifixion. This can be seen, for example, when Jesus is depicted covered in blood, sweat and struggling to continue walking, but at that moment he still conveys to the believer that he is "free to continue" (Gibson ). This statement indicates that Jesus showed kindness and compassion to these other people despite the crucifixion he was experiencing. So the film, at least in this way, shows this virtue and this connection to the Catholic faith. Another way in which the Passion of Christ relates to the Christian faith and its themes is through the selflessness that Jesus reveals in his actions. As we mentioned previously, such behaviors are similar to the Catholic virtues of justice and courage. Within Christianity, justice is seen as a virtue related to how individuals connect and relate to others, and that these righteous actions are related to gratitude toward those other individuals. Within Catholicism, justice can be linked to how Jesus developed not only a group of disciples, but also why he wanted to gain a following and body of believers: to ensure that they would be rewarded for their dedication to Jesus, Catholicism, and their overall belief in the messages and morals he transmitted to them and that he built into their habits and actions. Such actions are seen in Gibson's film in relation to the same stories and messages: Jesus developed an audience that believed in his ideas and messages, and these individuals were then rewarded for their dedication and their sins were removed from them. their soul. Such gratitude to his disciples can be seen when Jesus is shown accepting the sins of another crucified while on the cross, and when he reveals to the individual that he will exist together with Jesus in paradise (Gibson). So the film reveals this virtue of justice in this way. Finally, Gibson's work also shows courage in a similar way, as Jesus' suffering and the crucifixion itself are a way of showing both courage and the ability to endure that suffering as a means to obtain this justice; the courageous manner in which Jesus faced his crucifixion showed his resilience in the name of Catholicism. Even with this element, it is therefore clear that The Passion of the Christ as a film presents these virtues of justice, the ability to endure struggles and courage. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayIn a review of For Greater Glory by Wright.