π¬ To Trample on the Image of God or Not? - film Silence (2016)
When Japanese Christians faced suffering, they asked priests whether they should trample on the icon or not. What were they supposed to do? The priests had two different positions: one said no, one said yes.
But I think the truth is in a third way. Priests cannot take this responsibility. Maybe they live according to rules and law, but not with an open heart before God. Because for each person, the answer from God will be personal. For one person, it may be to trample; for another, it may be to go to death.
Maybe priests need to think more and pray more, and they need to return the responsibility to the people and to God. I don't know.
It is interesting that each of the priests makes his own decision according to his worldview. I think they remain unchanged inside. But the priest who tells others to trample in every situation β I think he cannot endure suffering anymore and tries to stop suffering using the hands of others. Why does he give people permission, and push others deny Christ, but at the same time does not act differently himself?
Why can he not give his life to help others? From this perspective, the second priestβs position is more interesting.
Finally, first died and second deny Christ or not?
And how can this priest change his mind, that now work with government to find Christians?