Liz Mackey
Ishmael
This book surprised me in many ways that I did not expect it to. First, in asking around and wondering what people thought of this book that had already read it, they expressed great satisfaction in the book and seemed to explain it with some sort of excitement as if I was reminding them of a past time that they were greatly invested in. I was not surprised by people’s descriptions, what I was surprised about its why didn’t I experience this book the way that other people had. I did enjoy the ease of the book but still after reflection I am not getting this great profound experience.
Another issue that surprised me was the white male patriarchal views expressed throughout the book. Even the fact that there was a giant black gorilla in explaining to the white student (assuming he was white) what exactly captivity meant and the way in which the white male society has seemed to mess up the civilized experience for all, especially the ones who live within captivity. This is what I saw as “man’s greatest flaw’ the act of one human objectifying another human being and force them to live in captivity. Yes, the “white, patriarchal man” has succeeded in systematically destroying the earth and robbing the earth’s natural recourses, but he has also been very successful in the downfall of civilized people. Essentially this “white, patriarchal man” is the threat that is the main focus point within the interaction between Ishmael and his student.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I’m glad that you posted. I too was thinking about the film and it was very difficult for me to watch in many aspects. I think you know that I was raised Southern Baptist (a very hell fire and brimstone kind of religion) and then I moved to the Lutheran Church which is closer to Catholic traditions. So I was really indoctrinated by these two faiths. Both of them very much thought it was important to share the word of God. I did love going to church and I enjoyed the lessons and the fellowship. It wasn’t until I started going to college and started really questioning things, did I become really skeptical about the teachings. (Oh and of course when my I got divorced, and my fiancé took his life, I was pretty much shunned). But even my daughter caught on at a very early age about the discrepancies and the judgments that were prevalent within the church. When she was taking notes one Sunday on the sermon for her confirmation, they were speaking of Homosexuals and my best friend is a gay man who loves Samantha dearly and has known her for many years. She asked me if Tim was going to hell, because that is exactly what the Pastor was saying. She was so pissed. Anyhow, I’ve digressed and I need to get back to responding to your post. Its just I’m so passionate about this topic!
While I was raised in a traditional church setting, I’ve always had the question in the back of my mind about indigenous peoples and not only would they not go to heaven, but would they indeed go to hell? This made utterly no sense to me. Because if we are to believe the bible, then it says that we are all made in the image of God. Ok, so does that mean only some of us are made in the image of God? If we can read and write, then we are made in the image of God? Oh, wait it must mean that if we are Christians then we are made in the image of God? My God! No pun was intended, but isn’t that the most ludicrous thing one has ever heard. If I stop and think about it, which I typically don’t, I really get pissed off about it.
Not only are we all to be created in the image of God, but as Christians we are not to stand in judgment of others. I’m going to go get my Bible right now, so I can quote some scripture! I’m back. “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye” when all the time there is a plank in you own eyes? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye. (Matthew 7: 1-5). See?
What I find very annoying and frustrating about each organized religion is that they take their text (which is always a Holy text) and isolate parts of it and then make a case for their belief based on that portion of the text. It irritates me to no end. I can’t find it in myself to subscribe to that kind of ideology any more. I really can’t. But the problem I have is that this is all that I know and until I search and find something that fits me, I can’t as Dr. Strobel says, “throw the baby out with the bath water”.
This movie reminded me of another movie I watched this week called “Trinkets and Beads” as the missionaries came into the Hunari tribe and colonized them and then they had big oil companies come in and traumatize the tribe even more by polluting their land and their bodies.
I am in total agreement with you Liz that Christianity killed these people. It makes me ashamed to say that I’m a Christian. Because I could never do that to people. I try to live my life with integrity and love but I want to have faith. What if Jesus was the only way to heaven? There is just such a huge conflict in my mind about this and I can’t find a way to justify it or come to terms with it. So, I just sit and do nothing instead of progressing with my search for faith and spirituality.
By the way, DeNiro was ok. But I was REALLY bummed that they killed Aiden Quinn off so early. He is the hot one!)
Thank you Liz for being brave enough to post.
Chickie (Gina)
Post a Comment