Saturday, May 10, 2025

Oppressor Religion?

SOURCE:  

  • https://www.thebulwark.com/p/sinners-review
  • https://www.nps.gov/locations/lowermsdeltaregion/b-b-king.htm
  • https://www.premierchristianity.com/reviews/sinners-a-boundary-crossing-horror-movie-that-tackles-religion/19390.article

KEYWORDS: liberation, freedom, redemption, 


I just saw the movie "Sinners."  It's well-made and the music is incredible.  But I was dismayed by the depiction of Christianity as simply imposed by oppressors.  One way Christianity is depicted is by the pastor and father forcing his son to choose between faith and his music.   

Plenty of examples exist of how the blues and Christianity can coexist.  B.B. King's first exposure to music was in the church.  The first electric guitar he heard was played by his pastor, Archie Fair, in a Pentecostal Church.  Rev. Fair encouraged King to play and even taught him a few chords.  

All that being said, this review of the movie by Jonty Langley hits hard.

 The fact that Christianity in the film is depicted as an almost monastic retreat from creative fulfilment and the fight for justice may not please Christians, particularly those excited to see and hear the incredibly talented Gospel-adjacent singer Miles Caton in a crucial supporting role. But if we would prefer to see Christianity depicted as liberating, creatively fulfilling and engaging dynamically with the world of culture, politics and justice, perhaps we need to ask ourselves why that is not how the Church is perceived anymore, and repent.