Thanks, Johanna. I think Endō was also exploring what’s left of faith when it’s been utterly trampled. He seems to suggest that its effaced forms can be more authentic than self-confident and doctrinaire versions. Relentless suffering is a hell of a leveller, after all, which includes religious badges. Maybe when someone is judged to have lost their faith, they’ve actually discovered a more authentic expression of it. Silence doesn’t necessarily mean cowardice and speaking out isn’t always heroic, but there comes a point when conscience will not be stayed.
Thanks, Johanna. I think Endō was also exploring what’s left of faith when it’s been utterly trampled. He seems to suggest that its effaced forms can be more authentic than self-confident and doctrinaire versions. Relentless suffering is a hell of a leveller, after all, which includes religious badges. Maybe when someone is judged to have lost their faith, they’ve actually discovered a more authentic expression of it. Silence doesn’t necessarily mean cowardice and speaking out isn’t always heroic, but there comes a point when conscience will not be stayed.
Thanks Johanna. A really thoughtful and thought-provoking post.post.