Nerves, Geneviev Mae P.

HumSS St. Magdalene of Nagasaki

January 18, 2017

World Religion

Reaction Paper for the Movie Kingdom of Heaven

It is a tale that invites its audience to appreciate the advantages of tolerance - the mutual
acceptance of cultures and creeds, and the rejection of leaders who use religion as a front or a
means of pursuing political ambition and personal advancement.
It questions the role of religion, or more particularly religious dogma and tradition, in everyday
life and society. Reaction should be tempered by reason and moderation, while creed and
religious fervour should be tempered by common humanity.
When Balian loses his wife and child his grief causes him to lose faith. He believes in nothing.
Instead he acts by conscience and recognises there is more than one way of looking at things, but
all are equally valid. He acts to try to help others and make improvements. He does not
necessarily act in accordance with the church's interpretation of the scriptures, nor blindly on the
orders of those in authority. He has become an independent thinker and believes only in trying to
help and defend others.
Guy of Lusignan, however, only thinks of achieving glory, thus he does not care of the citizens
and only thinks of himself and his honor. He ends up the opposite of what he hopes, Guy has
been stripped naked and is paraded in front of the Saracen army on a donkey.
At the end, his pride badly damaged, Guy approaches Balian and challenges him to a duel and
Guy is ultimately defeated. Although throughout the entire movie Guy displays hatred on Balian;
he tries to push Balian into killing him, but Balian spares the disgraced former king, telling him
to "rise a knight."
It appears to be that a system of morality is possible without basis in religion. What matters is a
respect for human life and this is placed above religious relics and dictates, as symbolised by
Balian's willingness to destroy Jerusalem rather than allow a massacre.