The ending with the passing of bread? and how they all refused it at first. and the priest/cop gets tear struck after he takes it?- I don't get that or what it means.
What what was the point of that scene/what does that mean? - for the sake of argument I'm not mormon,but I consider myself christian.
In the LDS religion, you're not supposed to take the sacrament (bread and water) if you're not worthy.
Because he had killed a man (even though it was necessary), he felt unworthy to take the sacrament.
He was the leader of the ward (called a Bishop) so when everyone in the congregation saw him not taking the bread, they in turn didn't take the bread to support him.
He felt overwhelmed by their kindness and support and realized that God had forgiven him for taking a man's life and he should forgive himself.
Does that make sense? I hope so.
thanks for the explanation,like I said I'm not Mormon So I wasn't sure about LDS customs.
Bread and Water? I know Mormons can't have alcohol,but not even wine? I mean biblically it represents the blood of Jesus Christ.
Yeah not even wine. I'm an atheist, but I live in Utah so I know enough about Mormons to understand these movies.
shareI don't think Wes felt unworthy because he killed a man. He made great pains in describing that he was "supposed to protect them". He felt like he was responsible for everybody Terry killed. He thought this because he never did a background check on Terry so Wes felt responsible for the deaths. Wes felt somewhat unworthy for killing Terry, but he felt unworthy mostly because he never "protected them". It was like he allowed it all to happen.
shareI agree with Shane-27 that his feelings of guilt were a result of his failure to protect 'His' town not over killing the killer. The killer wanted blood atonement and forced the Sherif's hand.
When the Sherif refused to take the Sacrement (Catholics call it Comunion) it was a show of support by his congregation to also not partake.
This is one of the few theological flaws in this movie.
Theologicaly, if the prayer for the blessing of the sacrement is not said properly, from begining to end word for word, then the bishop will have them re-say the prayer(I have seen this done several times in a row.) If they don't notice his signal and pass the sacrement anyway, it ALWAYS goes to the Bishop first, unless there is a higer authority(Stake President - General Authority) present on the stand. That way he has a second chance to indicate that the prayer was incorrect. If the bishop refuses to partake, it is an indication of a flaw in the ceremony, and the sacrement is not properly the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If the Bishop finds himself unworthy, he should have talked to his Stake President who will counsel with him to repentance. If it is something grevious he would be replaced. If not his First Counselor would take over his duties for the short term.
Did you notice that the boy that brought the bread to the Sherif in this scene was the brother of the last girl killed?
I don't know that the congregation's refusal to take the Sacrament was so much a support for the Bishop/Sheriff as it was a communal acknowledgment that they had ALL been wounded in some way by recent terrible events. The screenwriter went out of his way earlier in the film to show how one does not take the Sacrament if they feel unprepared/unworthy to have the atonement of Christ applied to their life. So once the Bishop saw that his entire congregation wasn't beginning the healing process, he as their leader had to finally lead the way. Even though it was very hard for him to do so. It required a very painful acknowledgement and "letting go" of those things that had so terribly afflicted them.
I think this is one of the most powerful scenes ever committed to film on the sacred nature of the atonement of Christ.
Taking the sacrament/communion is a personal relationship with God, not something you should or should not do because a Bishop/Pastor doesn't take it and it should never be taken if your heart is not right and pure before God, otherwise you would bring damnation upon yourself.
If he did not take it then he must of felt as such. As for the congregation, if they didn't take it because he didn't then they are out of touch as to why it is done in the first place. If they all didn't take it because they realized their hearts weren't right then that would of been the appropriate response. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-29
Other than that--it was just a movie and I would be nit picking too much.
They all felt responsible as they'd all been taken in (and likewise had taken in) this imposter into their lives and community.
*The shape-shifter is in and will take your calls now.
I asked my dad the same question the first time I watched this movie. His explanation was that while the Bishop/Sheriff was worthy to take the sacrament he didn't feel worthy to take it which is why he refused at first. The congregation then refused because they felt that if the Bishop wasn't worthy then neither were they. Though he had killed a man, it was either kill or be killed in that situation and because he hadn't set out to kill the murderer, he was still worthy in their eyes. But because he didn't feel worthy, the congregation then felt as if they weren't worthy either so they refused to take it also. That's also why his hand shakes when he finally does bring the bread to his mouth.
share