I recently watched the film “Silence” (2016) directed by Martin Scorsese. It is about the suffering of Jesuit priests and Christians in Japan in the 17th century when Christianity was not allowed. It was a very difficult movie to watch because of how people were tortured for their faith, both mentally and physically. They were asked to renounce God and trample on the image of Jesus Christ, and the penalty for refusing to apostatize was death.

Before this film, I was so sure that we should never deny God under any circumstance. “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

But this film introduced me to a different perspective. The priests were given the chance to spare the lives of others if they trampled on the image of Jesus. In this case, do you trample and save others from torture, or do you stand strong to your faith and witness other people’s sufferings? What would God want us to do? I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. Perhaps it depends on whether we think of God as a merciful and compassionate God, or a strict and judgmental God.

Either way, we are so fortunate to have freedom of religion, but there are still areas where Christians continue to be persecuted today. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas, let's remember those who are not allowed to openly acknowledge God, and pray that one day they too will have the ability to glorify Him freely without any consequences.