1a.) Non violent struggle for freedom and justice in "Gandhi"
             I have chosen a very famous and acclaimed film 'Gandhi' directed by Richard Attenborough and released in 1982. The life of Mahatma Gandhi is well portrayed, covering his South African period and return and work in India, culminating in independence of India from British rule. Although this film does not deal directly with religion, it presents one of the fundamental themes in Christianity (which Gandhi himself claimed to be deeply influenced by), the concept of non violent struggle against evil. People are urged to strive for justice without responding to force with force. One act of violence is followed by more violence, and it may never end. This religious theme is shown in the film in a new, political context, and tested as revolutionary moral strategy to solve complex issues on the world scene.
             The connection between Gandhi's approach of non violence and Christianity is well portrayed through the friendship between the Christian clergyman, John Mathews, and Gandhi himself. During their first meeting in South Africa, Ghandi shows that he is very familiar with Christian teaching and that his political work is inspired by them. In his words " Hindus like me can learn a lot from Christianity". John became Gandhi's long time companion and supporter, and deeply shared his view though out the struggle.
             In the film, there are several other scenes which illustrate the like between Gandhi's beliefs and the teachings of Christ in more subtle ways. For example, Gandhi disapproves of retaliation and states; 'an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind'. He refers to the Old Testament, which in contrast to his own belief approves of retribution ': an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'. Christ's teaching, like Gandhi's , disapproves of this; Christ was described in the New Testament (Matthe...