A Captive to Culture

It has been just over a week now since the conclusion. 8 days later and I am still thinking about it. Although I have always enjoyed studying it, the fires of my interest in learning all I can about it have been fanned to a new intensity. I have even gone to the library to check out a few books about it. I am referring, of course, to the recent airing on PBS of Ken Burns' latest documentarial tome entitled The War. "Which war?" you might ask. Well, to those who lived through World War II, there is no other. I thought the entire 15 hour series was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Maybe "enjoyed" is a poor word choice. It is hard to enjoy something that so accurately and realistically portrays the horrific nature of that massive conflict, but I can't think of any other way to put it. I learned alot from watching the film, and I must confess that it affected me in a way not many other films (fiction or non-fiction) have. I want to take this opportunity to enumerate several of the concepts that the film introduced into my thinking.

1. War is awful. I know that others have expressed the same idea in slightly different terms, but that will have to suffice for me. After seeing thousands of pictures and hours of video from WWII, I realize that there is really nothing glorious or triumphant about war itself. It is a dirty, violent, savage, and gruesome business. Dying on a battlefield is a horrible way to end one's life. Now, don't misunderstand me. I have not adopted a "peace at all costs" mentality, nor have I wavered any in my support for this country or its armed forces. Although war maybe awful, it is also necessary in our sin-cursed world. The actual process of war itself may not be noble or triumphant, but in most cases the causes for which freedom-loving men go to war are. Dying on a battlefield may not be the blaze of glory that Hollywood film-makers have envisioned, but it is still a sacrifice that is worthy of remembrance and respect. It was good for me to have some of the veneer of war removed. I think I have a greater appreciation for those who have and are suffering through it.

2. WWII was one of a kind. Of course, in a sense, that is true of every war, but I really believe WWII to be different. I was amazed at the way in which the war captivated our nation as a whole. The testimonies of those who lived through it were exceptional. It is genuinely true that the war touched every house on every street in every town in America. Burns did an excellent job of portraying this idea. I understand and appreciate in a much greater way the efforts of Americans as an entire nation to win the conflict. I am convinced that this war touched the everyday lives of Americans in a way that will probably never be repeated.

3. Culture is a Captor. One of the most pointed ideas that I carried with me from the film is something that Ken Burns may not have intentionally implied in his film-making. I was struck with the views and beliefs that were commonly accepted in those days. For instance, Burns made a point of emphasizing the fact that, although many black soldiers were working and fighting and dying on the battlefront, segregation, discrimination and prejudice were still firmly entrenched here at home. Black people were still forced to the back of the bus. These statements caused me to consider my ways. What if I had lived in the pre-Civil Rights days in America? Would I have been guilty of the same racial injustices as so many other whites? What if I had lived in Germany? Would I have viewed the Jews with just as much hatred and disdain as the Nazis? We all like to think that we have been enlightened and that, had we lived in those days, we surely would have been different. I hope so, but sometimes I am not so sure. If we are honest with ourselves, much of what we believe and practice is the result of cultural influences. (This aptly applies to our theological and doctrinal beliefs as well.) In short, the film renewed a desire in my mind to base my core beliefs on absolute truth (the Bible) and not simply on the dictates of my surroundings. I don't want to be a captive to culture.

In conclusion, the film was excellent, and I highly recommend it to anyone who will be able to handle the realism of its portrayal. I am thankful that someone has captured the stories of that generation before it is too late. The greatest honor we can pay the "Greatest Generation" is to remember their sacrifices and carry on the ideals for which they gave their lives.