The movie Doubt raises a number of questions, which is the whole
point of the movie. Everyone could be a villain. A lovable, personable priest
of a catholic parish is suspected of, but never witnessed committing, abuse of
a boy (or boys) in the parish school. The principal nun of the school is
seeking to protect the children but along the way her heavy-handed tactics and
stern personality put off many who work with her and study under her. She,
however, views her approach as not only necessary, but even a virtue. These two
are set against each other as the priest claims to love the children and
connect with them, while she claims to be a wolf clever enough to out-flank a
hunter who would prey on them. Nothing is resolved, and nothing in the movie is
certain or settled. Even the boy's mother doesn't want to take action, because
1)she believes the boy invited the advances by the priest and 2)no other male,
especially the boy's father, shows him love or care.
Questions for
discussion
How far should we go in seeking to be a counter-culture for the
common good?
How was Sister Aloysius right for doing what she did? How
was she wrong? (Assume both.)
What could she have done instead?
Who were the Pharisees and why did Jesus spend so much time
attacking them?
What do all Pharisees that are around us, like Sister Aloysius,
want?
What is the problem with Father Flynn's argument that all sins
are the same and over once they are confessed?
What is the problem with Donald's mother's argument, that her
son can't be blamed for actions that flow from Donald's nature?
What is the problem with Sister Aloysius's argument that in
pursuit of wrong-doing one steps away from God?
Verses to use in your discussion:
Matthew 23:13; Matthew 13:18-23; Ezekiel 33:1-6; Ephesians
5:1-14; Daniel 3:1-12; James 1:5-8
