In finishing this book I was not surprised that in the end Rodrigues apostatizes but I was a little disappointed because I do not think it was justified. I don't think there is ever real justification for renouncing ones faith. Yes, his conscious was clearer and he did save the lives of the other Japanese being persecuted, but if he hadn't apostatized, the torture the peasants would've gone through wouldn't really have been his fault. If it comes to that or renouncing your faith, the blame is on God. and God knows that. If the peasants were really sold out for their faith, they would have encouraged Rodrigues to stay true to his faith, with the everlasting promise that there will be no more suffering once they are off this Earth, there is never a time where denying ones faith is right. I realize this is easy for me to say as a mere reader, perfectly safe behind my book. I also realize that a situation like that would be an extremely hard one especially for a believer because they would have more compassion and love for the people they felt as if they were causing to be hurt. However, as believers, we're called to encourage each other through suffering because of our steadfast loyalty and hope found in the Lord. Which brings me back to my original opinion: that there is never a time where renouncing ones faith is justifiable.
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