American documentarian Film Holy Ghost People was helmed by Peter Adair from 1967. It follows a small Pentecostal sect in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The movie shows their religious practices, which include faith healing, handling snakes, and speaking in tongues. A unique and widely misunderstood American religion is portrayed in the documentary, along with its devotees (TV XP,2016). It was one of the first independently made documentaries with broad circulation, and the director created and distributed it himself. The movie has received praise for portraying its subject matter realistically and respectfully.
Ways of Acceptance Shape the Worship Styles and Promotes the Sense of individual experience and sense of community
The documentary about the Holy Ghost People shows how the need for assistance and acceptance can have an effect on worship practices by drawing attention to the importance of communal and decided to share religious experiences. In the movie, members of the congregation get together during times of difficulty to pray and ask the Holy Spirit for help (TV XP,2016). Members not only sing but also pray together and practice speaking in tongues as a way to demonstrate their dedication and faith in the group. The act of communal worship puts a strong emphasis just on the value of honoring one the other’s emotional and physical needs, thereby generating a sense of community and community (Roberts, 2019). This respect for one another’s needs helps to strengthen the bond between members of the community. This sense of belonging is depicted in the movie through the actions of churchgoers who support one another through challenging times by offering both emotional and practical assistance. This need for aid and acknowledgement, which ultimately helps people feel supported and acknowledged, has an effect not only on the life experience that individuals have but also on their sense of community(Roberts, 2019). During communal worship, the members of the church have the opportunity to discuss their struggles as well as the beliefs they hold, which aids in creating an environment that is supportive.
The Downsides of this Socio-Religious Group
The movie however exposes downsides in which come with the religious experiences that promote conformity to the community. First, People may believe they really aren’t meeting up to the standards of religion or culture, which can cause emotions of guilt, humiliation, and anxiety. Secondly, It might instill a sense of uniformity, and conformity might prevent someone from exercising critical thought or considering other options(TV XP,2016).. Thirdly, it might cause impatience for people who don’t fit the mold, which might breed discrimination and bias. Furthermore, it can restrict creativity and result in a lack of variance in ideas as well as presentation. It may result in coercive conduct and a lack of one’s own freedom. Lastly, this type of religious pressure can also lead to a sense of obedience and stability in worship, and it may prevent individuals from communicating their own unique views and points of view.
The Different Religious Experiences Highlighted in the Film
throughout the course of the program, a wide range of distinctive religious experiences are presented and discussed. The Pentecostal worshippers have a varied way of worshipping, first is the saving type of experience where this form of experience is personal. while shared with others, it makes sense and proofs to be an aid to human life. Secondly is the commissioning type of experience where people are called to follow the community. This calling involves making people follow the community in an attempt to have a correct path for example helping the needy. thirdly is the conforming type of experience where this serves as a prove to those outside community that they believe in what the community believes in. Moreso they also believe in signs and proofs in these experiences for example glossolalia is a sign in the movie. this proof serves as a reinforcement to show how the worshippers are having a true experience. Further the Pentecostal worshippers, experience an incredibly intense religious awakening which is focused on speaking in tongues and attempting to connect with God(TV XP,2016).
On the other hand, snake handlers participate in a more physical experience that is focused on in order to test their faith by their ability to handle dangerous snakes. The purpose of deepening their connection to God is, nevertheless, something that both of these groups have in common. Both types of experiences demonstrate the strength that may come from having faith, as well as the significance of each individual locating a religious journey that is suited to their own individual need. Additionally, there is a possessional type of experience where people are seized resulting in ecstasy and charisma. often this type of religious experience is voluntary(Lofton,2021).
Lastly, these experiences also involved, Divine encounters, where throughout the entire movie, the main characters encounter various forms of the divine, including conversations with God, angelic visions, and the doing of miracles (Virgil, 2019). In other ways, Awe and amazement where As they search for miracles that came in contact with the supernatural, all of the movie’s protagonists are filled with wonder and surprise. To add on, is Sharing divine communion, the characters in the movie occasionally experience divine communication, mostly through prayer but also through other types of spiritual practice (Lofton,2021). Another Religious experience involved, Transformation All through the course of the movie, the protagonists’ views and viewpoints alter as a result of their numerous religious experiences.
References
Lofton, K. (2021). Observational Secular: Religion and Documentary Film in the United States. JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, 60(5), 99-120.
Roberts, S. C. (2019). The only light shot out as usual: Defining an Appalachian Grotesque (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Tech).
TV XP, 12 March 2016, Holy Ghost People (1967) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZIa4kutkIM
Virgil, D. (2019). The Holy Ghost: He is the Blood of Jesus. Lulu. com.
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