Jimmy Robson - Student Choice #4

I have always found it interesting how the medial links crime and religion. For instance, it seems in many television shows and movies about the Italian mafia, the gangsters typically have strong ties to Roman Catholicism, participating in confession and other Catholic rituals. However, in the next scene, they are depicted holding up a bank or mowing down members of a rival gang with a Thompson sub-machine gun. In Quentin Tarantino's cult classic Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson's character, Julius, alway recites a misquoted rendition of Ezekiel 25:17 before he and Vincent, played by John Travolta, empty the clips of their 9mm's into the target of their wrath. Similarly, in the movie The Boondock Saints, the brothers, on a mission for vengeance, always recite a prayer before executing the person that has wronged them. This is found even in music, as well. In his song "99 Problems," Jay-Z says "I try to ignore 'em; talk to the Lord and pray for 'em." However, the rest of the song is full of violent imagery and other crimes. The central text of almost every religion speaks out against violence. Even though some people see Islam as being a violent religion because of the actions of a couple groups of extremists, even the Koran condemns acts of violence. This leads me to wonder why these violent criminals have such a strong connection to religion. I believe that the people depicted in these movies, shows, and songs know that their actions are evil. Therefore, they are searching for some sort of higher power that will forgive them for what they've done, as they know that most humans will not. I notice that they never pray for their God to help them commit a crime. Instead, scripture and prayers are twisted to justify their violent actions. In the end, they know what they do is wrong and use religion as a way to keep their conscience clean.