How the World Gets Free from the Evil Gunslinger

Charlie Lehardy confesses that his ultimate movie heroes have always been movie gunfighters like Shane who protect the innocent from the bullies. He makes some connections between those heroes and the story of his biggest hero, although he points out, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a bit more complicated than his favorite Western, The Magnificent Seven, or even than any other religious system:

According to the Christian story, the entire world is held hostage by an evil Calvera [the bad guy in Magnificent Seven]. Like poor Mexican farmers, we are simply too weak to resist him. Our only hope lies in being rescued by someone stronger.

In most religious systems, the back story is much simpler. God will reward you if you live well and obey the rules. In some, living well is its own reward.

From the Christian perspective, we have all succumbed to the Stockholm Syndrome. We are dupes, like Patty Hearst. Calvera has brainwashed us. We have made a hero out of our kidnapper.

Read the whole thing. Like everything Charlie writes, it's fantastic!