Delaware Dem got to me today and convinced me of the error of my atheist ways. So tonight I am founding my own religion based on the Parable of the Blues Brothers. It's something like Christianity but not really. Aww who am I kidding? Find out more after the flip
The movie The Blues Brothers (1980?) is a great movie but just a few hours ago I realized it might provide a founding text for a new religion. The movie opens with an industrial wasteland and moves quickly to the prison that Jake is getting out of. It's a resurrection, with the prison doors opening and the sun streaming through. Jake meets up with his "brother" Elwood.
The two dress like Hasidic rabbis an obvious indication that they are appropriating OT religion. But they were raised in a Catholic orphanage so they are Catholics too. And the orphanage is their first stop for they must keep their promise to the Reverend Mother, known as the Penguin. The Penguin and the orphanage represent old world, medieval religion of suffering and discipline yet this is where the "brothers" receive their quest. The Penguin needs $5,000 for a tax assessment. The boys are off on their "Mission from Gad."
But first they check in with the only father figure they know, Curtis the caretaker who has initiated them into the mysteries of the Blues as they were growing up. This is important. These white orphans have made contact with a music and metaphysic that has it's roots in West Africa and is pre-Christian. The Blues are commonly known in the South as devil's music. Curtis insists that they get churched and directs them to the Triple Rock (Rock! Rock! Rock!) church, Brother Cleophas James presiding.
In this Black church Jake is struck by the Holy Ghost and realizes that the BAND can actually save the ophanage. But the scene is much more than that. It intimates that only the Black church has the Holy Ghost in it and because of this we have a scene of exagerated exuberance and celebration -- dancing, singing, acrobatic feats. This is how religion (if it's any good) is supposed to feel.
The rest of the movie plays out this quest with the Blues Brothers putting together their band having adventures and finally saving the orphanage. But check this out.
Throughout the film Elwood is constantly making dry white toast. THe Eucharistic sybolism is right there. Elwood is a priest transubstantiating what? White bread into brown toast and perhaps himself from a white orphan to a blues brother.
Then there's the destruction of the Mall. This is clearly a denunciation of the commodification of modern life. As Jake sez "Look! Disco pants and Haircuts."
And who are the bad guys in this parable. Well first there are the Illinois Nazis who Elwood tries to run down with his used cop car.
That's cool I hate Illinois Nazis just like the brothers do.
Then there are The Good Old Boys band. Do I need to make this any clearer.
And then finally there are various representatives of Illinois law enforcement. Wow! Looks like the Blues Brothers have put themselves in with the underdogs in society eh?
Well, I'm not sure it makes a complete religion but hey I just started a couple of hours ago. But I'll leave you with the last message from the movie. The band are all in jail(monestary) playing Jailhouse Rock and on the wall is a mural that sez: "It's Never Too Late to Mend" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamen.