Even Vampires Debate Biblical Inerrancy

Last updated on: July 25, 2012 at 9:20 am by J. Ryan Parker

Even Vampires Debate Biblical Inerrancy 2012-07-25T09:20:29-07:00 J. Ryan Parker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve been an unapologetic fan of True Blood from the start. Hell, I even flew transatlantic to deliver a paper on the series at an academic conference on vampires and the undead. I’ve mixed my share of True Blood drinks. For me, season 5 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting ones yet. Who knew even vampires debate Biblical inerrancy?

I’ve enjoyed the series so much because it’s always been so over-the-top…from the violence to the southern setting. I like how Alan Ball et al have drawn from mythology (horror or traditional) to add new elements/characters/creatures each season. Of course, that’s had its drawbacks too…someone needs to open up a fire hydrant on this season’s Fire Monster! I also appreciate the fundamental role religion (even religious caricatures) have played in the series. From the religious/sexual images in the opening credits to the Fellowship of the Sun, the creators and writers of the series draw from both historical and contemporary themes in the American religious experience. Yet, I think, this season, the writers are, while not at their most subtle (and would True Blood fans ever really want that?!), they are definitely at their most pointed (forgive the pun). They are tackling what I consider to be one of the most fundamental issues of our day, the interpretation of scripture and how how we interpret these texts shape our day-to-day existence.

From the start, viewers have seen the human/vampire conflict as a mirror for the struggle for gay rights, and while Ball has shied away from a direct correlation when asked about it, it’s hard to escape the evidence in the series. I’ve argued that perhaps he does so because while it might seem like a potentially fruitful discussion on the surface, it does more harm than good. The introduction of the Fellowship of the Sun in season 2 was a fun, satirical take on religious hypocrisy that has been resurrected (in a way) in the most recent season. Here’s hoping the recently-turned Rev. Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) gets more screen time. I imagine somewhere some viewers are upset about the series’ portrayal of religion, but it often hits closer to home than we dare imagine. We’re all frequently as nosy as Maxine Fortenberry (Dale Raoul), Hoyt’s mom, and as self-righteous as Lettie Mae Thornton (Adina Porter), Tara’s mother. But this season, the writers are nailing it…sorry.

The Authority has some trouble on his hands.

This season, the series is tackling biblical inerrancy, but from a vampire perspective, and the poisonous mixture of religion and politics. For the latter, check out this article by Bill Keveney. While The Authority, lead by Roman Zimojic (Christopher Meloni), has always been a veiled power structure behind the more local vampire goings on in Bontemps and elsewhere, it has been brought to the forefront this season. Roman, surrounded by a handful of council members, is at a crucial crossroads in its eternal existence: to mainstream or not to mainstream? Can vampires co-exist peacefully with humans, or should the latter simply be farmed sustenance for the former? Those who, like Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), feel that co-existence is possible are beginning to fight an uphill battle against the Sanguinistas, those vampires who believe that they are superior to humans. Drawing from the Christian tradition of Lilith, the Sanguinistas argue that she was a vampire, created in God’s image no less, from whom humans descended. As such, humans should serve the powers greater than them. The core question for the vampire community, or at least those vampires in power, is how to interpret their sacred text, the Vampire Bible. Literalists, or literalism, will inevitably lead to violence. Those with a more contextual interpretation might be better able to facilitate peaceful co-existence.

Some men, like Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare), will do anything to watch the blood flow.

Blood-sucking aside, this disagreement animates most, if not all, of the major religious discussions (and violence) taking place in our world today from gay marriage debates to suicide bombers. Yet, to me, part of the appeal of True Blood is that it’s not a direct correlation. Vampires and humans don’t represent one respective side of the discussion, nor do the vampires and humans simply divide into two groups among themselves. Each species (and the myriad others in the series) covers the spectrum. At the same time, what the series makes clear, and in so doing reveals yet another real-world parallel, is that the institutional debates about questions such as these often take place far removed from the experiences of the masses, many of whom are going about their lives in peaceful co-existence…except for when they’re not. In the most recent episode, in which the remaining Authority council members partake of the blood of Lilith (a brilliant, trippy communion to be sure), the gathered vampires represent various responses to oppressive religious power structures: stand up to them and be beheaded, submit unthinkingly, make your own power play, or attempt to weather the storm untouched.

And there is a storm brewing, as J. D. (Louis Herthum), the would-be werewolf pack master, tells his followers. A war is coming between vampires and humans, and woe to any of those who get caught in between. Again, this theme of being caught in between or existing in in between spaces comes up in True Blood and continues to be one of its primary strengths. Human identity exists on a spectrum in True Blood and seems to be always changing. We’re all a bit “monstrous,” or at least have the potential to be, which is another way of arguing that we should rein in our tendencies to judge. This season, however, a particular “in-between-ness” seems likely to get you killed. Once again, events in True Blood find another real world parallel. I don’t think I’m too far off base here, but there seem to be many people both within and outside contemporary religious and political discourse who feel like they are getting caught in the crossfire. At the same time, there are members in each “camp,” I would imagine, who are wondering if all the in-fighting and threats are worth it. Although it was a bit typically heavy-handed, Sam Merlotte’s (Sam Trammell) discussion with Sookie (Anna Paquin) in the most recent episode about change and being an agent for it, was an important voice of reason in the chaotic violence swirling around Bontemps. And the violence is certainly building…from humans who shoot at anything that looks different to vampires ready to devour an entire bar on Bourbon Street…all because their Bible told them so.

Television

Previous Post

July 19, 2012

It's the End of the World as She Knows It, and She Feels Fine

Next Post

July 30, 2012 Either Really [Bleepin'] Smart or Really [Bleepin'] Dumb

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Classics DVD Film Music News Pop Culture Events Print Sports Television Uncategorized Video Games

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Jesus Elijah Moses