Decalogue (Dekalog) Episode 1 Discussion Guide

I’ve decided to put together this discussion guide for the Movie the Decalogue (Dekalog 1989). IMDB page here

For those who don’t know this movie series, it’s basically Kieslowski’s attempt to make each of the 10 commandments into a movie. The result are wonderful 1 hour films from a very impartial point of view (even though the director is not Christian). The point of them is to spark discussion and I think they manage to do that very well.

Here are some discussion questions, to be used after you watch the movie. I will try to post a study guide on each of them. Here we go with episode 1:

Decalogue 1 - “I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

 

Exodus 20:3 says “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Verse 4 says “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

 

In the beginning of the movie, the aunt is watching the TV reportage that her nephew was in. The final scene reverts to that initial image.

 

Who is the silent figure appearing throughout the film?

There are a few interpretations of this character. One possibility is that he is a Christ-like figure. Another is that he is an angel who observes but cannot intervene. Notice that in the beginning of the movie, the silent observer is looking directly at the audience. Also, notice that when the father goes to look for his son, the silent observer is not by the fire anymore. That could suggest that he has intervened in the outcome, or, on the contrary, that he is not interested in helping the father.

 

What are the ‘gods’ that the movie talks about?

The computer is a god for the father. He has all the markings of an idol. A definition of an idol is something that is adored blindly and excessively. Does the father trust his computer blindly? Yes and no. If you look closely, you will see that the father does double check the calculations. He also goes outside to test the ice himself. However, the father does believe in computers. In his lecture at the university, he reveals that he believes that a supercomputer would be able to choose between right and wrong and make the correct decisions.

The aunt asks her nephew if his computer can reveal dreams. The son asks the question, and the answer is “I don’t know”. However, the son says that he is sure that his father’s computer could indeed reveal dreams. Does the son sincerely believe that? Keep in mind that the father does not oppose the idea of his son going to see the priest in the near future.

As a side note, it is interesting to mention the fact that the aunt could also have an idol, in the form of Pope John Paul II. However, it seems that she knows that he is simply a godly man, but not a god himself.

 

What is the son’s worldview?

The son has a very inquisitive mind. In the beginning of the movie, he takes great interest in the pigeon’s visit. When playing chess against the chess master, the son sees a pattern of thinking. His mind revolves around systems. The son asks his father what is death. His response is a very anatomic explanation that death is “when the heart stops beating and when the blood is not

pumped anymore”. Looking back at that definition, is the father able to deal with the death of his son in the same way?

 

How can illogical occurrences be explained?

For instance, how does the father deal with the bottle of ink breaking? The father’s calculations were not wrong; the ice should have held. In one of the final scene of the movie, the father goes by the ice and holds a piece of ice in his hand, as proof that the ice was present. Notice how the computer turns on automatically twice in the movie. Have you ever had a similar experience? Do you think all such occurrences have a rational explanation?

 

 

Further Questions

 

If the father was a believer, would that have changed the outcome?

 

Can measurement be applied to everything?

 

Survey

The other day I was looking for some sort of survey that would allow people to really get to know each other. I found really superficial ones, and none that was focused on Christians. So I designed the questions below. Feel free to use them in getting to know your friends or your family. You don’t have to answer all of them; the questions should at least spark some interesting discussion. So take your time going through them.

I would also appreciate any suggestions for new questions, since I would like to improve it.

Enjoy.

Survey

Culture/Nationality

Do you value your nationality?

Do you identify with your culture?

Do you think nationality is given by God and should be respected; would you ever immigrate to another culture, despite being born elsewhere?

Do you think all cultures are valuable; do you think some cultures are better than others?

 

Finances

What would you consider a good income for you; for your family?

In your job, do you place a great emphasis on how much you earn?

Do you believe in buying things on credit; would you prefer to save up to buy more expensive items (dishwasher, car) or buy on credit?

Is it moral to lend money to people on interest?

Would you ever accept a bribe; would you ever accept a gift for something that would require extra work on your part but would still be part of your job?

Who would your live your money to in your will; what if you did not have children or close relatives?

Do you tithe?

Should the money you donate always be given to the church?

Should you save up money in order to be able to give more away later, or should you give it progressively (the more you have, the more you give immediately)?

Do you give money away to all who ask?

How do you decide who does or does not need your money once they ask it?

Do you think your children should get a job before leaving for university?

When is a good age to stop supporting your children?

 

Career

Would you ever get a fellow Christian a job (favouritism)?

Would you ever somebody who was part of your family a job or promotion (nepotism)?

How many hours a day would you work while married? What about if you had children?

Would you accept a job offer if it meant being separated from your spouse for more than 3 months?  What if you had children?

Would you be willing to leave your job if your spouse got a job promotion and had to relocate?

Would you quit your job if your spouse thought that it’s having a bad influence on you and your spiritual life?

Would you accept gifts from coworkers?

Would you accept an invitation to lunch from a coworker of the opposite sex if you were married?

Would you feel comfortable working many hours with only a coworker of the opposite sex if you were married?

How important if your job satisfaction?

What is a good time to retire?

Would you consider early retirement?

How satisfied are you with your job?

What would be your dream job?

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

What’s the most important quality of a great boss?

What’s the best job-related advice you’ve ever received?

 

Family

Would you ever physically discipline your children? What are the best methods of disciplining a child?

Do you think that the mother should have a greater role in the education of her daughter(s) and that the father should have a greater role in the education of his son(s) in terms of influence?

Would you ever get married to a non-Christian?

Would you ever divorce your Christian spouse?

If you had children, would you always bring them on your vacations, or would you want time alone with your husband?

Would you ever live with a family member while married?

Do you think grandparents should live with their children when they are old?

What do you think of senior homes?

Do you think old people should always be respected and obeyed (if Christian)?

Do you value having a large extended family and being close to most of them? Or would you prefer to see most of them once a year?

If you could not have children would you adopt?

Would you ever use artificial insemination, in vitro, or surrogate mother techniques to conceive?

Would you tend for your handicapped child at home, or would you put him/her in an institution?

What are the best qualities a wife/husband should have?

Would you ever home-school your children?

Would you allow your child to date? When?

Would you want to be asked permission before your child goes on a date?

Would you have cable TV in your house?

When should a child be allowed to surf the internet?

Do you think it’s best to let your children find their own way?

 

Yourself

If you could change the world with one thing, what would it be?

What is your best/worst characteristic?

If you could, would you change something physically or mentally about you? If so, what and why?

What is your strongest spiritual gift?

Name three things you can’t live without:

How do you want to die?

Would you die for somebody you love?

Name some things in life that you are afraid of?

Have you ever experienced anything supernatural?

If you could back in time to any point of history, where would you go and why?

Name something you’d like to do before you die:

What is your favourite time of day?

 

Beliefs/Faith

Do you believe war can be justified?

Do you believe in miracles?

Is being a Christian hard work?

What is the hardest thing about being a Christian to your opinion?

What is your favorite book in the Bible?

Who is your favorite biblical character?

What is your Favorite Bible verse or passage?

Are you scared to share your faith with others?

Are you unsure of how to share your faith with others?

Are you afraid you will appear stupid if you share your faith with others?

Do you believe every sin is seen by God as equal?

Do you believe in the fact that Evolution is how the universe and everything in it evolved over millions / billions of years

Do you believe that God used Evolution as a means of creation?

What is the most important thing in your life?

What are your main concerns in your life?

What are the most positive things in your life at present? What makes you happy?

What/who are the main influences in your life?

As you look back on your life, which of the following best describes it?

Do you feel that you have lived your life so far with a clear sense of purpose?