Set in a 1950s French small village, the boring ‘tranquillity’ is upset by the unexpected arrival of a mysterious, free-spirited woman who opens a chocolate shop during Lent. The repressed local laird is outraged and vows to close this affront to morality.
Well, this year our Oban congregation’s Lenten Bible study kicked off by watching Chocolat, while eating the same (Fairtrade is Lent free).
Why is it that so many writers, novelists, playwrights portray Christianity as repressive, and religion as ‘thou shalt not’? Because too often we have been so. Some have feared our humanity rather than encouraged our liberation.