A trailer for a new documentary about missionary John Chau‘s journey to the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean to evangelize the indigenous community has sparked criticism and disdain in some corners of social media.
Critics argue that “The Mission” portrays the Christian preacher as a martyr or saint while failing to acknowledge his role as a colonizer who showed little regard for the cultural and belief system of the North Sentinelese people.
Chau’s second attempt to reach the people is at the crux of the film. On November 17, 2018, the 26-year-old stepped on the island’s beach believing his God told him to convert the tribe to Christianity.
He wrote in his diary about his quest, “Satan has possession of these people and I am going to save them from eternal hellfire.”
His desire to do this was at all costs — including losing his life.
The trailer features interviews with John Chau’s friends praising his bravery and character. However, on social media, many took offense at portraying him positively, as he entered the community without respecting their faith, attempting to impose his beliefs on the indigenous people.
One person noted, “There is a new documentary trying to portray John Chau as a hero and a martyr for his attempt to ‘spread the gospel’ to the Black people of North Sentinel Island. He is no hero. The native people smelled the scent of colonization when he showed up, and they sent him packing… .”
There is a new documentary trying to portray John Chau as a hero and a martyr for his attempt to “spread the gospel” to the Black people of North Sentinel Island. He is no hero. The native people smelled the scent of colonization when he showed up, and they sent him packing-
FOR… pic.twitter.com/V0YQ1j20JT
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) November 19, 2023
“Ge committed a crime to do it,” one person added. “He paid…
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