The Paradox of Life, Loyalty and Betrayal

A Sociological-Theological-Existential Reading of Shūsaku Endō’s Silence

Abstract

This article examines Shūsaku Endō’s Silence through sociological, theological, and existential lenses, focusing on the paradox of loyalty and betrayal. It argues that apostasy, often viewed as moral failure, can reflect redemptive suffering and solidarity with the oppressed. Drawing connections to the 2019 Hong Kong protests, the study explores how ethical decisions are shaped by context, conscience, and community. Through narrative ethics and theological reflection, the article invites a rethinking of loyalty as a dynamic virtue rooted in compassion, discernment, courage, guilt, and forgiveness.