Believer with Reza Aslan (TV)
Religious scholar Reza Aslan made each one of the six episodes of his explorations on fringe and reform religions count in “Believer”; I wish there had been another few episodes for more of his journeys to engage in, and try and understand, these different types of religious beliefs.
One of the things that is so compelling about “Believer” is how Aslan goes in to each setting with an open mind, whether it’s a doomsday cult in Hawaii; Voodoo worship in Haiti; the struggle to keep Isreal secular; the rise of Santa Muerte in Mexico, and even Scientology. The one time he really is challenged is his look, in the sixth episode I watched, when he examines the practices of Hindi in the holy city of Varanasi, the “City of the Dead” in India, and he finds his personal beliefs of cleanliness put to the test when his interest in a sect of Hindi beliefs, which is trying to upend the class structure that the religion has formed with its ideas of reincarnation, includes being purified in the filthiest part of the Ganges River. I cannot say I blame him, but one of the things “Believer” does so well is show us the different ways in which people of even similar beliefs have different ideas in what those beliefs represent, whether it’s different Jewish communities in Isreal or even Scientologists. Did you know there are reform Scientologists? Oh yeah, that’s a thing that exists.
Aslan’s approach of not just engaging the practitioners of these faiths, but also experiencing it himself, is the most fascinating aspect of “Believer,” and what I find myself admiring most about this series. It’s also interesting to see how these different belief structures begin; for the doomsday cult, it appears to have been divinely inspired by the threat of climate change. While the Catholic Church has condemned Santa Muerte as a satanic ritual, seeing how Santa Muerte has grown out of that tradition is an enriching experience. Seeing how Orthodox Jews try to maintain their faith in a modern world that doesn’t really accept them, and vice versa, is illuminating to see the struggle of an ancient religion with itself. Watching how Christianity and Voodoo are at odds with one another in Haiti, but also, how they have been co-mingled by the people there, is a unique experience. And while Aslan has a profoundly negative reaction to one of the Babas he looks to for guidance in India, another one is the best example of any holy man, who not only preaches his faith honestly, but practices it, as well. I think you might agree with me, though, that “Believer”- which can currently be seen on Topic- is worth checking out alone for the episode that explores Scientology. I walked away from watching this episode not necessarily with a greater appreciation of the religion as a whole and its practices, but of the ideas L. Ron Hubbard infused it with to achieve greater enlightenment about the self, which is what the people Aslan talks to here hold dearest. This is a rich, enlightening journey he takes us on, and helps us see how very different spiritual experiences ultimately are going to similar places, just in a variety of paths.
