Last in Sabbath film trilogy

Controversial Sunday movie screenings take break for reflection

Campaigners are gearing up for the last of the Sabbath film trilogy on Lewis this weekend.

Tomorrow more protests will greet the final film to be shown on a Sunday in a public cinema as part of a controversial trial that has split the community.

But last night there were only 14 of the 183 seats left for Black Panther which is set – like the other two Sabbath-busting films – to be a sell-out.

However, the clergyman who has led protests at the previous Sunday showings – of Coco and Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi – at An Lanntair in Stornoway, said cinema goers would again be met by Sabbatarian campaigners “wanting to preserve the Lord’s Day”.

Ironically, the Rev David Fraser, of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Stornoway, will not be there as he is travelling to Canada.

But he said before leaving: “There will be a protest. I have been contacted by fellow Christians who are upset by this. You open one thing and you are putting pressure on other businesses to follow.

“It’s going to be a constant temptation. As Christians we believe sin is a breaking of the law and the Fourth Commandment is the hinge between a caring God and loving man.

“Those people who will break the Sabbath are breaking God’s law – they are guilty as sinners immediately but there’s forgiveness for those who change their minds. It’s morally reprehensible that people are trying to change traditional Lewis life here. There’s been an erosion of moral standards.

“The day of rest has to be maintained for the health of the community. If you destroy the day of rest you create massive social problems. The majority of people here don’t want An Lanntair open on Sundays.”

An Lanntair is a major arts venue which also has Lewis’s only public cinema.

David Green, chairman of the board of An Lanntair, has defended the decision to open and said no staff had been made to work on a Sunday.

A decision on whether to continue with Sunday openings at An Lanntair will be made after the end of the trial.

“As Christians we believe sin is a breaking of the law”

DAY OF REST: Sabbatarian the Rev David Fraser has been leading the Lewis protests against film screenings