so a story about the power of religious faith. Where national conflict brings out the worst in people--the treachery of Messala and the vengeance of Judah Ben-Hur--faith in Christian teaching overcomes these evils.
The story begins even before Jesus Christ is born, when his parents go to register for the census that is order by the Roman emperor. The Romans have already ruled over Judea for a century. But the Jews do not accept them and the people have a strong belief that some day a redeemer will come to them who will bring them salvation and perfect freedom. When the story resumes 26 years later it is clear from remarks that the Romans make that the Jews are not content to remain Roman subjects. Messala is worried about keeping order and when the new governor arrives there is no delegation from the city of Jerusalem to meet him. But Messala promises that there will also be no revolt.
Although he does not have any plans to lead a revolution, Judah refuses to help Messala and tells him that he believes that his god will not allow his people to be subject to the Romans forever. Messala tries to explain to him that the Romans are the only choice the world
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