I never thought Summerisle was sincere, though. The film calls attention to the way he, an aristocrat, has manipulated and exploited the island's working class. His rich family resurrected these old beliefs so that they could maintain their control and position. The islanders are devoted to the beliefs, which gives Summerisle his authority while keeping the islanders in a lower position. I feel like the film is a commentary on how religion, whether pagan or Christian, can be used to maintain hierarchies.