Gay Jesus welcomed by MSP but rejected by religious group
-9/12/04
A theatre production
Gay Jesus welcomed by MSP but rejected by religious group
-9/12/04
A theatre production which portrays Jesus Christ as gay has been met with fury from a religious group, but welcomed as “powerful and moving” by a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Members of the group “Christian Voice”, known for its hard-line stance on homosexuality, claim the production of Corpus Christi, being staged by St Andrew’s University student company Zuloo, is a “blasphemous, hate-filled mockery”.
North East Fife MSP Iain Smith has however called on theategoers to see a controversial production being staged in St Andrews before they ìrush to condemn itî
The play’s director has also defended the students right to free expression, saying that “homophobic” opposition had only made them more determined that the show would go on.
However one of the directors of the Crawford Arts Centre where the production is being staged, accountant Roy McLachlan, has reportedly resigned over the issue because ìhe cannot square his beliefs with the playî.
The American production is a modern retelling of the Gospels, set in the Texan town Corpus Christi and portraying Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals.
Iain Smith MSP said he saw the play when it was performed a few years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe, and had found it to be a powerful and moving piece of theatre which challenges prejudice and intolerance in society.
Following calls for the production to be banned, Mr Smith said he strongly believed that freedom of expression in the arts must be protected in a liberal and democratic society.
Members of Christian Voice travelled to St Andrews to protest. They described the play, by writer Terrence McNally, as ìblasphemousî in its portrayal of Jesus, who is crucified for being ìKing of the Queersî after being betrayed by Judas, who is cast as his lover.
The group has said the offence has been heightened by the portrayal of the Virgin Mary as an alcoholic.
Mr Green said, ìPortraying Jesus as a homosexual is an insult to our Saviour, who lived a life free from all sin and immorality, and who died for our sins on the cross.
ìWe demand respect for the Christian faith and we are not prepared to allow people motivated by hatred to vilify our beliefs and our Saviour without making our presence felt.
ìQuite apart from that, God is not mocked, and I fear for the town of St Andrews which has allowed this blasphemous, hate-filled mockery.î
Christian Voice has said it is being joined in its protests by two other religious groups; Operation Christian Vote and the Scottish-based pro-life group UKLifeLeague.
But ZsuZsi Lindsay (23), the playís director and a fourth-year student at St Andrews University, said Christian groupsí actions would not bring the curtain down.
ìAt the moment we are getting lots of security organised to keep our audience protected because we are preparing for the worst,î she said.
ìIt is very unfortunate because these people have not read the play and it saddens me to think they are making such a big issue out of homosexuality.
ìThey are homophobic. To focus just on the fact that Jesus is gay is missing the whole point of the play.
ìThe point is that you canít judge people by their sexuality, you can only judge them by what they say and who they are.
ìWe respect that this group are protesting as they have a right to free speech, but a lot of students have said to me they have a right to free speech as well, and they feel this is being impeded.î
Gay Jesus welcomed by MSP but rejected by religious group
-9/12/04
A theatre production which portrays Jesus Christ as gay has been met with fury from a religious group, but welcomed as “powerful and moving” by a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Members of the group “Christian Voice”, known for its hard-line stance on homosexuality, claim the production of Corpus Christi, being staged by St Andrew’s University student company Zuloo, is a “blasphemous, hate-filled mockery”.
North East Fife MSP Iain Smith has however called on theategoers to see a controversial production being staged in St Andrews before they ìrush to condemn itî
The play’s director has also defended the students right to free expression, saying that “homophobic” opposition had only made them more determined that the show would go on.
However one of the directors of the Crawford Arts Centre where the production is being staged, accountant Roy McLachlan, has reportedly resigned over the issue because ìhe cannot square his beliefs with the playî.
The American production is a modern retelling of the Gospels, set in the Texan town Corpus Christi and portraying Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals.
Iain Smith MSP said he saw the play when it was performed a few years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe, and had found it to be a powerful and moving piece of theatre which challenges prejudice and intolerance in society.
Following calls for the production to be banned, Mr Smith said he strongly believed that freedom of expression in the arts must be protected in a liberal and democratic society.
Members of Christian Voice travelled to St Andrews to protest. They described the play, by writer Terrence McNally, as ìblasphemousî in its portrayal of Jesus, who is crucified for being ìKing of the Queersî after being betrayed by Judas, who is cast as his lover.
The group has said the offence has been heightened by the portrayal of the Virgin Mary as an alcoholic.
Mr Green said, ìPortraying Jesus as a homosexual is an insult to our Saviour, who lived a life free from all sin and immorality, and who died for our sins on the cross.
ìWe demand respect for the Christian faith and we are not prepared to allow people motivated by hatred to vilify our beliefs and our Saviour without making our presence felt.
ìQuite apart from that, God is not mocked, and I fear for the town of St Andrews which has allowed this blasphemous, hate-filled mockery.î
Christian Voice has said it is being joined in its protests by two other religious groups; Operation Christian Vote and the Scottish-based pro-life group UKLifeLeague.
But ZsuZsi Lindsay (23), the playís director and a fourth-year student at St Andrews University, said Christian groupsí actions would not bring the curtain down.
ìAt the moment we are getting lots of security organised to keep our audience protected because we are preparing for the worst,î she said.
ìIt is very unfortunate because these people have not read the play and it saddens me to think they are making such a big issue out of homosexuality.
ìThey are homophobic. To focus just on the fact that Jesus is gay is missing the whole point of the play.
ìThe point is that you canít judge people by their sexuality, you can only judge them by what they say and who they are.
ìWe respect that this group are protesting as they have a right to free speech, but a lot of students have said to me they have a right to free speech as well, and they feel this is being impeded.î