Newspaper says Christian campaigners made a ‘classic mistake’ over Springer opera -13/01/05
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Newspaper says Christian campaigners made a ‘classic mistake’ over Springer opera -13/01/05
A Christian newspaper has backed comments from the religious thinktank Ekklesia, which suggested that Christians had been too hasty in rushing to condemn ‘Jerry Springer – The Opera’ In an editorial published today, the Christian Herald newspaper suggests that Christian campaigners against the show made a ‘classic mistake’ and that “shouting ëblasphemyí devoid of cohesive argument will only serve to reinforce stereotypes”. The editorial says; “Arguments have raged, sharpened on usual agendas and discrepancies. That Christians should only come to stand against the show, three years after it first debuted in the West End, is because our license fees fund the BBC. The corporation has maintained that, within context, the piece is thought-provoking and satirical.” “Sadly, far too few campaigners actually viewed the piece ñ the classic mistake for would-be apologists debating morality in the arts.” Before the show was broadcast Christians burned their television licenses in protest, posted private names and addresses of BBC executives on a web site leading to threats of violence, and exaggerated the number of swearwords contained in the production by counting every expletive uttered by each member of the operatic chorus. Quoting comments from Ekklesia, the editorial continues; “In one sweep our loud accusations seem ill-informed, unbalanced and, at worst, vacuous to the onlooker. Jonathan Bartley, director of Ekklesia, despairs that Christians have missed a ‘golden opportunity for moral and ethical debate’ by not giving ‘meaningful explanation’ to their accusers.” “With faith being amputated from much of the arts, shouting ëblasphemyí devoid of cohesive argument will only serve to reinforce stereotypes, discouraging artisans from further exploring faith.” “Unless we treat others as weíd like to be treated, we have no grounds to complain when reactionary secularists attempt Christian censorship without proper reasoning.” You can read the editorial carried in the letters section of the Christian Herald newspaper here
Newspaper says Christian campaigners made a ‘classic mistake’ over Springer opera -13/01/05
A Christian newspaper has backed comments from the religious thinktank Ekklesia, which suggested that Christians had been too hasty in rushing to condemn ‘Jerry Springer – The Opera’ In an editorial published today, the Christian Herald newspaper suggests that Christian campaigners against the show made a ‘classic mistake’ and that “shouting ëblasphemyí devoid of cohesive argument will only serve to reinforce stereotypes”. The editorial says; “Arguments have raged, sharpened on usual agendas and discrepancies. That Christians should only come to stand against the show, three years after it first debuted in the West End, is because our license fees fund the BBC. The corporation has maintained that, within context, the piece is thought-provoking and satirical.” “Sadly, far too few campaigners actually viewed the piece ñ the classic mistake for would-be apologists debating morality in the arts.” Before the show was broadcast Christians burned their television licenses in protest, posted private names and addresses of BBC executives on a web site leading to threats of violence, and exaggerated the number of swearwords contained in the production by counting every expletive uttered by each member of the operatic chorus. Quoting comments from Ekklesia, the editorial continues; “In one sweep our loud accusations seem ill-informed, unbalanced and, at worst, vacuous to the onlooker. Jonathan Bartley, director of Ekklesia, despairs that Christians have missed a ‘golden opportunity for moral and ethical debate’ by not giving ‘meaningful explanation’ to their accusers.” “With faith being amputated from much of the arts, shouting ëblasphemyí devoid of cohesive argument will only serve to reinforce stereotypes, discouraging artisans from further exploring faith.” “Unless we treat others as weíd like to be treated, we have no grounds to complain when reactionary secularists attempt Christian censorship without proper reasoning.” You can read the editorial carried in the letters section of the Christian Herald newspaper here