I didn't watch Jerry Springer - the Opera, sorry but Saturday nights are too precious, and I don't get round to watching enough things that I have recorded anyway. It looks like some Christians groups are going to try to take the BBC to court.
I am not in favour of censorship. It takes a lot to offend me, and my faith is based on my experience of living in a relationship, not on what somebody wants to say to me or about my beliefs, but I guess it has caused offence to some.
I figure this scenario is typical the two sides of Western liberalism. On the one hand is a sensitivity towards any group or belief, with the possible exception of Christianity. I can only assume that those who seek to establish what many rather snidely refer to as "political correctness" see the Church and us Christians as having had things our own way for too long. It does appear to be the case that in this form Western liberalism sees itself as the buffer between religious extremes, ensuring that Christians, Jews, Muslims etc live in harmony, whereas often it would appear that most of the time those of religious belief are united in a frustration with Western liberalisms lazy and secular values. But the other side of this liberal approach is a desire for "grown ups" to be free to enjoy "grown up" things, and if you don't like it then you are clearly not "grown up" yourself. There is certainly a lot of viciousness hidden in popular comedy (for example certain repeated targets of "Have I got news for you") which belies the tolerance and respect that society wishes us to think exists.
Was it JS - TO blasphemous? According to my dictionary blasphemy is to do with profane swearing and offering contempt and indignity towards God. (I haven't the foggiest what the legal definition will be). In the dictionary sense it sounds like the programme was blasphemous ("how do you know, you didn't even bother to watch it" - just saying that before somebody else does). It is possible that the portrayal of Jesus and God is somebody's heartfelt theological standpoint, but I doubt it. The bit I have read about it makes it sound as if the purpose of the opera is to ridicule what I think people refer to as trailer park trash and the sensationalist TV programmes that they watch (although Jerry Springer seems to be happy to associate himself with the opera, so I guess it doesn't have a go at the TV channels that deliver the stuff). This actually sounds like people who like a certain higher artform enjoying a cheap snipe at those who don't understand it.
So am I offended? No, I am happy to think that Jesus has broad shoulders. That is not the same as saying I am happy about it though. By bringing some things that are important to me and my faith to public ridicule (and yes maybe some of the protesters have done this as well) I am lessened in the eyes of society at large. Western liberalism, I think, thereby shows its true colours. You are tolerated as long as you have no beliefs or values that are felt strongly enough to make you want it any different.
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