How far should should programme makers go with Religion?

[alan french]

Hello.
I know that the following subject can be to some people, highly immotive. So, I hope the responses do not get out of hand and we all remain friends.

I have my beliefs and disbeliefs, the same as anyone else. But how do Britmovie members feel about the depiction of religion in films, whether it be drama or comedy?

I may tune in to Britmovie at the weekend, or maybe not. But when I do login next, I hope there will be some interesting responses.

In the meantime, I shall log out and wish you all a pleasant weekend.


Alan French.

[Steve Crook]

But how do Britmovie members feel about the depiction of religion in films, whether it be drama or comedy?

Very variable. Sometimes it's well handled, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes the religious characters are taken seriously, at other times they aren't.
How can one generalise about such a "broad church" of a subject?

Steve

[didi-5]

A very broad subject Alan, and an interesting one. Like you, I have my own thoughts and beliefs, and respect others - but I don't class religion as a 'no go' area when it comes to comedy or drama. As a Christian, I can appreciate the likes of The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus of Montreal, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, King of Kings, even The Life of Brian because all feature matters relating to Him without being offensive. In the main all of these are thoughtful portrayals while giving food for thought as to what religion actually is.

I see no problem with depictions of other religions either as long as such depictions don't go too far. Watch examples of anti-Jewish propaganda from the Nazi regime, anti-Islamic or anti-Christian material with associated agendas, and that's where a line is crossed and dramatic and comedic programming and films becomes unpalatable.

I am trying to focus my thoughts on this topic without veering into the emotional, but I can see that for many even the most lighthearted of religious depictions is treating the beliefs of others in an objectionable way. It is something very personal, as indeed is individual interpretation of sacred texts, etc.

[Timmy_Lea]

The problem is, other beliefs seem to be fair game but whenever religion is in the firing line for satire certain people still get their knickers in a twist. Why? Why should religion have a special place above all other beliefs? Especially when many religions attempt to condemn other people & their lifestyles telling people how to live etc. As far as I’m concerned go as far as you want with religion, if god did exist I’m sure he’d have made his feelings known if he didn’t like people taking the mickey all the time.

[faginsgirl]

As a spiritualist, I felt slated by a couple of members on the forum on the ghosts on the underground thread, but I can`t take it personally. why? Because I can`t prove to them that what I believe is true, and rightly or wrongly, that probably makes it easier to make fun of? It can by some perhaps be put down as wishful thinking and therefore ok to ridicule?

Like a lot of things, some will say the subject of religion should be dealt with in a more sensitive manner, some will disagree.

IMO Monty Python deal in surrealism which I feel is usually different from `just having a laugh at someone`s expense`. I have found a couple of The Pythons sketches very serious and hard hitting indeed, but whatever went through their minds at the time of making The life of Brian, it offended some people, and whether we laugh at the cruifiction scene or not, they probably did cross the line with the Christian community as a whole. Although I wasn`t offended, but it`s not my religion.

Just my thoughts

[Timmy_Lea]

As a spiritualist, I felt slated by a couple of members on the forum on the ghosts on the underground thread, but I can`t take it personally. why? Because I can`t prove to them that what I believe is true, and rightly or wrongly, that probably makes it easier to make fun of? It can by some perhaps be put down as wishful thinking and therefore ok to ridicule?

Like a lot of things, some will say the subject of religon should be dealt with in a more sensitive manner, some will disagree.

IMO Monty Python deal in surrealism which I feel is usually different from `just having a laugh at someone`s expense`, I have found a couple of The Pythons sketches very serious and hard hitting indeed, but whatever went through their minds at the time, it offended some people, and whether we laugh at the cruifiction scene or not, they probably did cross the line with the Christian community as a whole.

Just my thoughts

But the Christian community as a whole crosses the line all the time with many of its 'moral' views about how certain people should/shouldn't life their lives. Therefore its fairgame.

[Mr Sloane]

Religion is as open to question and humour as an other subject. If the beliefs,tenets and laws cannot stand scrutiny and humour they can't amount to much in the first place.

[Fellwanderer]

Religion is as open to question and humour as an other subject. If the beliefs,tenets and laws cannot stand scrutiny and humour they can't amount to much in the first place.

In full agreement

[CaptainWaggett]

Religion is as open to question and humour as an other subject. If the beliefs,tenets and laws cannot stand scrutiny and humour they can't amount to much in the first place.

You just want some leaping nuns

[jimw1]

You just want some leaping nuns

that would be an ecumenical matter....

[DB7]

Muhammad seems pretty much a no-go area or you'll receive a fatwah. Most other religions have been satirised to the point there's no 'Life of Brian' style outrage.

[didi-5]

But the Christian community as a whole crosses the line all the time with many of its 'moral' views about how certain people should/shouldn't life their lives. Therefore its fairgame.

Some parts of the Christian community, and one reason why I don't go to church or participate in that way any more.

Fagingirl's post about feeling slighted for her beliefs touched a nerve with me. I posted on an obit thread on this forum and said I hoped the person concerned was 'at peace'. As a Christian I believe that there is something after death and I do believe in the concept of souls at peace. But my comment was picked up on and I felt rather taken aback as it was something I had never ever questioned, and probably never will.

Slightly off-topic of this thread - sorry!

[Steve Crook]

Muhammad seems pretty much a no-go area or you'll receive a fatwah. Most other religions have been satirised to the point there's no 'Life of Brian' style outrage.

Muhammad himself is generally off limits, but so is Allah, God & Jesus. It's usually the religious people who are the target of humour, not what they worship. Just like in "Life of Brian"

Steve

[Timmy_Lea]

Muhammad himself is generally off limits, but so is Allah, God & Jesus. It's usually the religious people who are the target of humour, not what they worship. Just like in "Life of Brian"

Steve

Don't forget Zeus! Of course that is regarded as mythology but for some reason Jesus, Allah etc aren't?!?

[Steve Crook]

Don't forget Zeus! Of course that is regarded as mythology but for some reason Jesus, Allah etc aren't?!?

Are there any films or TV shows where Zeus or any of the other ancient gods are taken as figures of fun?

Steve

[CaptainWaggett]

Are there any films or TV shows where Zeus or any of the other ancient gods are taken as figures of fun?

Steve

This one did pretty well at the box office

[Steve Crook]

This one did pretty well at the box office

Yes, but are the gods taken as figures of fun? And are they taken as such as a major part of the film?

Steve

[Mr Sloane]

Yes, but are the gods taken as figures of fun? And are they taken as such as a major part of the film?

Steve

Well they play a larger part than Jesus does in Life of Brian.

[CaptainWaggett]

Yes, but are the gods taken as figures of fun? And are they taken as such as a major part of the film?

Steve

They certainly are But then they were used as figures of fun in ancient Greek comedy too, notably The Frogs

[DB7]

Yes, but are the gods taken as figures of fun? And are they taken as such as a major part of the film?

Steve

Off the top of my head Morgan Freeman has played God twice, and Fluff Freeman once!