Sarah
I disagree with this show, in reference 2 what Saville said "about how public money was used" Why was it used to condemn Xtianity...when organisation could use this money to promote it!! If the public wanted to see live beaheadings should we let them?? just because they want something doesnt mean that others should suffer because of it.
Corrin
I agree with Darren, that if it was a Muslim group complainin then something would be done about it : but cuz its Xtians+we are seen like Ned Flounders from Simpson..walkovers!! i think this show is wrong..
lynn smith
I only know that if it caused an upset to Muslims or Hindus, it wouldn't be acceptable, rightly so, so why should Christians be treated with such disrespect? Problems come from inequality, not from equality, all faiths should be treated with respect and not be subject to ridicule
Adrian
I watched the show when BBC2 aired it and loved it! I have waited with baited breath for the stage show to roll into town and will enjoy walking past all the misguided protesters as much as I will enjoy my night out watching the show!
Tim
Although I understand the arguments that are made to support freedom of expression, I feel that this entertainment show is fundamentally disrepectull of sacred Christian beliefs. As Christians we regard the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, the Saviour from sin, and the intended 'satirical'
portrayal of Him is neither amusing, respectful or entertaining to a Christian. In fact it is offensive in the extreme, distressing and only fuels an intolerance of anything that is not secular.
lynn
I don't think the show should be shown anyway. It is offensive and blasphemous. If it was about any other religion it would be banned.
Martin
While George Bush is claiming that God dictates his foreign policy, bickering over a play is trivial and pointless. Christian Voice are using the furore that they've whipped up themselves to bring press attention to them and to disseminate their right-wing views; it seems to me that some people thrive on being offended. The play isn't designed to further Gerry Springer's name and career - apart from using his name it's got nothing to do with him. While I'm a big Stewart Lee fan I think the opera's rubbish but I'll be going to see it because I object to the religious bullying of Christian Voice and the Christians whose views they seek to harden and corrupt in the pursuit of their own social and political agenda. The knee-jerk reaction that they play wouldn't be allowed if the subject was the Islamic faith is ill-conceived; something similar happened in Birmingham and the play was taken off because of violent threats. Religion cannot be allowed to dictate the actions of non-believers. In doing so they become intollerant themselves which is contrary to Christian teaching. I don't remember the world coming to an end when JSTO was aired on television, and similarly when it's no longer staged Christianity and belief in God will still exist but with the tarnish of intollerance and misplaced priorities. As Christian Voice should know, God said 'vengeance is mine'. It isn't theirs and they're doing their religion a greater disservice than an opera which will be forgotten about and would have been forgotten about sooner where it not for their stance.
Anthony
I'm a Christian and I saw a bit of this show on telly. It's satire, that's all. Relax, fellow Christians, the world won't come to an end: it's just a stage show - it's entertainment. If you don't like the sound of it then don't go. But please let others choose for themselves. We're not ruled by the Taliban - yet!
Courtney
I think that people are making a fuss about nothing! I watched "Jerry Springer the Opera" and all I have to say is its not real, its an opera at the end of the day!!!
Neil
I find myself wondering whatever happened to common decency?
And whether we're going to end up totally without boundaries of what is acceptable, whether in the interests of art or anything else.
I was shocked by this when it was on the BBC. The extent of the swearing alone was outrageous. And the offence to everyday Christians (note, not "fundamentalists") seemed totally inevitable and very deep.
As for inconsistency:
none of these theatres would have dared to have gone out of their way deliberately to insult Mohammed in this way. This is religious discrimination at its worst.
Frank
Simple answer, if you don't like it, don't go and see it. PC Brigade out in force again, have they got nothing better to do.
Kate
As a teenage practising Christian and theatre lover, I hope to see the show live as I have seen it already on TV. I am in no way against the show - if we have no freedom to question the world around us what can we do? Admittedly some of the language content is rather risky, but I think if many Christians saw the show, they would see that it aims to poke fun at the state of television, rather than at faith in Jesus. And after all, didn't Jesus outrage the religious leaders of his time with 'ludicrous' stories? I support both Jesus and the theatre in their creative quests!
Dave
Freedom of speech is healthy - going all out to 'offend' s by nature offensive. Without a doubt malicious ridicule & belittling of the Christian faith is taking place here & the bbc is encouraging it.
After the BBC has admitted (Mr Keating) to being "unfair to Christians" after a record 50.000+ complaints the BBC are in contravention of guidelines & even their own postmortum in this ... when will they learn ? This is incitement ! Moe than likely to cause breech of the peace !
This isn't demonstrative of a society of equal value & respect ... whilst I respect other people faith & the right of individuals to choose for them selves I don't go all out to malicious, belittle, ridicule, encourage outright disrespect of others ... why then am I expected to just take it Jesus didn't ... He knew that His resurrection would 'cause people to think differently' that's why the world Church is so big & still growing ... Christians in some places are still dying for their faith & holding to it fast ... 'Springer' is insulting them too ... think 'bigger' people
Trevor
I was one of the many who complained about the TV broadcast. Thank you Royal Centre management for making the decision to further the downward spiral of some art forms at the expense of the tax payers of Nottingham. You have been duped by the advanced publicity and I hope you live to see an Opera featuring actors playing the parts of someone you love using all 300 swear words in the name of harmless entertainment. I am disgusted.
Peter
Jason- Christians have a nasty habit of "meddling with other peoples beliefs". How many Jews have been murdered by Christians for being somehow responsibel for Christs death? How many people were burnt at the stake for being "heretics"? I believe Jesus preached "do unto others as you would be done unto".... its a shame some Christians can't show such tolerance to others.
Jason
Jerry Springer is a talk show, This is just some stunt to keep Jerrys glory well known. Everyone knows that when speaking of religion is dangerous when people obviously take it more seriously than other people. Religion is not a "Jerry Springer" event but a belief and this opera has no right to mock it with swear words whatnot. I can understand how it is aimed for the amusement for others but anything that meddles with other peoples beliefs will not go unheeded. IE Jerry Springer
Rob
If there is a God and he created all the fabulous wonders of the universe, He is unlikely to be too bothered by a show at the Concert Hall. Similarly, while I doubt that many Christians would approve of the show, most should be secure enough in their faith to remain reasonably untroubled by it. Personally, I wouldn't normally have any interest in seeing it but I don't care to be bullied by religous fundamentalists of any kind, so I shall probably buy a couple of tickets.
Darren Clarke
As a Christian I find this very offensive and will be voicing my opinion where ever I can. I can't help feeling that because true Christianity does not believe in any form of violence that we are seen as fair game, like the big kid in the school yard who is only picked on because he won't hit back. If a similar show was made insulting the Islamic faith in the same way I doubt many theatres would be as keen to show it in fear of the probable repercussions, freedom of speech or no freedom of speech.
Peter
Christian fundamentalists are every bit as dangerous as those claiming allegance to other faiths. Jesus preached forgiveness, even while hanging on the cross. I'm not going to see "Jerry Springer the Opera" because its not my thing, but if anyone does want to see it then I hope they have a good night out. People should sort out Northern Ireland, the Balkan conflict, the Middle east & every other slaughter carried out "in God's name" before worrying about stage shows.
