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    UK Pastors Take a Stand Against Jerry Springer

    JsoperaThis is odd.  I must admit, I've never heard of Jerry Springer -- The Opera; but evidently it is causing quite a stir in the United Kingdom.  David Soul (who played in Starsky and Hutch) is playing Jerry Springer; and according to their website; over 425,000 people saw the show in London alone.  Just read this from the Cambridge Evening News:

    THE row over Jerry Springer - the Opera rumbles on with Cambridge church leaders reaffirming their disgust at the show.

    A total of 16 vicars, preachers and pastors wrote to the Newsattacking the show, which they say is offensive to all Christians.

    The letter went on to accuse the show, which opened at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Monday, of having a mocking attitude towards Jesus Christ.

    Today (Wednesday, 12 April) the men behind the letter have explained their defiant approach.

    Rev Ian Hamilton, minister at the Cambridge Presbyterian Church, said:

    "It is an abuse of artistic licence and freedom.

    "Freedom of speech is a wonderful and prized position in this country and the church has been the vanguard of freedom of speech for centuries.

    "And people can exercise their convictions but there is a level of responsibility that goes with it.

    "If people don't do that then we end up with the views of the BNP being allowed to run free."

    Julian Hardyman, senior pastor at Eden Baptist Church, agreed they were not trying to restrict freedom of speech.

    He said: "We simply want to recognise that some thing is being made that is a misrepresentation.

    "It is an inaccurate caricature that doesn't serve a purpose."

    The Rev Nik Ladd, vicar at St Barnabas Church, said: "We were concerned about the portrayal of Jesus which, to Christians, is quite a negative and offensive picture and not true to the New Testament. I didn't want to be involved in a protest outside the Corn Exchange but wanted to make it clear that many of us find it offensive."

    Mathew Evans, pastor at the Rock Baptist Church, organised the letter to the News.

    He said: "All we wanted to do was state what we believe to be our concerns about the production and the positive position we wanted to portray of the story of Christianity, and how it contrasts so strongly with the production."

    Canon Stephen Leeke, of St Martin's Church, said: "I haven't seen it and I don't want to because I know I will be offended. I was deeply offended that it was also chosen to be on stage at this particular time of year."

    The Rev Robin Giles, minister of Waterbeach Baptist Church, said: "I know the whole scenario is a dream sequence so it is hiding behind another level of representation, but nonetheless the figure of Christ is portrayed in a way most Christians would find offensive."

    On Monday a handful of protesters gathered outside the Corn Exchange to hand out leaflets attacking the show.

    In an interview with the News Richard Thomas, who co-wrote the stage show, attacked the protesters.

    He said: "I think it's morally repugnant. If you feel that strongly about something you should see it. If they are going to tell us we will burn in hell and they are going to take us to court then they should at least see the show. I think their opinions are vile."

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    You can see the trailer for Jerry Springer -- The Opera here.  (Note it is not for the weak of heart; and the language is not King-James-rated). 

    Do you think anyone would care if this began touring the US?  Would it be a hit?

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    Comments

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    1. Camey on Thu, April 13, 2006

      Would anyone care? Yes. Would it be a hit? Yes. Must confess that it makes me wonder if there are any who read MMI who watch the clip that honestly have never heard of Jerry Springer and his show until now. The reason I wonder that? Last night at Bible study one of our pastors mentioned the Jerry Springer show that is aired here in America. You should have heard the responses.

    2. bishopdave on Thu, April 13, 2006

      My brother was stationed on a certain US naval craft. He said if the terrorists struck at noon, they’d meet no resistance because everybody was watching Springer.


      This will make money. I’m just kind of wondering though—if it’s opera, will Jerry’s target group be reached? Will the opera houses ban halter tops?

    3. Hilton Cambridge on Mon, November 22, 2010

      Camey, I agree with you!

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