Gay Theatre, Corpus Christi, Blasphemy and the Evangelicals

The proprietor of the 'evangelical' (I always use the word in quotations, no swipe at them) website irishchristians.ie has called on Christians to e-mail and possibly threaten boycott of several companies as a result of their sponsorship of the Gay Theatre Festival, which will be hosted in Dublin this month and includes the play "Corpus Christi" which is accused of controversy and blasphemy.

The sentiments of the release appear critical of Minister Eamon Ryan's endorsement of the event and furthermore states:

Quote :

Can I ask you to email the following
businesses, local government and the minister expressing your disappointment at
their support for inclusion of the play “Corpus
Christi” which is an insult to the religious beliefs
of Christians? Please avoid vitriol and do not use threats but focus on your
disappointment and that in particular with regard to the businesses that you
would remember their sponsorship of this play when it comes to considering
using their services in the future.





When writing to the local government
organisations and charities, focus on the misuse of government or charity funds
to help fund a play which is so insulting to the Christian faith.

The business list to be targetted includes:
Travelodge
O'Briens Sandwich Bars
House of Fraser
Bang and Olufsen
Tipperary Crystal
Dublin City Council
Dublin Tourist Board

and various others...



What are people's opinions on such matters. Should one, who is offended by such media, proactively cease to silent it on the basis of a protection of their rights not to be offended. Or should they ignore it on the basis that they, like the producers of such media, enjoy freedom of expression?

Any other opinions?

People might like to consider such issues in the context of recent English case law on the matter regarding Jerry Springer the Opera...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7128552.stm

Did they send everyone a copy of the play so they could read it before becoming offended?

Is there such as thing as 'a right' not to be offended? I appreciate that the production of plays like this might offend that particular constituency but I fully support the 'right' of the Gay Theatre Festival to cause offence in this instance.

I always find these kind of protests to be absolutely baffling. Unless the gays plan on holding the performance in this mans living room I see no cause for him to get upset about it. Presumably he could show his distaste simply by not attending.

I might just show my support by going...

Here's a bit of publicity for it anyway.

LINK

cactus flower wrote:

I might just show my support by going...

Here's a bit of publicity for it anyway.

LINK

Yes, 'The Countess and the Lesbians' looks intriguing.

Quote :

Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi retells the Jesus story, with Jesus as a gay man living in 1950’s Corpus Christi, Texas. Opening in 1998 to bomb threats and protests, this revival ‘108 Production’ plays to sell-out audiences. McNally says the play is ‘meant to enlarge people’s understanding of the divinity of each of us…, to include gay men and women in the story of Christ’s life and encourage a return to spirituality’. Gay people easily feel ‘alienated from any and all religions. This is my attempt to lessen that feeling of alienation where gay men and women are spiritual ‘heroes’ as well”.