Fictional story re-written into fiction
If the Daily Mail was a pantomime - and who's to say it's not - it would be easy to spot the goodies and the baddies. If the BBC walked on stage, there'd be a puff of green smoke, a crash of drums and a dramatic jarring chord to make all the youngsters boo. No matter what the BBC does, it's wrong, according to the Mail - even if they can't really find people to say that, except extremists and numpties. I don't know whether the orders come from the top, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. The Mail's hatred of the Beeb seems almost pathological, almost an allergic reaction to the idea of state-funded media. A private company could do it much better! And wouldn't be as leftie-liberal either. I think that's the thinking behind it.
Anyway, the BBC are doing a Passion play this year. I'm sure it's nice for the Xtians to have one of their little fables played out on telly, especially at Easter-time, and I don't begrudge them that little pleasure at all. But that's not good enough for the Mail, because:
BBC accused of 'rewriting the Gospel' over Easter drama about the plot to kill Jesus
Boo! Hiss!
The BBC has been accused of "re-writing the Gospel" over a controversial new drama about the final days of Jesus Christ, starring James Nesbitt, which will be screened over Easter.
By whom? Oh, by Xtian Voice. Well they're clearly the arbiters of reasoned debate, aren't they.
The corporation is risking the wrath of traditionalists by portraying Judas and Pontius Pilate in a sympathetic light.
Well it's a new interpretation of a story that is fictional anyway. So why not push the boat out?
The national director of Christian Voice, Stephen Green, criticised the BBC, accusing writers of fictionalising the story behind the death of Jesus.
But it is fictional. It's a cracking yarn, but it's a legend.
If the Mail were hoping the commenters would stick the boot into the Beeb, they haven't been rewarded yet:
Considering the fact that the story of Jesus is based on the ancient Egyptian story of Horus (who was of virgin birth, performed miracles, was the son of god and death on the cross/descended into heaven after three days etc), it is hard to see what Christians have got to complain about. There is also a Gospel of Judas, which didn't make it into the Bible. I wonder why?
- J. Barry, Berlin, Germany
"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy".
- Jack Cee, Romford
This won't do! Where are the anti-BBC types to slag off the corporation for daring to tamper with the Gospel?! Outrageous...
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Hello. I'm a Bristol-based writer and soon-to-be-redundant journalist. You can read more about me and the Enemies site here, or follow me on Twitter. Email me if you like - antonvowl at live dot co dot uk
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March 11th, 2008 - 18:14
While I agree that the attitude of the Mail to Auntie is utterly absurd, indeed a few months back their website had no less than 4 anti Beeb stories on the front page of its website, there is one thing about your post that bothers me, and indeed ones I have read on similar blog. And that is the perception that all Christians (and I am one) are right wing, Mail reading arseholes.
Ok so you didn’t actually say that but it did seem to be implied. Many of us are actually open minded, liberal, hell even full on lefties, who are not sexist, racist or homophobic. It would be nice to be acknowledged now and then.
I hope it goes without saying that I disagree on your opinion that the story of Easter is fictional but I think that is a debate for another day.
Other than that keep up the good work!
March 11th, 2008 - 19:28
This would be the same Stephen Green currently comparing “happily gay” men to Jeffrey Dahmer and also threatening “to take matters into their own hands” over insults to Jesus etc like that in Jerry Springer the Opera. Splendid man for the Mail to shack up with.
http://www.mediawatchwatch.org.uk/?p=967
http://www.mediawatchwatch.org.uk/?p=963
March 12th, 2008 - 01:02
The hatred of the BBC may have something to do with:
ITN is currently owned by ITV plc (40%), Reuters (20%), Daily Mail & General Trust (20%) and United Business Media plc (20%). ITV plc’s shareholding forms part of that company’s wider ITV News Group, incorporating ITV plc’s regional operations in England and Wales, plus ITV Sport. The Director of the ITV News Group is Mark Sharman.
and
[Teletext Ltd] is now owned by Daily Mail and General Trust and Media Ventures International.
For those who don’t know, Teletext is broadcast on ITV, Channel 4 and possibly others. Ceefax is the BBC’s version.
You know, researching this is depressing. They own all sorts of shit.
March 12th, 2008 - 09:16
To Akela, of course I don’t think Christians are all a certain type of person. There’s plenty in Christianity – forgiveness, turning the other cheek, loving your enemy, compassion – that non-religious people or those from other faiths can respect. I just happen not to believe the stories, and while I understand that Christianity is a big part of British tradition and culture, it’s not the only part. So people’s personal faith I can completely understand and respect, whatever my personal opinion is. You’ll find I’m often on here defending Muslims against prejudice and ignorance, and I don’t believe in any of their stuff either.
What I do see as the ‘enemies of reason’ are those who twist religion, for example, to meet their own selfish needs – justifying prejudice against other faiths, cultures, ways of being. Now that may not be the majority of people from a certain faith, and I’m not saying it is, but unfortunately journalists go straight to the extreme end of the scale to get a reaction, people like Christian Voice – who, I’m pretty sure, aren’t a voice for most Christians, much as they might claim to be.
So yes, we may disagree about some things, but I hope I’ve not painted all Christians out to be reactionary types, as I don’t think they are. Unfortunately, I think newspapers like the Mail or Express, while being capable of discussing complex matters, choose not to, and go straight for the most reactionary voice.