Debate on "Blasphemous" Springer Opera Still Boiling

One week after the screening of Jerry Springer the Opera on BBC, the debate has continued to heat up. The outrage of Christian evangelicals regarding the alleged "blasphemous" opera is still boiling, however, unexpectedly there has been a growing number of Christians speaking in favour of the Springer show.

Last week, 50,000 evangelicals joined a massive demonstration outside BBC centres across Britain to show their opposition against the offensive opera. The opera featured Jesus engaging the Devil in a swearing match, a gay Jesus, Eve discussing sex acts and copious bad language.

While many people criticised evangelicals for being too extreme in expressing their protest, the head of the one-million strong evangelicals in the UK, President of the Evangelical Alliance, Dr Joel Edwards argued that those who participated in the protest have used peaceful means. Also, as the ones representing the marginalised in society, they should have the right to express themselves.

Yaqub Masih, General secretary of the UK Asian Christian Fellowship, which joined demonstrators outside Broadcasting House, said, "We feel very frustrated. We have always been peaceful and because we will not go to violent extremes the BBC has not bothered to listen to us."

Dr Edwards reminded people of the root of Christianity in Britain, "We are, after all, a nation that in the last census identified itself as being more than 70 percent Christian."

Alan Craig, the leader of the Christian Democrat party, the Christian People's Alliance, pointed out that British Christians are not only on the Religious Right. The Springer campaigners should have equal enthusiasm on wider ethical issues such as peace-making, the 'Make Poverty History campaign' and pressure for international trade justice.

Stephen Green, the Director of Christian Voice, one of the most outspoken groups involved in the debate, had a face-to-face debate with Jonathan Bartley from the UK-based Christian news service provider, Ekklesia, last week on the radio. Bartley suggested that Christians had to focus on the important moral issues of life, relationships, justice and the problem of evil that the opera raised.

The debate between Christians on the Springer opera has been a deep concern of the Churches’ Media Council (CMC). CMC is associated with the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and an ecumenical body comprises a wide range of Christian denominations.