Why is it different for Christians?

Donatello

Just imagine if a film director produced a film about an Immam with mental problems and released it around Ramadan. What would happen?

Yet something very similar has happened:

An Italian film comedy about a Pope with psychological problems has made an impressive debut at the box office, and drawn sharply mixed reactions from Catholic reviewers.

Why are Christians, and the Catholic Church in particular, fair game? Why is anti-Catholicism the last acceptable prejudice?

Blackhorse Slim

Donatello wrote: »

Just imagine if a film director produced a film about an Immam with mental problems and released it around Ramadan. What would happen?

It would probably bomb.

Donatello

Donatello wrote: »

Just imagine if a film director produced a film about an Immam with mental problems and released it around Ramadan. What would happen?

Death threats.
Would you like to be in that group as well?

time4tea

I believe you're being a bit disingenous with your question.

The film is made in a staunchly catholic country, Italy, by an Italian director.

In effect it's an excercise in self-parody, much like father ted.

I don't really know the content of comedies made in muslim countries or whether the Mullahs are held up to ridicule in the same way as is culturally acceptable in Europe for priests (catholic or otherwise).

Without knowing that I don't believe there is much to discuss

Zombrex

Donatello wrote: »

Just imagine if a film director produced a film about an Immam with mental problems and released it around Ramadan. What would happen?

Er, hilarity?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGk2TojOd-4

chalkitdown

The christian church is already one of the longest running comic/tragedies in the world, one more film won't change much.

antiskeptic

Donatello wrote: »

Why are Christians, and the Catholic Church in particular, fair game? Why is anti-Catholicism the last acceptable prejudice?

Because they set themselves up for it? What better raw material for tearing down than a edifice/group/person which sets itself up as holy yet is patently completely other.

People (whether God-fearing or not) know when something smells bad. You might not be able to prove it in a court of law - but no matter. Smell is smell.

AhSureTisGrand

You seem to think it a bad thing that Catholics might acknowledge the right to free speech

El_Duderino 09

Would you like congratulations for not being as backward as the Muslims?

Clap... Clap

CiaranMT

The responses you've received thus far show why it's acceptable OP.

If you're seriously going to be offended by this, then I have to ask, were you offended by Fr. Ted?

partyatmygaff

One could result in an extremely disproportional reaction with possible death threats and violence and the other would result in mild offense and indifference.

lmaopml

Donatello, we sometimes have a self deprecating sense of humour - good or bad thing I don't know. They say that you should always preach the Gospel and 'sometimes' use words too...hey, there it is. Sticks and stones and all that stuff - it really doesn't matter that much.


I did laugh at Monty Pythons 'The Life of Brian', and found myself feeling kinda guilty about it too, but then I thought ye know if you can't laugh what can you do?. I took it the way it was meant, as comedy and nothing more.

Truth is, they make some wholly shyte films about the the Pope the church and the vatican vaults etc. etc. and all the frenzied conspiracy theories and Dan Brown or big drama movies seem to attract a certain type - hey ho! People get bored of them too. That's just people for ye. What ever you're into, hope it makes you happy I say..

Slav

Self irony is a valuable quality. To me it's a sign of bright and healthy mind. On the other hand, the lack of self irony is usually a strong indication of undertreated complexes and sometimes more serious psychological conditions.

Saint Ruth

AhSureTisGrand wrote: »

You seem to think it a bad thing that Catholics might acknowledge the right to free speech

No, that is a good thing.

But what is their reward? Ridicule of their beliefs.

And what of those religions who say no one can criticise their beliefs? They are not ridiculed.

The hypocrisy stinks...

Four Lions was a good flick. It does not ridicule Islam. It's about some dim suicide bombers...

Saint Ruth

antiskeptic wrote: »

Because they set themselves up for it? What better raw material for tearing down than a edifice/group/person which sets itself up as holy yet is patently completely other.

And Islam doesn't?

partyatmygaff

Saint Ruth wrote: »

And Islam doesn't?

Look at the reaction that a few caricatures garnered.
Look at the reaction that a Qur'an burning by an obscure Pastor garnered.

Now look at the reaction to this film that the OP mentioned.

There's not much else that needs to be said really.

Saint Ruth

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Look at the reaction that a few caricatures garnered.
Look at the reaction that a Qur'an burning by an obscure Pastor garnered.

Now look at the reaction to this film that the OP mentioned.

There's not much else that needs to be said really.

So one shouldn't do something if it gets a bad reaction?

So if Catholics wish to be treated better, they should kill some people?

AhSureTisGrand

Saint Ruth wrote: »

No, that is a good thing.

But what is their reward? Ridicule of their beliefs.

And what of those religions who say no one can criticise their beliefs? They are not ridiculed.

The hypocrisy stinks...

Four Lions was a good flick. It does not ridicule Islam. It's about some dim suicide bombers...

But you don't recognise free speech in the hope you'll be rewarded for it

partyatmygaff

Saint Ruth wrote: »

So one shouldn't do something if it gets a bad reaction?

No, I didn't say that.

So if Catholics wish to be treated better, they should kill some people?

First and foremost, i'm not a Catholic. But even so, why do you care for the opinions of other people? Ignore the hate being spewed at you constantly. Do not think that by killing people you will garner respect. This toeing the line around Islam is not so much respect as it is fear of disproportionate reactions by certain groups. True respect is earned through means other than fear.

Saint Ruth

AhSureTisGrand wrote: »

But you don't recognise free speech in the hope you'll be rewarded for it

Yes, that's true.

I suppose what's annoying is the cowardice of "I'll make fun of that lad because he won't react, whereas I'll leave that other guy alone because he'll kick my head in."
Understandable of course, but one should recognise the cowardice...

Saint Ruth

partyatmygaff wrote: »

First and foremost, i'm not a Catholic. But even so, why do you care for the opinions of other people? Ignore the hate being spewed at you constantly. Do not think that by killing people you will garner respect. This toeing the line around Islam is not so much respect as it is fear of disproportionate reactions by certain groups. True respect is earned through means other than fear.

I don't care.
As for the rest, I agree with you...

CiaranMT

Saint Ruth wrote: »

Yes, that's true.

I suppose what's annoying is the cowardice of "I'll make fun of that lad because he won't react, whereas I'll leave that other guy alone because he'll kick my head in."
Understandable of course, but one should recognise the cowardice...

You're not making fun of 'that lad', it's the beliefs that are being mocked. There's a difference. I'm guessing that since you haven't made this distinction, you feel offended.

Four Lions was a good flick. It does not ridicule Islam. It's about some dim suicide bombers...

See how you've made a difference here between this and a pope with mental problems? When in fact, they are one and the same?

philologos

We have the most liberty in the world in terms of being Christians. Being a Christian isn't going to be easy, and yes people might make fun of it, but that's really the worst I'm going to get. In other parts of the world people are dying for their faith. I can deal with what little flak that I get. I think we are getting far too defensive for our own good in the West.

JimiTime

Jakkass wrote: »

We have the most liberty in the world in terms of being Christians. Being a Christian isn't going to be easy, and yes people might make fun of it, but that's really the worst I'm going to get. In other parts of the world people are dying for their faith. I can deal with what little flak that I get. I think we are getting far too defensive for our own good in the West.

I tend to agree to a point, but am getting a bit more concerned of late. I loathe the persecution complex that many have, and equally hate the 'offence police'. However, my concern, is that marginalisation or indeed even persecution starts somewhere. I don't believe that we'll see such things in our generation, but IMO, I'd be wary of the seeds being sown in subtle ways. You are quite right that we have it easy, but as I said, my concern is if we are seeing the very early stages of something more sinister.

Robert ninja

JimiTime wrote: »

I tend to agree to a point, but am getting a bit more concerned of late. I loathe the persecution complex that many have, and equally hate the 'offence police'. However, my concern, is that marginalisation or indeed even persecution starts somewhere. I don't believe that we'll see such things in our generation, but IMO, I'd be wary of the seeds being sown in subtle ways. You are quite right that we have it easy, but as I said, my concern is if we are seeing the very early stages of something more sinister.

It's not wholly sinsiter. We're just seeing the rise of a new generation. Culture has changed drastically because of modern technology. Just looking back 20 odd years, it's crazy how so much has changed. How people talk to each other, think about and treat each other is different. Some subjects are more controversial, some are less. The topic of religion is no different. How people view and talk about religion is drastically different these days.