I rewatched parts of the documentary The Secret Life of Brian about Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
And I was reminded that the controversy wasn’t about the movie making fun of Jesus (which it didn’t) but that it made fun of religious people and Christians in particular (which it very much did).
It’s interesting how both the makers and those offended seemed to buy into the “offended on behalf of Jesus” line while something else is really going on.
Those who were offended were offended because the movie made fun of them – of the flaws and misguided views and actions of many religious people – and they couldn’t take it. Most likely, it hit home too closely. And that was something they couldn’t admit.
Just to mention it: I love Jesus as he is depicted in the New Testament (whether he existed as a historical person or not), but I don’t have much fondness for much of what Christianity evolved into. I guess that’s why I, and many others, like the movie.
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Initial notes…..
- Life of Brian
- watched documentary again
- reminded that people were not upset about them making fun of Jesus etc. (and they didn’t)
- they were upset about them making fun of religious people (which they did)
- people looking for a savior, willing to forego rationality and dignity etc.
- but pretended to be upset bc they made fun of Jesus (more acceptable, could keep their dignity etc. – although not really, of course, very transparent and obvious)
- …
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Initial draft….
I rewatched parts of the documentary The Secret Life of Brian about Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
And I was reminded that the controversy wasn’t about them making fun of Jesus (which they didn’t) but that they made fun of religious people and Christians in particular (which they very much did).
It’s interesting how both the makers and those offended seemed to buy into the “offended on behalf of Jesus” line while something else is really going on.
Those who were offended were offended because the movie made fun of them and they couldn’t take it. Most likely, it hit home too closely. And they couldn’t even admit it.