Friday, April 12, 2013
Religious protests greet Broadway play's first performance
News - The Stage: The world premiere of Colm Toibin’s stage play The Testament of Mary, a one-woman show starring actress Fiona Shaw and directed by Deborah Warner, was marred by protests on Thursday, March 26, the night of the production’s first Broadway preview.
The protesters were members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, a not-for-profit organization with its national headquarters in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, “concerned about the moral crisis shaking the remnants of Christian civilization”, as noted on the TFP website.
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I completely agree with that the protesters have the right to protest against this show and should have their voices heard. Everything about that seems right, however there are two little things that are beyond reason. The first seems to be that one reason they are protesting this play is because it features Mary. This muhammad like reaction goes beyond the freedom of speech, which allows these people to protest. It is the right of the people who wrote and directed this play to be able to perform this play it is their option and their choice, not any body else's. The second seems to be another reason that they are protesting this play is because it is written, preformed and directed by lesbian women. This is what infuriates me beyond reason. Still to this day religion cut people out of religion because they are a homosexual. If the women who made this play would have been straight it almost seems as if the play would have been allowed to continue without protest.
While I believe that everyone has a right to their own opinion, the fact that these people are actually protesting this show seems a little bit much. They don't have to like the show, or even go see it, but just like they have the right to not like the show, the production team also has the right to put on this play. I wish people would have a little bit more of an open mind instead of immediately condemning something that doesn't perfectly mesh with one's own thoughts or beliefs. Also, the fact that they are denouncing this show because it is directed by homosexuals is simply appalling. They are not trying to disprove anyone's beliefs or offend anyone or pass off their show as the absolute truth, it is simply a play - a piece of theater, a work of art - telling a story, and they deserve to be treated with respect even by those who disagree.
Well isn't this just a great story to read on my Monday afternoon. Having some more Christians revolting and protesting, some production that is portraying Mary in some "new" light. WHOOAA! First I really enjoy the fact that the group protesting says they are In "Defense of Tradition, Family and Property". Family and Property, wait WHAT!! Family I can totally get behind Tradition I can not. Did this Christian's read the gospels, because I have, (side note I am not a scholar, but I do feel like I pay attention to the words on the pages). TRADITION, is what got the Jews in trouble in the first place, the pharisee and saducees were so caught up in legalism they totally missed the point of the Jesus. Nicodemis (a pharisee, I beilieve) is the probably the only pharisee to truly seek out with Jesus said. But if you read the bible, TRADITION like the "FOUNDING FATHERS"" HA. How about Thomas Jefferson, who cut sections of the BIBLE out that he did not like. Are you trying to protect that guy. Sure go for it but I will not be standing in that line. Ok moving forward.
They want to protest, Fine Great!!! Do IT!
But I just want to always say, if you just go home and show LOVE truly the best our sinful, depraved selfs can then that will be a bigger impact then protesting. But yet again I am not a big supporter of the Christian founding fathers so what do I know.
Ok so the point about the playwright and direction being homosexual. Umm let me think. So in God's eyes "we all have fallen short of the glory of God". So your telling me two sinners (just like everyone else) is directing a play, about a woman who is truly not that important in the scheme of Salvation. Salvation comes through one name and it is not Mary.
So I decided not to yammer about property.
It's funny how when the Christian community is threatened by a Broadway show, they will show up to protest the very first performance, while the Mormon community did not even bat an eye at Book Of Mormon (in fact they advertise in their playbill). If only other religious groups would take a page from the Mormons and practice tolerance and just give the play a chance to get their message across.
I do have to wonder if the release of the book on which this play was based received any sort of attention like this. I also find it, troubling is the proper phrase, I think, that one of the reasons this play is being protested is because of its connection to homosexuals. I also wonder how sacrilegious this play actually as, as the brief description of it sounds fairly respectful to me, and as far as I know, Christianity does not hold Mary in the same regard as Islam holds Muhammad.
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