Fundamentalist Christians protest at Paris theater (Misleading headline) (Ecumenical)

Timesunion.com ^ | 10/28/2011 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

The city of Paris is filing legal complaints against a group of fundamentalist Christians who have been protesting a play currently showing at the municipal theater, claiming it is blasphemous, the mayor said Friday.

Riot police have been called in to chase off demonstrators bearing crosses loudly protesting in front of, and sometimes inside, the Theatre de la Ville since the Oct. 20 opening of the play.

"Sur le Concept du Visage du fils de Dieu" ("On the Concept of the Son of God's Face"), by Italian Romeo Castellucci is a provocative story centering on a young man caring for his aged and incontinent father. A portrait of the face of Christ looms large onstage throughout and projectiles are ultimately thrown at it.

Each night, police have had to defend the theater from a group of ultra-Christian protesters — organized by the group Renouveau France — who turn up with crucifixes and banners denouncing "Christianophobia," determined to disrupt the show.

Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said in a statement that Paris can't tolerate "such expressions of fundamentalism and intolerance."

His statement said the city is filing complaints when demonstrators try to interrupt performances.

The play has been shown elsewhere without incident, including in Poland, Italy and Spain — traditionally Catholic countries....

[Pyro7480]

"Fundamentalists" don't typically carry crucifixes.

What's interesting is that the article only mentions "projectiles" being thrown at the image of the face of Christ, but the below caption specifies that it's "fake excrement."

A Christian activist holds a crucifix during a demonstration, in Paris, Thursday Oct. 27, 2011, in front of the Theatre de la ville, where the Italian director Romeo Castellucci's play "On the Concept of the Face, Regarding the Son of God" is being performed. Christian fundamentalists protest against the play featuring the face of Christ drizzled with fake excrement. (Thibault Camus / AP)

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[Cronos]

hardly “intolerance” — the play has human excreta thrown against a picture of Christ. It is an open provocation — the PLAY is intolerant towards Christianity.

[Cicero]

What’s French for “Tolerance for thee, but not for me”?

[DManA]

Throwing stuff at a portrait of Jesus is the model of tolerances.

[markomalley]

[sayuncledave]

I read something about this in one of the recent missives from TFP, IIRC. The “play” is horrendously blasphemous, and a number of other details, in addition to the flinging of false poo were in it. Unfortunately, I deleted it, as that really grates. The trads who are protesting it are being treated like their actions are unreasonable and beyond the pale, while formerly Catholic (now secular) France stews in rot. As you said, rather an odd bias in the article.

[odds]

It’s a bit off-topic for this thread. But, wondered if you’ve heard of Édith Piaf, and like one or two of her classic songs... Some associate the first song below w/ her faith in Christianity (Catholicism). — Thought you might also speak/understand French. Both songs, imo, are best understood in French.

Non, Je ne regrette Rien
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Kvu6Kgp88

La Vie en Rose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g4NiHef4Ks

[Cronos]

I do know of Edith piaf — my wife loves her, me... not so much! I do speak French, but I find the melody, while lovely, a bit comical as I always associate the french “tune” with allo allo! :)

[odds]

I fully agree w/ your wife.
“allo allo”!! - really Cronos, tone deaf are we! :/ (just kidding)

[Cronos]

tone-deaf? me? ;-P

Probably. I just do it because it gets the wife irritated and she's cute when she is!

[odds]

Last sentence.. must be a male thing... my hubby doesn’t call me a ‘singing sparrow’, but a ‘fire-worshiper’ - I give him 9 out of 10 for *trying* to irritate me.

[Cronos]

ah, but to us hubbies, our beautiful, adorable wives are incredibly cuter when they get riled up!!