Thursday, July 31, 2008 | Reason : In the News | print version

Vicar supports Life of Brian ban

by BBC News

Thanks to Peacebeuponme for the link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7530542.stm

Vicar supports Life of Brian ban

A mayor's plan to end her town's ban on the 1979 Monty Python film Life of Brian are being opposed by the local vicar, who says it pokes fun at Jesus.

Sue Jones-Davies, who played Brian's girlfriend in the movie, was amazed when she became mayor of Aberystwyth that it was still barred at the cinema.

But Reverend Canon Stuart Bell said Christians he spoke to in Ceredigion were still against it being shown.

The mayor declined to respond, but will still press for the ban to be lifted.

Long before she donned her mayoral robes in Aberystwyth, Ms Jones-Davies played Brian's girlfriend in the cult movie.

However, when it was released, critics accused the Python team of blasphemy with its story about a Jewish man who was mistaken for the messiah and then crucified.

Some religious groups picketed cinemas which screened the film, and it was banned from being shown in some towns and cities, including Aberystwyth.

Nearly 30 years on, Mr Bell, vicar of the town's St Michael's Church, said the restriction should remain in place.

"There's been no change in attitude or response to the film amongst the Christians who have spoken to me in Aberystwyth," he explained.

"The film at its root is poking fun at Christ and we don't want that to happen. I don't think that the film should be shown. Why should the ban be removed?"

Asked if he had ever seen the film, Mr Bell said he had "seen a small clip, that's all".

He said: "If someone was going to make fun of my wife in a film then I would oppose that.

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

Earlier this month, Ms Jones-Davies said: "I would like to think that any religion would have the generosity to see the film for what it is, which is a comedy."

The movie has grown in popularity over the years, and usually appears at or near the top of lists of the greatest comedy films.

It featured some iconic lines, most famously the verdict by Brian's mother on her son: "He's not the messiah - he's a very naughty boy".

Ms Jones-Davies played a revolutionary called Judith Iscariot, and she had a nude scene with the film's hero, Brian, played by the late Graham Chapman.

It is understood a committee of church leaders in Aberystwyth recommended a ban in 1979.

Ceredigion council has the power to lift it, but a spokesman said earlier this month that no-one in the licensing department knew about the ban.

But Michael Davies, the owner of Aberystwyth's Commodore Cinema, said he was sure it was still in place.

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1. Comment #222381 by J Mac on July 31, 2008 at 11:44 am

Are you fucking kidding me?! They banned the movie for "poking fun" at Jesus.

And what's the point of the ban. As far as I can tell it is to avoid the picketing. Picketing christians are disruptive to the town, showing the film makes them picket, therefore don't show the film? Well if the first two parts of that statement are true I'd say a better conclusion would be to lock up the christians who picket.

Other Comments by J Mac

2. Comment #222382 by nattyadams on July 31, 2008 at 11:49 am

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

His wife must be one lucky lady.

Other Comments by nattyadams

3. Comment #222384 by J Mac on July 31, 2008 at 11:49 am

"If someone was going to make fun of my wife in a film then I would oppose that... making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me "

Not a wise statement by the vicar. If I were there there'd soon be a film making fun of his wife.

Other Comments by J Mac

4. Comment #222386 by J Mac on July 31, 2008 at 11:51 am

Maybe a porno flick titled "The vicar's wife and the reverend's canon"

Other Comments by J Mac

5. Comment #222387 by Ishruul on July 31, 2008 at 11:54 am

Always look on the bright side of life (whistle, whistle, whistle)...Just before you take your terminal breath!(whistle, whistle)

Other Comments by Ishruul

6. Comment #222389 by Jimbesity on July 31, 2008 at 11:58 am

BAWWWWWWW IT OFFENDS ME BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Is that all these whiners can say? And yet I'm certain this vicar seemed befuddled at the outrage over the drawings of Mohammed... hypocrite =\

Other Comments by Jimbesity

7. Comment #222393 by RichardofYork on July 31, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Why doesnt the vicar practise what he preaches and turn the other cheek?

Other Comments by RichardofYork

8. Comment #222396 by phil rimmer on July 31, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Reverend Canon Stuart Bell

The film at its root is poking fun at Christ

Of course the film DOESN'T poke fun at Jesus. It pokes fun at precisely the likes of the wretched Reverend. He clearly hasn't seen it or understood it.....

Or perhaps he has.

"How should he fuck off, O Lord?"

Limping, from the gourd shoved up.......

Other Comments by phil rimmer

9. Comment #222398 by -dr- on July 31, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Still, they elected a mayor who appeared nude in a film. That's gotta count for something.

Other Comments by -dr-

10. Comment #222399 by Upgrade01A on July 31, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Somebody please make a movie making fun of my wife, or me, or my dog, or my daughter! That would be way cool. Zombie movies are making fun of Jesus too- are they banned? One of the core claims of Christians was that Jesus was a zombie and he could make other zombies when he felt like it.

Other Comments by Upgrade01A

11. Comment #222400 by Ascaphus on July 31, 2008 at 12:08 pm

I thought free speech was a good idea, until I realized that meant somebody might poke fun at somebody else... You have to draw the line somewhere.

I wonder how many times Ms. Jones-Davies has been the subject of an editorial cartoon.

That the whim of a vicar can dictate the actions of an entire town is ludicrous. What next, he wants to burn all copies of 'The God Delusion?' (If he takes this action, I am not responsible.)

Matt

Other Comments by Ascaphus

12. Comment #222409 by Gregg Townsend on July 31, 2008 at 12:18 pm

8. Comment #222396 by phil rimmer

Limping, from the gourd shoved up...

Gourd? GOURD!?

Surely it was the sandal!?

SPLITTER!

Other Comments by Gregg Townsend

13. Comment #222412 by JAMCAM87 on July 31, 2008 at 12:20 pm

This is why religion is immoral. It makes people say stupid things like "I love jesus more than my wife". He should be ashamed of a statement like that.

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14. Comment #222413 by b0ltzm0n on July 31, 2008 at 12:20 pm

We should pool our money and put up a billboard right across from St Michael's Church. Solid black background with big, bold, white letters reading:

Blasphemy: It's a victimless crime.

Other Comments by b0ltzm0n

15. Comment #222414 by Clappers on July 31, 2008 at 12:21 pm

My favourite film of all time

"I'm Brian and so's my wife"
"splitters"
"Blessed are the Greek"
"thanks a lot for the gold and frankinscence but don't worry about themyrr next time"
Blessed are the big noses

I am gonna watch it again

Other Comments by Clappers

16. Comment #222421 by Friend Giskard on July 31, 2008 at 12:24 pm

...Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife...

He loves his imaginary friend more than his wife, and presumably more than any other human being. This quite shocking statement reminds us again is why religion is so dangerous, and why it needs to be opposed by all thinking people. Thankyou, Richard, for the the good work you are doing to that end.

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17. Comment #222425 by phil rimmer on July 31, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Comment #222409 by Gregg Townsend

Surely it was the sandal!?

Nah! For once this is an issue not of belief but of REASON.

Girth = Pain

I win.... don't I?

Other Comments by phil rimmer

18. Comment #222427 by black wolf on July 31, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Since when is 'puppet master' part of a vicar's job description?
Don't answer, that was rhetorical.

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19. Comment #222429 by Drool on July 31, 2008 at 12:27 pm

This is just stark raving bonkers but, good to see the reverend making a fool out of himself and demonstrating the irrelevance of religion once more. Pile on the ridicule I say.

From aberystwyth-today.co.uk, he also says:

"If it was an unpleasant film 30 years ago, then it remains an unpleasant film 30 years later. I have not seen the film, nor have I any wish to do so."

Fantastic.

Good job blasphemy laws in the UK have finally been repealed, just in time to get the ban lifted.

Apparently, Life of Brian was also banned from theatres in Ireland for blasphemy (a ban which was only lifted after 8 years).

It was also banned in Norway for blasphemy. Sweden marketed the film as "The film that is so funny that it was banned in Norway!"

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20. Comment #222430 by 8teist on July 31, 2008 at 12:30 pm

If I could just repeat this from a previous post on another thread.

Haha, I guess she knows her place, so thats why he calls out ,oh jesus, when he shags her.

Other Comments by 8teist

21. Comment #222433 by J Mac on July 31, 2008 at 12:31 pm

I suppose its good to hear that America isn't the only country playing the role of alter boy for the priests to have their way with.

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22. Comment #222435 by Bertybob on July 31, 2008 at 12:31 pm

When originally released it was subjected to a blasphemy case which the Pythons won.

Local councils could license what was shown in local cinemas and so a Mary Whitehouse campaign was launced and some local councils would not grant the film a license (obviously some never have).

The vicar is totally wrong, it does not poke fun at Christ, it holds a mirror up to Christianity (and by implication all religion) and shows how ludicrous it is. Obviously some Christins don't like what they see in the mirror!!!

There is a documentary about it all at the time of the release.

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23. Comment #222441 by Szymanowski on July 31, 2008 at 12:34 pm

So what? Lots of people might support it - what qualifications does a VICAR have which make his views worthy of publicity?

(I need no answer either...)

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

He worries about being offended, but this fucktard doesn't worry about offending his wife, through publicly stating that he prefers the company of an imaginary friend.

Other Comments by Szymanowski

24. Comment #222443 by Bandit 19 on July 31, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Rev. Bell is surely the "Bicus Dicus' in Aberystwyth.

...sorry I just couldn't help myself

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25. Comment #222452 by Apathy personified on July 31, 2008 at 12:42 pm

The vicar comes home late, again, his wife is waiting for him,
'Where have you been?'
'Um..er...nowhere, just around you know'
'You've been with that...that...that...Jesus again, haven't you?'
She breaks down in tears. The vicar says,
'I never meant to hurt you, but I love Jesus, he loves me, we are in love - it's probably best if i just go, i'll stay with him - i'm glad me and jesus can take our love into the open now'

Other Comments by Apathy personified

26. Comment #222456 by Driver on July 31, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Vicar should always look on the bright side of life.

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27. Comment #222457 by Dinah on July 31, 2008 at 12:45 pm

I was at university in Aberystwyth many years ago (please don't ask how many). It was a pretty dreary, grey place (grey buildings, grey shingle, grey sea, grey sky, grey rain) although the student population livened it up quite a bit. I don't remember it as being particularly religious, aside from representatives of the Christian Union trying to convert me and failing, and - ah yes - all the pubs being shut on Sundays, which I'm afraid most students then (and probably now) would consider more of a tragedy than a ban on the Life of Brian.

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28. Comment #222465 by Pattern Seeker on July 31, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Bandit 19-

I believe it's "Biggus Dickus"

Brian: Look, you've got it all wrong! You don't need to follow me, you don't need to follow anybody! You've got to think for yourselves! You're all individuals!

The Crowd (in unison): Yes! We're all individuals!

Brian: You're all different!

The Crowd (in unison): Yes, we are all different!

Man in Crowd: I'm not...

The Crowd: Shhh!

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29. Comment #222471 by cerad on July 31, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Hah! Hah! It's not the United States that looks like a bunch of idiots this time.

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30. Comment #222478 by Ascaphus on July 31, 2008 at 1:08 pm

About a month ago I tried to rent the movie here in town (La Grande Oregon) but Blockbuster (now the only game in town since they bought up the rest of the indie video stores) doesn't carry it. Outrageous. I may have to buy it and donate it to the local library. :)

Matt

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31. Comment #222480 by irate_atheist on July 31, 2008 at 1:10 pm

23. Comment #222441 by Szymanowski -

Agreed. The man is a fucking lunatic. His wife should divorce him and tell him to go and fuck himself.

What a twat.

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32. Comment #222486 by Pseudonym_A-Parris on July 31, 2008 at 1:16 pm

oh...my...god...

he hasn't even seen the goddamn movie.

well, that's thetards for ya.

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33. Comment #222488 by irate_atheist on July 31, 2008 at 1:17 pm

And for more ignorant bigoted fuckwittery:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/31/religion

As far as I am concerned we are at war with religion. Nothing less and nothing more than that.

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34. Comment #222505 by Zoonhollis on July 31, 2008 at 1:36 pm

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

I say we give jeebus a few days to come down and defend himself. If he's a no-show, lift the ban.

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35. Comment #222510 by Naturalist1 on July 31, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Thank you Ms. Jones-Davies...for bringing some sanity to this embargo....and...
"Now you listen 'ere...He's not the messiah!..He's a very naughty boy"....Said Brian's Mother to the multitude following him around.

Other Comments by Naturalist1

36. Comment #222512 by Shergar on July 31, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Can we have a serious post here without it turning into a veiled reference to the movie?

When the Rev says that he loves Jesus more than his own wife I dont think he means it to be taken literally - he's probably referring to all manufacturers of dairy products in general.

Other Comments by Shergar

37. Comment #222518 by cam9976 on July 31, 2008 at 1:47 pm

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

That really is sad.

Btw: has anyone noticed the underlying homosexual themes inherant in christianity? For a people who hate gays they act pretty gay themselves.

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38. Comment #222520 by LochRaven on July 31, 2008 at 1:48 pm

"Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me."

I see this disgusting type of comment and attitude a lot. Along with those who state they love Jesus more than their own children and will put God before any human, no matter how close. What a sad way to live, for them and their family members.

And people wonder why I'm an antitheist...

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39. Comment #222521 by Quetzalcoatl on July 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Making fun of Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife

Tomorrow's headline:

I found my husband in bed with Jesus

Shocked wife tells her story.

"I didn't know Jesus loved him THAT much"

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

40. Comment #222522 by mikeinsomnia on July 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm

"... Jesus Christ, whom I love more than my wife..."

Remind me why I should respect this guy?

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41. Comment #222523 by Steve Zara on July 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Comment #222488 by irate_atheist

That is a piece by someone called Butt, reporting on a man from the Vatican who presumably has never "known" a woman, talking to a group of men in dresses, all packed together in a small room ("more than 150 bishops squeezing into a room designed to hold 50 people"), and he was condemning homosexuality

You gotta laugh... the whole thing is priceless.

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42. Comment #222528 by onanyes on July 31, 2008 at 1:56 pm

We are all individuals!

We are all different!

(I'm not!)

Other Comments by onanyes

43. Comment #222537 by mrjonno on July 31, 2008 at 2:04 pm

I thinking its really time for the rerelease of Life Of Brian.

Interestingly in the UK guess which group was the most vocal in trying to get it banned -wait for
it was various Muslim groups (even 30 years ago christianity was too weak to be taken seriously)

Forget the Golden Compass, Life of Brian really might make a few people think

Other Comments by mrjonno

44. Comment #222539 by Stormkahn on July 31, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Stone me!!!

HALIBUT, HALIBUT, HALIBUT, HALIBUT, HALIBUT
!!!

See, nothing happened, this Vicar needs to realise that having to defend is god from a good joke pretty much points out that he's powerless or doesn't give a stuff, either way perhaps he should get to know his wife instead of drawing attention to his own stupidity!

Other Comments by Stormkahn

45. Comment #222551 by hawt4dawk on July 31, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Oh, he certainly means that he loves Jesus more than his wife and this is a hedge, a mild concession to Jesus' commandment "those that come to me that do not hate their mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, etc." (paraphrased, but the gist is there.)

-- oh, shergar...

Other Comments by hawt4dawk

46. Comment #222563 by Sigmund on July 31, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Welease Bwian!

Other Comments by Sigmund

47. Comment #222571 by Greybishop on July 31, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Can anyone explain to me why religions and religious people are given this special right that the rest of us don't get?

Where do I apply for the right not to be offended?

Many, many things offend me and I think it's about damned time that I too get to excercise my right not to be offended.

I wonder if I can find a religion that will help me get Ben Stiller movies banned from my town?

Other Comments by Greybishop

48. Comment #222573 by Corylus on July 31, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Irate

His wife should divorce him and tell him to go and fuck himself.

I submit that is what he has been doing. Religion is about the projection of our own personalities upon our ideals.

Ethiopians imagine their gods as black and snub-nosed; Thracians blue-eyed and red-haired. But if horses or lions had hands, or could draw and fashion works as men do, horses would draw the gods shaped liked horses and lions like lions, making the gods resemble themselves.

Xenophanes

Offenses against our gods are merely offenses against ourselves.

Making fun of ~~Jesus Christ,~~ me whom I love more than my wife, in a film is going to offend me.

Yes indeed, this man loves Jesus.

Other Comments by Corylus

49. Comment #222582 by Eshto on July 31, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Even so, if I were his wife I would feel a bit jealous.

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50. Comment #222585 by JHJEFFERY on July 31, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Jesus was a small very smelly man with bad teeth and a big nose. Hard to imagine the vicar loving him more than his wife, but then I've never seen his wife.

Just scratching on the surface today. . . .

Other Comments by JHJEFFERY

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