Is Our Practice Of Musical Theater Blasphemous?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 7:46pm

After all, the act of song and singing is considered blasphemous by some religions. What is your thought on this?

[GuitarGirl]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 8:55pm

Blasphemous to what?

But no, I don't think so.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 9:30pm

Ahh that is why there is Gospel, because song is blasphemous.

[Becky2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 9:25am

Speaking as a Christian, I'm going to say, no. Unless it's claiming that Yahweh is not God, it's generally not considered blasphemous. Christians have slightly different definitions of the word "blasphemous," but I think the one point that most, if not all, agree on would be that.

I should also add that I think it would be impossible to label all musical theatre practice as blasphemous. I'm sure there can be a musical that could be considered "blasphemous" by some Christians, but musical theatre is diverse. Updated On: 7/12/07 at 09:25 AM

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 12:41pm

What Does the Bible Say About..Acting?
I was wondering if the Bible said anything about acting. I know it says that in everything we do, it should be pleasing to Him and that we shouldn't make others stumble; but in the true thespian sense, when one acts one becomes someone else and portrays the actions of that character not of one's true self. But I also know that if I watch an actor--whom I know proclaims he or she is a Christian--cuss or have premarital sex, it makes me wonder. Even though I know he or she is just acting and therefore isn't really committing those sins, I question if it's right. Not to judge them, but for my own personal struggle because I love to act. I really feel like it's a gift I have and something God may have given me, but then I wonder if i can use it and still be a good Christian. What are the limits? Is kissing a guy (another actor) because the script says to, wrong? Can I justify it as just acting? I'd appreciate any response and applicable Bible verses you may have. Thank you.


Answer
It is interesting that you ask this right now. In June I was in a production of the musical version of "Peter Pan", and this weekend I audition for a role in "Fiddler on the Roof." Obviously I find nothing in the scriptures that would prohibit acting, in itself. I am, of course speaking of acting on a stage, where everyone knows you are playing a role.

There are about 31 scriptures that use the term, and condemn, hypocrite or hypocrisy. This word originally meant a stage actor—one who wears a mask. What it is condemning is wearing a mask in everyday life, pretending to fill a role that is different from your real character. But you don't ask if this is wrong; your question related to acting in the theatre.

You ask about the limits on acting. While it is possible that most people would realize that you are playing a role, some might take the same attitude as you and wonder whether you are condoning some of the things in that character. In the interest of abstaining "from all appearance of evil," (1 Thessalonians 5:22) it might be best to be careful about which roles you take. Since I don't smoke, I wouldn't take a role in which smoking was an essential part of the character. In the same manner it might be better to be careful in taking roles involving premarital sex, adultery, or other sins. (Kissing another man would not be wrong unless the context was a homosexual encounter.)

Paul established a rule about eating meat that may have been offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8. Essentially he says that if anything I do causes a brother to stumble, I should avoid it. I think the principle applies here. Acting is not in itself wrong, but if the role you take or the play itself glorifies sin and there is the probability that someone would misunderstand your stand against that sin, then you should probably wait for another role.



if you ask me, no, it is not blaspphemous, and the bible is a crock.

link

Updated On: 7/12/07 at 12:41 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:03pm

and here is wonderful, thought out essay on the subject as well.


Preachers act all the time. Every Sunday. the sermon is a long monologue basically, I always think of John Lithgow's scene in footloose when Ariel comes into the church and finds him rehearsing his sermon, very theatrically. really, the better the acting of the preacher, or priest, or Rabbi, the better the sermon. it's all smoke mirrors, and lights in the end.
The craft of acting

[GuitarGirl]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:49pm

In history this year my class learned about the emperor Justinian. One of the laws during his time was that he was forbidden to marry actresses, as that career was considered to not be a good one. He changed that law to marry an actress named Theodora.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:38pm

CATS was clearly blasphemous.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 4:16pm

If this is to be discussed in depth or even at all, then clearly everyone has entirely too much time on their hands.

Snap out of it!

Look at what gifts you have been given. God-given even. You can move people.

The topic implies guilt for something pleasurable to give and receive. I ain't buying any of that.

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 4:37pm

"The topic implies guilt for something pleasurable to give and receive."


That's the definition of Christianity.

[chinto1984]

Posted: 8/15/07 at 5:11pm

What I find funny is that "Jesus Christ Superstar" was considered blasphemous and now Church's put on their own production.

[gypsiedtokill]

Posted: 8/15/07 at 9:13pm

"CATS was clearly blasphemous.

I'm glad someone said it. I know we were all thinking it.

[srgr8]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 12:39am

pippin, i'm sorry you feel that way about Christianity (meaning, i'm sorry circumstances have given you reason to think that. I for one have encountered such circumstances as well and think its a shame Christianity is being seen as such) For me, its all about my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Savior.

As for the OP, I think it depends on the intention of the phrase "our practice of musical theatre." Did you write and produce a musical that is intentionally blasphemous? Its a sensitive topic for many people that I don't think will ever have a true answer.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 1:04am

I was havin' a laugh, mates!

[ben4]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 10:45am

Someone better tell the Baptist's about this. They've been sinning in church through gospel music for years!

[DreamSequence4]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 2:35am

Yes and no. Some religions (Buddhism is one, I think) believe that acting/performing is wrong and/or evil. It's a somewhat conservative belief, though, and of course NOT ALL Buddhists believe it is wrong.

[AngActing]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 10:48pm

I have had friends who belonged to Christian religions who left the acting field because it "separated them from God" or from a Christian lifestyle.

I left the church years and years ago because most of them break their rules by judging others -- be it as sinners or whatever. Who the hell are they to judge?! It is merely their INTERPRETATION of the Bible, which was written by many, many different men, years after Jesus died. These men didn't even meet the man, for the most part and only heard stories (by word of mouth) -- and then wrote it down from memory and personal opinion and interpretation -- in a language we don't even speak anymore -- then someone found those scrolls in medieval times and RE-WROTE them in the new language [which was not English] and took out what they didn't like (King James, dark ages) -- and then even later it was translated and re-interpreted it again into English.

So, you can guess my opinion is the Bible has some great points; but is all about interpretation and some of it is just opinion and parables and written in a completely different time; not based upon what we live with now. Sure, there are some very great things in it to live by . . . as there a thousands of books written more recently and some even BEFORE the Bible (in script, etc.) that also have great points.

I would say, though, if it offends you to act . . . you may take it up as a hobby only, and do it in a Christian or secular place (like your church or hometown) and do your own thing.

Because, let me tell you, from years in the business, from California to New York. You will meet and see many, many things that will shake your morals and any offensive thing you can think of. You will have to be very strong to keep your convictions and if you want to work (for money) and make a living in acting -- you will, most likely, be required to kiss the same sex, play lesbians or gay men (maybe), play a single parent or a whore, or curse or portray a smoker, drunk or drug addict or sex fiend or rape victim, etc. You certainly can turn down or not audition for any show having these things or roles -- it will just limit you a lot.

I do not smoke, either and there are ways around that. Often, you can hold an unlit cigarette in a role, like you're about to smoke . . . many directors will allow a non-smoker to do that.

But, the biggest thing you will witness is people you are working with. You can see some pretty heinous immoral behaviors at cast parties or even backstage. Certainly, don't participate if it is against your moral fibre. You will just have to be strong enough to walk away and not try to "save their soul" or make them change their ways. That's not your job as an actor.

If you want to do that . . .become a social worker, counselor or minister.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 6:58pm

Your mother and father conceiving you was blasphemous, Cruel_Sandwich.

[Juliash]

Posted: 11/17/07 at 6:28pm

Listen to Dancing is Not a Crime from Footloose!! It's priest approved!!

Well...Episcopal priest approved...

[Boq101]

Posted: 11/17/07 at 11:41pm

I don't give a damn, hell's going to be a great party!

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/18/07 at 4:29am

How is this thread still going on? I was kidding.