Is Jesus Christ Superstar (the musical) suitable for Christians?

[Oricolt]

I have extra tickets to go and see the show. Was thinking of inviting dd's friend and her mum - but they are Christians and I obviously don't want to invite them to something that they will find offensive. I saw it years ago and I don't think it's offensive, but then I'm not a Christian. Friend and mum are not super evangelical or in a weird cult or anything - they're just ordinary people who go to a Baptist church service most Sundays.

Ironically the Mormon church advertises in the programme, at least they used to. “You’ve seen the show, now read the book”!

now that is a show that I wouldn’t take devout Christians to see as the language and a lot of the content is pure filth. I absolutely love it, but I have seen people walking out in disgust!

I don’t think there should be an issue with Jesus Christ Superstar, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask your friends if they would like to go with you. I can’t see that the question would cause offence. There is no mocking of Christianity.

This is how it was put over in the film and always my understanding of why Judus betrayed Jesus'. I haven't seen the stage version.

Christians don't all think the same! They may do, in the way that any individual may find things offensive

That’s Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The only parts of JCS that I could see offending very strict Christians would be camping up the part of Herod and Mary Magdaleine possibly having romantic feelings for JC.

😂

my DM loves JCS. She’s a vicar!

It really is just telling the rise to "fame" and downfall of jesus to rock music isn't it ?

It isn't vaguely offensive to Christians. Neither is Joseph.

They probably wouldn't like the Book of Mormon though (and as others have said, most certainly don't take a mormon)

OP you are over thinking it - just ask them: I have tickets for JCS, is this something you and DD would enjoy as I could get you tickets?

If they have an issue they will say so, but they’ll be touched that you asked them.

Fair point, but there's value in asking if something is generally deemed offensive, or generally not.

I'm now going to put on Jesus Christ Superstar and have it playing in the background this morning. Its just fab

Thanks all. I'm going to ask them.

I think it leaves it open to the audience who Jesus was and what his death meant. The song at the end asks the question ’do you think you’re who they say you are?’ In fact all the words to that song are wondering:

‘Every time I look at you I don't understand
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.
You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned.
Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?
If you'd come today you could have reached a whole nation.
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know.’

‘Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.
Who'd you think besides yourself's the pick of the crop?
Buddha, was he where it's at? Is he where you are?
Could Mohammed move a mountain, or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, or
Did you know your messy death would be a record breaker?
Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know.’

So it sets out the story as described in the bible and then asks what it means but doesn’t give any answers. As I say some Christians might be offended by the above lyrics but most would realise that people have doubts and this is discussing them.

I am not religious but probably a prude I hated the Book of Mormon and couldn't wait to leave, hated it my friend loved it though.

I enjoyed reading the bit of Tim Rice’s autobiography where he explained his thinking in writing the lyrics.

A lot of it is based very much on what the Bible says happened

Er, what else is there in "Christianity" ?

My DM is Catholic. She loves it.

The point being there could a million things in the musical about the character of Jesus that aren't in the Bible. If there were that might make it offensive to a large number of people.

Did you see Sam Ryder singing Gethsemane on BBC one last night? He was amazing. It’s going to be so good.

It's just a retelling of the story through song. Nothing to be offended by.

Yes, I’m Catholic and it’s very good. Seen it loads of time.

I don’t think it’s offensive, and if you’re into musical theatre it has a lot to offer. We saw it last year in Melbourne, DD22 had no real interest other than she’s a dancer who likes musical theatre and was willing to keep me company, but she loved it, especially the dancing and we were lucky to see Micheal Paynter in the lead, his version of Gethsemane is the best thing I’ve ever seen live! (It’s on YouTube for anyone interested)

It’s the best musical ever. I adore it. Especially the production that has been out for the last few years. It’s very much about doubt but that’s fine for anyone to ponder on whatever their views on any of the gods.

Wrong show. That's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Speaking as someone with a Catholic background it’s just the Easter story with singing and dancing so nothing inherently offensive about it. I think when it first came out it was seen by some as a bit irreverent and it would doubtless be offensive to some Christians but not your average ones. Just ask them.

It has some absolute belters in it. I might rewatch the film.