to think that this 'transsexual' Jesus play should not get public funding?

[whatwilltheythinkofnext]

I would say 'no words' but how about "disgusting, insulting, disrespectful, immoral..." need I go on? How does this awful thing get 'public funding' - I'd be demanding a refund of my council tax. Enough already!

Persecuted? you don't know the meaning of the word. Have you ever considered the fact that women in some countries aren't even allowed to vote, work, drive a car, wear makeup, get divorced, they don't have any rights.They'd give their eye teeth to live in Ireland. Be thankful for the country you live in. You've nothing to grumble about.

Well ask yourself this. If Mohammed was depicted that way, do you think Muslims would find it offensive, and if so why?

Persecuted? you don't know the meaning of the word.

Just to put this in perspective- while people argue about religions and what is right and wrong... People are dying trying to cross from Syria to Europe.

I don't think transsexuals really matter much on the moral scale when you have a humanitarian crises on your hands.

If Mohammed was depicted that way, do you think Muslims would find it offensive, and if so why? I know a fair amount of Muslims who would shrug and say, "obscure play in Belfast that no one cares about? Who gives a toss?" Some Muslims might be offended. Possibly because they are either sexist, transphobic or radical feminists. Possibly because there is an issue with portraying Mohammed, which doesn't exist in Christianity.

I'm just trying to work out why anyone would give a tiny shite about a Christian putting on a play about Christ.

I understand OP. I'm a Christian and I find the idea a little offensive.

Have I ever considered any of those things Rose? Indeed I have. In fact, given that Irish women (and men, of course) weren't legally allowed to divorce until the 15th amendment to the constitution was enshrined in law in '95 / '96, I dare say I have quite a thorough understanding of such issues.

Also, I can grumble about whatever I like. Freedom of speech and all. Who exactly appointed you arbiter of persecution? Surely if you can decide that you're being persecuted by one play that you dislike, then I can decide that I'm being persecuted by religious wingnuts who think that they should have more rights over my body than I do?

Rose, forgive the pun, but rise above it. If you want to play religion Top Trumps, feel free. I am assuming you haven't seen the play. Could it broaden your mind a little, or is it a 'No. it's offensive - A Christian has made a play about Christ, how very dare they'.

MrsTP... 'We used to live in one room, all 26 of us, no furniture, half the floor was missing '. Sounds exactly like my Dad's upbringing. Except there was only 17 of them, not 26. I'm crying laughing at that

To be honest Rose, I think that I find this more offensive...
In 2009 around 300 Christians protested outside the Tron Theatre in Glasgow as the play was due to be aired there. They held up placards reading: “Jesus, King of Kings, Not Queen of Heaven”
But then I also find it pathetic.
People with placards like these do far more damage for Christianity than someone writing and performing a play that challenges our idea of who Christ is/was.

Jesus wouldn't care OP. He'd be fine with it....that's because Jesus loves everyone.

Only on Mumsnet could people get offended over people getting offended. What difference does it make that the man who wrote it is a Christian. He's put an offensive play on and that's it. Any damn religion would be offended. Jesus is the Son of God, he wasn't a woman or a man dressing as a woman.
To be a transsexual is not in any way offensive, to portray the son of God in any other way than that which he is, is offensive.

Catsize incidents like that are few and far between and I can't identify with that kind of thing. But really in the great big scheme of things there is far worse going on in the world than that. Im tolerant of most things and really I'm not into religions for all the trouble and strife they cause. I don't really take offence at much but every now and again I take a stand. I've said my piece. I don't even go to church, I just have my own quiet beliefs. I find the play offensive. I'm entitled to.I don't need anyone telling me that I shouldn't.

To be a transsexual is not in any way offensive, to portray the son of God in any other way than that which he is, is offensive. Got any pictures of the white, blue-eyed Jesus lying around your house? Because he wasn't. Why his sex should be any more sacrosanct than this colour, ethnicity and origins I don't get.

Only on Mumsnet could people get offended over people getting offended.

1. This is AIBU and they are answering the OP's question
2. The question is not whether the OP has a right to be offended but about whether that offence should affect government policy.

portray the son of God in any other way than that which he is.

Given the lack of details of Jesus' life in the bible it is quite tricky to do that - maybe that explains all the pictures of Jesus looking like Brad Pitt.

While we're all busy being offended may I toss in a book suggestion: the gospel according to Jesus christ (it's a novel). Written by an atheist; once you get past the no-punctuation thing it's an interesting read. A book that's stayed with me.

To be a transsexual is not in any way offensive, to portray the son of God in any other way than that which he is, is offensive.
Jesus was frequently portrayed by women during the middle ages, nobody seemed particularly bothered then.

Nobody seems bothered that Jesus, a Jew, living in Isreal, of Jewish parentage is always shown, at least in the UK and Ireland as a nice, fair skinned, good looking bloke. Strange.

WTF did I just read? Transexual Jesus??

Religion aside, this just sounds stupid and deliberately provocative for the sake of it. Sort of like drawing dicks on an elevator or shouting racist slurs on xbox live.

I am skeptical that there's some deep thoughtful message to this. I wouldn't mind being proven wrong, but the plot synopsis doesn't do it any favors.

I haven't seen the play, either, OP, so am responding to the publicity blurb alone and no more qualified to discuss it than you, but to me it sounds as if the writer is saying 'Christ embraces transsexuals'. You know, as in peace, love and tolerance.

But then for me peace love and tolerance means an absolute support for free speech, no censorship, and offering a reasoned debate or challenge. Not calling for things to be banned.

And how cowardly to change your name. And straight away insult people who disagree with you. Can you not see the irony in this?

You have a right to your opinion on a work of art, so use it rationally.

rose your continued and seemingly deliberate misuse of pronouns when describing the writer of the play suggests to me you do, in fact, have an issue with transsexual people.

Catsize incidents like that are few and far between and I can't identify with that kind of thing. But really in the great big scheme of things there is far worse going on in the world than that
Not sure what incidents you mean, unless you mean my point about the placards. There are many such incidents - for example, so-called Chistians at pride marches, people protesting outside abortion clinics etc. There are certainly far more of those than one play about a transexual Jesus. And I do think the placards turn more people off Christianity than the play would. Ironically the play might encourage people in their Christian beliefs, but I haven't seen it.
As for the big scheme of things point, I am not sure that I have placed people with placards on some sort of pedastal of 'really bad things in the world'. You can use your point to say 'there are hideous things in the workd. Why are we getting excited about a play?'. But then this is AIBU, and it would be empty if only the big stuff were debated.

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"I find the play offensive" And you have a perfect right to find it offensive. You don't have a right to stop anyone putting it on. I haven't seen it by the way. What were the bits that you found most offensive kin it?