Germany's conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday led political and arts world uproar at the scrapping of a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage. The performances were cancelled amid fears the scene could trigger violence among the nationâs Muslim community. But Mrs Merkel denounced "self-censorship out of fear" as unacceptable, reflecting a mood of national indignation that was not limited to the arts set but cut right across all social lines. And last night there were hopes that increased government pressure might get the show put back on. A groundbreaking "integration" summit between government ministers and leaders of Germany's three million Muslims held yesterday could lead to the production being staged at a later date. Interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said all present had agreed that the shelved opera "Idomeneoâ should go ahead - and they might even all go together to see it. At the Deutsche Oper in Berlin a spokesman said the company was considering developments. Hours before Schaeubleâs statement the gulf between western liberalism and Islamic intransigence appeared as wide as ever as the leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the ban, saying a depiction of Mohammed with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims." The Deutsche Oper announced on Tuesday that it had scratched the Mozart opera "Idomeneo" from its programme this season because one scene â the severed head of the prophet Mohammed rolling on to the stage â risked triggering an "incalculable security risk" for the theatre. It feared the kind of violent outbursts that erupted earlier this month when the Pope offended Muslims in a speech which quoted a medieval writer's view of Islam as "evil and inhuman." His words led to worldwide protests and a nun was shot dead in Somalia. "To avoid endangering the public and its employees, the Deutsche Oper in Berlin has decided to refrain from showing 'Idomeneo' in November," the opera house said. As early as July, police officials had warned of the security risk associated with the opera. A risk analysis was prepared, which formed the basis of the opera house's decision to cancel "Idomeneo." "We have advised that a performance could result in disturbances," said police spokesman Bernhard Schodrowski. In the epilogue, Idomeneo, the king of Crete, comes on stage with a bloody sack in his hand. He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs. The opera, set in the capital of Crete just after the Trojan War, addresses human resistance to making sacrifices to the gods. Mozart's original version premiered in 1781. Four performances were planned for the production in November but will be replaced by "The Marriage of Figaro" and "La Traviata." The countryâs artistic and cultural elite are outraged â along with ordinary people who feel minority sensibilities should not interfere with a cultural icon as big as Mozart. They are emotions shared by Mrs. Merkel on the day of Germanyâs first government-sponsored summit about the countryâs three million Muslims and their integration. "We must be careful that we do not flinch out of fear of radicals who are prepared to use violence," she said. "Self-censorship for reasons of fear is not acceptable. It should only be allowed when it is done responsibly within a genuine and completely violence-free dialogue of cultures." Mr Schaeuble, ahead of yesterdayâs conference aimed at bringing Muslims and Christians closer together, branded the decision to ditch the opera "crazy." The delegates from Germanyâs Muslim communities â including those from Hamburg where the Islamic cell which carried out the 9/11 atrocities was based â met with the interior minister in Berlinâs Charlottenburg Palace all day yesterday. "Three million Muslims live in Germany. They are a part of Germany's present and future, just as Islam is, after all, a part of Europe," he said. One of his express aims is to get imams educated in Germany and have their sermons conducted in German â a recommendation from the secret services to stop coded messages about terror being passed on to worshippers. He said the conference was not just about "niceties," adding: "We were not here to exchange pleasantries but to achieve results." Last night he said the meeting had been "intensive." "It would be a signal of dishonesty if there hadn't been clashes," Mr Schaeuble said, adding that the atmosphere was constructive. "That is what distinguishes democratic culture."
its about time liberal european governments stopped bending over backwards and appeasing muslim cockroaches.
Why are we still appeasing extremist Christians? Christians are very violent, they own and produce WMD and even pray before dropping them on civillian towns! They make Trillions each year on arms sales and use. Check this out, it only fuels their fanaticism: Caving in to crazy Christians WHY MUST WE APPEASE THESE FANATICS? Why do they hate our freedoms to see rock stars and movies? They also banned that movie the Passion of the Christ in some countries. -------------------------------------------- NBC may cut Madonna's cross Email Print Normal font Large font September 20, 2006 - 11:25AM Madonna's shows last week in Moscow sold-out despite ptotests from religious leaders over her show. Photo: AP Advertisement AdvertisementThe NBC television network in the US is still making up its mind about whether it will allow pop star Madonna to stage a mock crucifixion on its airwaves as part of her upcoming prime-time concert special. The 48-year-old entertainer has made the crucifixion stunt, in which she performs while suspended on a giant cross wearing a crown of thorns, a centrepiece of her global "Confessions" tour. Her stage act drew storms of protest from the Roman Catholic Church and Russian Orthodox Church during recent performances in Rome and Moscow, with church leaders condemning the mock crucifixion as blasphemy. But executives at NBC, owned by the General Electric Co. will wait for makers of her concert special to submit the production for review before deciding whether to allow the mock crucifixion to air. "We're awaiting the delivery of it, and once we've seen it in its entirety, we'll make a decision," an NBC spokeswoman told Reuters on Thursday. The program is slated to air in November, but no specific date has been set. Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary, had no comment on the issue, according to an assistant in his office. In July, when the network first unveiled plans for the Madonna concert special, NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly gave mixed signals about how much artistic freedom Madonna would be given. The mock crucifixion was known then to be a central part of her stage act. "She's not revising her act," he told a gathering of TV critics at the time. "We've discussed what content will be in and what is out, and we've come to a healthy place that represents her show but is appropriate for television." Reuters
^^Yeah, before you know it, those crazy Christians will be strapping bombs to themselves and blowing up Madonna and her blasphemous fans.^^ Get a grip.
Now that's unfair. Everyone knows radical Islam doesn't want to go any further back than the 7th century while radical Christians would probably be happy with the 19 century. Given a choice, I'd like to see extremists from all reglions sent off to another planet. Your point is well taken, regardless.
How many times have violent protests broke out because of a cartoon over jesus christ????? Christians protest and complain while muslims threaten suicide bombings and death to every item they deem sacriligious and ultimately it causes more successful recruitment of the braindead brigades. The UN and europe shows so much cowardice towards these animals that eventually they will rule europe to Pakistan.
fuck the christian bigots too, their no better... "Artist: Terrence McNally/Manhattan Theater Club, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Confronting Bodies: Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, "National Security Movement of America," and other Christian protesters. Date of Action: May 1998 Specific Location: Manhattan Theater Club, New York, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Description of Artwork: Corpus Christi is a contemporary version of the story of Jesus and his disciples set in the town of Corpus Christi, Texas. Jesus and some of his disciples (who in this play are young professionals) are depicted as gay men and ultimately Jesus is killed by gay-bashers. Thirteen barefoot male actors in modern clothing perform a play within a play, starting with the birth of Joshua (the Jesus figure) in a Texas motel. Soon evils emerge, such as wife-beating, loveless sex, gay-bashing and clerical humiliations. The playwright uses this parallel story of Christ to tell a contemporary, colloquial tale of the fight against cruelty, division, hatred and, above all, hypocrisy. Love and acceptance are the antidotes. Description of Incident: New York: Terrence McNallyâs new play, Corpus Christi, was to be premiered in the fall of 1998 at the off-Broadway theater, The Manhattan Theater Club. On May 1, 1998, an article in the New York Post headlined, "Gay Jesus May Star on B'Way." The article claimed that the play featured a Jesus-like figure "who has sex with his apostles." This instigated wide protest from the Christian right community, notably the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. They called the play âinsulting to ChristiansÂEand vowed to âwage a war that no one will forgetÂEagainst its production. President William A. Donahue sent letters to numerous public officials demanding âan immediate halt on public monies that support the Manhattan Theater Club.ÂEA group calling itself the "National Security Movement of America" made telephone threats against the "Jew guilty homosexual Terrence McNally." The message went on, "Because of you we will exterminate every member of the theater and burn the place to the ground." Indiana: Similar protests transpired when students at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne planned a production of the play. In July 2001, State lawmakers made up 21 of the 32 people that filed suit against the university. The group wanted to halt the production of the controversial play. The lawsuit argued that by staging this play, taxpayer funds are being used to attack religion. Defenders of the production say it's a matter of free speech. Anthony S. Benton, an attorney for the university, said in a letter that shutting down the play would infringe on students' academic freedom. The Indiana Civil Liberties Union also is involved in the case. The group is representing the play's student director, IPFW senior Jonathan Gilbert. Results of Incident: New York: In accordance with these threats and demands, Trans World Airlines, one of the corporate sponsors of the MTC, withdrew its financial support. On May 21 the Manhattan Theater Club announced that it was canceling its production of the play due to their concern for security, after anonymous threats of violence to the theater and its staff. Playwrights, directors, club members, the media, and others heavily criticized this decision. Freedom of speech advocates, including NCAC, National Campaign for Freedom of Expression, New Yorkers for Free expression, PEN American Center, People for the American Way, Visual AIDS, playwrights Christopher Durang, William Hoffman, David Henry Hwang, Tony Kushner, and author Judy Bloom collaborated on a letter urging the Manhattan Theater Club to not cave in to terrorist-tactics. On May 28, the theater reversed its decision, claiming that they now had assurance from the police department that the production would be safe. The show ran as scheduled. Indiana: The outcome of this incident has yet to unfold. Controversies over productions in other cities continue to arise." http://www.catholicleague.org/1998report/artists98.htm some juicy bits in there as well...