Is Monty Python's Life Of Brian Blasphemous?

[naomi24]

If so, why?

[albaqwerty]

I don't think so but look forward to seeing replies which say yes and the reasons.

I do remember Glasgow City Council banning it and making themselves more of a laughing stock than usual.

[davebro]

It was banned in Ireland for 6 months apparently. I find it pertinent & hilarious. But as an atheist does blasphemy register with me - I think not.

[hereIam]

I don't think it is at all, but then I don't believe in an all seeing, all forgiving God. I once knew a woman who was a born again Christian and her and her fellow BAC's were utterly appalled by this film.

[johnny.5]

I think it is a great film even Jehovah would enjoy it

Am I Right ?
I'm Not Wrong !

[CrapAtCryptics]

It did popularise Halibut though.

[albaqwerty]

are you sure CaC? thought that bit of the plot was a red herring.

[Old_Geezer]

Is it impiously irreverent toward God or sacred things ? Possibly, it's a subjective matter; but so what ? Time this sort of special protection for religion was assigned to our primitive past. It's not a relevant issue.

[Rockrose]

Its just a story just like the bible

[naomi24]

OG, blasphemy laws in this country were abolished in 2008. That doesn't stop some people regarding some things as blasphemous though.

[Old_Geezer]

Legal or not it's still used as an accusation to stop that which the accuser doesn't like.

[naomi24]

Indeed it is.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Yes its Blasphemous by definition, as the word describes an action or comment showing lack of respect to God or Religion.
I'm not Christian but remember years ago, when I watched it, I felt uncomfortable with some of the content. You may have strong opinions on the existence or not of a Deity that watches over Humanity, but making fun of people who do, and disrespecting the things they hold dear, is unpleasant.
I've never liked Monty Python so perhaps that coloured my opinion of the film, which I found juvenile and unfunny.

[Ryzen]

Ive always considered Life of Brian to be close to the beginning of the ever lasting "perpetually offended era"

[AuntPollyGrey]

I'm not offended by it as I'm not Christian. I can say what I like in private, but to make a film disrespecting millions of peoples spirituality is unpleasant and by definition blasphemous. The Thread is discussing blasphemy not about being offended.

[Ryzen]

APG...fine line though.

[Patsy33]

I think APG, explained it well. Of course it would be blasphemous to a lot of people who believe. I've never watched it because I felt uncomfortable about it at the time. Seen bits of it and to my horror, desperately wanted to laugh! but because I felt guilty, I could never bring myself to watch it.
Well guess what, people and their thought/ beliefs change. I'm going to watch it one day without the guilt trip.

[naomi24]

More thoughts ….

//In November 1979, the BBC famously televised a debate between Pythons John Cleese and Michael Palin and two pillars of the Christian establishment, journalist Malcolm Muggeridge and then Bishop of Southwark Mervyn Stockwood.

Each side totally failed to understand the other. Muggeridge's point was that Brian was nothing but a "lampooning of Christ".

The Pythons argued this couldn't be so because Brian was not Jesus. Technically, they were right. Still, this did not satisfy the Bishop, or the film's many critics.//

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-16/life-of-brian-by-monty-python-is-40/11004394

[Stephen_G]

Don't forget that John Cleese and Michael Palin went on a programme with Malcolm Muggeridge and the (Then) Bishop of Southwark and debated that it wasn't blasphemous...
(The original video was in four parts, but it's been stitched together)

[Hopkirk]

It was taking the Michael out of all religion, and man's insatiable desire to find a divine meaning in everything, rather than just Christianity.

[pixie374]

I remember watching it with friends, and a couple of Christians decided they were going to sit out at the end of it. Although, to be fair, we were teenagers...