Good old Channel 4. What was once the desparate-to-shock adolescent of British broadcasting has now grown up into a likeable erudite dude. And a brave one too, on Christmas day no less a programme about Jesus! Two and a half hours of documentary with liberal, soul searching, dreadlocked theologian Robert Beckford.
I thought it was great. Exploring the other views and what if's behind the virgin birth and messiah accounts. Taking a look at the other hidden stories such as Jesus' alleged trip to Kashmir after crucifixion failed to kill him. Trying to make sense of the Gospel of Thomas. Listening to what messianic Jews had to say and how muslims wait for Jesus to return too.
Most interesting was the parallel messiah stories. The similarity of Jesus and Krishna; virgin birth, miracles, walking on water, with similar exhortations on loving neighbours albiet with a bit more karma. The astonishing revelation about the Roman god of Mithra, the God of light, and how this diety's birthday was transferred to Jesus! Hence 25th December.
So much that made me really think about the 'unique' message of Christianity and the 'other sheep not of this sheep pen' and the 'many mansions' in heaven.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and share your ideas. The Christmas day programme sounds good. You're right about shoeboxes, though they do brighten up many lives in the short term. Long term we need more funding ... but hard cash is always harder to come by - any ideas?
ReplyDelete