McPhail and Gadsby

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 14

McPhail and Gadsby

Sir, — While I thought some parts of the McPhail and Gadsby show on religion somewhat unnecessary, I am at a loss to understand the intense anger engendered in some Christian breasts. What real harm has the show done to any of God’screation? The energies of Christians would be far better spent in constructive protest against the obscenities which are destroying God’s creation — the genocidal build-up of nuclear weapons by the superpowers, the continuing nuclear bomb tetsing at Mururoa by France, with complete disregard for the wellbeing of Polynesians, the activities of multi-national companies whose greed ensures that the rich get richer, and the poor die of hunger, to name but a few. In New Zealand, as elsewhere, our greed and our fear are destroying us. So Christians should protest about these ■ obscenities. — Yours, etc., _ ■ OLWEN PALMER. July 15, 1980.

Sir, — McPhail and Gadsby: no locks no talent, no “personality,” in fact the very qualities needed to succeed on New Zealand television nowadays, including of course, the crudities. The thought of taxpayers’ money subsidising them is beyond hpiief —.Yours, etc.. V. M. ANDERSON. July 13, 1980.

Sir, — I enjoyed every moment of Wednesday evening’s programme. With the eletcric blanket up full bore I watched it on my Sl ™ a “ black and white set. I. had the flu and was feeling sorry for myself in my lonely state. What a t° nic better than any drug. I enjoyed it all especially the monks in the wine casks The mother was good too. I am of the Catholic faith and I hope the Lord will grant my wish that I m.ay appreciate humour till the day I die. — Yours, etc., • MURIEL NEAME. July 12, 1980.

Sir, Most of the comments in support of this show overlook the reality of God and; Christ to very many New Zealanders. They overlook the very real Christian experience enjoyed by such people — -the peace of forgiveness, deliverance from bondage, fulfilment and usefulness; a hope for the future, all through no merit of their own. Such Christians love the One who has made this possible, and it hurts to see Him denigrated. Would these correspondents allow someone very dear to them to be ridiculed and belittled without protest? Satire that exposes humbug, folly, and evil, is one thing. When - deliberately used against good it becomes cynicism of a low order. In this case there appears" to have been no effort to discriminate between pretence of the. Christian faith (a legitimate target for the world’s . satire), s and the real thing of Christian life and experience. — Yours, etc., H. G. ORAM. July 15, 1980. Sir, — The most balanced comment so far oh the McPhail and Gadsby TV religious farce has been that of John Collins (“The Press,” July 14). Christian finding fault with John Collins on this issue would sim-

ply be advertising their reluctance to consider that views other than their own could possibly be viable. To class the McPhail and Gadsby programme as blasphemous is to presume that Christianity is in fact the only .sacred and infallible philosophy ever to have been born of man. Christians should question the numerous unjust illogical and contradictory aspects of their religion before condemning the views of others. If Christianity held some proven and comprehensive factor beneficial to all people one could appreciate their anger. As things are, just a perfunctory glance at the history of Christianity precludes this possibility. — Yours, etc., ■ ARTHUR MAY. July 15, 1980. Sir, —■ May I voice my concern that such a film should have ever been shown on TV. The film was a mockery of God and His word. Much has been said by way of protest and, all I wish to say is that I hope the lesson has been learned and that a good method of control and a “wise” standard of presentation and quality develop, so that future productions are of a high and wise standard. Everyone at some time or another makes mistakes and, if they are clever enough, will profit by their mistakes. Reading the Bible, age and experience all help to develop wisdom. I feel sure that these clever young people will go on producing film but with a great deal more wisdom. — Yours, etc., J. RUCK, . Ashburton. July 14, 1980.