Lebanese TV networks cancel series on Jesus that offended Christians
August 16, 2010
Lebanese television broadcasters have pulled a series on Jesus, amid complaints that the series, which studied Jesus from the Muslim perspective, was offensive to Christians.
“The Messiah,” projected as a 17-part series, was being aired by two networks catering primarily to Shi’ite Muslim audiences. Christian viewers were offended by the portrayal of Jesus as a prophet rather than Savior, and the denial of his Crucifixion and Resurrection. Maronite Catholic Archbishop Joseph Bechara of Antelias had denounced the broadcasts for insulting “Jesus, the Church, and Christianity.”
After the networks agreed to cancel “The Messiah,” Lebanese information minister Tarek Mitri hailed the step as a gesture of sensitivity that “showed once again that Lebanon is in the forefront of interfaith dialogue.”
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Further information:
- Controversial Jesus TV Show Canceled in Lebanon (Christian Post)
- Series on Jesus pulled from Lebanese TV after uproar (CNN)
- Offensive to Christians, Jesus series broadcast on Shia networks for Ramadan is cancelled (AsiaNews)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Aug. 17, 2010 9:02 AM ET USA
Al Manar TV and NBN could send a message to the NY Times, which regularly denigrates Catholicism. This to me is the moderate voice of the Muslim community, which seems to me largely absent in America.
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Posted by: Defender -
Aug. 16, 2010 7:26 PM ET USA
Watch for it in the United States after it's translated.
