[BroadwaysOnlyLuv]

I was reading an article bout how some ppl believe Godspell is blasphemous and a mockery of the bible, I dont see that at all. I dont see Godspell as being such. I think it's all in the way u look at it. if u want to look at is as being blasphemous and mking fun then go ahead but the rest of us see it as a fun representation of it, just in a different way, some ppl just cant deal with things being diff. so what? its not your normal intrpretation of the crucifixion, that doesnt make it evil or bad or anything! Now I am by no means putting these ppl down becuz everyone has the right to believe whatever they want. I am simply saying that i don' think there is anything wrong with it.

does anyone out there agree with me

[Fogeyman]

OK, first off, please stop writing like you're sending a text message on your phone, just as a courtesy to the rest of us. Note that we all use regular English here.

Now that's done. I agree with you.

People who think Godspell is blasphemous are imbeci...sorry, misguided. And really, most of them who think this have never seen the show.

We had one local pastor threatening to picket our production (I wish he had, we would have gotten more newspaper coverage).

At the opposite end, a local youth minister came to the show one night and came back the next night with his entire youth group. Most of the pastors in town attended the show and loved it.

Every member of our cast was a Christian. No, wasn't planned, just worked out that way.

[liz_hearts_acting]

i read an article about this too....it was going down to every detail that was even SLIGHTLY "bad". like "C'mere Jesus, I got somethin' to show ya" in Turn Back O Man, or "Let's Have Some Wine!" in Light of the World. Godspell definetly isnt blasphemous. i mean, we're talking about the show that really made me act more christian because it was so different. Fogeyman is right....whoever thinks it is blasphemous is misguided.

[BroadwaysOnlyLuv]

sorry, I just like to shorten things so that it doesnt take so long to type. But if people dont like it I will type normally.

[DramaRobin2002]

I actually think someone on here did have their production picketed...MorningGlow, possibly? I know it was a few years ago and we had a discussion about it. Anyway, I agree that Godspell isn't blasphamous. But I think what makes many people think it is, is how it does make light of and poke fun at parables and certain teachings. My fourteen years of Catholic schooling made me realize that when it comes to religion, people can just completely lose their sense of humor. If it has humor, than obviously it's making fun of it. That being said, my senior year theology teacher/liturgy club moderator was a huge Godspell fan- she was thrilled when the school decided to do a production last year and my senior year we did quite a few songs for different masses. I really don't get it though. Godspell is apparently too religious for that school district that banned it in Ohio yet it's too blasphamous for quite a number of Christians.

[Fogeyman]

[DramaRobin2002]

Yeah, I worded that wrong. When I said poking fun, what I meant was "having fun with" not "making fun of".

~~~Amy~~~

[minesayrejoice]

I found a webpage dedicated to proving that JC,S and Godspell are blasphemy. I agree that the creators are misguided.

[mizzie]

[minesayrejoice]

I don't have a link. I came accross it when doing a search. I can try to find it again, though.

[minesayrejoice]

Found it! Goodness, that was easy!

http://www.av1611.org/crock/godspell.html

[what_the_heck013]

Oh, that's funny. Those people didn't get the true message of the show. They just took it at face value.

[minesayrejoice]

I didn't find it funny when I read it, but that was sometime last year. Maybe I would now. I certainly don't believe them.

[Hortonhearsawho]

people who take offence to it need to take a look at their scripture, as a born again christian , I believe in the freedom and JOY that God's lov egrants, he not a God who would be offended by people rejoicing and celebrating his messages of love and redemption.

Theres a modern worship song called the heart of worship and it says "when the music fades all is stripped away still i simply come ,longing just to bring something thats of worth , that will bless your heart, I'll bring you more then a song , for a song in itself is not what you have required , you search much deeper within through the way things appear your looking into my heart" the same is for Godspell, people shouldnt look at the flashy costumes or the make up for the message the sevre a different purpose, the message is regardless of appearance, our God died on a cross, even though he was perfectly good, he died so that we could know love, be redeemed of our sins and most importantly form a community that will reflect his love and forgiveness, read acts 2. that was Gods plan all along , now we preverse it by thinking the worse about everyone, people dont like Godspell because they dont want to be portrayed as fools, but God says that we must come with hearts of children... sorry for my rant it wasnt pious ramblings i promise.... but a truth... a truth Christians all to often forget

Here are some scripture for practically the whole show , i'd love to say i looked it all up but alas i merely copied and pasted from someones site.

Prepare Ye - Matthew 3:3
In the Fountain - Matthew 3:11
Jesus is baptized - Matthew 3:17
The Disciples - Matthew 4:19-20
Face Paint - Matthew 5:17-20
The Pharisee and the Tax Gatherer - Luke 18:10-14
The Good Master - Matthew 18:23-35
An eye for an Eye - Matthew 5:38-39
The Sheep and the Goats- Matthew 25:31-46
Shadow Rap - Matthew 6:22-23
Two Masters - Matthew 6:24
The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:30-35
The Fight - Matthew 5:44
The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-11
No, it says rejoice - Matthew 5:12
Seed Story - Matthew 13:3-8
The Explanation - Matthew 13:18-23
The Two Sons - Luke 15:11-32
Bridge Rap - Matthew 7:9-12
Light of the World - Matthew 5:13-16
The Monster - Matthew 21:23-27
Taxes to Caeser - Matthew 22:15-21
The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:34-40
Alas for You - Matthew 23
By My Side - Matthew 26:14-16
Oh Jerusalem - Matthew 23:37-39
Bless the Lord - Psalm 103
On the Willows - Psalm 137
The Last Supper - Matthew 26:17-30
At Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus is betrayed - Matthew 26:47-50
Jesus dies - Matthew 27:50
Rejoice! - Matthew 28:9

[liz_hearts_acting]

woah how much time did you spend finding those?

[Hortonhearsawho]

[ShadowInTheWings]

[Hortonhearsawho]

EXACTLY!!
God is not concerned about superman shirts or bible robes, afros
or clown make up, only love, forgiveness and spreading them both around... our worship is a result of the two , our praise is a result of the two , our obedience is a result of the two.
this show should focus on the two and let everything else just come from them

[Robinflamingo]

I am directing Godspell in the spring in a Lutheran high school...you would think this would be a perfect match, right? Well, my conservative school does a doctrinal review on everything that might be too...(here the Bad Robin would say "fun", but the Good Robin will say)liberal, and decides whether it can be used or not.

Clown shoes...out.
Any reference of the word "Magic" or any forms of the word...out (the pastor crossed it out in a STAGE direction, and wrote in "miraculous" )
...and of course the little innuendo between Jesus and TBOM...

And I have to have a resurrection because implied ain't good enough. So we will carry Jesus out...and he'll come bounding back in, singing and clapping.

::Shrug:: It's worth it to do the show

[ShadowInTheWings]

The clown shoes I don't really understand being out. The word "magic" I completely agree with cutting out. Taking it out of stage directions may be a little drastic, but I would definitely take it out of any dialogue, as that is something the Bible speaks explictly about.

[Robinflamingo]

[Hortonhearsawho]

I understand the whole magic thing... though its not a word i overly get worked up about... like you said small price to pay ...
as for clown shoes , count yourself lucky, we had tried the traditional long clown shoe and most of our actors couldnt dancein them ( some couldnt even move without falling) so we just used brightly colored shoes with attached pompoms, paint etc (which you can read about in the costuming notes for the actual show somewhere online) they worked much better.

[Fogeyman]

We didn't use clown shoes at all, we just used brightly colored sneakers. The clown shoes ARE extremely diffficult to move in. But then, with our raised stage, most of the audience can't see your feet anyway.

I do have to say, be careful how many changes the pastor wants to make. I'm a Christian myself and hold office in my parish, and I love this show. It really doesn't NEED any changes. At some point you may have to say it's NOT worth it -- it's not Godspell anymore. Quite honestly, if I were putting on the show and my pastor wanted to edit the script, I would say no. They should either approve or disapprove the play in its entirety, or not at all.

It's the same stand I have had to take with some members of my community theatre board a couple of times. They said they might approve a play if some heavy editing were done. Other members (including myself) have said no, we either approve the play as written, or reject it.

Having Jesus come back in at the end is not a problem. We did that, too, but for us it was just coming back in for bows (we did it all together). If someone wanted to interpret it as a resurrection, well, they were welcome to.

Are you (Robinflamingo) by any chance Missouri Synod Lutheran?

[Robinflamingo]

[Fogeyman]

[ShadowInTheWings]

[kitkatchicka101]

whoever wrote that Godspell=blasphemy site went too far. We aren't going to STAB our Jesus brutally for the sake of accuracy.

[onehitwonder]

"Actually, I'm a pagan (ELCA) Lutheran by birth/baptism/confirmation...only because I teach at a LCMS school am I a misery, er, Missouri Synod Lutheran.

That obvious, huh? My principal calls me the most liberal conservative he knows. Life upon the wicked stage, and all that jazz..."


Our ELCA youth group did the show- magic and all- on the altar at church and some as part of the service. We were the Gospel Reading and sermon. But no clown shoes cause they didn't fit our 'vision'.

Come to the dark side!!!!
(Faith not Works!)

[jcstar]

[Brother Marvin Hinten, S.]

I believe you mean "punctuation," boss.

[DramaRobin2002]

[jcstar]

I only read the first few posts... then kept going back to read hers. Shows that it kept my interest.

Stuff like that bothers me... especially when I see stuff like that in the classroom with my students, everyday.

Hey... I felt I needed to ost something. I was feeling bored as well. So, I thought I'd be nit-picky.

Andy.

[broadwaylizzard06]

I'm catholic, and I felt that doing this show really made my faith stronger. I love it during mass when the gospel is something I recognize from Godspell! Actually, the day after closing night, at church, the priest started talking about the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and I actually started crying, because that show meant so much to me. It was such an amazing experience.

[norayouadora]

I like this show a lot, and before I read this thread I had no idea that some people consider Godspell to be blasphemous! I guess I must be living under a rock or something.

But I find that strange... I mean, I think it's just a lighthearted kind of show (for the most part), mean to make it seem like you can worship and still have fun--that sounds corny, but do you know what I mean? If the show was meant to be blasphemous, I would expect there to be more religious stereotypes, which would be good evidence of the fact that the writers didn't know anything about the Bible. But there isn't; it's really kind of the opposite because it shows everything in such a different light. And isn't it easy enough to be a heathen without quoting the scripture?

It sounds to me like the person who made that website is the same kind of person who listens to records backwards to hear garbled "subliminal" messages, or thinks that Harry Potter promotes satanism.

[IntoTheSpotlight]

The bible has a passage about being humble, and coming to God as a child. I saw Godspell as trying to promote that (for example clowns), and it was a very significant experience for myself, as it has helped me understand the "humble" passage.
It was really quite upsetting reading that website, the creators obvioulsy haven't taken that into account.
And the bit about the blood. They neglected to metion Jesus is (usually) tied to the fence with red material to symbolise the blood.

IntoTheSpotlight

[what_the_heck013]

Y'know what makes me laugh is how the person said that there's no blood. Um... hello!

"Oh, God! Im bleeding". Of course there's blood.

[IntoTheSpotlight]

[MsDivaKate]

I have never considered this show to be blasphemous. In fact if done right it can be a great way to give an update on the same old word we hear year in and year out at mass and reaffirm faith.

In fact, a few church groups near my hometown recently peformed Godspell.

[superdave]

This show is definitely not blasphemous...Infact, it is really touching. And suprisingly touching, for a secular show. The Internet link that was on the first page, Dial the Truth Ministries, is a bunch of crazy right fundamentalists, that believe EVEN CCM is of satan. They should be ignored on any matters on religion and culture. Infact, there comments, are quite hillarious. They use to piss me off to no end, but Fudementalists, are modern day pharisees and I think if Jesus were here, he'd be singing, "Alas, Alas, For you!!!"

The only problem I have with the show, with the movie, is the abscence of the ressurection. I have the same problem with Superstar. It kind of shows Jesus in a defeated posture in my opinion.

Anyways--thats my take on it.

[Monsieur D'Arque]

Well, talk to people who have been in Godspell, and you'll see that contrary to Schwartz's original concept, many productions do include a Resurrection, simply because they're playing the religious angle more than the community angle, which worked better in the sixties and seventies than it does on stage today. At least, in practice, it does... one rarely sees a secular-minded Godspell.

[PublicFlogging]

Godspell is the only way I can stomach hearing bibical... stuff. There can't be anything wrong with that.

I attended catholic school for eight years. I can't stand having anymore reilgon stuffed into my head. Unless its got a twist too it. Like presenting Jesus and his followers as a bunch of clowns, genious. If anything, I think such a twist can only widen the path of christainity. Nobody wants to hear the some old stories over and over again.

[DramaRobin2002]

I went to Catholic school for fourteen years, Pre-K through 12th grade, and the stories (and the hymns) were my favorite part. I loved hearing them. It was the stuffing beliefs down you throat/if you don't follow every rule you're going to hell part that I didn't like. But I do agree, Godspell is a good way to introduce Christianity and Catholism to people. At least generally.

[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear Godspellers,

Most of my original beliefs about Godspell are being tested; I suppose that after I curiously visited a web page which discussed the "blasphemy" of Godspell, it's only natural that I wouldn't know what to think of Godspell.

The site claimed that songs such as "Turn Back, O Man" were blasphemous, and that since the last few scenes weren't biblically accurate, they were blasphemous, and that since Jesus was portrayed as a "clown," Godspell couldn't possibly be anything but blasphemous, etc., etc., etc.

I must admit that Godspell does at times seem to be sexy, irreverent, etc., and yet, I always seemed to think that it was still, basically, more or less, a Christian musical.

I still can't believe that the site that I visited claims that the death of Christ was "a curse for our sins!" CURSE? That word makes me think of witchcraft, magic, etc. I wonder if the Dial the Truth website is really just a big, fat propaganda wagon! Hmmm...

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[DramaRobin2002]

When I first saw that website five years ago, I thought it was BS. Today.....I still think it's BS. Just something else for overzealous Christians to pick on. About the "no blood" thing in the article- I'm sorry but this is Godspell, not Sweeney. The blood is not the point of Godspell and really doesn't make a difference in the long run. The point is the formation of a community. The musical can be performed religiously or secularly. It brings Christianity to people who otherwise wouldn't want to hear about it.

[lovesinging]

That article is pretty strange. It's pretty much saying:

There's no blood, and we all love things graphic now-a-days so there's no point seeing it. We all love our blood.

At least thats what I got out of it

[raised in a barn]

I do not think that Godspell is blasphemous in any way. I mean, come on, it's a play. I love Godspell, so don't get me wrong when I say this:

The one thing that did bother me was the lack of resurrection. Being a Christian, I believe that the resurrection was a VERY important part of the Atonement.

But you know, what? It's a musical. It's not meant to be rote scripture. And I'm definitely okay with that.

So honestly, to anyone who says that Godspell is blasphemous:

GET OVER IT.

[Glissando]

[quote="raised in a barn"]
The one thing that did bother me was the lack of resurrection. Being a Christian, I believe that the resurrection was a VERY important part of the Atonement.

[quote]

When I kinda did this (long story), we used the curtain call as a resurrection of some sort- Jesus came out in all white clothes. And you're a Christian, too? Power!

And Godspell isn't blaspemous.

[raised in a barn]

[Glissando]

(Whoot.)

[navada]

[ActingDude17]

Navada hit the nail on the head.

Fundamentalists make me ashamed to be a Christian. They give people the wrong idea of what Christianity is all about. They hate when Christ said to love.

In my opinion, Jesus would be overjoyed to see Godspell. His legacy lives on and the message of his ministry is embodied in the show.

[Robinflamingo]

As most of you know, I totally agree about Godspell, but I agree a little less about JCS - mainly because it doesn't reflect the joy of the resurrection, or Jesus' mission. It's mostly a worldly and negative retelling with GREAT music (so obviously, I LIKE it, I just don't find it as overtly "Christian" as I do Godspell.)

[StrivingToBeAChristian]

Hello,
Sorry to be so late to respond, but I was actually searching a download of the Godspell, as I have it on tape but tpe players are now obsolete. I happened across this conversation and felt in my heart that I needed to respond. I am not a Christian, as saying that means you are claiming to be Christ like, and I used to have a closer walk with God but of course per Gods message given to me by the Holy spirit and then passed to the pastor per my request to God, because some of the Christians? in the church ridiculed me as they didn't feel me worthy to receive a message from God, because I didnt speak in tongues (evidence?) even though God obviously felt me worthy, and the proof was the pastor preached the same message till the end (the fall of the church) and as a lot of you probably already figured out the message was Revelations 3:13-21. I prayed to God that if it be his will to remove me from the falling church till he saw fit to return me to another one, but to not let me stray too far that I cannot find my way back. Per my request he obliged, ask and you shall receive Matthew 7:7,8. I am now back in church and amazingly so, the same pastor and a select few people from the old one (Weeded out?) and am now striving to find my way back and further. I was raised in the lutheran churches and although I was raised under that religion and went to bible school and the whole 9 yards, I never got it, I listened if you will, but did not hear. By the time i was 11, I went totally the opposite direction, full fledge. I practiced witchcraft, black magic, worshipped the devil, had a book called "the Devils Bible", hung with the wrong crowd,and probably influenced others to follow me, as I was always a leader and never a follower, I was into drugs, etc... sadly! I was lost completely, but the Lord, found it in his heart to forgive me all my iniquities, when I dropped to my knees and asked for forgiveness and he forgave me for my sins, when I went to the church I described earlier it was merely to get my in-laws off my back, so my husband and I went. I was not seeking anything at that time, and this was a pentacostal church. I had never been to one before, but I heard stories about them. From the moment I entered that little church, I could feel something was different, The hair on my arms stood up on end and you could feel a presence there, and I had never experienced this feeling at any other church I had been to before. Then the pastor started to preach and, it was like a light came on and I understood every word, every sentence, I finally got it and inside I said, "Oh, that's what that means." and I knew that was where I needed to be, later I converted and was re-baptized pentacostal. just a little background on me so you can kind of understand me as a person and all. Ok with that out of the way, back to the topic at hand. The first movie I saw out of the two, was Jesus Christ Superstar, I want you to know that, it was that movie that influenced me to seek God, and that helped me to understand Jesus the Lord, and savior of all souls, and helped me to understand Gods word. I was young when I first saw it, but it got my attention, and later drew me back to it, so I could watch it with a better more clear understanding of it. I thank God above for sending Jesus to us, and to Jesus for loving us (people that he never met, people who weren't even born till thousands of years after his death) so much tha he went through all that he did, just so we could have the opportunity of eternal life. The greatest love is to sacrifice for others. Thank you Lord. I have to say that Jesus Christ Superstar is my favorite movie of the two, and it actually came back in play form a few years back, yes still with Ted Neely playing as Jesus (in my opinion they couldn't have picked a better person to play his part) and people said it was if he never aged, he still looked and sounded the same. People everywhere were opinionated on the matter, some even went so far as to say that it was sacreligious and had nothing to do with Gods word, so I pulled out my bible and did some research on the songs and found that not only is it in the bible but approx. 98% correct, and that was a couple of extra songs which are clearly based on the writers opinion and there is nothing wrong with freedom of speech in my books.To: minesayrejoice, I say, I personally researched the songs and it's all in your bible I offer to you to seek yourself in it, so that you can see for yourself that it's not blasphemous, as opposed to someone elses opinion, use your own heart and mind, not hearsay. looking at this webpage you offer, the first thing I see is this writers own personal opinions on how the creators of the Godspell chose to present it to us, was there bloodshed? no, the Godspell wasn't a Graphic movie, but we get the idea I think (well most of us anyways). Both The Godspell, and Jesus Christ Superstar are based on Christs last days on earth and yes that is where they leave off, his last day here. F.Y.I. if you care to watch the very end of Jesus Christ Superstar, look at the bottom left side of the screen under the cross and you will see the sillouette of Jesus (resurrected) leading his flock. Guess he missed that part too. This is obviously an opinion of a very angry person with clown phobias or something, what I see is one of those hypocrites that use Gods word to pick and choose parts of it to make theirselves feel better, to their own advantage and for theier own fulfillment and then claims to be a christian on top of it after using Gods words to glorify his own opinions. Opinions are fine but, I don't think you should ever in any situation hide behind or use God to express it. By the way I saw no mention of Jesus Christ Superstar whatsoever.I dont think it was the creators are the ones misguided (that's my opinion). All I can say is wow! I agree with what_the_heck013. I really liked the post by Hortonhearsawho, great work. Shadowinthewings, You said it! I did see a post by jcstar to BroadwaysOnlyLuv that was kind of harsh and a little judgemental, I don't get the personal attacks on this site and I csn't picture Jesus saying something like that to someone else. Oh, well. I agree with DramaRobin2002. Sometimes we are too exact and before I am corrected let me explain perfectionists, we must remember that we are only human and we do err. luckily nobody picked up on that "I felt I needed to ost something" huh... ost? lol. I mean that in a playful way, so don't get offended. To: Superdave and to Robinflamingo, look at the bottom left corner of your screen at the end after the bus leaves, you will see Jesus leading sheep, ( a metaphoric resurrection). To: DramaRobin2002, when you say ... overzealous Christians, you give them credit, more than they deserve, because these days people use the term christians too loosely ( I'm not saying you, but them that claim to be christians), I don't think a true christian would try to pick apart anything representing actual christianity like these two movies and I don't think those people are christians but, still striving to get there, at least that's how it appears to me.. I loved both movies, and I think they both, did well on explaining the parables and the last days of Christ on the earth, and they did it in their own way. Personally every time I watch Jesus Christ Superstar, and it get to the song (I only want to say) in gethsemane, I can't watch it without crying, cause it touches my heart, that someone loved us so much that he gave up his own life for us. If that's not proof that it's of religious nature then what is? I hope I have not offended anyone God bless and peace be with all who read this.
Signed,
Striving to be a christian

[Robinflamingo]

Yikes. In the future could you please put some spaces in your posts so that it's easier to read? Thanks.

You are basing your opinion on the very flawed movie versions of both of these pieces of work. JCSuperstar, when it was first released, was only a concept rock album, with no resurrection whatsoever. In fact, the last cut on the album is an instrumental. Because of its popularity, a movie was made and a stage show was mounted, but neither is the original form of the piece.

Now. Godspell is so vastly different live than it is on film, it's almost as if they are two different entities. This is a musical theatre board, and most of us are referring to the live musical stage show, which is different in many ways from the movie. The end of Godspell has "Prepare Ye/Long Live God" which of course is far more hopeful than the ending of JCSuperstar.

I know many people who were touched by one or the other, and that's great. By the way, you CAN call yourself a Christian, because that's the gift God gave us when he gave us Jesus.

Have a blessed Easter.