Well, we borrowed "American Idol" from Britain, and I say it's time to borrow another TV show.
This one's from, of all places, Turkey!
It's designed to do something you'd never think is possible in a country like that--nor ours for that matter. The goal: religious conversion! How's that for reality TV?
Reuters is reporting that the show will be called "Penitents Compete." I'm sure something is getting lost in the translation!
There seem to be two views emerging on the idea. "Doing something like this for the sake of ratings is disrespectful to all religions," said the High Board of Religious Affairs Chairman Hamza Aktan. "Religion should not be a subject for entertainment programs," he continued, as he spoke to the state news agency Anatolian after news of the planned program emerged.
But Kanal T chief executive Seyhan Soylu gave Reuters a different perspective. "We are giving the biggest prize in the world," he said, "the gift of belief in God."
In the foreign show they will put a Catholic priest, a Muslim imam, a rabbi and a Buddhist monk in a room with 10 atheists. Can you imagine the American version: perhaps an Evangelical minister, a Catholic Archbishop, an Eastern religious leader, a Jewish scholar, and a televangelist?
I'd of course recommend that Beliefnet co-sponsor the show. It is, after all, the most astounding piece of reality TV anyone could be a part of.
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A nice turn in events would be to see if the "10 Atheists" actually stand strong in their disbelief in any gods or religion presented to them, and in the end have the various religious representatives questioning their own beliefs. That would be good TV!!! Considering how many "religious" TV programs are out there all ready, clogging up the air waves with their infomercial style message in God and get prosperous quick when you give them your money kinds of schemes, a nice change in the venue would be refreshing. However, more than likely there will be a few pseudo conversions for the sensationalism of TV and the growing public's craving for crap like that.
what makes belief in god so hard to eradicate is the human condition until now.
those who have thank "god" for their position
those who don't have pray to "god" for an improvement
it doesn't change either groups situation
This was an Idea that came to me while in a dream state. We are to use his passing as a way to unite the world.
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WE ARE THE WORLD & WE CAN MAKE A BETTER PLACE. Join me and hopefully million of others in this global statement of Unity. Please pass this Tribute on. Happy Birthday to US!
I'm an Athiest, and I think this sounds interesting, but somewhat brutal to the Athiests as they will be subject to incesant attacks on their beliefs. It's interesting that if this went the other way around, it would most likely be called persecution. I digress.
I would like to see this, but I already have a bad feeling that it will be more of an attempt to convert Athiests to Agnostics, or people who accept that a God presents a logical (if completely unfounded), explanation to some as-yet unexplained things in the universe, rather than changing their minds about anything. It essence, claiming victory when all they did was talk about things that the Athiests hadn't researched yet, and therefore could not present a logical reply.
Anyway, I do hope best for the show and would be interested in watching clips if it goes online.
Ciao!
Religion?
Religion is one thing - organized religion is something else. History shows that religion has been responsible for conflicts throughout. Individual belief can cause detriment to a few but the more people and resources that promote a belief , the greater the effect can become.
People able to influence others use that to advance their agendas. Those who have reasons , religious or not , often support and encourage religious leaders and organizations because they can influence and motivate people to increase their own power.
Building communities ,infrastructure, defense , manufacturing, education, or practically anything is more effective (positively or negatively) as it includes more people.
The more people are able to cooperate in the use of available knowledge and resources for the benefit of everyone , the better it will be for everyone .
The methods , organizations , movements , governments , societies , and plans that have been tried so far have not come close to reaching the goal.
A solution to the situation would be to have everyone believe that it was best to honestly and earnestly work for that goal but the abilities and inclinations of each individual born tend to lead to other pursuits till it is too late to have the needed acceptance of that principle to reach the goal.
Many who reach a conclusion that it might be successful think, it is too unlikely that enough other people will agree and decide they should work for their personal success.
I addition to the initial reference I made to the difference between religion and organized religion I would add a couple of other things to consider :....... People are crazier than anybody. Normal people worry me.
Remember your abc's , (always be careful)
Bob
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