I think it’d be a hoot to watch, but I hope the producers are in for a major let down because I don’t think it’ll work.
A game show is set to launch in Turkey that pits religious folk against ten atheists and if conversion is successful, the new theists can win trips to Mecca (if Islam’s their weakness), Jerusalem (for Jews) or Tibet (for Buddhists). Oh, there’s also the Vatican if they decide to be Catholic. I wouldn’t mind seeing the art in there, but I wouldn’t convert just to do that.
religious authorities in Muslim but secular Turkey are not amused by the twist on the popular reality game show format and the Religious Affairs Directorate is refusing to provide an imam for the show.
“Doing something like this for the sake of ratings is disrespectful to all religions. Religion should not be a subject for entertainment programs,” High Board of Religious Affairs Chairman Hamza Aktan told state news agency Anatolian after news of the planned program emerged.
The makers of “Penitents Compete” are unrepentant and reject claims that the show, scheduled to begin broadcasting in September, will cheapen religion.
“We are giving the biggest prize in the world, the gift of belief in God,” Kanal T chief executive Seyhan Soylu told Reuters.
“We don’t approve of anyone being an atheist. God is great and it doesn’t matter which religion you believe in. The important thing is to believe,” Soylu said.
I’m just wondering why sane atheists would agree to compete. Would they seriously convert? I’d bet they’re fake atheists, hired by producers to play them on TV and be stereotypical. Then there’d be the big reveal later of “converting” them to religions they already belonged to before cameras were rolling. Oh, but “A team of theologians will ensure that the atheists are truly non-believers and are not just seeking fame or a free holiday.” Well, we’ll see…
I wonder what religion Soylu believes in if he believes people don’t care about what God you believe in. Ignorance truly is bliss, eh?
The only thing I totally agree with here is the comment from the Chairman of the High Board of Religious Affairs. I don’t think religion should be sold as entertainment either. There’s too much gadding about on stage for ratings and fame and fortunes and it’s all packaged to sell an image and the belief that God truly wants these people to be wealthy and wants their fans to give them more besides. Oh, and right. God is love. Love (the money)!
Frankly, the real big surprise here is that Turkey is the country trying this. It seems so.. so.. American.
