This page is for open-minded people discussing what is offensive in 'Jerry Springer the Opera' and why Christians see it as blasphemous. We ask what kind of moral point if any is made by the show and as some folk have said there is a 'Christian' message there we look to see if that's true. We end up, inevitably, discussing the big issues of life.
So what was the idea? The idea, of course, is that a Jerry Springer chat show could be translated into Opera, and that instead of people screaming at each other in speech, they could do so in song. Then make it daring and 'adult' (whatever that means) by adding in all the swearing deleted from the real 'Springer' - and more. So, in Act 1, various emotionally-challenged participants turn up to sing obscenities at each other and parade their sexual deviancy. There is one so sick he gets sexual pleasure from dressing in an oversized baby's nappy and defecating in his pants.
Let's all have a go at Jesus In Act 2, the character of Jerry Springer descends into hell, where the weirdos from Act 1 now become Biblical characters and take part in another Jerry Springer show. There is a shouting (singing) match between Jesus and Satan, Jesus says He is 'a little bit gay,' Mary is told she was 'raped by an angel' and then rants at Jesus for abandoning her by dying on the cross. God the Father emerges as an old fool who needs therapy, and Jerry Springer becomes an alternative saviour. Which makes the Jerry Springer character the Antichrist, of course.
More ridicule of the Saviour Every character gets a change of clothes from Act 1 to Act 2, except Jerry Springer and, you'll never guess, Jesus. Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, God incarnate who lived a perfect life, suffering on the cross for the sins of the world, is the perv in a nappy, albeit a smarter one this time. The Saviour of the world is told in his duet with Satan "F*** you", while He sings "Talk to the stigmata". So even His wounds are ridiculed. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that there is a bit of an agenda in this show, hostile, to put it mildly, to the Christian faith. Finally, Springer says: "Jesus, grow up for Chr***'s sake and put some f***ing clothes on".
Not even a moral message God and Jesus are ridiculed right to the end. "Jerry eleison" means "Jerry have mercy," and mocks "Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison" (Lord, Christ have mercy). It is hard to see how the show could be more blasphemous and more offensive to God and to Christians. As for Jerry's triumphant "Yin, Yang, no wrong, no right", that isn't even a moral, let alone a Christian message. 'No right or wrong' is amoral, the morality of Hell. Jesus Christ said: "Keep the Commandments" and first of all, "Love the Lord thy God" and "Love thy neighbour as thyself." That's where morality begins, by being God-centred and selfless.
Gratuitous offence Of course if this show portrayed Mohammed as ridiculous, deviant or homosexual, it would never have seen the light of day. But don't think you're striking a blow for free speech by supporting this production. Free speech is not an unqualified right, it brings responsibilities. The causing of gratuitous offence is hardly the hallmark of a civilised society. Would you insult a stranger in the street? If you wouldn't dream of it, then why insult God, Jesus Christ, and Christian believers? Yes, we Christians are insulted when our Saviour is insulted. It's a family thing, you see. One day every single one who laughed at the Lord Jesus in 'Jerry Springer the Opera' will face his maker and have some explaining to do. And every town, city or nation which puts this show on is bringing shame and judgment on itself. Well, you pray to Him when you are in peril, don't you? He is Almighty God after all. But He said, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." That applies to cities and nations as well as individuals and spells trouble.
What do Christians believe? Christians believe that God is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. He is entirely self-existent and the divine intelligence behind all creation, including us. We view the idea that we and the rest of creation came about by blind chance as absurd, illogical and, yes, unscientific, wishful thinking. Since God created us, He had the right to lay down the laws by which we should live. When Jesus said "Keep the Commandments", he spoke against idolatry, blasphemy, sabbath-breaking, disrespect to parents and those in authority, murder, adultery, stealing, false witness and envy.
We can't keep commandments! The trouble is, we can't live up to His example, because we are born into a nature prone to sin and depravity. Mankind is kept from fellowship with God by sin. And yet God wants to have fellowship with us. God is loving and merciful but He is also righteous and holy. How could a holy God have fellowship with sinful men and women?
A bit of good news for a change By being born in a stable and becoming the ultimate once-for-all sacrifice, that's how. Jesus went to the cross to reconcile all who would believe in Him back to God. That's why His crucifixion is so important. He took our sins upon Him, and those who trust in Him become clothed in His righteousness.
But it did not end there. Jesus rose from the dead by His own power and Christians live in His risen life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Even more, Jesus ascended back into heaven, and God has given Him the right to rule over all the kingdoms of the world. One day He will return in judgment, to condemn the wicked and justify the righteous.
'I am the way' says the real Jesus If you realise how far you are away from God, know that Jesus - God incarnate - will forgive you and give you a new life. Turn from your sins, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Do that today, because you could die tomorrow. There is no other way, because Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." He also said: "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
