Ben Hoyle, Arts Reporter
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A satirical cabaret about evangelical Christianity, featuring singalong hymns and extracts of real sermons, has become one of the most controversial shows on the Edinburgh Fringe.
Ca$h in Christ has been attacked by Christians from Australia to the United States and is a hot topic in Muslim and Jewish internet chat rooms. It uses humour to explore the growth of religious fundamentalism.
The 50-minute show is modelled on services held by modern “mega-church” movements. Van Badham and Jonny Berliner, who wrote and performed it, spent three months attending services at London churches, including the Hillsong Church and Holy Trinity Brompton.
Badham is an award-winning playwright who has written for the Royal Court Theatre and the BBC, and is a practising Roman Catholic. She said yesterday: “I don’t think people really understand that the growth of these churches over here threatens our way of life because their values are antithetical to a secular society. They give other Christians a bad name.
“These people are organised, rich, growing very fast and dangerous. I’m trying to understand why this isn’t more alarming to more people.”
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The immigrants claim to come to the UK or USA for a better life but refuse to acclimate themselves into the country's social history and way of life, then claim racism. If they don't like it, let them go back to their homeland. They are taking over every country in Europe and Gt. Britain just as the Mexicans are taking over the States. Surely there can be some sort of stop to immigration and for those found guilty of breaking the laws of the nation, be deported back to their native land.
Mikki, Afton, USA/Iowa
It would be nice if evangelical Christians could occasionally laugh at themselves and some of their ideas. People might take more notice of some of the good things they do and preach if they weren't so self-righteous about it all. I am a born-again Christian, and joined an evangelical church, then left it for the United Reform Church who have some idea of self-criticism and breadth of opinion and didn't think they were the only True Church. When we become Christians we are still ridiculous and liable to make a lot of mistakes. Let us celebrate this, and if others want to celebrate this with us, even if they are not evangelical Christians (or even Christians for that matter) then tell them to come and join the party. It doesn't diminish what Christ gave to us one iota. For all you evangelicals, it might be God's way of letting His light into their lives. Lighten up.
Bob Gloster, Gloucester, UK
As an American I agree that these people are a threat to a secular society. In my country they are attempting to push their religious views on others through legislation even though most Americans, as evidenced in poll after poll, disagree with them. They call any opposition "religious oppression" and call anyone who disagrees anything from heathen to pagan to devil-worshiper. They are not all-loving, and they are far from the Christ I read about in the Bible. They not only want to render unto god what is god's, but also what is Caesar's.
Thankfully, those who support a secular society, including Christians who recognize the separation of church and state, are organizing to oppose their advances, as recent polls and elections show. But we are still far from a nation where someone could be elected regardless of the faith (or lack thereof) they profess.
I wish the English luck in opposing the efforts of these people to drag all of society back into the Dark Ages. What you believe is up to you, but if you try to enforce your beliefs on the rest of society you will and should be opposed.
Paul, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US
I thought this report was interesting for a number of reasons!
Firstly I cannot imagine what "danger" is posed by a bunch of bible believing christians trying to live the way Jesus taught. I have similar problems trying to visualise a secular society agonising over traditional ethical views. And presumably we can look forward to a second series of the show parodying another religion. Or maybe not in case they get offended.!
Bill, Taunton, UK
These god-guided inadequates should be comprehensively ridiculed at every opportunity. Treating them seriously merely makes them feel important.
Terry Dell, Weybridge, UK
Good idea! Let's jeer at all the unpopular and powerless minorities to show how tolerant we are. (Not the violent ones, of course -- no question of personal *risk* here, hey?) Especially if they dare to resist establishment demands for vice in some manner! Let's get demonising!
I wonder if the Roman Catholic bishops endorse this activity. If so, they must have short memories. If not, they would do well to excommunicate this weasel.
Roger Pearse, Ipswich,
I'm 28; male; well educated - prof. engineer and teacher; sporty; love prison break, going out (not getting drunk) and an evangelical Christian; the only Christian in my family. I was not born a Christian I chose it after considering atheism to be abject denial of an obvious truth, Islam to be too much about ritual and not motivation and karmic religions to be missing the point of self-sacrificing love. Christianity was the only belief that made sense philosophically, experientially and evidentially to me n evangelical Christianity the closest to that implied in the NT. I believe the bible; it isn't contradictory as some like to believe on a skimming of the text and is certainly not outdated or irrelevant but does require patience and honesty when approached.
I pray for our country, give to charity, volunteer and try to put others first - how is that a threat to our way of life? Oh - I put God first in my life, like Hillsong and believe we are a fallen, sinful people - that's why.
Nathan, Cambridge, UK
It still seems to surprise me that people of one huge, rich religious organization attack people of another. The fact is, organized, big business religion preaches just like a political party, selfishly. For example, each church has their own opinions about the "afterlife". Christians look at 72 virgins as the most ridiculous idea they've ever heard. Let's all be honest and admit that ANY concept of the "afterlife" is no more ridiculous than any other. I love religious satire, I really think at times it is the most humorous comedy, but please please don't ruin your credibility by preaching against one problem religion while you're a part of another.
Joe Pease, Berea, Ohio, USA