Mouse's take on this is that it is not anti-Christian. However, it is pretty rubbish. Eastenders specialises in laughable plots, and this one fits that category very nicely. Mouse doesn't for a moment believe that anyone will watch the programme and have their views of Christians effected in any way.
The BBC have had to take the criticism seriously and have responded with the fair point that there are several other Christian characters in the soap who are portrayed more sypathetically.
He is a very damaged and dangerous individual who has created a twisted version of the Christian 'faith' in his mind to hide behind and to convince himself that his actions are acceptable. As the story unfolds, we will see other characters questioning Lucas' claim to be a Christian.
As Lucas has become increasingly unhinged, his obsession and reliance on the Bible and the scriptures has become increasingly frantic and desperate. This represents this character's emotional breakdown, and it is very clear that this is absolutely not normal behaviour.
In episodes yet to broadcast, we will see the characters Grace, Mercy and Dot - all three of whom are Christians - question and discuss Lucas' frame of mind.
Mouse's advice is to avoid getting hot under the collar about this, and either enjoy the gripping tension of the drama or laugh at its stupidity (depending on your point of view). However, to take it as a serious social comment is really to miss the point.
You have a good sense of perspective on the "issue" mouse.
ReplyDeleteBut... it seems that soaps such as Eastenders have little imagination when it comes to Christian leaders... they either turn into killers, suddenly realise they're homosexual or lose their faith completely. I hope they don't do the same with Dot or i will stop watching straight away. I would guess that many Muslim viewers would be pretty upset with current storylines also, is it really necessary to upset religions rather than portray a better balance of people with real faith?
ReplyDeleteI don't see how anyone could read this storyline as a generic criticism of Christianity. Quite obviously your average Christian is not also a serial killer. I do however agree with dub that it shows a lack of imagination (to make a very broad generalisation, when you get "crazy Christians" on film and TV, they tend to be Pentecostals). I don't agree that the Syed storyline is intended to be an attack on Islam per se. I like the way they have shown Syed struggling his way through the issue of being gay, trying to reconcile it with his family and his faith, and I like the way each member of his family has responded differently (with his dad relatively accepting at points and his mum the most militantly anti, whereas you might expect it to be the other way around - well I would - I think of Islam as very male-dominated, my bias showing here perhaps??). Anyway, it's less an attack on Islam and more a plea to be sensible about the issue, I think - a sort of "some Muslims are gay, get over it". Then again, I'm not a Muslim, obviously, and I take a detached view of it - Muslims might very well feel differently.
ReplyDeleteI did like Dot Cotton's snide remark this week when Mercy asked if she could come to church with her (Dot being Anglican) - something along the lines of "oh yes dear, they like it when black people come along, it makes them feel tolerant." !!