The Anti-Agora Campaign Begins

Catholic groups in Spain are protesting the soon-to-open film “Agora” (about the death of Hypatia of Alexandria) saying it is “biased” and “anti-Christian”.

“The president of the Religious Anti-Defamation Observatory, Antonio Alonso Marcos, has sent an open letter to Amenabar, also know for his pro-euthanasia film “The Sea Inside,” denouncing the film’s anti-Christian bias. “The reason for my letter is to make you realize something that you already know but have dismissed as unimportant: your film is going to awaken hatred against Christians in today’s society. You present a biased view of the relationship between science and the Church, between faith and reason. It has been pointed out to you directly and indirectly, and you have used a somewhat vague excuse and looked the other way,” Marcos wrote.”

Spanish Catholics would obviously prefer that the past misdeeds of Christianity be forever tucked away and never mentioned. To do otherwise is to be “biased” against them (they also claim it will “awaken hatred against Christians”). Of course it’s just fine for Catholics to constantly criticize paganism, both ancient and modern, they have no concerns about being seen as “anti-pagan” (indeed it is a point of pride). Despite these attacks, Oscar-winning director Alejandro Amenabar makes it clear that his movie is about violent extremists not common believers.

“The movie denounces people who at a certain moment stop debating ideas, set aside reason, have no room for dialogue and resort to violence. This happened 1,600 years ago and it continues happening today…”

As for the film, it is still looking for distributors in America, and once/if it does, expect more cries of protest from those who would like everyone to forget that Christians weren’t always the persecuted, but instead acted as persecutors as well.

  • http://www.hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com Hecate

    It's odd how telling the truth about xians "persecutes" them.

  • Nick Ritter

    Yes. I think there should be more of this sort of film; movies about Skythopolis and Verden come to mind. Perhaps a movie adaptation of Gore Vidal's "Julian."

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/youngsoulrebel Ruadhan

      I, too, second this motion for a _Julian_ film. If only because Gore Vidal is a genius.

  • Aron R.

    Yeah, "Julian" as a movie has long been a fantasy of mine.

  • http://www.blackrosecoven.com/?q=node TeNosce

    I'm so excited about this film I'm falling over myself.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Nope Nope

    Lucky! I'm wondering if we'll even get it over here. We have plenty of stupidity specialists here too.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/youngsoulrebel Ruadhan

      Well, eventually there will be the bootleg DVD market….

      • http://intensedebate.com/people/Nope Snoozepossum

        Been checking BTs for subs – nothing so far. I'll shell out the $$ to see it if I can just to show support for it, or buy the DVD when available, but I'm still hunting a pirated copy. Even though it has US distribution now, none of our local theaters are expecting to get it. The one indie theater we have says if they do, it may be an edited version. If the US release is edited, somebody will at least do a fan sub.

        • http://intensedebate.com/people/youngsoulrebel Ruadhan

          Why would there be a fan sub for a film that's already in English?
          http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1186830/

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/Nope Snoozepossum

            The only copies available now as BTs are supposed to be Spanish dubs without subs. I'd be perfectly happy to get one with English subs, really. If the only thing we get is edited, getting an unedited version will depend on who puts it up. Someone will probably do it with the Spanish dub and English subs way sooner than anyone puts up a restored version in English. Either way, I'll still pay for a DVD when it comes out.

  • DaBroad

    No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

  • DaBroad

    How many of the people protesting this were all weak kneed and oogly over "The Passion"?

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/youngsoulrebel Ruadhan

      Just for those who've never seen it, this is the best review of _The Passion of the Christ_, ever.

      http://www.mrwiggleslovesyou.com/rehab241.html

      …but no, of course Christians wouldn't complain about _The Passion…_ — their whole religion is based around the beat-down. It fuels their persecution complex.

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Baruch Baruch

    If I have to wait for a DVD to see it I hope the DVD is of the type that plays in American players.

    Baruch Dreamstalker

  • Bookhousegal

    *small salute.* Hi, by the way. Best thoughts for the harvest season to the whole tribe. :)

  • Bookhousegal

    I suspect this is not the sort of distinction that the types of people who want the story to not be told.. Are going to notice, even if it's all over the screen. :)

  • Bookhouse

    The real pain of this is, I can't truthfully say 'I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition.'

    Come on, boys, you're slipping. :)

  • Heather

    Ouch! LOL…

  • http://witchesandscientists.blogspot.com Gene

    Heather, good job giving us the skinny on the fall of the Roman Empire.

  • Lore

    Our most deadly weapons! Surprise, terror and…oh, bugger! You do it!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/danalloydthomas Dana Lloyd Thomas

    Enter text right here!

  • http://www.facebook.com/danalloydthomas Dana Lloyd Thomas

    The petition for bringing Agora to Italy has over 8000 signatures!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/youngsoulrebel Ruadhan

    What I like about CS Lewis' books is that you have to pretty much be well-versed-enough in Christianity to see his allegories to Christianity. I have a few friends who grew up with far less Christianity foisted on me than I had, and they still can't really see the allegory any further than Aslan's lif – self-sacrifice – rebirth, which is a common enough mythology, on its own.