Warning: Those of a religious persuasion may not want to read on.
I was watching the 1973 film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar a couple of week’s ago (seeings as ITV were very nice and screened it on Easter Sunday). Whilst watching, two thoughts occurred to me. One was that Judas was speaking many of the views held by devoutly religious people, whilst Jesus was taking a much more laisez-faire attitude to the whole situation. Now, granted I am getting this information from a rock opera, but still, I thought it was interesting. The other thing occurred to me, that, taking the question of God out of the question for a moment, the whole thing is a really quite remarkable story this Jesus malarky; that one man, with a belief and some views, and a charismatic persuasion could effectively launch one of the major religions in the world. Quite amazing really…
Anyway, I then had this idea – its probably already been done – but it might be quite interesting to write a story about this man called Jesus, but a human rather than religious story – the story of the man with all the difficult bits about God that so many people have problems with.
Better stop now I think, before I get hung for blasphemy by some of the church-going members of my friends list… 😉
Think a few people have already got there before you, mate! Most recently being Anne Rice (in what looks like a terrible novel).
Indeed, the way Judas’ views are framed in the film are sympathetic. I presume you’re talking about the “woman, your fine ointment/brand new and expensive/could have been saved for the poor” bit? Where Christ responds “surely you’re not saying/we have the resources/to save the poor from their lot?/There will be poor always/pathetically struggling;/think of the good things you’ve got./Think while you still have me,/Move while you still see me” and so on? It’s an interesting part of the gospels and I think can be difficult to reconcile to ordinary Christian thought. But I believe what Christ is saying here is that Judas is having an ungenerous response to Mary Magdalen’s profession of love. It’s definitely interesting, though. I’d suggest reading it in its spiritual context to see where Rice & Lloyd Webber got their inspiration, though. 🙂