Tuesday, January 24, 2006
PAUL by HOWARD BRENTON
The Independent reports on yet another anti-Catholic play being staged at the National Theatre. This one focuses on St. Paul, and the large impact he had on Christianity, and thus on the development of Western civilization. According to the review:
His words have been used to justify, among other things, slavery, homophobia, the subjugation of women (although many modern scholars argue that he championed the cause of women church leaders) and oddly - considering he was Jewish - anti-semitism.
In fact the article refers to St. Paul as the "father of anti-semitism."
Breton's play suggests:
*** "...the apostle's famous conversion on the road to Damascus was a con-trick perpetrated by Jesus who had not died on the cross after all."
*** The story of the Damascene conversion [of St. Paul], which scientists have recently suggested could have been triggered by an epileptic fit, is never mentioned in Paul's own writings.
*** ...in many ways Paul actually played a greater role in shaping Christianity than Jesus did. Without Paul, the early church would probably have remained nothing more than another Jewish sect.
*** What was central to his teachings, as far as the shaping of Western culture is concerned, was Paul's rejection of the idea that a set of religious rituals and rules offered the path to salvation.
Breton, however, would like us to believe he likes St. Paul. According to the review:
Breton wants his audience to be as moved as he clearly is. "Paul invented and defined the concept of love." the dramatist says. "He was a moral genius."
