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The movie controversy

What price freedom.... what price decency, Mr. Showman

We all agree that freedom of speech and freedom of expression is sacred. We also know when things are decent and indecent.

In the name of freedom of speech, one cannot shout profanities in someone's face. That would be crossing the line. It is obvious that this filmmaker has a 'bent' for sensationalism in nudity.

In another film which was a rip-off of the successful award wining Iranian film "Baran", he goes further having his wife play a role with some nuditity.

Now this, Aksharaya. A twelve year old boy naked with his naked mother in a bath tub. Is it necessary? Is it important? Yes! Yes! from the publicity point of view, Yes!!Each film of Handagama's willingly and purposefully glides into the realm of "controversy" without really qualifying to enter that category. It is a set up. This filmmaker is more showman than artiste. He seizes every opportunity to get print and television time to play the angry man, the rebel without a cause. Excellent acting.

Due credit should be given to him for his marketing ability. He is the best in the business. "Please, please ban my film" is his bugle call. To hell with our culture, to hell with crossing the line of decency.

A film fan.

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More to ban!

Now that the anti-Muslim cartoons are out of circulation, the Da Vinci Code is banned and Asoka Handagama has narrowly missed another "Aksharia" controversy, because nobody noticed his hint in an article that queen Maya had no alternative, but to pass away after the birth of her unique and glorious son, Siddhatha, leaving his minus the most powerful link (according to AH) to snap, when the time came for him to break all bonds - the Buddhists would like some banning on their behalf, too!

Some time ago there was a free-for-all insulting spree on bikinis, bras, toilet seats, slippers, socks, tattoos, etc. against the Buddha, the teacher who preached loving-kindness towards all living beings and likened by his followers to a lotus, rising out of the mud, unsoiled and untouched by it. Our embassies are meant to promote Sri Lanka and nip in the bud any attempts of disrespect.

All the offensive merchandise was sold under the noses of our officials abroad and not a murmur of protest was uttered, neither there, nor here.

No disapproval was voiced by any of our administrators, now eagerly brandishing the chopping knife. It was only due to the untiring efforts of some citizens, including monks, that the offending articles were removed or, as suspected, smuggled underground.

There are some things, however, that cannot be kept under wraps, such as the Buddha Bar, flashing its neon lights across the night life of France.

Its creator, Raymond Visan of Paris, proudly claims, "the name Buddha Bar stamps our name on the map!", which he is raring to fill up with more and more of his bars. If the rumour that Sri Lanka did not even bother to protest when the Bamiyan Buddhas were smashed is true, when can the Budhists appeal to against such a mockery as a "Buddha Bar", all lit up and ready to bibillate?

by Prema Ranawaka -Das

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The Da Vinci Code movie

This has reference to the article that appeared on June 11 issue. The Church cannot be faulted for getting the Film banned because:

1. There is no known disciple of Christ who was married. They followed Christ's example.

2. Da Vinci never lived during Christ's time and could not have known of a married woman.

3. Any likeness of any person seated to a woman is not surprising - because today there are people even in Sri Lanka where you cannot say by appearance whether they are men or women.

4. The film if not banned could be "historical evidence" for future generations to conjecture that Christ was married.

5. The film is intended to be a money spinner.

6. Mass protests by Christians was avoided. Fast buck at any cost even if it is blasphemy.

"An Anglican"

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The Bishop's error - 'Da Vinci Code'

The Bishop with all good intentions erred when he got the movie "Da Vinci Code" banned in Sri Lanka thinking that it insults Jesus Christ. He erred due to the reason why all men err in life. Jesus Christ clearly stated the reason, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the POWER of God" (Matt 22.29).

When man underestimates the power of God, Man's faith in God diminishes. This error was made even by Moses one of God's greatest prophets (Deut 34.10) - The Lord questioned Moses, "Is there a limit to my power?" (Num 11.23). Because of this error the Lord reprimanded Moses - "Because you did not acknowledge my holy power before the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land that I promised to give them" (Num 20.12).

God requires nothing from man - "There is nothing God needs from you" (Job 35.7). God never needs man's help. God is omnipotent. "Are you trying to defend him? (Job 13.8). However man needs God every moment of his life.

Man leans on his own understanding and tries to protect and defend God. He makes this error unwittingly due to not understanding the scriptures and not realizing the limitless awesome power of god.

God is not affected by man's insults, for man can do so only because god permits him. For puny man to think that God requires defending is vanity and arrogance on the part of man. However educated a man might think he is, unless he humbles himself - "Daniel, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding " (Dan 10.12), he will never understand the scriptures.

"For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom" (1 Cor 1.21). When a man humbles himself and seeks understanding God gives him the Holy Spirit who opens his mind to understand the Scriptures - "As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For the Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true" (1 John 2.27).

Jesus said, "Anyone who says a word against the son of man can be forgiven; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven" (Luke 12.10). Only God who reads man's heart will know if he has gone against the Holy Spirit - "You alone know the thoughts of the human heart" (2 Chr 6.30). The author and the director of the "Da Vinci Code" were able to produce them only because God permitted them. Whether the film is screened in Sri Lanka also depends on God's will. "God will do exactly what he has planned" (Dan.11.36). "All things are done according to God's plan and decision" (Eph 1.11).

The Bible clearly confirms that all man's actions are controlled by God : - "But you did not honour the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do" (Dan 5.23). "You may make your plans, but God directs your actions" (Prov 16.9). "We may make our plans but God has the last word" (Prov 16.1). "It is God who directs the lives of his creatures;" (Job 12.10).

"For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your father's consent" (Matt 10.29). "Lord I know that no one is the master of his own destiny; no person has control over his own life" (Jer 10.23). "Who has determined the cause of history? I, the Lord, was there at the beginning, and I, the Lord, will be there at the end" (Is 41.4).

Whether man likes it or not or believes it or not - "The will of the Lord alone is always carried out" (Lam 3.37). If the above is true, then how does God permit man to use his free will? Man's free will is restricted to his will or mind as the word means. Man is empowered by God to use his free will to choose God's will or Man's will on any matter man encounters during his lifetime.

It is on these choices that man is judged by God, in other words man's mind is judged by God: - "I have rejected him, because I do not judge as man judges. Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at his heart" (1 Sam 16.7).

"God knows and judges your motives" (Prov 24.12). "You are a righteous God and judge our thoughts and desires" (Ps 7.9). Man therefore can only inact the part assigned to him by God - Pilate said to Jesus, "You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucifies." Jesus answered, "You have the authority over me only because it was given to you by God" (John 19.10,11).

by Upatissa Attygalle