Plans by a group of Protestant churches in Novomoskovsk, Tula, to screen a film about the life of Jesus has drawn sharp opposition from some of the city's religious leaders.
Plans by a group of Protestant churches in Novomoskovsk, Tula, to screen a film about the life of Jesus have drawn sharp opposition from some of the city’s religious leaders.
The Novomoskovsk Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with several other Protestant groups, had obtained permission from the city to show the film at 11 theaters during January, reports local Adventist pastor Mikhail Cherkasov.
“When the advertisements first appeared, the spiritual leader for the Orthodox Church in the region started a campaign against the film,” says Cherkasov. “He personally visited every facility where the film was scheduled to be shown and threatened the facility administrators.” A number of cinemas reneged on their agreements and did not show the film, and in some instances also refused to return rental payments.
The local media fuelled the controversy, urging people to avoid the film because it was “sponsored by sects,” adds Cherkasov. “One program announced that the film’s sponsors intended to cheat the citizens, lure them into sects, steal their money and apartments, and buy their souls.”
Valery Ivanov, communication director for the Adventist Church in the Euro-Asia region, says the negative publicity campaign was a disappointment. “We hoped the showing of this film would be a good opportunity for citizens to learn more about the life of Jesus,” he explains. “We in no way want to offend the beliefs of others, and we’re disappointed that the local priest felt threatened by this interdenominational project.”
“Countless Orthodox believers have viewed this Jesus film over the years and expressed gratitude for its hopeful message,” he adds.
Screening of the film did go ahead as planned in several locations. Although attendance was lower than organizers had hoped, those people who saw the film “responded positively,” reports Cherkasov.
