The arts community is taking a stand against censorship and bullying from critics like the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. A leading playwright charges "This is a medieval notion that the arts in the U.S. need to follow the Roman Catholic theological line."

Web Posted: May 30, 1998

espite bomb threats, criticism and bigoted protests from a Roman Catholic "civil rights" group, the Manhattan Theater Club has reversed an earlier decision, and said that it will proceed with plans to produce a play which depicts a gay "Jesus like" figure. Last week, the organization announced that it would not stage "Corpus Christi" by award-winning playwright Terrence McNally. McNally is best known for his three Tony Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and "Master Class." This year, he has been nominated for his book version of the musical "Ragtime."

   "Corpus Christi" began last month off-Broadway. It was then to shift to the prestigious Manhattan Theater Club, which described the production as the story of "a young gay named Joshua on his spiritual journey." The play was also presented as McNally's "own unique view of 'the greatest story every told'."

    A script of the play reveals a compelling, raw drama. "Joshua" is born in a Texas flea-bag hostel, according to the New York Times, and grows up in a sexually-charged environment complete with gay encounters, profanity, even violence. Joshua ends up being crucified as "king of the queers."

    "If we have offended so be it," states a stage draft. "He belongs to us as well as you."

ENTER THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE

    Following an early report in the New York Post newspaper, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights entered the fray, and demanded that the production be cancelled. According to League President William Donohue, the purpose of the 350,000-member organization is to put an end to what he terms "Catholic-bashing." Donohue's combative and outspoken style has energized the once-moribund group, which had only 11,000 members and little publicity value when he assumed control of the organization in July, 1993. Since then, attacks on pop star Sinead O'Connor, television programs like a "viciously anti-Catholic" episode of the ABC series "That's Life," and even a piece on CNN on the life of Atheist and Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger have propelled Donohue and his cause into the public spotlight.

    Donohue told Associated Press last week that the League's new found role as the nation's morality cop was because of a unique strategy new to decency groups: "We stick to anti-Catholicism."

    "So if there's something that's absolutely immoral, outrageous and obscene in the Museum of Modern Art this afternoon -- and it doesn't touch Christianity -- sayonara. That's for somebody else to deal with. Know your turf!"

THREATS OF VIOLENCE

    Along with the demand from the Catholic League that the play be cancelled, more problems and even violent threats against the Manhattan Theater Company were soon pouring in. Trans World Airlines (TWA) announced that it would end its financial support were "Corpus Christi" put on. A telephone call threaten the "Jew guilty homosexual Terrence McNally," adding "Because of you we will exterminate every member of the theater and burn the place to the ground." (McNally was raised a Roman Catholic). And when the Manhattan Theater Company announced that it would not produce the controversial play, Donovan's Catholic League said that it was "delighted."

PLAYWRIGHTS, ARTISTS TAKE A STAND

    That move precipitated a somewhat belated but unified response from the artistic and gay community. South African writer Athol Fugard announced that he was withdrawing his own play schedule at the Theater Club. "In yielding to the blackmail and threats of the Catholic League," said Fugard, "the theater management has compromised one of the basic freedoms of democracy, Freedom of Speech and they have done it by censoring themselves and collaborating in the attempt to silence Mr. McNally." Ton Kushner ("Angels in America") also spoke up: "It's shocking that in New York City a major theatre succumbs to press like this. This is a medieval notion that the arts in the U.S. need to follow the Roman Catholic theological line."

    The Manhattan Theater Company was obviously caught in the middle, however. Artistic Director Lynne Meadow told the New York Times, "We were outraged by a subsequent outcry which accused (us) of censorship. In our 25-year history, we have never censored a play or turned down a play because of content."

    The decision to go ahead with production of "Corpus Christi," though, has redeemed the Company. Yesterday, a signed statement from 30 of the leading playwrights and literary greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Miller and Wendy Wasserstein said that the Manhattan Theater Company had made "a brave and honorable decision, unquestioningly difficult to make."

IN SEARCH OF SPECIAL LAWS ?

    The growth and activity of groups such as the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, though, suggests the increased tension between faith groups and secular society where any attack, criticism or questioning of religious belief and symbols is anathema. Catholics are not alone in their sensitivity. Protestant evangelicals and fundamentalists have locked horns with Hollywood movie producers, entertainment conglomerates, TV networks and bookstores over "obscene" or profane depictions of religion. And there is the case of author Salman Rushdie, whose 1989 novel "The Satanic Verses" was condemned by Islamic leaders and organizations throughout the world. And antiquated "blasphemy laws" may, in the future, enjoy a comeback as they masquerade as efforts to have criticism of religious groups or belief labeled a "hate crime." One extreme example of this is N.Y. State Senate Bill #S3733, which states:

"A person is guilty of ridicule of religious beliefs or practices when in a public place, he holds up the deity or the religious beliefs of any religious class of people, to ridicule or hatred. Furthermore, a person is guilty of religious ridicule when he presents the religious beliefs, practices, symbols, figures or objects of any religious class in an obscene, lewd, profane, or lascivious manner."

    Efforts to censor plays, books or other materials which present an unflattering view of religion must confront a powerful American institution -- the Bill of Rights. But as the experience of playwright Terrence McNally shows, the assault on freedom of expression by religious groups and fanatics is as constant one. In the meantime, let the show go on!

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