Rent-a-gob 'Birdshit' Green, right, gets in on the Life of Brian act
MONTY Python’s Life of Brian will finally get a screening in Glasgow after a lengthy ban.
When it was granted a licence by the city council yesterday, Stephen “Birdshit” Green, who heads failed fundie pressure group Christian Voice, grizzled:
We know Glasgow was the last place in the country to keep the ban in place, as the only other area, Aberystwyth, had a screening a couple of months ago. It is a bit of a shame it’s now been granted a licence in Glasgow, but it shows how much we have let standards slip.
According to The Scotman, stars of the film, including Michael Palin, John Cleese and Terry Jones, will be invited to a special screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre in September.
In sharp contrast to the furore of 29 years ago, the city council’s licensing committee did not receive a single objection to the application.
The move was welcomed by film experts for bringing an end to a cinematic “anachronism”.
The Biblical satire, about a Jewish man accidentally mistaken for the Messiah and crucified, was turned down for an AA certificate – the equivalent of the current 15 rating – in February 1980. Glasgow was one of 39 British cities and towns which banned the film.
At the time, dozens of protesters gathered outside a Sauchiehall Street cinema, where councillors were attending a private screening.
The late Pastor Jack Glass, who spearheaded the protest, famously said the film “crucified Christ afresh” and thrust three nails at the committee chairman, John Chatham. But the pastor admitted he had not seen the film and was basing his views on a script.
Last night, a former lord provost, Michael Kelly, one of those who sat on the committee, but who voted in favour of it being given a licence, said councillors were “scandalised” after viewing the film.
I distinctly remember a lot of outrage, mainly because most councillors on the committee were Catholic in those days. They were genuinely shocked, but I was completely against any form of censorship and voted for it to be shown. I remember seeing it a few years later when I was on a skiing holiday in France. It was shown in English with French subtitles. It was hilarious.
Councillor Willie O’Rourke, the vice-convener of the licensing committee, said:
This is the first application we’ve received to show Monty Python’s Life of Brian since the first request in 1980. The world, and people’s attitudes, have moved on in the past 30 years, so I believe the committee made the right decision.
Allison Gardner, head of cinemas at the GFT, added:
The film has been widely available to the general public on video and DVD and has been screened on terrestrial television. None of these events has caused widespread offence, or in any way destroyed the sanctity of the Church or undermined its place in our wider society. I believe the film is seen as an affectionate and inspired depiction of the life of Jesus from a perspective that is humorous, rather than blasphemous.
NOTE: On June 3 we wondered what had become of Green’s “Marriage and Family in the Bible” essay contest which closed on April 20, 2009. No results have ever been published on his website, where the contest was first launched. When we visited the site today, we could find no mention of the competition. Why has it disappeared? Come on Green, come clean!
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 1st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
(In a very high-pitched, squeaky [clean] voice): "He`s not a raving, fundamentalist loony; he`s a very naughty boy!!!"
July 1st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Remember Xian loons, things might not always go your way but: "Always look on the bright side of life….
July 1st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Fwee bawiejohn!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I`m NOT the Messiah!!!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Sowwy. got you mixthed up with Bawwabbas!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Thowwy. Got you mixthed up with Bawwabbas!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 am
Stephen green is a biggus dickus:P
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:05 am
Bigus Dickus!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Aye, that's me.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
It seems almost quaint that people find it offensive now. Awww…. bless!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Just out of curiosity – if you were having a send-off at a Glasgow crematorium and had requested a singalong to 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' instead of a hymn would this all kick off again?
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
The film was banned in Hull as well, I assume from the above article that it is no longer banned so I might contact the local cinemas to see if I can get it shown. I believe that the film was actually intended as a lampoon of the biblical movie genre rather than religion itself, Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Spartacus etc. Oddly, the Meaning of Life got no such reaction from the godly despite the fact that it bashed religion just as much as LOB. The 'Oh Lord you are so big' prayer, the 'Oh Lord please don't burn us' hymn and the 'Every sperm is sacred' pop at the Catholics caused no comment at all as far as I am aware.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
If Green kept his bigotry to himself his "causes" would get much less publicity. Does he know about Richard Dawkins' sponsored summer camp for kids who want to hear about philosophy, reason, how to think freely and constructively and not to fear being sent straight to hell for offending against a God whose own priests do cannot agree on what the bible says.
I would like to send a few quid to support the camp. Anyone know where I could do that?
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
On the subject of the essay contest, could it be that the contestants did some actual research and found out what the Bible actually says about marriage? Solomon having 700 wives and 300 concubines for instance or David buying a wife with a great big bag full of foreskins. How about Lot's daughters getting Lot pissed and then shagging him? Yes the Holy Bible is jam packed full of wholesome family values.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
An essay on "Marriage and Family in the Bible" would be a rather short affair, wouldn`t it? "The man`s in charge, so do as you`re told."
July 9th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
In connection with a later post, I have come across this interesting item: http:/www.cinema.com/articles/2766/life-of-brian-the-background-story.phtml . Tells you quite a lot!