“Penitents Compete” – Turkish Game Show Tries to Convert Atheists

July 11, 2009 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

I grew up watching game shows like Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and the Price is Right.  I don’t watch as much TV now and I haven’t jumped on the reality tv show bandwagon – or seen any of the more recent (i.e. last 10 years’) game shows.  A friend just alerted me to “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” and frankly, I’m not sure I understand the appeal (although it did remind me of watching Double Dare when I was a kid!).

One new game show (“Penitents Compete”) did get my attention though.  It’s a Turkish show that puts ten atheists in a room with a rabbi, a priest, an imam, and a monk.  Their goal: to convert the group of nonbelievers.  The makers of the show argue that they have only the highest motive: “the gift of belief in God.”  Critics argue that the show will cheapen religion – for the sake of increased ratings.

While I have no idea what the motives of the TV station are, I don’t really care.  I just find it a crazy concept – but I guess most game shows are these days.  I also have no idea why anyone would want to be a contestant on this show (and I find it lol funny that “a team of theologians will ensure that the atheists are truly non-believers and are not just seeking fame or a free holiday.”  Right, like there’s a litmus test for real atheists.)

All of that aside, it’s also hard for me to understand why anyone would seek to change another person’s belief system.  I am also curious how this show defines “atheism” and how it defines “belief in God.”  It seems to me that in conversation we use the word God to convey many different concepts.  Is God a ruler in the sky?  Is God a guy with a gray beard?  Is God representative of whatever we cannot understand – something beyond ourselves?  Is God omnipotent?  Is God omnipresent?  Is God responsible for our destiny, or are we, or neither?  I could ask a million more questions like that (but I won’t right now).  I could answer those questions for myself (but I won’t do that here).  I think these are important questions to think about, along with the kinds of language we use and the assumptions we make in discussing belief and religion.

From a Jewish perspective, I see that the concept of God has changed quite a bit over the course of Jewish history.  Plus, at any moment in time, there are a variety of beliefs and God concepts.  To be a Jew has never meant that one must accept some predefined concept of God.  Rather, the classical definition of a Jew is someone who was born to a Jewish mother or someone who has adopted Judaism through a conversion process.  They don’t take away your license to be a Jew if your belief system changes.

I value religion that offers flexibility and allows me to grow and evolve within the framework of my traditions.  My belief system may change many times – I would just prefer to be thoughtful about it and feel welcomed by my community rather than converted by a game show (or anyone else!).

Let the game begin (but, without me)!

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Comments

One Response to ““Penitents Compete” – Turkish Game Show Tries to Convert Atheists”

  1. LGreyhawke Says:
    July 14th, 2009 at 8:10 am

    Obviously, the team of theologians are using the newly available over the counter RUatheist test strips to determine the contestants religious beliefs. One drop of blood onto the strip and voila! Peer into the results box and if a gold cross appears…you’re Christian. A star and moon and you’re Muslim. A blue star and you know who you are! Those who are truly atheist will receive a dark black void in the results box. If you buy the RUatheist test strip today, you’ll also receive a free How to Recognize a Secularist handbook!
    All joking aside, I would have to say this is the most unusual idea I have ever heard of for a game show. I doubt I would watch!

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