In March 2009 the people of Aberystwyth awaited their first screening of Monty Python's The Life of Brian thanks to Judith Iscariot, AKA Sue Jones-Davies who played Brian's girlfriend.
Given the changes in attitudes to religion it is hard now to understand the furore that this film caused at the time resulting in the 30 year ban in Aberystwyth. Hate it or loath it the film carried many messages. Based on mistaken identity my view has always been on the side of humour rather than blasphemy but the essential point is that one should be able to take a view for an honest belief without condemnation as frequently happens today. Initially the film was not shown on TV for fear of offending Christians, now anything goes but one thing has not changed. Neatly explained here, Brian becomes infatuated with an attractive young rebel, Judith. His desire for her and hatred for the Romans lead him to join the People's Front of Judea (PFJ), one of many fractious and bickering independence movements, who spend more time fighting each other than the Romans, rather like Christians squabbling among themselves today while ignoring the threats to their religion.
A generation later religion plays little if any part in most people's lives while others re-interpret or even re-write scripture as the whim takes them. Of course if Jesus had foreseen the current need for parity of the sexes when appointing His Apostles, Judas may well have been Judith but best not go down that road!
A generation later religion plays little if any part in most people's lives while others re-interpret or even re-write scripture as the whim takes them. Of course if Jesus had foreseen the current need for parity of the sexes when appointing His Apostles, Judas may well have been Judith but best not go down that road!
