Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Christian Play Scripts Entertain And Teach Simultaneously

By Dianne Crane


Christianity is not the only or the oldest religion but it has been influential in shaping Western Civilization. This is a fact that can be ascertained by touching the walls of beautiful cathedrals, by listening to music or by reading books. Watching listening to or acting in Christian play scripts can also help to establish the fact.

Drama is a useful means of adding concrete form to abstract concepts. Biblical truths were communicated by means of mystery plays a thousand years ago. Morality plays were also used to convey moral messages derived from Christianity. Simple and illiterate people can absorb complicated concepts if they are conveyed by means of metaphor and symbolism.

At various times the theater has been regarded by some Christians as wicked and immoral. Theaters in England were closed at one point, causing even Shakespeare some career setbacks. However, as the Bard himself pointed out, the purpose of drama is to instruct through entertainment.

Jesus conveyed many of His messages through parables. Some people thought that these were subversive, but others were convinced by the power of dramatic representations. In contemporary times film producers, screen writers and religious leaders recognize the effectiveness of drama as an educational tool. It appeals to the emotions and the mind.

Modern means of communication extend the methods that have been used over many centuries. Christianity probably did not have much to do with the inventions and proliferation of the Internet, but many people have been quick to see the value of communication technology in getting over religious messages through the age old methods of instruction through entertainment. This is as old as instinctive, and as natural as child behavior. Baby animals and young human beings all learn naturally in this way.

Christian play scripts of many types are now available online. Because Christianity is a message for the whole of humanity many different scripts will be suitable for different purposes. High brow intellectuals may be interested in the works of TS Eliot and others may be interested in nativity plays for the very young.

An online resource will often indicate how many actors will be required, what kind of audience the script is aimed at and other essential bits of information that a prospective purchaser needs to know. Some scripts may be suitable for street theater and others for nativity plays for young children in schools or churches. Christianity covers a very wide range of interests, styles and beliefs.

Christianity includes a very wide range of people from rabid zealots to people who are only nominally Christians. New Testaments scripts will have a very different appeal to those based on the Old Testament and there will be Christian play scripts that appeal to some and infuriate others. Such diversity may be considered a strength of the religion which can tolerate many points of view under the umbrella of love. Although many different people may wish to convey a variety of messages, a common belief is that messages have a powerful impact if they are entertaining.




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