Game show in Turkey seeks to convert atheists

[dogjones]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/02/turkey-penitents-compete-gameshow

Contestants will ponder whether to believe or not to believe when they pit their godless convictions against the possibilities of a new relationship with the almighty on Penitents Compete (Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor in Turkish), to be broadcast by the Kanal T station. Four spiritual guides from the different religions will seek to convert at least one of the 10 atheists in each programme to their faith.

Those persuaded will be rewarded with a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of their newly chosen creed – Mecca for Muslims, Jerusalem for Christians and Jews, and Tibet for Buddhists.

Snip

Only true non-believers need apply. An eight-strong commission of theologians will assess the atheist credentials of would-be contestants before deciding who should take part.

Converts will be monitored to ensure their religious transformation is genuine and not simply a ruse to gain a free foreign trip. "They can't see this trip as a getaway, but as a religious experience," Ozdemir said.


Now there's a show I'd like to see

[HansMustermann]

Actually, being the cynic that I am, I can just see it working the other way around: some attention-whore who's already religious will likely be more tempted by a trip to <insert holy place> _and_ a chance to appear on TV. So he/she'll pretend to be an atheist for 5 minutes, put up a token resistance, then go "haleluja, I've been enlightened."

And just propagate some unflattering stereotypes about atheism in the process.

[Rasmus]

http://www.newser.com/story/63439/turkish-game-show-tries-to-convert-atheists.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/02/turkey-penitents-compete-gameshow

I can't begin to describe how mindbogglingly stupid this idea is!

"t sounds like the beginning of a joke: what do you get when you put a Muslim imam, a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, a Buddhist monk and 10 atheists in the same room?"

It is a joke.The joke is on the producers and poor deluded preachers who think they might have points to score in that show!

Oh, I want to be signed up for the show! Let them try to convert me!

A couple of points I would just love to raise:

- Okay, let us suppose you achieve what much better men than yourselves have failed to do during the last couple of millennia and you actually find a convincing, coherent argument in favour of the existence of "a" god. Why should I pick your specific version over the other three? Rabbi, why is the Iman wrong? Priest, where is the Buddhist's mistake? (Assuming said Buddhist actually believes in a god ...)

- Why are you trying to convert me rather than each other? In light of the above, you're already half-way there! You believe in "a" god already. You only have to convince the other guys that your god is right, whereas you would have to convince me that the even is one in the first place and then go on to convince me that it happens to be your god. (You even have the agnosticims problme out of the way. All of you believe it is possible to find out which God is the right one ...)

The absolutely biggest joke of the show is this:

You want to show me the path to the one, true god - and you offer me a choice of four different varieties?

:dl: :dl: :dl:

[scimystic]

Every time I think that the theists have reached rock bottom - in their crass and blatant exploitation of human gullibility - they manage to dig still deeper.

[Safe-Keeper]

Cynical me thinks there's a possibility the atheists will just pretend to convert to get a free vacation, but that gullible theists will still believe the conversion to be real and use it for propaganda purposes. Imagine.

Oh! I know! Let's invite Richard Dawkins:D!

You want to show me the path to the one, true god - and you offer me a choice of four different varieties?You just know the hosts will start to argue with each other:p.

[Rasmus]

Cynical me thinks there's a possibility the atheists will just pretend to convert to get a free vacation, but that gullible theists will still believe the conversion to be real and use it for propaganda purposes. Imagine.

Oh! I know! Let's invite Richard Dawkins:D!

You just know the hosts will start to argue with each other:p.

I'm rather hoping they will.

My first mental image was that of "The Dating Gamer rather, German "Herzblatt"), but maybe there will be contests and elimination rounds?

[dogjones]

Actually, being the cynic that I am, I can just see it working the other way around: some attention-whore who's already religious will likely be more tempted by a trip to <insert holy place> _and_ a chance to appear on TV. So he/she'll pretend to be an atheist for 5 minutes, put up a token resistance, then go "haleluja, I've been enlightened."

And just propagate some unflattering stereotypes about atheism in the process.

Yeah agreed. However if it was to be done honestly it would be spectacular I think.

What Rasmus said too. Marvellous.

[Safe-Keeper]

An eight-strong commission of theologians will assess the atheist credentials of would-be contestants before deciding who should take part.But will this "eight-strong commision of theologians" be a serious specimen, or will it be more akin to the precast panel of Idol, which rather than barring people who can't sing from appearing on TV actually encourages them so that the ******** judges in the actual broadcast will have someone to bully?

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if agnostics got a free pass.

[Rasmus]

I like that they are introducing the thought-olice into this show and am curious to see how they will control that people erally, really, really do not secretly believe in god after all.

*also* whichever way they decide to go, I will happily await the lawsuit for religious discrimination against the producers.

[Kopji]

...it is a dark time for the Rebellion. Although the Death Star has been destroyed, Imperial troops have driven the Rebel forces from their hidden base and pursued them across the galaxy

Oh yeah sure I'd watch this. Probably would be on against Kim Possible though.

[Lucian]

Shouldn't there be a prize for not converting? It would ensure that no one converts just for a trip. How about a trip to the sinful location of your choice?

[Hokulele]

What happens if someone decides all 4 are true?

Hey, stranger things can happen.

[Marduk]

Mecca for Muslims, Jerusalem for Christians and Jews, and Tibet for Buddhists.


pity they haven't got any sun worshippers, I hear southern california is great this time of year

[Kopji]

Yeah, how come no rewards for remaining an unbeliever? Maybe a trip to Las Vegas? And do they get a prize if one or more of the theologians becomes an unbeliever?

Oh wait, the penalty for that is probably death.

[Earthborn]

Cynical me thinks there's a possibility the atheists will just pretend to convert to get a free vacationThe religion easiest for an atheist to convert to gets one the furthest vacation.

[Wowbagger]

A more interesting show would pit theists against atheists for contestants who are agnostic.

[gerdbonk]

pity they haven't got any sun worshippers, I hear southern california is great this time of year

The Scientology Celebrity Center is here in Hollywood. Maybe Tom Cruise could show up and offer the atheists a free personality test.

[Aepervius]

A more interesting show would pit theists against atheists for contestants who are agnostic.

You get my vote.

Maybe an idea to flout by the TAM or as a podcast shbow ?

[Sideroxylon]

Yeah, how come no rewards for remaining an unbeliever? Maybe a trip to Las Vegas? And do they get a prize if one or more of the theologians becomes an unbeliever?

Oh wait, the penalty for that is probably death.

Steady on mate - Turkey is not exactly Taliban Afghanistan.

I reckon the second stated aim of helping “educate Turkey's overwhelmingly Muslim population about other faiths" is a good one. Though whether they can do better than reinforcing shallow stereotypes is another matter.

Anyway, I have bookmarked the thread and will watch and give a short review if I can.

[Skeptic Ginger]

I'll take Tibet for $500, Alex.

Hey, I'd happily lie for a free trip to Tibet.

[Safe-Keeper]

Anyway, I have bookmarked the thread and will watch and give a short review if I can. :)

[thaiboxerken]

I'm thinking that they will pick "atheists" who are "on the fence." The type of person who thinks "something is out there, but I don't know what." They will stack the deck.

[Sideroxylon]

This program was supposed to air in autumn and its now winter. I’ve had a bit of a search for "Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor" and it doesn’t appear to have ever run. Looks like satellite broadcaster Kanal T is doing well enough with its current line-up which includes a “hot” health lifestyle program hosted by a woman dressed like a porno fantasy nurse.

http://www.kanalt.com.tr

[Andrew Wiggin]

I'd love to throw a monkey wrench into this. I wouldn't have to fake athiesm, but after all their conversion attempts, I'd attest that I'd found in their blathering some truth in the norse gods, or the dreamtime, or the great spirit, or something else completely outside the judeochriststain/asian dichotomy they've set up, and tell them they had to send me to Sweden or set up a pilgrimage to Uluru, or some such.

A

[Lord Emsworth]

I'd love to throw a monkey wrench into this. I wouldn't have to fake athiesm, but after all their conversion attempts, I'd attest that I'd found in their blathering some truth in the norse gods, or the dreamtime, or the great spirit, or something else completely outside the judeochriststain/asian dichotomy they've set up, and tell them they had to send me to Sweden or set up a pilgrimage to Uluru, or some such.

A

The mere thought of convincingly converting to Jediism ...

[Andrew Wiggin]

The mere thought of convincingly converting to Jediism ...

Send me to a galaxy far far away...

Of course, I hear England is now the center of the jedi religion

A

[Kopji]

I predict the most boring show ever.
An all expense paid vacation to Mecca. Woohoo. Gonna be lining up for that.

They'd like you to think there are huge differences between the religions, but they are really not all that different.

To most of these people, someone who used to believe in God but now does not, is not an atheist but an apostate. That excludes almost everyone except some electricty-less farmers living in an isolated mountain village somewhere. Or maybe Australians. :)

If all the contestants could be women that would be more interesting.

[Achán hiNidráne]

Of course, these "atheist" contestants could be about as "real" as... well... everything else we've seen on reality TV so far.

[Brainache]

Of course, these "atheist" contestants could be about as "real" as... well... everything else we've seen on reality TV so far.

I don't think this show qualifies as reality TV at all. Unreality TV perhaps? Myth TV? Wishful Thinking TV? Not reality.