This page is designed as a support page for the
XENITES AGAINST CENSORSHIP
MAILING LIST
This XAC Index is a collection of selected posts to the XAC list.
It is presented to provide a point of reference for persons seeking information about the movement to combat censorship of Xena Warrior Princess.
At present there are several emails from the 6 April 1999 through the 21 April 1999.
Complied by JacQuest
Letters to Hindu Protest Groups
8 Apr 1999
From: "Arthur Chappell" <arthurchappell@clara.net>
Letter to Xena protest ringleaders -iapf@access1.net Copy retained. As an
ardent fan and studen t of Xena Warrior Princess, I am deeply saddened by
your active protestrs and attempts (superficilly succesful) to pullthe plug
on an episode entitled The Way. I understand that you feel that 1/. it is
wrong to prtray Krishna in a fictional programme. 2/. You condemm the show's
alleged liberal attititude to lesbian-homosexuality.
You are entitled to your views; and we toours too; you deny us the
chance to see the show and make our own minds up. There is actually no more
evidence that Krishna existed as a real historical persona thanthere is that
Jesus ever existed. The treatnment of Krishna is respectful and the show has
inspired many Xena fans to look at the cultural/social myths that have
inspired the programme. They have adapted an increasing respect for India as
a result; your protest makes ytou look in manywestern eyes as intolerant and
extreme. The west is likely to compare your protest to that imposed on
Salman Rushdie by members of another fundamentalist sect. I do not accept
ytour views as in keeping with mainstream Hindu belief. I have some
experience of Hindu worship myself, as I used to be in a cult, based on
Hindu teachings. While I have left religion of all kinds behind in favour of
a secular humanistic lifestyle and perspectibve, Hinduism still holds
academic interwst for me. I believe that your action can only be to the
detriment of the people who's religion you seek to promote.
Homosexuality is bnot a blatant element of the show; many fans are
themselves undecided on issues relating to Xena's sexual preferences.
However, even if it was blatant. condemnation of homosexuality in an age
when condom contraception reduces the risks of sexually transmited
diseases, is only attacking people who are trying to find love in their
lives and doing no harm to any one. It simply comes over as intolerant.
While many Krishna followers,especially inthe modern cult-sects like
ISKCON, are expecte to abstain from sex, even having sex withtheir wives
once a month for strictly procreational purposes, they are following a
spiritual role model who was highlysexed; Krishna's adventures with the
goatherd girls are well known to me. He has also been portrayed in art, film
and ebven in ballet before with no condemnation from groups like your own.
By all means protest and criticise the show; but please don't ban it to make
some soprt of statement in this way over other people and their morality, -
By denouncingthe show as immoral and demeaning, you effectively accuse
everyone who watches Xena and enjoys it as immoral and depraved too, and
that is simply untrue to the point of slander. Thank you for your attention.
I await your reply with interest.