tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post691076358635301012..comments2023-09-09T05:40:35.753-05:00Comments on LIFE AS A BONTRAGER: Live Animal Christmas Play 2016 || In ReviewBontrager Family Singershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185506849472759648noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-88656670870749857742017-02-14T11:52:14.286-06:002017-02-14T11:52:14.286-06:00So again, big misunderstanding here---we didn'...So again, big misunderstanding here---we didn't use the Holocaust to make a point about Jews converting to Christianity. That story line wasn't even the point of the play---the point was sharing the Christmas story, and pointing people to Jesus. <br />With all due respect, I have to tell you that it is impossible for you to understand our hearts or the true heartbeat of the play unless you actually saw it in person. We have had thousands of people of many different religions come to see the play, and we get lots of feedback from these people, and the negative comments given here on this post are the first of this kind that I have heard. The people who saw the play, no matter what their religion, were able to understand the context of the storyline, because they saw the whole thing in its entirety. <br />I appreciate your concern, but unless you actually saw the play + realize the true story that was portrayed, it will be impossible for you to judge it correctly.Bontrager Family Singershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185506849472759648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-44372960055960232242017-02-14T11:15:31.089-06:002017-02-14T11:15:31.089-06:00PS to all these comments...=)
One of my siblings r...PS to all these comments...=)<br />One of my siblings reminded me about our policy of not posting negative comments unless there is a name attached. I somehow forgot! Please keep our below policy in mind when you comment.<br />Also we will be closing this discussion-I think I've answered all the questions and have realized that unless you have seen the play, you are not able to accurately understand how story of the Jews was portrayed. Future discussion is therefore pointless. <br />Thanks all! <br />Bontrager Family Singershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185506849472759648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-43007860279487324982017-02-11T09:02:11.012-06:002017-02-11T09:02:11.012-06:00This is extraordinarily offensive. The Jewish peop...This is extraordinarily offensive. The Jewish people were slaughtered in the Holocaust because they fought to keep their rich culture and religion and refused to convert to Christianity. If you speak to Holocaust survivors, almost universally, their central wish and hope is to preserve the Jewish culture, religion, and people, and they will tell you frankly of the dangers of trying to wipe that out through conversion or through other means. There is a reason that Judaism does not allow intermarriage. To use the Holocaust to make a point about Jews converting to Christianity is beyond comprehension. What you were thinking? What do you really think would happen if a Jewish Holocaust survivor were to watch your play?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-57212883863368619252017-02-08T21:41:06.078-06:002017-02-08T21:41:06.078-06:00Hopefully the above comment will help to clarify.
...Hopefully the above comment will help to clarify.<br />And no worries on your not wanting to see the play--- feel free to skip over reading our December/January blog posts each year and then you won't even have to hear about it! =)Bontrager Family Singershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185506849472759648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-52279831881010167352017-02-08T21:37:10.653-06:002017-02-08T21:37:10.653-06:00The play script was written by our pastor + a team...The play script was written by our pastor + a team of several others. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to explain the whole two hour play in this little blog post, so I can see how it would be easy for you to miss the story line since I only highlighted basically the changing of scenes. It is quite difficult to describe the whole story accurately in a post. Everyone that actually comes and sees the play says that the pictures/posts don't do it justice, and I completely agree. The only reason I still post about it is because there are some people who really like seeing the pictures, and we love to post about things going on in our lives. (and the play is a very big part of our family's lives in November/December =)) <br />The point of the story line wasn't putting Jews down or trying to elevate or degrade certain people or religions; it was to emphasize the hope of Christmas + the joy that comes with giving that true message to others, and spreading true peace + love at Christmastime. (and all the time!) Basically this play is the biblical Christmas story. The writing team just brings in a fictional storyline, based on a certain historical time period (different from year to year) to ad interest with costuming and to pull the whole thing together. <br />Also, the Jews being saved from death didn't have anything to do with them depicted as becoming Christians at the end of the play. That was a completely different part of the story and had nothing to do with their beginning as refugees.<br />Again, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding---that might not all make sense and it is super hard to properly outline the whole story in a post, or a blog comment. My apologies! <br />Thanks for your thoughts!Bontrager Family Singershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185506849472759648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-73932711519180741802017-02-08T11:19:09.920-06:002017-02-08T11:19:09.920-06:00Wow. You managed to be historically inaccurate, an...Wow. You managed to be historically inaccurate, anti-Semetic and mind-numbingly boring at the same time. That is quite impressive. I'm glad I didn't have to see it. Please, please, please never mention the existence of this play to any Jewish people, if you even know any. It desecrates the memory of the six million. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-83211420486390208312017-02-07T17:01:52.148-06:002017-02-07T17:01:52.148-06:00I have to ask, who approved of this story? Six mi...I have to ask, who approved of this story? Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust because they were Jews (in religion and ethnicity.) The idea of a Jewish family being saved from death by "accepting Jesus as their savior" is EXTREMELY offensive to the memories of Holocaust victims and what they died for. It also recalls an ugly, anti-Semitic history of Jews being forced to convert to Christianity to avoid being murdered. The next time you want to incorporate Jews into your Christmas play, there is a synagogue in Iowa City who would be glad to talk to you and give you ideas on how not to make your story so offensive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-24837706835686059772017-01-16T16:10:41.858-06:002017-01-16T16:10:41.858-06:00WOW!!
The descriptions of this amazing production...WOW!! <br />The descriptions of this amazing production didn't do it justice! This is just unbelievable and such an obvious coordination of efforts by hundreds of people!<br />What a ministry to your whole community! <br />I would love to see this - maybe we can come up for it during next Christmas! <br />:)<br /><br />thank you so much for these posts and for sharing your beautiful blessed life with the rest of us!<br />Amanda Kay Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11237109184606635967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-74359911602593405982017-01-13T12:54:02.163-06:002017-01-13T12:54:02.163-06:00Wish we could have seen this!! Maybe next year!
B...Wish we could have seen this!! Maybe next year! <br />Blessings,<br /> Mackenzie WernerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050230488064224810.post-4907361589503401922017-01-13T11:01:31.025-06:002017-01-13T11:01:31.025-06:00It was once again so excellent and such a beautifu...It was once again so excellent and such a beautiful picture of the body of Christ working together for His glory! (And I love the picture of Liz's solo - that mid-song switch to Katie was so great :)) Elizabeth.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15593938706150820634noreply@blogger.com