Convert an Atheist for Prizes!

[Getbrett]

We need an amoralist Atheist on there, give them a run for their money. *casts 'Summon Getbrett'*

A wild Getbrett appears. He uses relentless cynical mockery. It's super effective! Theist Turkish TV host fainted.

[Galloism]

We need an amoralist Atheist on there, give them a run for their money. *casts 'Summon Getbrett'*

A wild Getbrett appears. He uses relentless cynical mockery. It's super effective! Theist Turkish TV host fainted.

A Greek Orthodox Priest uses going to Hell.

But it's not very effective...

[Barrettstia]

I'm an atheist and former Christian, so I really doubt I would be converted by the priest, the rabbi or the Imam (hey, that suddenly made me think of a "Three men walk into a bar..." joke) since they all essentially worship the same god, but I could see myself being converted to Buddhism (and not just for the trip to Tibet) - in fact I think a few Atheists could. My money would be on the monk winning.

[Mad hatters in jeans]

If this was executed well it could be a pretty good show, so i'm giving a %30 chance of the show being a success, that means still running next year and with steady and high ratings.

[Valkyriana]

[sarcasm]Its a shame, really, this travesty of a TV show is on Turkish TV and not US TV. If it was an American creation, the debate here could be even more acrimonious and therefore even more entertaining.[/sarcasm]

I gotta go with so many others here. This will not end well. I wonder how long it will be before this becomes less of a "game" show, and more like a Turkish version of Jerry Springer?

Reading through the thread all I could think of was "this needs Jerry Springer as host"

[SoWiBi]

Buddhism's nominally a non-theist belief system, so why's it included in a convert-an-atheist line-up?

If atheist candidates are selected fairly, and all participants are capable of reasonable discussion, this could be one grand show.

However, I'll assume none of the criteria will be met, and it shall end in disaster.

[Cogitation]

I have to wonder, has Turkish television been inundated with so-called Reality TV, yet? I ask because the idea for this game show sounds remarkably similar.

--The Democratic States of Cogitation

[Lucifeles]

We need an amoralist Atheist on there, give them a run for their money. *casts 'Summon Getbrett'*

A wild Getbrett appears. He uses relentless cynical mockery. It's super effective! Theist Turkish TV host fainted.

A Satanist appears, casting the eternal flames of Satan! It's super effective against Christians! The priest melts into a pile of acid, screaming in Hebrew. Then Jesus comes and vanquishes the bad bad Satanist to the fiery pits of hell where he shall live off barbeque buffets - oops, we mean pitchfork fire for the rest of his days, and everybody lives happily ever after.

This better be subtitled on YouTube, but no American versions. Can't you just keep murdering The Office, even though it was never good in the first place?

[Katganistan]

"A new game show on Turkish television will pit a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, an imam and a Buddhist monk against one another in attempt to convert atheists to their respective religions.

In each episode of Penitents Compete, to be broadcast by Turkey's Kanal T television station in September, the four faith guides will try to persuade 10 atheists of the merits and truth of their creeds.

The show's producers say there is a good chance none of the atheists will be converted, Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review reports.

But those who are will be sent on a pilgrimage. New Muslims will head to Mecca, Buddhists to Tibet and Jews and Christians to Jerusalem – with television cameras following them.

"They can't see this trip as a getaway but as a religious experience," Ahmet Ozdemir, Kanal T's deputy director, told Hurriyet.

That's because only true non-believers need apply. An eight-member team of theologians will vet contestants to ensure they really are atheists before deciding who will participate in the show.

To date, about 200 people have applied to take part, and the first 10 contestants will be chosen next month."
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2009/07 ... eists.html

What do you think? I don't know what to think. Is this good? Is this bad? How long before the US steals this idea and pretends it is a new show?

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europ ... pstoryview
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8132320.stm

Stupid concept. What's next, burning them at the stake?

[Conserative Morality]

Stupid concept. What's next, burning them at the stake?

[Desperate Measures]

Stupid concept. What's next, burning them at the stake?

Which ones would we be burning?

[SoWiBi]

Stupid concept. What's next, burning them at the stake?

Which ones would we be burning?

Both the atheists that didn't get convinced by the end of the show, and the religious person(s) who didn't manage to convert anybody.

Oh, and for extra interactive fun, one random person from the audience.

And, of course, the people behind the show if it fails to reach a certain number of viewers.

[Desperate Measures]

Stupid concept. What's next, burning them at the stake?

Which ones would we be burning?

Both the atheists that didn't get convinced by the end of the show, and the religious person(s) who didn't manage to convert anybody.

Could be fun... but I'd rather the atheists did not get burned but maybe get a dinette set instead.

[SoWiBi]

Could be fun... but I'd rather the atheists did not get burned but maybe get a dinette set instead.

A dinette set? How random. I'd prefer we keep with the spirit and present them with a barbecue set.

[Milks Empire]

Could be fun... but I'd rather the atheists did not get burned but maybe get a dinette set instead.

A dinette set? How random. I'd prefer we keep with the spirit and present them with a barbecue set.

Who doesn't like barbecue, after all?

[Desperate Measures]

Could be fun... but I'd rather the atheists did not get burned but maybe get a dinette set instead.

A dinette set? How random. I'd prefer we keep with the spirit and present them with a barbecue set.

You and I have a show. I'll direct, you put up the money.

[Rhodmhire]

Son of a...I'm so sick of these stupid game shows, or weight loss game shows, and just game shows in general.

These new game shows suck, they really do, we don't need anymore of them in any country. And fuck that whole "Oh this country does it better than this country," mentallity. NO country makes ANY good game shows naturally, all the "good" ones are accidents or just happen to be appealing.

I don't care, I'll watch one episode and never watch it again, just like every new game show in and out of America that I've ever witnessed.

[Martin Fox]

They should reverse it- ten 'believers', say, one Jehovah's Witness, one Protestant, one Catholic, one Muslim, one Orthodox Jew, one Reform Jew, one Wiccan, one Scientologist (just for kicks), one Hindu, and one Norse Pagan, against me, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and a few other like spirits.

[Dyakovo]

Can anyone else see the atheists pretending to convert just for the free trip?

Hopefully they don't make that mistake with Islam.

What?

[SoWiBi]

You and I have a show. I'll direct, you put up the money.

Fuck you, darling. I want a seat *in* that show; I'm in desperate need of a barbecue set myself and ain't gonna forfeit my chance to win it now.

[Conserative Morality]

Son of a...I'm so sick of these stupid game shows, or weight loss game shows, and just game shows in general.

These new game shows suck, they really do, we don't need anymore of them in any country. And fuck that whole "Oh this country does it better than this country," mentallity. NO country makes ANY good game shows naturally, all the "good" ones are accidents or just happen to be appealing.

I don't care, I'll watch one episode and never watch it again, just like every new game show in and out of America that I've ever witnessed.

Wait... You don't like the best game show of all time, Jeopardy? But without it, what use would we have for History and Science class? Other than, well, internet forums.

[SoWiBi]

Can anyone else see the atheists pretending to convert just for the free trip?

Hopefully they don't make that mistake with Islam.

What?

Oh, you know. Fake Muslim will travel into Muslim territory, will be found out via Magic Muslim Fake-Radar, and then suffer a violent death because all Muslims are terrorist avengers of any perceived slight to their religion. Haven't you gotten the memo?

[SoWiBi]

Wait... You don't like the best game show of all time, Jeopardy? But without it, what use would we have for History and Science class? Other than, well, internet forums.

Banned for implying that facts, let alone historic and/or scientific facts, are of any use in internet forums.

.. oh, wait, wrong thread.

One could make a fantastic (unmoderated, of course) accompanying forum along with the show where the happening, results, predictions etc. could be discussed. Extra fun bonus: Registration is only possible with the upload of a real photo and correct RL address, and based on popular vote the forum makers will make one poster's info public per day. Hilarity* ensues.

* No, I don't actually think that breaches of privacy, violence, revenge acts, humiliation etc. are fun.

[Brecon2]

The first comment below the CBC article cited in the OP:

"I think they have this all wrong; points should be awarded for refuting the religious arguments with the biggest prize to the atheist who can de-convert one of the clerics..."

[Ifreann]

Free trip to Tibet? Man, that'd be awesome. That aside, I don't see why so many people are predicting vaguely that this will end badly. Its a reality tv show, what's the worst that could happen? They get cancelled?