Turkish television will soon have a new game show, Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor (Penitents Compete).
Atheist 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... Four spiritual guides from the different religions will seek to convert at least one of the 10 atheists in each program 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. The program makers say they want to promote religious belief while educating Turkey's overwhelmingly Muslim population about other faiths.Well, I've been to Jerusalem, have no particular interest in Mecca, and I'm kind of curious to see Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet). I guess it's Buddhism for me!
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," Mr Ozdemir said.Damn. Still, I reckon I could fake it. Ommm, sound of one hand clapping, Ommmm.
