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Below is a ready-made press release
ready for you to copy and send to your church magazine editor, local
newspaper or radio station. Easter isn't far away, and we think
this will make a topical story.
The release includes space for you to add your own quote or comment.
This will make it more personal – giving it a better chance
of making it into your chosen media outlet. Don't forget to add
your telephone number and/or email address at the end.
Here it is...
Big Brother meets the Bible – on
a computer near you
THE ARK, the world's first internet reality game show, sets sail
on Easter Sunday 20 April.
Dubbed Big-Brother-meets-the-Bible, The Ark, created by leading
Christian web magazine www.shipoffools.com, will feature the "Divine
Dozen" – 12 biblical heroes and villains, from Moses to
Mary Magdalene, played by ordinary people in their own homes.
For 40 days and 40 nights they will spend up to two hours each day
battling it out on a 3D boat in front of a worldwide web audience.
The winner will be "raptured" off the deck of the Ark
on May 29 – and claim a cash prize of £666.
The Ark is a unique blend of reality TV shows like Survivor and
Big Brother, combined with the leading-edge graphics of computer
games like The Sims. The cartoon characters in the Ark will move
from room to room, perform tasks, communicate through speech bubbles,
overcome crises, discuss big issues of the day and argue over whose
turn it is to muck out the gorillas.
The Divine Dozen can even enter a crow's nest confessional to talk
to "God", who gives them directions and answers their
prayers. Sometimes.
Every fourth day, one of the 12 shipmates walks the plank. They'll
be nominated by their fellow Arkmates – but the web audience
decides who takes a running jump, voting to keep in their heroes
and cast out their zeroes.
"Priests and theologians have been bemoaning for years the
failure of religion to permeate popular culture. Well watch out!!"
says Canon Andrew Walker, Professor of Theology and Education at
King's College, London. "The launch of The Ark this Easter
is bound to cause a splash. It might even precipitate a flood –
of religious mania."
The Ark is under construction by www.specialmoves.com, the team
which created the award-winning Osbournes website on MTV. Funding
has been provided by Jerusalem Productions.
"Since we started shipoffools.com almost five years ago our
aim has been to relate historic faith to popular culture,"
explains editor Simon Jenkins. "The Ark is playful, theological,
interactive, innovative and a tad bizarre – all the elements
for which the webzine has become renowned."
Insert your quote here
The launch site can be viewed at www.ship-of-fools.com/theark
(ends)
Insert your contact name/email address here
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