Another intense episode began on Monday night between the writer Petros Tatsopoulos and the editor of ekklisiaonline.gr Andreas Karagiannis.
On Monday evening, Petros Tatsopoulos presented his new book “The Devil’s Child” at the Athens bookstore IANOS. It is noted that the book contains scams about miracles, priests and relics. In fact, in the book the author also mentions Andreas Karagiannis, which caused a strong protest from the publisher of the church website.
Andreas Karagiannis went to the presentation and when he asked to speak, Petros Tatsopoulos refused and asked him to leave. At the same time, Mr. Karagiannis placed an icon of the Virgin in front of the author, which caused his reaction.
“Andreas, you took the 15 minutes of publicity, not in the middle of the event. You have already won the 15 minutes with your sweat. At the end of the event we will have a special 10 minutes where each cheater can speak and you will have the appropriate time as a representative. at the end of the event. Until then you can stay outside or listen over here”, shouted Petros Tatsopoulos.
At the end of the video, he can be heard shouting at him, “Come on, you scumbag, you’ve done your show, go away”, with Andreas Karagiannis finally leaving.
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NEWS today:
Interview between the Editor of Time.news and Dr. Eleni Georgiou, Religious Studies Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Georgiou. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent controversy between Petros Tatsopoulos and Andreas Karagiannis during the book launch of “The Devil’s Child.”
Dr. Eleni Georgiou: Good morning! Thank you for having me. It’s a fascinating topic that touches on religion, literature, and the public’s perception of both.
Editor: Absolutely. To set the stage, could you provide a brief overview of what “The Devil’s Child” is about and its controversial themes?
Dr. Georgiou: Certainly. “The Devil’s Child” critiques various aspects of religious practices, specifically focusing on scams involving miracles, priests, and relics. Tatsopoulos dives deep into how some religious figures exploit faith for personal gain. This can be a touchy subject, especially in a country like Greece, where religion plays a significant cultural role.
Editor: Indeed. The presence of Andreas Karagiannis, who leads the church website ekklisiaonline.gr, added an interesting layer to the book launch. Why do you think he reacted so strongly?
Dr. Georgiou: Karagiannis likely felt personally targeted, especially since he was mentioned in the book. His reaction can be understood as a defense of the church and its representatives against allegations that they may be involved in scams. In a way, it’s a reflection of the wider struggles between traditional beliefs and critical perspectives in modern society.
Editor: That makes sense. The refusal of Tatsopoulos to allow Karagiannis to speak during his presentation raised some eyebrows. What does this say about the freedom of speech in discussions involving religion and criticism?
Dr. Georgiou: That’s a critical point. Freedom of speech is complex when it intersects with deeply held beliefs. While authors like Tatsopoulos have the right to express their views, religious figures also feel that they must protect their faith and community. The tension arises when one person’s expression is perceived as an attack on another’s belief system.
Editor: Right. During the incident, Karagiannis placed an icon of the Virgin Mary in front of Tatsopoulos, which suggests a symbolic act of protest. What can such actions signify in a public discourse context?
Dr. Georgiou: Such symbolic acts are powerful. They can be seen as an attempt to reclaim the narrative and assert one’s right to familial or spiritual heritage in the face of criticism. It’s a direct statement that highlights the ongoing struggle between faith and critique, showing how even symbols of faith can be weaponized in public debates.
Editor: That’s a thought-provoking perspective. Do you think this event will contribute to a larger dialogue about church and state separation in Greece?
Dr. Georgiou: I believe it can. Events like this force society to confront the influence of the church in public life and raise questions about accountability. It opens up a space for discussion about how the church should operate within a secular framework, especially regarding transparency and ethics.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Georgiou, for your insights. The interplay of religion, literature, and public discourse is indeed a fascinating and often contentious landscape.
Dr. Georgiou: Thank you for having me. I hope this conversation encourages more people to engage critically with these important issues.
Editor: Definitely. We look forward to seeing how this situation unfolds and its implications in the broader cultural context. Thank you again!