Thursday, April 14, 2011

Christians angry over Jesus poster advertising pub drinks deal

A pub poster showing an image of Jesus wearing headphones and saying “Thank Christ for Easter bank holiday!” has angered Christians. The advertising, which depicts Jesus giving a thumbs-up and smiling, is promoting bank holiday events at the Tom Peppers pub in Clacton. One of the offers available on Easter Sunday is vodka and Red Bull for £2.50 – to “bring yourself back to life”.

The Rev Ben Marlowe, senior minister at Frinton Free Church, said: “This kind of advertising will undoubtedly offend all Christians, for whom the message of Easter lies at the very heart of their faith. It is also symbolic of a society that is increasingly hellbent on trivialising everything whilst it slowly amuses itself to death.”



Lois Cakebread, secretary of the Emmanual Church, in New Pier Street, Walton, added: “If they were promoting the church and encouraging people to go there, it might be OK. But if it’s just promotion to get people in the pub, then no. Easter is a very special occasion in the life of the church.” However, Michael Denny, manager of the pub, defended the use of the posters.

He said: “It’s something we came up with ourselves and it’s not meant to be offensive to anybody. It’s about saying it’s Easter, which is about his resurrection. We considered using the Easter bunny, but thought ultimately it was a religious festival. It doesn’t show Jesus drinking or drunk and just says what we have on offer.”

4 comments:

Insolitus said...

Those deeply religious Christians who are offended by this would not go to a pub to drink vodka on Easter anyway, so no loss there. There's also nothing offensive in the ad unless you are one of those tightly wound Christians who love to feel offended and oppressed. Most people in the UK, I would hazard a guess, are exactly the people to whom this ad is directed, non-religious or nominally religious people who think Easter is just an extra day off from work and a chance to go to a pub to drink vodka.

Christians don't own Jesus nor do they have any right to expect everyone to go along with their hang-ups.

Anonymous said...

"I know you can walk on water, but can you walk on this much beer?"

Unknown said...

I love how you can determine what is offensive to other people, you insensitive prick.

Unknown said...

By the way, that comment would only be offensive to someone who is a complete tool.