Controversy was sparked in New Zealand over a depiction of the Virgin Mary and spouse St. Joseph that was sponsored by a local Anglican parish. In Auckland, the billboard sponsored by the parish depicted St. Joseph appearing disheartened with what some media said was a “disappointed” Virgin Mary lying in bed together.
The caption provided said “Poor Joseph, God is a hard act to follow.” Within hours of the billboard’s appearance, it was vandalized and then torn down. When it re-emerged, a knife-wielding elderly woman offended by the image had to be physically restrained on December 18 by homeless onlookers concerned that she would damage it again.
The Anglican St. Matthew’s-in-the-City commissioned the global advertising firm M & C Saatchi to develop the billboard so as to provoke comment and to challenge Christians’ views as to the conception of Jesus Christ and to spark conversation about Christmas.
Said Archdeacon Mr. Glynn Cardy, vicar of St. Matthew’s, "I regret to say that tonight our billboard was attacked by a knife wielding Christian fanatic who was then apprehended by a group of homeless people who care about our church. Later in the evening another group of fanatics ripped it down.
"When knives are wielded in the name of God I have two responses. One is to act to ensure the safety of the public and parishioners. We will therefore not be replacing the vandalized billboard with an identical one.
"My second response is one of deep sadness at those in the Christian Church who don’t want to offend any faith position, even the most literalistic view of a male god. By having unity as their priority they inadvertently feed fanaticism.”
More:
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=128&id=24527&t=Controversy+over+billboard+depicting+Virgin+Mary
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