A Hard Act To Follow!
Wow!
Just how we like our billboards: inventive and offensive! Pure genius!
This Christmas, folks in New Zealand were prompted to ponder their religion a little farther outside the Bible than they were used to. A billboard, erected by the church itself, finds Joseph lying in bed with his wife Mary, with the heading "God is a hard act to follow" looming above him.
Hilarious and thought provoking! We love it!
As expected, many members of the parish were not so open-minded about the message, claiming it was "sacrilege" and inappropriate. It only took four hours for someone to come along and deface the the billboard in a fury.
The church vicar, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, stands by his decision to have the billboard created, as he described his church as having very liberal ideas about Christianity.
We think we'd love to hear a sermon from this guy! Seems to us like he's got some good ideas!
And for the haters, let's get real. You don't think Joseph ever got busy with Mary? She was his wife after all and he was a MAN! Just because the Bible leaves that tidbit out doesn't mean it didn't happen!
Expand your mind people!
[Image via AP Images.]
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The church has since decided to take down the billboard. It had been vandalized 3 times in 48 hours and they were afraid that someone would get hurt.
The fact that people would even find Joseph and Mary as Husband and Wife being intimate as subject for conversation is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Of course they did. they Had other CHILDREN…and if you had ever OPENED a bible you would know that you idiot.
Its the implication that Mary had "sex" with god on this billboard that is offensive. People are so low minded and disgusting.
Re: melonia – Is it me or are the first and only person able to understand and articulate that it was MARY that was the Immaculate Conception and the conception of Jesus was called the Annunciation while his birth was referred to as The Virgin Birth. So many silly children pretending to understand religion.
Yet another jab at the Christian faith,there's nothing "liberating" about this,just shock value,and not surprisingly,after reading a lot of the comments,of course self-loathing idiots will use this as their defense to spew their jealousy bacause noone will remember them when they die(that's if they even belive in death) but God and the words and people of the bible will live on.
How disturbing. Typical for someone to attempt to distort the faith and Scripture. The Virgin Mary is "blessed among all women" as stated in the Gospel of Luke. And, St. Joseph was her most chaste spouse. The two NEVER had relations. Jesus did not have biological brothers and sisters. Afterall, at the foot of the cross, Jesus looked at the beloved disciple and told him, "behold your mother", and He looked at Mary and said, "behold your son". Therefore, if he had biological siblings, Jesus wouldn't give Mary for John to care for b/c it would be understood that His siblings would now care for Mary. In regards to the Virgin Mary, she is our example of true purity. She and St. Joseph had a chaste marriage, as have other couples.I pray our eyes may be open to the beautiful message and example that the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph provide for us, as when we learn about their lives, we become so much closer to Christ Himself. Our Lord and Savior. John 8:12 - let's try to remain in the Light of Christ brothers and sisters. It is good to know the above billboard has been taken down. I pray we strive to become more pious, especially during the blessed season of Advent. God bless.
How disturbing. Typical for someone to attempt to distort the faith and Scripture. The Virgin Mary is "blessed among all women" as stated in the Gospel of Luke. And, St. Joseph was her most chaste spouse. The two NEVER had relations. Jesus did not have biological brothers and sisters. Afterall, at the foot of the cross, Jesus looked at the beloved disciple and told him, "behold your mother", and He looked at Mary and said, "behold your son". Therefore, if he had biological siblings, Jesus wouldn't give Mary for John to care for b/c it would be understood that His siblings would now care for Mary. In regards to the Virgin Mary, she is our example of true purity. She and St. Joseph had a chaste marriage, as have other couples.I pray our eyes may be open to the beautiful message and example that the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph provide for us, as when we learn about their lives, we become so much closer to Christ Himself. Our Lord and Savior. John 8:12 - let's try to remain in the Light of Christ brothers and sisters. It is good to know the above billboard has been taken down. I pray we strive to become more pious, especially during the blessed season of Advent. God bless.
As a Christian I was very offended by this but then I remembered that God has a cruel sense of humor too, after all, he did give us Perez.
haha like an hr or so after it been up someone threw paint all over it
Haha yep its cool, but unfortunately, some people didnt like it so they went and defaced it yesterday. Assholes.
you know,i don't say this very often but GO TO HELL, PERVEZ H.I.V.TON!!!
As expected, many members of the parish were not so open-minded about the message: OF COURSE, MY DEAR PERV… NOT ONLY IT'S BLASPHEMOUS BUT ALSO UNBIBLICAL. MARY WAS ALWAYS, A-L-W-A-Y-S A VIRGIN, UNTIL HER LAST BREATH. AND I DON'T GIVE A SH*T ABOUT WHAT THE PROTESTANTS WILL SAY. SHE WAS AND IS A VIRGIN
It only took four hours for someone to come along and deface the the billboard in a fury.: THANK GOD ALMIGHTY!!!!
Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, stands by his decision to have the billboard created, as he described his church as having very liberal ideas about Christianity.: WELL, I'LL LET JESUS ANSWER HIM: "YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND YOUR WILL IS TO DO YOUR FATHER'S DESIRES. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. " John 8:44
We think we'd love to hear a sermon from this guy! Seems to us like he's got some good ideas!: OF COURSE YOU DO!!!! YOU ARE A SEXUAL DEVIANT AND A PERVERT, JUST LIKE HIM. OR, AS JESUS CHRIST SAID: "YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL AND YOUR WILL IS TO DO YOUR FATHER'S DESIRES"
And for the haters, let's get real. You don't think Joseph ever got busy with Mary?: ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA OH, PERVY, YOU KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THEM AS I DO ABOUT SCIENCE…
She was his wife after all and he was a MAN: SHE WAS A VIRGIN HER WHOLE LIFE BC SHE WAS "the handmaid of the Lord" LUKE 1:38. BESIDES, NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT TRULY SAY THAT CHRIST HAD BIOLOGICAL BROTHERS. AND IN JOHN 19:25-27, JESUS LEFT HIS MOTHER TO ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES - WHO WAS NOT HIS BIOLOGICAL BROTHER, BTW -. IF HE HAD BIOLOGICAL SIBLINGS, HE WOULD HAVE LEFT HIS MOTHER TO ONE OF HIS SIBLINGS AND NOT HIS DISCIPLE. YOU WOULD KNOW THIS IF YOU AND THE PROTESTANTS READ THE BIBLE PROPERLY AND THINK LOGICALLY
Just because the Bible leaves that tidbit out doesn't mean it didn't happen!Expand your mind people!: BUT WHY AM I ASKING U TO THINK LOGICALLY??? LOL, THAT'S JUST IMPOSIBLE… WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SEXUALLY DEVIANT GUY WHO LIKES TO JUDGE SOME CELEBRITIES AND WORSHIP OTHERS, WHICH IS CALLED "IDOLATRY" AND IS CONDEMNED BY GOD….
OF COURSE Mary & Joseph had children. If anyone bothered reading the Gospels, they'd know that. Jesus had many siblings actually.
"Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions."
-Jerry Falwell
Otherwise the whole Christianity thing wouldn't work….because if you really consider what it is you're saying you believe in, it's almost comical. Don't get me wrong, Jesus was an incredible man and taught a lot of really positive and wonderful things that are applicable to our lives, but he was JUST A MAN. The church VOTED to rename him "the Son of God" because it fit their purposes. I still like his teachings, because he made a lot of amazing, timeless points about living a good and honorable life.
Jesus was still a very interesting historical figure. I have read and seen documentaries about his life, and he definitely had brothers and sisters. His family was really poor and they would have needed additional children in order to keep the household running and feed themselves. Most families had many children. It would have been highly unusual for them to only have one child, and they probably would not have been able to get by. Historical accounts of his life state that he did, in fact, have several siblings. Obviously there are other sources of information about the man's life than just the Bible.
Re: perezito_is_an_asshole – You are a douchebag. Homosexuality is not sexual deviance, and if you hate him so much, get off his site.
Also, the fact that you are telling people to "expand their minds" by reading the BIBLE is hysterical. I could very well start quoting the Koran as a source of historical fact, and how would you feel about that?! How about you read some history books about Jesus's life and the history of Christianity before you go quoting scripture like it's the only version of the truth. You are why people HATE Christians, you fucking bigot.
perez why dont u expand ur mind and actually read the Bible. The Bible is the only truth and the only way. and when u read it u can get ur stupid facts straight. this world is getting so sick and until we realize it our nation will only go down the drain. How can u tell people to expand their minds when its clear u haven't done the same. have u ever took the time to truly understand the other side of the argument? i bet not. God has blessed this nation, a nation that was found under GOD.
Re: Jemma84 – i don't give a rat's ass about your opinion…. science, common sense and logic proves you wrong, my dear ignorant.
YOU CALL ME BIGOT AND YET YOU CAN'T EVEN RESPECT ME BY DOUCHEBAG??? LOL, DOES ANYONE ELSE SEE THE IRONY HERE???
"How about you read some history books about Jesus's life and the history of Christianity": TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE, HONEY
oh, and IM NOT THE ONE THAT'S TELLING PPL TO EXPAND THEIR MINDS, PERVEZ IS… I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW DUMB YOU ARE, YOU CAN'T EVEN READ PROPERLY…
This is so disgusting and disrespectful and you find it funny?? no wonder why you get punched in the face and look like a turd!
Ah, once again another jab at Christianity. If anyone had DARED to subvert another religion, everyone would have been up in arms over discrimination. But when it comes to Christianity, for some fucked up reason, it's okay. Does anyone even know the difference between CHRISTIANITY and institutionalised Christianity? Once they do, they'd shut their fuckin mouths - PEREZ!
First off - where does it say Jesus had siblings? Get the New King James Bible (NOT THE INSTITUTIONALISED BIBLE) and show me. Pull out the verse, and show me.
Secondly, Saint Mary is called the perpetual virgin for a reason. When St. Luke first painted her, she had three stars. One for being a virgin before immaculate conception, one during and one after, until she died. And Perez, that tidbit was left out because THERE WERE NO RELATIONS! Joseph was in his 80s and was chosen to be her caretaker husband, not her lover.
Finally, for people here who think they know Christianity, you clearly don't if you say such blasphemous things such as Christ had siblings and St. Mary wasn't a virgin. I bet you haven't even read the bible in its entirety and if you have, it was with such a closed heart that you can't understand shit! Oh and speaking of St. Mary, go to youtube and look up her 2009 apparition in Egypt.
Re: Jemma84 – – i don't give a rat's ass about your opinion…. science, common sense and logic proves you wrong, my dear ignorant.
YOU CALL ME BIGOT AND YET YOU CAN'T EVEN RESPECT ME BY CALLING ME A DOUCHEBAG??? LOL, DOES ANYONE ELSE SEE THE IRONY HERE???
"How about you read some history books about Jesus's life and the history of Christianity": TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE, HONEY
oh, and IM NOT THE ONE THAT'S TELLING PPL TO EXPAND THEIR MINDS, PERVEZ IS… I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW DUMB YOU ARE, YOU CAN'T EVEN READ PROPERLY…
PEREZ YOU ARE AN ASS…
IF THIS ISN'T OFFENSIVE THAN WHAT IS LADY GAGA BEING VOTED WORST DRESSED OF THE YEAR…….
Ah, once again another jab at Christianity. If anyone had DARED to subvert another religion, everyone would have been up in arms over discrimination. But when it comes to Christianity, for some fucked up reason, it's okay. Does anyone even know the difference between CHRISTIANITY and institutionalised Christianity? Once they do, they'd shut their fuckin mouths - PEREZ!
First off - where does it say Jesus had siblings? Get the New King James Bible (NOT THE INSTITUTIONALISED BIBLE) and show me. Pull out the verse, and show me.
Secondly, Saint Mary is called the perpetual virgin for a reason. When St. Luke first painted her, she had three stars. One for being a virgin before immaculate conception, one during and one after, until she died. And Perez, that tidbit was left out because THERE WERE NO RELATIONS! Joseph was in his 80s and was chosen to be her caretaker husband, not her lover.
Finally, for people here who think they know Christianity, you clearly don't if you say such blasphemous things such as Christ had siblings and St. Mary wasn't a virgin. I bet you haven't even read the bible in its entirety and if you have, it was with such a closed heart that you can't understand shit! Oh and speaking of St. Mary, go to youtube and look up her 2009 apparition in Egypt.
Re: Jemma84 – its called faith. as Christians we have faith. how can u say having faith is comical? to have faith means that we don't question everything and demand answers to everything. there are simply things beyond our human power that can be understood. i feel sorry for you because all u have is what this world can offer u nothing better. what we have is faith knowing that one day when we die we will go to a better place a place far better than earth. Jesus was not just a man he performed miracles the human eye didn't know was possible. Jesus is God in human form sent to earth to save us from our sins otherwise we wouldn't be here right now. u can't see the air yet u feel it. u don't question air alone but it's there. people don't hate Christians, YOU might, but in reality YOU hate how strong our beliefs are and how comments that try to test our faith never really phase us.
Down here in NZ, this gem of a billboard has created quite a stir! The billboard was put up by the church itself (St Matthews in the City, in Auckland) and wasn't endorsed by any national religious organisation. As you could imagine, it has been bagged by conservative groups (Catholic Church, family vlaues groups, to name but a few). I personally think it's great, as it gets people talking about the Xmas story, which was the idea behind the billboard in the first place.
Re: BeautifulDisaster311 – i couldn't agree more (comment 102)
stop making fun of christianity/catholicism !!!!
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this is just tooooo much, have some respect !!
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is not even funny! im really shocked and terrified about this kind of anti-christian behavior, it really freaks me out!
umm in the bible it says Jesus has brothers and sisters but thats just cuz they didnt have a word for uncles,aunts cousins or other relitives.
hahaha then someone came and throw brown paint all over it
"And for the haters, let's get real. You don't think Joseph ever got busy with Mary? She was his wife after all and he was a MAN! Just because the Bible leaves that tidbit out doesn't mean it didn't happen!" (-Chris Rock in 'Dogma' rewritten to sound like Perez has deep-ish thoughts)
There, that is better.
LOL!!!!!
Jeez guys!! Seriously, I am an agnostic and that is just wrong! Way to use sex to push your "product". low and dirty…
and one more thing, what is up with her hairstyle? Since when was the Virgin Mary goth?? Or is that supposed to be a nun's cap(?) so weird and revolting.
Oh my. x]
okay, let's just make it clear. mary was called virgin mary because she gave birth to the SON OF GOD without sex. her immaculate virginity ends there because they have more kids. now, when she was raised into heaven as the virgin queen, she was called VIRGIN because she was untouched when giving birth to jesus, not because she was a virgin all her life. her purpose was to give birth to jesus, and he immaculacy ends there. get it?
Re: perezito_is_an_asshole – You have issues, man. Get some help!
1. If you don't like Perez, then why the fuck are you here? It's not like you're going to stop him by posting menial messages to his posts while in the process making yourself look like the biggest douche on the planet.
2. Keep your impertinent remarks to yourselves. If you're out looking for a fight (which seems like most people who commented on this), then you have no right to comment on something that makes you uncomfortable. Why the fuck did you read it in the first place?
3. Leave people the fuck alone. If you don't think things should be posted because they offend you, move to China. Don't call people out on things that they have EVERY FUCKING RIGHT as an AMERICAN CITIZEN to write. This just makes you sound like a communist.
4. Do you really think Perez is going to apologise to anyone? I think he's quite happy making people uncomfortable (but please do correct me if I'm wrong). The point isn't to offend. The point is to MAKE a point. It seems like his mission is accomplished, now that the true faces of America are coming out for all to see. Congrats, guys. You've successfully sent the human race back 2000 years. Thanks.
Props to all the non-haters, and everyone who's just here for a good chuckle.
Re: dame_of_distress –
Please tell me where it says she had more children? I'd REALLY like to see that. Pull out the verse, and show me where it says she had more BIOLOGICAL, NOT BIBLICAL children. She was called the virgin queen because she was a virgin all her life! Joseph died not too long after Jesus was born, so there goes other children! Also, she was rewarded with many heavenly crowns, and the first being - PERPETUAL VIRGINITY! Christ, it's not hard to get through your thick head!
Oh and Isaac - your comment was so hypocritical, I don't even know where to begin. Just know that EVERYONE has the right to an express an opinion and be offended. Particularly when the culprit is hell bent on the same rights (as I agree he should be entitled to) and when he, or others for that matter, have no idea of what the fuck they're on about. If someone corrects them, what's the harm? I like Perez, but when he starts making myopic statements, I believe I'm entitled to my own opinion, am I not? If that just happens to offend, it's an off shoot of the POINT I WAS MAKING.
Thank you, sir.
Re: Laury – What's sacrilegious is the idea that God had sex with Mary. Or are you not bright enough to understand that?
Re: shotthen – I know right - you don't really understand how open we are to this sorta stuff until you see how others react.
My friends from the States almost died when they saw some of the Tui ads.
I think of sense of humor is great!!
obviously they had sex… mary and joseph were married! god created sex to be a beautiful thing between husband and wife; however, this billboard is so disgusting, because it is implying that god had sex with marry to create jesus- this is absolutely outrageous and appalling!!