One of our two public tv channels, Canvas, often runs (controversial) documentaries about historical events. Currently they are doing one about Jesus Christ. Ad agency DuvalGuillaume Brussels created an ad for Canvas and their recent series about the Da Vinci Code which features pictures of Christ. This ad created quite a stir-up in Belgian catholic circles and even had the spokesman of the Belgian bishops come out with a statement where he said that he “doesn’t see the humor in the ads”. However, I do. Do you?
[via Coolzûr]
They are afraid. Jesus was human after all. Two thousand years later it turns out that he was walking on a thin layer of ice.
They still don't get it, do they? Actually giving Jesus human traits would make him much more popular and "tangible". What are they afraid of? That the book of Genesis is fake? That Jesus didn't rise up to heaven with a big halo around his head after all?
I think this is great humour. The Belgian bishops are a bunch of old farts.
Posted by: Le rasoir chantant | May 19, 2006 at 11:32 AM
Shame on you, Steven. That's blasphemy! :-) Personally, I think Jesus Christ was a zen buddhist without knowing the word. And this time, I am not kidding. I am almost certain he meditated (40 days in the desert - seems very similar to what buddha did sitting under his tree) and also: the link between resurrection and enlightenment is bigger than many of us think. You have to die (lose your ego completely) before you can actually resurrect (reach enlightenment). How's that for a weekend thought? ;-)
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | May 19, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Amen to that, bro! Jesus rocks. And so does Samuel L. Jackson.
Posted by: Le rasoir chantant | May 19, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Well, the poor old guys just realized that they have missed trying to stop The Da Vinci Code to come out (since it premiered on Wed) and saw a new opportunity to cry out loud. I personally would really like to know, when will the Catholic church stop doing all the fuzz about Jesus not being all human.
The more they (Catholic church, Opus Dei or whoever) protest, the more people start to think that there must be something there what makes them so nervous, otherwise they wouldn't mind. Would they?
Posted by: Triin | May 20, 2006 at 12:56 AM
I cannot see the humor in this either, but I think it's rather due to the poor concept/idea of the advertising agency. I'm sure they can do much better than this. Sorry, but this doesn't surpass the typical "mother-in-law" humor of Walter Capiau...
Posted by: marc | May 20, 2006 at 02:31 PM
@ Triin: Good question. My guess would be you might just be right!
@ Marc: I always knew you were a closet bishop! :-)
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | May 20, 2006 at 08:03 PM
thanks for posting this... when i was young, in australia, the christian world was scandalised by monty pythons "life of brian" which in hindsight was more a parody on preconceptions than concepts themselves... people shouldn't mix up perceived certainties and handed-down infallabilities, they should start looking and thinking for themselves, looking inwards toward the real worth of human existance and not letting themselves be subserviant to imposed belief-systems...
keep well...
Posted by: bart | May 20, 2006 at 11:37 PM
Bart: I couldn't agree more. However, most people do not think for themselves. After all, it is easier when somebody else does this hard work for you...
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | May 22, 2006 at 08:52 AM
Jesus as a zen buddhist. I like it. Think you might have got something there Serge.
My advice to the churchies ... lighten up. As someone said to me the other day 'it's so much harder to give a bollocking to [disbelieve] someone when they've got a smile on their face' :-)
Posted by: Sam Smith | May 22, 2006 at 03:33 PM
I'll try and remember to put on my stupidest grin next time I see some dangerously-looking characters coming my way...
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | May 22, 2006 at 07:49 PM
MANILA -- The Manila City Council on Thursday issued a resolution that bans the movie "The Da Vinci Code" in the Philippine capital, saying the film is an attack on the country's dominant Roman Catholic religion.
A religious group, on the other hand, encouraged the faithful to donate their money to organizations that promote programs of the Catholic Church instead of paying to see the film.
Mall and theater owners in Manila could be imprisoned to one year or pay a fine of P5,000 in violating the ban. "Those persons who will also be caught selling digital video discs (DVDs) and video-compact discs (VCDs) of "The Da Vinci Code" will be penalized to an imprisonment of six months or a fine range from P1,000 to P3,000," Asilo said.
Philippine censors -- the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board -- earlier in the week approved the showing of the film uncut for adults, meaning age 18 or older.
A three-member panel of board said the movie did not merit an "X" rating because "it does not constitute a clear, express or direct attack on the Catholic church or religion," and does not libel or defame any person.
Serge, promoting the ad for Canvas might cost you a year in jail if you ever come to Manila! ;-)
Posted by: Sidney | May 25, 2006 at 04:57 AM
Thanks a lot for the tip, Sidney. I had no immediate plans of coming over, but now that I know this I'll see if I can get some plastic surgery and an identity change first! Now that I think of it: perhaps I should consider this in any case... :-)
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | May 25, 2006 at 03:12 PM