Bitemybible

Church slaps down 'Fat Jesus' competition

  
Popular Kiwi radio station The Edge had billed it as "just a laugh". But unsurprisingly, the bishops of New Zealand didn't see the funny side of their 'Fat Jesus' competition. Both the Catholic and Anglican bishops described the 'Jesus in Suburbia' promotion, which was held on the run-up to Easter, as "crass and offensive". Callers had been asked to dial in if they saw the chubby character. The first to read his sign out live on air bagged a cash prize of $50.

Yet even the presenters seemed to realise that Fat Jesus had perhaps gone too far with his first sign, which read 'Jesus is a Boobies Man'. Mysteriously, therefore, the portly Jesus held a different sign the next day (pictured above). Inundated with complaints, the station then experimented with a Maori Jesus instead.

The Electrocution of Christ

 
A sculpture of the dead Jesus on an electric chair, rather than a cross, has caused a sensation across France this past week.

Pièta, by the English artist Paul Fryer, has been on display in the cathedral of Gap, in south-eastern France, over the Easter season. Yet the presence of the sculpture in the cathedral has divided French opinion. 

Some believe that it's a needed wake-up call to the grim reality of Christ's death, which people have become desensitised to. Others think it's shocking that the artwork is even in the cathedral at all.

Playmobil Bible rapped for 'Elf and Safety'

It was Christ's melted arms that finally pushed German toymakers geobra-Brandstaetter over the edge. They had known about Pastor Markus Bornhard's Playmobil Bible for some time - but finally felt compelled to crack-down on the innovative minister. 

And what sin had he committed? "We have ascertained massive manipulation of the figures," the company said in a statement. "For example, their arms were deformed with a candle flame or hair dryer to nail them on the cross." Brandstaetter demanded that the pastor take his website down. Apparently, they are concerned that the project encourages children to turn a naked flame onto their own Playmobil figurines.