Outcry cancels chocolate Jesus show (Mohammed cartoon?)

[Firetxmi]

Outcry cancels chocolate Jesus show

By LARRY McSHANE, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 22 minutes ago

A planned Holy Week exhibition of a ****, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ was canceled Friday after Cardinal Edward Egan and other outraged Catholics complained.

The "My Sweet Lord" display was shut down by the hotel that houses the Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan. Roger Smith Hotel president James Knowles cited the public outcry for his decision.

The reaction "is crystal clear and has brought to our attention the unintended reaction of you and other conscientious friends of ours to the exhibition," Knowles wrote in the two-paragraph cancellation notice.

Matt Semler, the gallery's creative director, resigned in protest.

The six-foot sculpture was the victim of "a strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing," Semler said. "They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions."

But word of the confectionary Christ infuriated Catholics, including Egan, who described it as "a sickening display." Bill Donohue, head of the watchdog Catholic League, said it was "one of the worst assaults on Christian sensibilities ever."

The hotel and the gallery were overrun Thursday with angry phone calls and e-mails about the exhibit. Semler said the calls included death threats over the work of artist Cosimo Cavallaro, who was described as disappointed by the decision to cancel the display.

"In this situation, the hotel couldn't continue to be supportive because of a fear for their own safety," Semler said.

The sculpture was to debut Monday evening, the day after Palm Sunday and just four days before Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. The final day of the exhibit was planned for Easter Sunday.

The artwork was created from more than 200 pounds of milk chocolate, and features Christ with his arms outstretched as if on an invisible cross. Unlike the typical religious portrayal of Christ, the Cavallaro creation does not include a loincloth.

Cavallaro hoped the sculpture could go on display elsewhere, according to Semler.

Cavallaro is best known for his quirky work with food as art: Past efforts include repainting a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella, spraying five tons of pepper jack cheese on a Wyoming home, and festooning a four-poster bed with 312 pounds of processed ham.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_en_ot/chocolate_jesus;_ylt=ArdiHuRcI6fFvoQYrAQpJBzMWM0F

I guess Muslims and Christians do have something in common- outrage!

[p$ycho+log!cal]

muslims and christians wear shirts that says " im with stupid -> <- im with stupid "

[Riot5]

Apart from the nudity I don't see anything wrong with it.

[LaoSexMachine]

Cavallaro is best known for his quirky work with food as art: Past efforts include repainting a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella, spraying five tons of pepper jack cheese on a Wyoming home, and festooning a four-poster bed with 312 pounds of processed ham

While people are starving all over the world.

[Kingswat]

so north america can have a chocolate jesus ***** displayed in public, but **** can't be on TV until after mindnight.... what a ****ed up society.

[ag05]

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_en_ot/chocolate_jesus;_ylt=ArdiHuRcI6fFvoQYrAQpJBzMWM0F

I guess Muslims and Christians do have something in common- outrage!

How many people have died as a result of this incident? How many embassies attacked? Cars torched?

[shocker1]

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_en_ot/chocolate_jesus;_ylt=ArdiHuRcI6fFvoQYrAQpJBzMWM0F

I guess Muslims and Christians do have something in common- outrage!
Nice, I guess I need to go burn Hershy PA and put a stop to these confectionery Christian **** displays. I don't like it but hey to each his own. I am sure my Lord is real upset over his sweet image. I guess it must be the worst thing man has ever done so far. However when it comes down to it the only people this effects in a bad way are the very ones who get off on this and the ones who feel like their faith is effected. Myself I will pass on this thing, as I do not want my children staring at a rendition of my Lords package. One must ask, Why? For who? To what end? I think we all know it has nothing to do with divine reverence.

Outrage is not what I feel, I feel sorrow for those with nothing better to do than belittle Christians in order to hide their filthy heart to themselves.

[Klatuu]

Yep. Exactly the same.

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/behead_those_who_insult_islam.jpg

[Firetxmi]

Yep. Exactly the same.

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/behead_those_who_insult_islam.jpg

"Semler said the calls included death threats over the work of artist Cosimo Cavallaro..."

Shocker: I feel sorry for those who's faith is so shallow and fragile as to be affected by this.

[Ritual]

If it ever did go on display, would you feel the urge to run up and take a bite out of it? :|

[Klatuu]

"Semler said the calls included death threats over the work of artist Cosimo Cavallaro..."

Shocker: I feel sorry for those who's faith is so shallow and fragile as to be affected by this.

I feel sorry for those with such deteriorated critical skills they cannot discern the difference between two cultures, one of which marginalizes zealots and jails them if they act upon their threats, which they rarely do, and one which is dominated and run by it's zealots, who daily engage in the most heinous acts of inhumanity, and lionizes them for doing so.

Just kidding, ha ha!!!, I'm not sorry (Mr. Lizard) :)

[Firetxmi]

= one which is dominated and run by it's zealots...

"I believe that God wants me to be president."
--According to Richard Land, as quoted in ""Understanding the President and his God"

[Lazy Lob]

I suppose they're both religions. But have these Christian folk killed anyone yet or burnt any embassies? 139 died from the cartoon saga.


Big divergence from there wouldn't you say?

Wiki

Main article: Economic and human costs of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

A consumer boycott was organised in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Middle East countries.[43] For weeks, numerous notable demonstrations and other protests against the cartoons took place worldwide. Rumours spread via SMS and word-of-mouth.[44]On February 4, 2006, the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria were set ablaze, though with no injuries. In Beirut, the Danish Embassy was set on fire,[45] leaving one protester dead.[46] Altogether, at least 139 people were killed in protests,[47] mainly in Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Several death threats and reward offers for killing those responsible for the cartoons have been made,[48] resulting in the cartoonists going into hiding.[49]. Four ministers have resigned amidst the controversy, among them Roberto Calderoli and Laila Freivalds.[50] In India, Haji Yaqoob Qureishi, a minister in Uttar Pradesh state government announced in February 2006 a cash reward of Rs 51 crore (roughly about US$11 million) for anyone who beheads the Danish cartoonist who caricatured Prophet Mohammad.[51] [52][53] Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the United States of America has accused Iran and Syria of organizing many of the recent protests in Iran, Syria and Lebanon.[54][55]

The Western media dubbed the series of demonstrations organized in February 2006 by certain Middle Eastern governments and radical clerics as the "Cartoon Intifada".[56]

On September 9, 2006, it was announced that the Muslim boycott of Danish goods had reduced exports to the Muslim world by 15.5%, costing about €134 million.[57] However, the Guardian newspaper in the UK also reported, "While Danish milk products were dumped in the Middle East, fervent rightwing [sic] Americans started buying Bang & Olufsen stereos and Lego. In the first quarter of this year Denmark’s exports to the US soared 17%."[58]

[edit] Further police investigations

* The French/Algerian journalist Mohammed Sifaoui [59] secretly filmed[60][61] Ahmed Akkari, spokesman for the group of Danish Imams that toured the Middle East, in conversation with Sheikh Raed Hlayhel (head of the 2nd delegation), threatening to have MP Naser Khader bombed. Ahmad Abu Laban was also filmed, talking about a man who wants "to wreak absolute havoc" and "wants to join the fray and turn it into a Martyr operation right now."[62] Akkari initially denied the remarks, then explained he was only joking.[63] Both men were investigated, but no charges were brought.

* Police in Berlin overwhelmed Amer Cheema, a student from Pakistan, as he entered the office building of Die Welt newspaper, armed with a large knife. Cheema admitted to trying to kill editor Roger Köppel for reprinting the Mohammad cartoons in the newspaper. On May 1, 2006, Cheema committed suicide in his prison cell. Cheema's family and Pakistani media claim he was tortured to death.[64] 50,000 people attended Cheema's funeral near Lahore[65].

* Two suitcase bombs were discovered in trains near the German towns of Dortmund and Koblenz, undetonated due to an assembly error. Video footage from Cologne train station, where the bombs were put on the trains, led to the arrest of two Lebanese students in Germany, Youssef el-Hajdib and Jihad Hamad, and subsequently of three suspected co-conspirators in Lebanon[66]. On 1 September 2006, Jörg Ziercke, head of the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Police), reports that the suspects saw the Muhammad cartoons as an "assault by the West on Islam" and the "initial spark" for the attack, originally planned to coincide with the 2006 Football World Cup in Germany.[67][68] One of the suspects, Youssef el-Hajdib, was arrested heading to Denmark. Police found the phone number of Abu Bashar, the leader of the Danish Imams' first cartoon-related delegation to the Middle East, in Hadjib's pockets. Abu Bashar denies knowing al-Hajdib.[69]


Obfuscation to say the least Firextmi


http://www.youtube.com/v/95LFNe3Uw-w

[dangerclose]

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_en_ot/chocolate_jesus;_ylt=ArdiHuRcI6fFvoQYrAQpJBzMWM0F

I guess Muslims and Christians do have something in common- outrage!


except with one group you'd be about 10 lbs lighter now.

Imagine the outrage if I were to wipe my @ss with the AIDS memorial quilt.

[hughdotoh]

One must ask, Why? For who? To what end?


Because it's easier to pick on Christians. Turn the other cheek and all. Christians have evolved from holy wars and have become sedate, secular-wise.

[Hollis]

Wonder, any embassy attacked? Riots in the street? Call for Beheading by religious leaders?

Yeah people get angry when their beliefs are insulted, but not all beliefs go out a murder people for doing so.

Also this year is 2007, not 1100. <-- for comparison purpose.

[Martel]

How many people have died as a result of this incident? How many embassies attacked? Cars torched?
I was going to say the same ...

[Aerosoul]

Imagine the outrage if I were to wipe my @ss with the AIDS memorial quilt.
What? .....

[Dronetek]

Because it's easier to pick on Christians. Turn the other cheek and all. Christians have evolved from holy wars and have become sedate, secular-wise.

Im not a christian, but I get the sense they are sick of being walked on like door mats. It's like all these anti-religion people go after christians BECAUSE they dont fight back. I doubt that lasts forever. As a non-religious person watching all of this, I can say the christians do put up with a lot of crap.

[Firetxmi]

If what you say is true, then we can all agree that Saddam should not have been our first order of business, right?
I mean he didn't kill as many as other dictators continue to.

[Hollis]

Im not a christian, but I get the sense they are sick of being walked on like door mats. It's like all these anti-religion people go after christians BECAUSE they dont fight back. I doubt that lasts forever. As a non-religious person watching all of this, I can say the christians do put up with a lot of crap.


I agree with you, the Missionizing anti-religion people are as bad as any other missionaries. Prostylizing atheists should know better, but hypocrisy is all the rage these days.

[Fox2]

If what you say is true, then we can all agree that Saddam should not have been our first order of business, right?
I mean he didn't kill as many as other dictators continue to.

Just admit you are wrong already.

Attempting to steer to another subject just muddies the waters. Nice try, though.

[Firetxmi]

From what I understand, behavior (such as death threats) like this is excusable as long as no one is killed?

I expect Christians (as I myself am Catholic) to be tolerant and understanding (dare I say more so than many other religions). When I see people who call in death threats and are up in arms about an anatomically correct Chocolate Jesus (no matter how ridiculous it is) it makes me wonder how much more tolerant and progressive we are.

[Lazy Lob]

Here you go

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5623/spadeshovelvm2.jpg

[Firetxmi]

If you guys don't even want to reply to my last post, that is fine. But if you are not going to debate it even then don't post such comments as- "your wrong admit it," or post a picture of a shovel.

[Fox2]

From what I understand, behavior (such as death threats) like this is excusable as long as no one is killed?

I expect Christians (as I myself am Catholic) to be tolerant and understanding (dare I say more so than many other religions). When I see people who call in death threats and are up in arms about an anatomically correct Chocolate Jesus (no matter how ridiculous it is) it makes me wonder how much more tolerant and progressive we are.

You are right to the extent of death threats being a gratuitous overreaction.

You are wrong, however, in equating the death threats in this case to the actual deaths and property damage that occurred as a result of the Danish Mohammed caricature.

If anything, Christianity is one of the most mocked religions around, from Jesus on South Park to any other number of caricatures, but there is no rioting, no civil unrest, or priests calling for holy war against non-Christians.

To try and compare the two is ridiculous and just points to personal bias. Trying to steer the discussion away to Iraq, entirely irrelevent to this issue, just makes your position and your credibility weaker.

[Firetxmi]

If anything, Christianity is one of the most mocked religions around, from Jesus on South Park to any other number of caricatures, but there is no rioting, no civil unrest, or priests calling for holy war against non-Christians.

To try and compare the two is ridiculous and just points to personal bias. Trying to steer the discussion away to Iraq, entirely irrelevent to this issue, just makes your position and your credibility weaker.

I agree that SOME Muslims were ridiculous with their reaction to the cartoon.

I simply mentioned the Saddam situation to try and see if the theory (of more deaths=worse situation) held true across the board or if it was only in reference to religious situations.

[Zoomie]

This cannot even be remotely compared to the Mohammed Cartoon outrage because CNN, MSNBC, and Fox were all airing the story about the Chocolate Jesus and showing footage of it, and yet when it came to the cartoons, they didn't even dare one bit to even air a fleeting glimpse of the cartoons for fear of offending Muslims.

[praetorian6]

I agree that SOME Muslims were ridiculous with their reaction to the cartoon.

And yet NONE of the Christians were "ridiculous" with their reaction.


I simply mentioned the Saddam situation to try and see if the theory (of more deaths=worse situation)

What you are not seeing is that (NO deaths=NO comparison)

It's one thing to be angry and say you are going to kill someone, and an entirely different thing to firebomb places and kill 139 people. I don't know how to simplify it any better than that.

[LRPV]

If it ever did go on display, would you feel the urge to run up and take a bite out of it? :|

Not the ***** part.....:)

[D.U.C.K.S.]

I think we can all agree with 99.99% probability that Jesus had a *****. So where is the point?

If the sculpture showed Jesus with the ***** cut off, would it have been better? ;)