March 21, 2008 3:55 PM
University of Virginia newspaper trashes Christianity during Holy Week
Student cartoons spark outrage at UVa
Comics depicting Virgin Mary, crucifixion called offensive
By Brian McNeill
March 15, 2008The comics page of the University of Virginia’s student newspaper has sparked yet another tempest, this time mocking God, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
In Thursday’s issue of the Cavalier Daily, the comic strip “TCB” featured a crucified Jesus performing stand-up comedy.
“And what’s the deal with these crosses? Was there a sale on t’s at the letter store,” Christ asks in the strip. “This whole situation makes me cross! Oh yeah, am I right? Am I right?”
The unseen crowd heckles the Christian savior, who is grinning and speaking into a microphone. “Boo,” they say. “Go back to Bethlehem.”
The comic strip drew angry responses from campus Christians, who called it offensive - particularly with Easter right around the corner.
Read entire article here
Though it has never ridiculed other religions, this is only the latest episode in UVa's student paper's history of Christianity bashing (see 2006 episode) - which led the Colorado Springs Gazette to opine on March 18:
Ridiculing God
Christian restraint in the face of persecutionIf not for the teachings of tolerance, peace and love, a recent cartoon would have Christians rioting in the streets. They'd kill, threaten, and burn buildings to the ground. When Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a cartoon in 2005 depicting the Prophet Muhammed with a bomb in his turban, parts of the Islamic world erupted. Danish Muslim organizations held public protests against the highly offensive cartoon. When that cartoon and 11 less inflammatory drawings about the faith were reprinted in 50 other countries, violent protests erupted throughout the Muslim world. More than 100 people died. Fires were set to Danish embassies in Iran, Lebanon and Syria. Danish flags were burned, and Muslim terrorist leaders issued death threats against the Jyllands-Posten staff.
Out of the University of Virginia comes a cartoon that should be far more offensive to Christians.
The cartoon, published recently in the official student newspaper, depicts a naked man smoking a cigarette in bed. Standing next to him is a woman in her underwear, buttoning her shirt. The woman asks the smoking man: "Come on God, be honest - Did you really get a vasectomy? I can't let Joseph find out about this." The man replies: "Well, Mary, you're (expletive)."The newspaper has a history of publishing similar anti-Christian cartoons, including one in which Mary explains to Joseph that she has an "immaculately transmitted" sex disease.
It's hard to imagine cartoons that would be more offensive to Christians. The attempt at humor calls into question the entire foundation of Christianity, whereas the Danish cartoons criticized the violence committed in the name of Muhammed. Huge difference.
Yet, the reaction has been calm. Christians aren't rioting in the streets. They haven't killed anyone, let alone 100 or more. They haven't burned the university's buildings, or threatened the lives of journalists. They've done what contemporary Christians do: They've remained peaceful, accepting the persecution Jesus promised them. Some have even taken steps to defend rights of Virginia students to publish what they want.
It's not the first time Christians have suffered high-profile persecution, not by any stretch. The National Endowment for the Arts, using federal funds, paid Andres Serrano to create the photograph "Piss Christ," which depicted a crucifix submerged in the atheist artist's urine. More recently, a taxpayerfunded sculpture at Washburn University in Kansas depicted a bishop wearing a miter shaped like a penis. No riots, no violence, no threats.
Rarely do artists and journalists pick on Islam. Frequently they ridicule Christianity - the religion that won't kill them. For most of 2,000 years, atrocities have been committed in the name of Jesus - just as they're committed in the name of all religious figures. Christian leaders have inflicted their share of prejudice and pain. Yet reviewing the world today, few religions take more abuse than Christianity, while passively and charitably standing for peace. (my emphasis)
Contact information for UVa's Cavalier Daily here.
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Thanks to my daughter Samantha for this tip.
Posted in Current Affairs, Media Bias | Permalink
Comments
From the CD's "Today's Paper" link.
"The Cavalier Daily sincerely regrets any offense readers may have taken to two recent comics in the strip TCB published March 13 and 14. The content of the Comics page reflects neither the views of the Managing Board nor of The Cavalier Daily as an institution. When the comics were considered for publication, they were deemed to have met The Cavalier Daily's censorship criteria, which can be found at this address. It is never the intention of The Cavalier Daily to offend, and we regret having done so.
UPDATE (3/15/08): In light of recent and previous concerns, The Cavalier Daily will be reviewing its comics policy."
I'm a 'Hoo myself (Ph.D. 2000); so disappointed. What would TJ say?
Posted by: Kalynne Pudner | March 21, 2008 10:51 PM
How amazingly disgusting can some people be? Yuck.
I wonder if anyone will pay attention to the Christian reaction vs the Muslim reaction to their perceived offense. I just saw a photo in the paper yesterday, they are still riled over those comics that offended them, and having little children hold up signs that say "We hate Denmark".
We all know that even in protest, Christians are not going to be standing outside UV with signs expressing hate, or throwing stones at UV students.
Posted by: Margaret | March 24, 2008 8:11 AM
