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[FoneBone]

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=635418

"Beckham nativity" outrages churches
Wed Dec 8, 2004 03:41 PM ET

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Church leaders have condemned a Christmas nativity tableau depicting soccer star David Beckham as Joseph and his pop singer wife Victoria as the Virgin Mary.

Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush also starred as two of The Three Wise Men at the birth of Christ.

Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians united in calling the exhibit -- at Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum in London -- a new low in the cult of celebrity worship.

In the tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue also hovers above the crib as an angel, while "Posh Spice" Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham's shoulder.

The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comic Graham Norton.

The Vatican was not amused.

"This is worse than bad taste. It is cheap," an official Vatican source told Reuters in Rome. "You cannot use contemporary personalities as the central figures of the nativity ... And it becomes worse, if that were possible, if the people may be of questionable moral standing," he added.

He said it was sometimes acceptable to use modern figures in the supporting roles because it can help make Christmas contemporary -- but not the central characters.

In Naples, for example, famous figures like Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona have been depicted as shepherds.

"OH DEAR!"

A spokesman for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of 70 million Anglicans worldwide, reacted with weary resignation to the "Posh and Becks" tableau.

"There is a tradition of each generation trying to re-interpret the nativity but, Oh Dear..," he said.

Paul Handley, editor of the Anglican Church Times, thought the tableau was "just pathetic."

"It is yet another sign that people feel they can play around with sacred things," he told Reuters. "God is not going to worry. He is going to cope -- but it is a bit depressing."

The Reverend Rod Thomas, spokesman for the conservative evangelical grouping Reform, told Reuters, the scene was a case of exploiting Christian symbols without any understanding.

"Would they do the same thing for a depiction of a major event in the Muslim faith?" he asked.

The Presbyterian Church was also forthright: "The waxwork will cause offence to many and should be pulled down."

The Beckhams were unaware of the museum's plans to depict them in a nativity, a spokesman for the couple told Reuters.

Madame Tussaud's apologised for any offence caused, but insisted the tableau was intended as a tongue-in-cheek way of bringing the nativity to a wider audience.

"We are not suggesting for one minute these celebrities actually represent the biblical characters themselves and we are sorry if it has been misconstrued as such," a statement said.

A spokeswoman added the scene would remain unchanged until January 3 due to a largely positive response from the public since its opening on Monday. "Yes, we have had criticism, but the vast majority are taking it in the spirit intended. They love it."

-- Additional reporting by Philip Pullella in Rome and Andrew Cawthorne in London

 

[Lucky Forward]

Bend It Like Bethlehem!

 

[kgHavok23]

"Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush also starred as two of The Three Wise Men at the birth of Christ."

:lol :lol :lol

 

[LakeEarth]

Churches in the US were not as outraged. "Who?" says Michagan Rev. James Smith.

:lol

 

[videogamer]

What? Political correctness killing the UK too?

 

[Ripclawe]

The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comic Graham Norton.

Insulting Samuel L like that, it should be him, Denzel and Arnold!

 

[ManDudeChild]

"It is yet another sign that people feel they can play around with sacred things," he told Reuters. "God is not going to worry. He is going to cope -- but it is a bit depressing."

[sarcasm]Well I'm glad god will be able to cope with this horrible act of blasphemy.[/sarcasm]

Why is this news? Oh, and while I'm thinking out loud, is that an actual woman beside Beckham, or a doll?

 

[yoshifumi]

Bend It Like Bethlehem!

:lol

 

[hXc_thugg]

Why is this news? Oh, and while I'm thinking out loud, is that an actual woman beside Beckham, or a doll?

Nvm, I'm dumb.

 

[bjork]

Posh Spice let me touch you.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

The only person who should be insulted here is Mandy Patinkin, for the very obvious lack of Mandy Patinkin in this nativity scene. Seriously, why wasn't he the baby Jesus? He could've been anyone! At least someone! He's a far higher caliber celebrity than Posh Spice! He's a Yiddish Children's Clown for goodness sake! Seriously!

 

[Mama Smurf]

"There is a tradition of each generation trying to re-interpret the nativity but, Oh Dear..," he said.

:lol You tell 'em Canterbury!

 

[tedtropy]

Who cares, his wife is HAWT, and the prospect of her as the Virgin Mary is only hotter...

 

[snaildog]

Some Christians need to stop blowing a nut just for the sake of it.

 

[Tuvoc]

twice the cross, twice the holiness!

 

[DarienA]

I am so glad this is pissing the Vatican and other religious leaders off...
I'm even more glad that so far Madame Tussaud's hasn't bowed to pressure to remove the display.

 

[Mermandala]

Bend It Like Bethlehem!

above statement must always include this pic.

BTW does anybody know who the 3rd wise man was?

 

[Azih]

"We are not suggesting for one minute these celebrities actually represent the biblical characters themselves and we are sorry if it has been misconstrued as such," a statement said.

Um, what exactly were they suggesting then?

 

[Takuan]

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED FIRST.

The Vatican LOSES!

 

[DCharlie]

that vatican god phone call

God : "Hello, you are through to the God line. PUT YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD OR BURN LIKE A CHOAD. My name is God, how may i assist you?"
Pope : "Hi, this is the Pope"
God : "Ah... JP.... again.... for the 20th time today.... this isn't about contraception again is it??"
Pope : "no it's just that... there is this Maddam Tousards thing in London and it dep...."
God : ".... seen it. You of all people should recall that i am, you know, like a God... you know, that's where the name comes from. I have Godly powers, i see everything... including that thing you did with the small bo...."
Pope : "ANYWAYS, whats your official line on this?"
God : " ... you think i give a shit? Theres people dying all over the world, shitty things are going down on earth."
Pope : "yes... but Beckham and Pos...."
God : "Listen ... here is my official line : "I don't give a FUCK. Start calling me about your planets real problems or i'm telling you, i'll be laying down some hardcore smack on your sorry dimwitted asses that'll make Revelations look like "Run , Spot, Run" - do i make myself clear?"
Pope : ".... right. So , you'll get by then?"
God : "look , JP, i got Satan on the other line... wants to know how to handle some press reaction to some questions he took from some GIs about armour and supplies and shit. "
Pope : "Right... i'll leave you to it"
*click*
God : "Ssssssssssssssattan! wassup Dog?"

 

[Archaix]

My God! I'm so offended. I'm going to do something about this.

Mike, there's not really anything you can do.

Wow, you're right. I guess I'm just going to have to develop a sense of humor, huh?