Christians and Muslims Upset over Crucified Jesus Organ Donor Ad

Christians and Muslims Upset Over Crucified Jesus Organ Donor Ad

Christians and Muslims Upset over Crucified Jesus Organ Donor Ad
Video screenshot
Over 20,000 have a signed petition in protest.

Christians and Muslims have expressed outrage over a controversial Australian advertisement campaign where Jesus donated his organs while he was nailed to the cross.[/tweetit] Over 20,000 people have signed an online petition to remove the advertisement.

Christians and Muslims Upset Over Crucified Jesus Organ Donor Ad [/tweetthis]

The ad at the center of the storm is two and a half minutes long. It depicts two Roman soldiers convincing Jesus Christ to sign up to donate his organs while being fixed to the cross. The short promotional film is part of Dying to Live, a donor registration campaign. The ad was named “What Would Jesus Do?”. It was first aired on October 14.

The verbal exchange between Christ and the Roman soldiers ends with the former consenting to help others through the donation of his organs. The guards take Jesus through the whole spiel, explaining a few of the important procedures and accompanying rules when it is time to register as a donor of organs. The guards do not forget to include the need for parents of a person to get informed. Two actors, depicting Joseph and Mary, promptly appear to exhibit their approval. The advertisement ends with the guards and Jesus taking a selfie together.

Many online petitioners have described the advertisement as a kind of mockery. One wrote of discrimination against Christians, alleging that the filmmakers would never do this kind of film with Muslims or atheists. The writer alleged the promotional film mocked Jesus Christ and Christianity. The petition has not only been signed by Christians but Muslims too. Keysar Trad, who founded the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, said the ad displayed irreverence towards respected personalities. He claimed the advertisement would offend a few Christians and some Muslims too.

Richard Todd directed the advertisement. He said the intention is to raise organ donation awareness. He pointed out that 36 percent of Australians are registered donors, and 70 percent have no problem in donating. Todd said it is vital for every Australian to register online by visiting www.dyingtolive.com.au and converse with his or her family. This is important as family members have veto powers over donation and it is vital to make this decision as a family. He lamented that Australia is one of the lower performing nations in the developed world when it comes to organ donation. An organ is the best Christmas gift a dying person can get.

Resources

Follow the Conversation on Twitter