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Posted by occrider on Sep-19-2003 17:09:

I Need This Book!!!

http://www.westgaz.co.uk/displayNod...ntentPK=7093335

JESUS DIARY IS 'UTTERLY STUPID' SAY CHRISTIANS

BY HUGO BERGER STAFF REPORTER

15:40 - 18 September 2003

Outraged Christians have called for a novel depicting Jesus as a foul-mouthed, promiscuous, pot-smoking youth to be banned from shelves of a local bookshop. This week The Utterly, Utterly Private and Confidential Teenage Diary of Jesus by cult author Paul Murphy went on sale at Ottaker's Book Shop in Middle Street, Yeovil.

Mr Murphy's account of Jesus' adolescent years is vastly different from the Bible, portraying him as a typically-confused teenager.

In the diaries Jesus calls the Virgin Mary a "frigid bitch", and describes his experiences of taking marijuana and LSD and having sex with Mary Magdelene.

Mr Murphy of West Camel believes most people will not take offence and is a fierce defender of free speech, but church leaders in Yeovil have condemned the book as blasphemous and threatened to boycott the store.

He said: "Times have relaxed, you walk into any pub on Saturday and there will be somebody telling a joke about Jesus or the Pope.

"I do not think that people who will pick up this book will be offended by it. I think the people who will find it offensive will not pick it up in the first place.

"I personally find sawing sheep in half offensive but I would fight to the death for people to be able to do that in a democracy.

"I am sure God had a sense of humour, how else do you explain the Welsh?

"If one looks past the surface the book makes pointed remarks about religious intolerance, holy wars, blind faith in leaders, even the Gulf War and to be frank, I have used the lowest common denominator to make some sincere comments."

Steve Hart of the Yeovil Community Church said Christians would oppose the sale of the book at Ottakers.

He said: "From what I have heard of it it sounds very offensive to Christians. Anything which is contrary to the Bible is heretical. If it is contrary to what is taught in the scriptures then it should not be on sale in Yeovil.

"It is amazing that someone can be so derogatory about Jesus."

The Rev Will Thompson of Yeovil Baptist Church said: "I would imagine that a lot of Christians would be very offended by the contents of this book.

"Jesus Christ is someone of importance and to be made a fool of with no authority and justification is disappointing. I do not go around asking for books to be banned but I will definitely not be buying it.

"Our Lord has been portrayed in many guises and he is better than all of them."

Local Church of England spokesman John Andrews said: "It sounds too ridiculous for words. It is very stupid and cheap and shows a real lack of imagination if this is all he can think to write about. He is obviously trying to court controversy."

Preston Community School headteacher Reg Jones said the book would not be welcomed in the school's libraries.

He said: "From what I have heard about it I would have reservations about it being available in school. Although parts of Shakespeare and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are rather risque they do have educational purposes.

"With the proviso that I would have to look at it first, I would not really want a book like this in the school."

Ottaker's manager Marcus Bishop defended the sale of the book, saying: "I have not read it, but if we did get any complaints about it I would consider taking it off the shelves.

"But we are a local bookshop and we do try our best to promote local authors."

Posted by MrSquirrel on Sep-19-2003 22:30:

Nice,

This on your list of "books I must have on the grounds of free speech" list?

Sounds like it could be at least mildly entertaining.

Little chance of finding it around where I live though.

MrS

Posted by Trancer-X on Sep-20-2003 07:25:

Re: I Need This Book!!!

quote:
Originally posted by occrider
and describes his experiences of taking marijuana and LSD and having sex with Mary Magdelene.

I wonder how they would have synthesized LSD back in those days?

Did he use ergot mold from unleavened bread?

As far as Mary Magdelene, that's nothing that I haven't heard before.

Sang Raal

Posted by arctic on Sep-20-2003 13:56:

I don't mind the idea of the book, but it does sound like it wouldn't exactly be a very good read...

Posted by DaveSZ on Sep-20-2003 17:24:

Re: Re: I Need This Book!!!

quote:
Originally posted by Trancer-X
I wonder how they would have synthesized LSD back in those days?

I wondered the same exact thing muahaha.

I used to often wonder as a young child if the people who wrote those books of the bible were either mentally diseased to the point of being unable to separate reality from visions in their heads, or perhaps were under the infuence of some kind of substance. I mean...walking on water... I stopped going to church after that hehe.

That's not to say they are not important chronicles of mans' attempts to understand nature, but they aren't any more valid or important than myths created by other cultures. It's wonderful to learn of other cultures' beliefs. Right now I've been on a Buddhism kick.

Posted by Sand Leaper on Sep-20-2003 17:54:

Re: I Need This Book!!!

quote:
Originally posted by occrider
In the diaries Jesus calls the Virgin Mary a "frigid bitch", and describes his experiences of taking marijuana and LSD and having sex with Mary Magdelene.

I guess Marilyn Manson was right then

Posted by Trancer-X on Sep-20-2003 18:15:

quote:
Originally posted by DaveSaenz
I wondered the same exact thing muahaha.

You also have to realize that the original was written in several different languages. They had to translate from Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, etc., so I'm sure there were plenty of errors (or at least significant typos) that occurred in the translations. Add this to the fact that early Christianity itself was amazingly divided with many different beliefs and many different interpretations among it's various groups of followers.

Posted by MrSquirrel on Sep-20-2003 19:57:

Re: Re: Re: I Need This Book!!!

quote:
Originally posted by DaveSaenz
I used to often wonder as a young child if the people who wrote those books of the bible were either mentally diseased to the point of being unable to separate reality from visions in their heads, or perhaps were under the infuence of some kind of substance. I mean...walking on water... I stopped going to church after that hehe.

Hey, the old dude in Remo Williams did it. So it can't be impossible

MrS

Posted by LiquidX on Sep-20-2003 21:35:

Is the author writting it as a "real" thing or just some whatever novel??.. if so, where in the world did he get that info?

Posted by MrSquirrel on Sep-21-2003 00:24:

quote:
Originally posted by LiquidX
Is the author writting it as a "real" thing or just some whatever novel??.. if so, where in the world did he get that info?

It sounds to me like it is a satire.

This is the problem with society, people can poke fun at just about anything but as soon as someone takes a satirical look at a "religion" everyone freaks out. (I am not pointing fingers at anyone here, am just stating a point) If people were truly comfortable with their religion there would be no need for them to be offended by this type of satire, they could even quite possibly enjoy it.

I still think it sounds like an interesting idea.

MrS

Posted by LiquidX on Sep-21-2003 19:20:

aahh satire, no if its so then thats some crazy interesting stuff to read. he.. eitherway, whose heard about the Mel Gibson movie in which Jews are opposed for it to be released because they dont to be seen as Jesus killers?

Posted by occrider on Sep-22-2003 01:18:

It's sattire ... look at the title: The Utterly, Utterly Private and Confidential Teenage Diary of Jesus

Posted by fuct4less on Sep-22-2003 20:49:

hahaha have to show this to my family