Bloody Bible ad most complained about
The Advertising Standards Authority’s annual report for 2006 reveals that the most-complained-about ad of the year was the Gay Police Federation’s “Bloody Bible” newspaper advertisement. The 553 complaints were the result of a concerted campaign by various Christian groups.
In a ruling remarkable for its inconsistency and fuzzy-thinking, the complaints were partially upheld.
Just a quick reminder of what the Bible has to say on the subject of homosexuality:
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. [Lev 20.13]
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [1Cor 6:9-10]
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. [1Tim 1:9-10]
Free speech is free provided you’re not freely quoting the bible.
I can understand the premise behind the complaints (if you don’t bother to read it then the images portray: blood + bible = Christians are violent) but it is completely fence-sitting on the part of the ASA.
I haven’t seen the advert but we’re all going to hell anyway. Even the Catholics.
-Daniel
A concerted effort gets 553 complaints, wow!
BTW After reading some of that I think I’m going to Hell, so I may as well not give a toss about anything any more.
Still not sure how they managed 553 complaints when so few of them seem literate enough to read a newspaper
A few years ago there was another of these ridiculous campaigns against an ad – I forget what it was about I’m afraid. I wrote in to the ASA in support of the film-maker, praising the ad as a work of art as well as for its message. I got a letter back from them thanking me for my complaint and saying that it would be looked into. So I just don’t believe that there were 550-odd complaints about the ad. The ASA demonstrably can’t tell the difference between a complaint and anything else.
Just wait for their ruling on the adverts in The Times leading up to the SORs vote… should be getting made public soon…