This week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) unveiled a racy new advertising campaign bearing the title ‘Be an angel for animals’. The most controversial of the images used in the campaign featured Playboy model Joanna Krupa posing inside a cathedral with a pair of angel wings and a halo over her head, covered only by a strategically positioned cross. Other adverts showed the model topless, hugging her dog and holding rosary beads.
When I looked at the adverts my first reaction was one of disgust. I am aware of the PETA “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaigns and the relevance of nudity in that context. However this campaign is not about fur, it’s about puppies. The new PETA campaign advocates adopting pets from animal shelters instead of buying them from a breeder or pet store, because every time an animal is bought, a homeless animal loses the chance of finding a good home. This may be a valid message; however I fail to see the relevance of featuring a naked woman wearing a crucifix. PETA are clearly going for the shock value here, and are courting controversy in order to get more exposure.
In that, they have been successful, because the advert has been the cause of quite a furore in the United States. The Catholic League has protested about the improper use of Christian symbols and the total lack of respect shown towards Christianity.
Krupa responded to the Catholic League in a statement saying: “As a practising Catholic, I am shocked that the Catholic League is speaking out against my PETA ads. I’m doing what the Catholic Church should be doing, working to stop senseless suffering of animals, the most defenceless of God’s creation.”
What a load of rubbish. I know a lot of people who love animals and work hard to help strays: however, they do not go around exploiting Christian symbols in order to do their job.
The crucifix is not an accessory and should not be reduced to the level of a prop in a photo shoot!
This whole farce of a campaign brought to mind the recent controversy about crucifixes in classrooms and public places. As the controversy raged and people aired their views on online message boards, in letters sent to the editor and also in vox pops on television, I was saddened that people vehemently “defended” the crucifix, while at the same time voicing opinions that dishonoured what the crucified Christ stands for.
“If they do not like it they should leave” and “It is part of our culture and anyone who does not agree with us is not one of us” are the themes that kept emerging over and over again.
What does the crucifix mean to these people? The object that hangs on the wall or around peoples’ necks should serve as a reminder of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. It is a representation of his humility and strength, in which all Catholics can find comfort. He died for all of us, of whatever race and colour.
Stating that the crucifix is part of our culture only makes sense if one remembers that the object itself is purely a symbol that represents our Christian values. If the cross is not taken in that context, then once again we are reducing it to the level of an accessory – a decoration hung on the wall.
How would Christ react today if he found out that the image of his ultimate sacrifice is being discussed in the most uncharitable of terms? I very much doubt whether he would approve of those who rant and rave about how much they love the cross because “it is part of our culture” but who have no problem rubbishing the opinions of those who disagree with them.
Do people really think that what defines us as Catholics is the crucifix in a classroom? Do they think that if they hang hundreds of crosses in strategic locations, it absolves them of getting to grips with the fundamental tenets of our religion?
As a parent who wants to raise her children as good Catholics, my main concern is to teach them to love God, to be charitable, to be forgiving and to love their neighbour – wherever that neighbour may come from.
In His parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made the point that we should extend our Christian love to all people of the world, regardless of race, religion, nationality or political persuasion. He exhorted us to show Christian love to everyone, including our enemies – so what would he say if he were to hear how some Maltese talk about atheists or people of other religions? Can you somehow envisage a scenario where Christ would have said – “If you do not like what I am saying get out of here. I don’t want to waste my time with the likes of you!”
I am happy that my children have a crucifix hanging over the whiteboard in their class. However, it is more important to me that they learn to respect people of all colours and creeds. They should have friends who are Maltese, African, Asian, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim. They should love and respect them all and not seek to impose their culture and beliefs on any one of them. If that means foregoing a crucifix on the wall then so be it.
I am sure that Christ would be much happier if we passed on that legacy to our children, instead of just hanging crucifixes all over the place without ever stopping to ponder their significance.
Hanging a crucifix on the wall or around our necks does not automatically transform us into good Catholics. If it did, Joanna Krupa would be holier than the Pope.
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