Church Life

Commercial Brake

Advertising for a Church of England diocese equates Jesus’ crucifixion to body piercing

Advertiser

The Church of England, Diocese of Birmingham

Setup

“Body piercing?”

Tagline

“Jesus had his done 2,000 years ago.”

Rationale

Diocesan communications director Arun Arora: “The purpose of these posters is to try and grab the attention of a group of people with whom the church has lost contact.”

Rebuttal

Christian Institute spokesman Ian Bainbridge: “The poster … trivializes the crucifixion of Jesus.”

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

The Diocese of Birmingham‘s official Web site has an image of the poster and explanation of what it means. The Body Piercing ad is one of four posters put up to advertise the diocese’s Web site to 16 to 24-year-olds. Other posters include: Asylum Seekers, Drugs, and The Church is for Life.

Related articles include:

Church unveils ‘body piercing’ crucifix poster – Ananova (Dec. 4, 2001)

In December, Commercial Brake looked at a wine company who launched a “Jesus was born in a trough” campaign.

Also in this issue

Is the God of Muhammad the Father of Jesus? The answer to this question reveals the heart of our faith.

Cover Story

Is the God of Muhammad the Father of Jesus?

Missing God at Macalester

Afghanistan: Entrapment Suspected

Deann Alford

North Africa: Interest in Satellite TV Up Since 9/11

Philipines: Missionary Couple Remains in Limbo

Anil Stephen

Church Leader Gets Reprieve

Tony Carnes

Kenya: Christians Flee Rioting

Sue Sprenkle

Quotation Marks

Today's Sermon: Thou Shalt Not Steal

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Holy City

Southern Baptists: SBC Agency May Revoke D.C. Funds

Ken Walker

Outpaced by Islam?

Christianity Today Editorial

Bad Priorities Can Kill

Christianity Today Editorial

In the Word: The Jesus Scandal

James R. Edwards

God's Mission

Richard A. Kauffman

The Long View: Wielding the Sword

A Quiet Compromise

Tall Tales

Jeremy Lott

Was Just Wondering…

The 10,000-Mile Courtship

Whatever Happened to Repentance?

News

Coming to a Screen Near You

Douglas LeBlanc

News

The Lowdown on Downloads

News

Go Figure

Does God Hear Muslims' Prayers?

James Lewis

One African Nation Under God

Fire in the Sky

Wendy Murray Zoba

"Big, Soft Targets"

Jeff M. Sellers

The Agony of the Families

Jeff M. Sellers

News

No Longer Just a Rock Band

Todd Hertz

A Daily Repentance Workout

Classroom Corrections

Still Somebody

Only God Is Free

Geoffrey Bromiley

Midterm Exams

Sheryl Henderson

September 11: Church Binds 9/11 Wounds with Quick Cash

LaTonya Taylor

Mining Controversy: Robertson Takes Flak for Gold-Mining Venture

Chuck Fager

Rite of Passage: Promise Keepers Begins to Evangelize Boys

Larry Pierce

Bible Translation: Revised NIV Makes Its Debut

Timothy C. Morgan

View issue

Our Latest

Evangelism and All That Jazz

In 1966, CT reported on church activities but also on LSD, The Beatles, and the war in Vietnam.

Why The Body Matters

Justin Ariel Bailey

Three books on ministry and church life to read this month.

Hark! The Boisterous Carolers Sing

Ann Harikeerthan

I grew up singing traditional English Christmas hymns. Then I went caroling with my church in India.

“Christian First, and Santa Next”

Even while wearing the red suit, pastors point people to Jesus.

How Pro-life Groups Help When a Baby’s Life Is Short

Adam McGinnis

Christian groups offer comfort and practical support for expectant families grappling with life-limiting illness.

The Russell Moore Show

A Reading of Luke 2

Voices across Christianity Today join together to read the Christmas story found in Luke 2.

The Bulletin

The Christmas Story

The CT Media voices you know and love present a special reading of the Christmas story.

My Top 5 Books on Christianity in East Asia

Insights on navigating shame-honor cultural dynamics and persecution in the region.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube