By any ordinary definition of sacrilege as “the injurious treatment of a sacred object,” then the Hunky Jesus competition is a sacrilege. And while the competition should certainly be legal, at the same time, I hope the participants consider the feelings of people who are offended; just as we should be concerned about the feelings of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews in matters that are sacred to them.
However, in this Easter season, when Christians like myself celebrate the risen Jesus, I find myself asking if Jesus himself is not much more concerned by sacrileges such as war, hunger, poverty, homophobia, prejudice against women and immigrants. Those of us who call ourselves Christian need to be humble lest we end up throwing the first stone on such an issue.
— Father Donal Godfrey told Queerty exclusively in a response to the whole Andrew Sullivan versus the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence debacle. Father Godfrey is perhaps the most prominent gay activist Catholic priest in the world. His book, Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church makes the case that the Castro’s MHR is no longer a Catholic Church but a gay spiritual institution.
Now check out the pics from this year’s Hunky Jesus and let us know, sexy or sacrilege?
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alan brickman
No surprise here…..Jesus was the first “Teen Idol”…just sayin…
Jeff R
Thanks for posting this piece. It prompted me to google the video and LMAO! Congrats! Genius contest! Best, JeffR
Shannon1981
This is hilarious! And its only sacrilege if you actually believe the religious bullshit. Simple solution, if you don’t like it, don’t look.
kernelt
I sure want to grab my hand around the second Jesus.. He is hot as hell..
divkid
it’s just a fact — jesus is like MILES AHEAD in the sexiest deity/prophet stakes…
but to be fair and impartial lets just examine a few of the other runners and riders:
*buddha: lovely man but a tad fat and lazy. bit of a dreamer. fussy eater.
*ganesh: combines the attributes of an ELEPHANT and a MAN — though not in the order i would have arranged it, else he’d have gotten my vote ;-P
however he does looove the arts. so thats good.
*mohammed(peace be upon him): well… [don’t worry queerty we wont go THERE. ha ha. y’know… JUST IN CASE!]
divkid
yes number two jesus puts the “ERECTION” into “RESURRECTION”… or the SECOND COMING…or…
(jesus, this stuff just writes itself. which just goes to prove what a filthy minded religion it is.)
…i forgot his WOOD… and NAILING him…
…and VIRGIN BIRTHS,..
oh wait, that last one isn’t a joke apparently. like wow!
Kev C
Did Jesus ever take a dump? What did he wipe with, his hand? And why haven’t we found any fossilized Jesus poop? I would think it would be valuable to christians.
Pete n SFO
Fr. Donal, is obviously off the radar of the Khurch or they would have booted his ass, along with his reasonable, enlightened responses, a looooong time ago!
On a side note; is a priest’s opinion relevant to anything? Does anyone really care???
Dr. M
@Kev C: Most Christians are fossilized Jesus shit.
Angelo ventura
Moronic
uu
Whoever credits any religion marked by an anti-gay, anti-human, history like christianity––particularly a branch such as catholicism that still remains a human disgrace––with their support should be very ashamed and embarrassed, hang their head in silence and hope they will be forgiven by their friends and family. That person should also and especially take monumental care not to mitigate their denunciation of those evils by assuming a position in which they demand respect for themselves, their fellow acolytes or their religion’s detestable dogma.
MikeE
Let’s be perfectly clear here: not ALL Christian denominations are anti-gay.
The posters in this thread are being as unfair as can be toward people of faith. Respect is a two-way street, after all.
There are gay people of faith, who function within faith communities that are fully supportive, and have been for a long time.
I think the “hunky jesus” thing is in poor taste. Sacrilege? I don’t know, I don’t care. That’s just a word for something the church hierarchy disagrees with. But is IS in poor taste. And yeah, I can see people being offended by it. Particularly because it’s being done TO offend.
The atheists on this forum are certainly as offensive as the religious wingnuts who are anti-gay. Like I said, don’t forget that not ALL people of faith are fundamentalists.
Start crapping on absolutely anyone who believes, and you are driving away allies who have been on our side since day one. Live and let live. You don’t believe. Fine. Others do. It in no way affects you. There’s no need to go so far out of your way to offend and ridicule those who believe. Don’t lump us all into the same bag as the voodoo nutjob literalist fundies out there.
Ogre Magi
I am not normaly into facial har, but some of those guys were HOT
TheRealAdam
@MikeE: Shut it up, MikeE. Maybe you Xtians and others who “believe” need to do a better job of keeping your religious bs out of other people’s lives. Don’t get angry when Xtianity, which has a huge history of oppression and persecution that continues today, is attacked by the very people it’s been attacking for centuries. People – especially gay people, who are the primary targets of religion – have a right to mock it however they like. You don’t like it? Too bad, you can’t do shit about it.
Steve
If one must be a deity, one might as well be hot!
Ogre Magi
@MikeE: You are really Cassandra , aren’t you?
Shannon1981
MikeE I am SO SICK of the “they aren’t all like that” argument. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Anyone, whether they are personally a bigot or not, who subscribes to any dogmatic belief system that is bigoted at its core and/or used to oppress any group of people for disagreeing is party of the problem. Every person who votes republican but claims not to be homophobic, but voting that way for other reasons is part of the problem. Every person who goes into a church that condemns homosexuals is part of the problem. Every person who looks the other way is part of the problem. I don’t give a damn if you aren’t all like that. I don’t give a damn if some of you are gay. You’re still part of the problem. It won’t change until the fundamental ways in which that bigoted religion is practiced changes. And we all know the world will end before that happens.
They don’t respect us, why respect them? If I could, when the Pope dies, I’d gladly shit on his grave after getting butt fucked with a dildo because he deserves it.
Party on with the hunky Jesus contest, I say. The only thing missing is the Sexy Mary lesbian version.
Kev C
Very few branches of christianity actually obey the commandments of Jesus and most christians aren’t “true christians” but false christians. You have the Quakers, you have the Unitarian Universalists, and that’s about all the true christians. The Quakers and Unitarians have strongly supported gays, including transgenders, for decades. If you are a christian and support gays, join a true christian church and drop the false christians who don’t obey the words of Jesus.
John
@MikeE: +1 Trashing religion is unfair to the legions of GOOD church-goers – and potential LGBT rights allies – who are darned easy to find on the ‘Net if one tries.
Eyes on the prize folks…
scott ny'er
@MikeE: interesting viewpoint. IDK. If it was done to be funny, I don’t mind it. If it’s done as a jest, I also wouldn’t mind it if there was a hunky Buddha, a hunky Gandhi, a hunky whatever.
Shannon1981
@John: I think people need more of a sense of humor. Those nuns in drag are Christians themselves, if I am not mistaken. This wasn’t done to offend anyone. Holding a Hunky Jesus contest on Easter Sunday is a brilliant way to recognize the holiday for those uncomfortable in churches.
John
@Shannon1981: The people who are bent upon destroying us…
Anti-gay groups to boost spending, activity through 2012 http://bit.ly/lubHnV Silent $$$ backers for this (and NOM)? http://bit.ly/kGGAvW
…can and WILL use spectacles like this “Hunky Jesus Contest” against us.
Shannon1981
@John: I get that events like this can do harm. No doubt. Pride too. I guarantee you the floats with men in their skivvies and dykes in leather and whatnot get a whole lot more attention than the LGBT booths and other positive contributions. There’s no denying that. But aren’t we letting them win when we let them squash our culture?
Chris
There are a billion Catholics in the world. We don’t get them to realize the errors of their bigotry and invite them to our way of thinking by making fun of them and slapping them in the face with something they hold dear. We’re better than that – we should not meet their bigotry with more of our own.
Kev C
@Chris: It’s not really our job to reform catholicism.
Listen, I live in a mostly Italian neighborhood. You’d expect them to be catholic, right? Wrong, very few catholics. They don’t go to catholic churches, most of them have left the catholic church. Look at Lady Gaga, she’s rebelling against her catholic upbringing just like Madonna did. We should encourage all catholics to leave. Lighten up, get a sense of humor. Go to a nice accepting church, you’ll feel better.
mikey
I hope a Hunky Mohammed contest is in the works.
Rev. Sr. Merry Peter, SPI
I knew Donal Godfrey back when we were both at Regis College in the University of Toronto. I worried all the time that this young Irishman would have a tough road as a flamboyant gay man in the Jesuits. It’s nice to see that he has found some way to survive as a gay priest within an oppressive and corrupt church. I’m not sure what compromises he’s had to make to do it, but good for him if he’s happy.
All I can say about his comments is that I’m not too terribly worried about offending Christians who are, at the institutionial level, working so deliberately and without scruples to deny equal rights to queer people.
A Hunky Jesus contest is a walk in the park compared to the daily assault on our basic rights, the virulent homophobia and the lethal lies that feed the hatred that brings queer teens to consider suicide and generates gay death-legislation like that moving forward in Uganda.
As a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence for over 21 years, my vocation has always been to rid the world of guilt and shame and promote universal joy. I don’t go out of my way to offend anyone. But if some rigid souls take offence at ribald theatre pieces that emphasize the connection between sex and spirit that is really not my problem. I’m busy workign to connect with all those who need a good laugh and a chance to shake off the fear and repression we all have to suffer every day due to religious bigotry.
If we all censored our work and expression because someone else thinks it shameful we would never get anywhere! Assimilation and politeness don’t win revolutions! Boldness and flamboyance do!
Heartfelt blessings to Fr. Donal in his work and to my sisters in ours! There are many fields, dear Father, and we each tend the one that has been given to us.
With indulgent joy,
Rev. Sr. Merry Peter, SPI
rextrek
Holy F..K…Ill take Jesus no#2…I’ll be on my knees now……
ChiGuy76
I must admit that I do have mixed emotions about the “Hunky Jesus” contest. The good Sisters and their supporters have every right to have this contest without interference from the government or anyone else for that matter. However, I can’t help but think this type of contest might have been a little in poor taste. I’m not really a fan of desecrating the image of Jesus (or any other religious leader or founder for that matter). What was the purpose of this contest on Easter? Was it to spark debate and conversation between believers and non-believers? Was it to give a big “F*** You” to Christians on their holiest day of the year? Was it just to have fun and ogle some hot looking guys? Was it all three?
Throughout human history artists have married the erotic to the sacred. Just look at any painting by Caravaggio. They could double as stills from a Falcon video (particularly the “Crucifixion of St. Peter” where a very muscular St. Peter looks like he is being gangbanged by Roman soldiers). Not only were these works of art commissioned by the Church, but Caravaggio’s paitings were instrumental in the success of the Counter-Reformation. Not to mention any of the works of the Great Masters from the Renaissance. If what the Sister of Perpetual Indulgence was indeed blasphemy, what does that mean for these sacred works of art?
Alternatively, does the “Hunky Jesus” contest rise to the level of art? From the clips I’ve seen, I very much doubt it. Could the Sisters have chosen a different method to criticize Chrisitanity? Maybe, if that was their intent with this contest. But, honestly, what harm was done? Some people were uncomfortable with eroticizing Christ-big deal. Worse has been done to the image of Jesus, and the Christian faith still survives. If this was indeed blasphemous, then let the Christian God, or whatever other deity may or may not exist deal with it. If anyone didn’t like it, then don’t watch it next time or don’t talk about it and give them free advertising.
If the Sisters do the “Hunky Jesus” contest, I wish them the best and hope that no one interferes with their right to put on another show. As for me, I’ll just look the other way.
Wren
Transubstantiation: In Roman Catholic theology, transubstantiation (in Latin, transsubstantiatio, in Greek ??????????? metousiosis) means the change, in the Eucharist, of the substance of wheat bread and grape wine into the substance of the Body and Blood (respectively)[1] of Jesus, while all that is accessible to the senses (the species or appearances) remains as before.
The true Catholic belief is that once the priest blesses the flat bread and wine, it becomes on a molecular level actual flesh and blood. That makes Catholics cannibals, and their cult truly sick and demented. Anything that mocks such a system is good in my book.
Wren
(an ex-Catholic who ex-communicated myself years ago)
Harry R. Freeman-Jones
I look at these pictures and see people having fun, letting off steam, celebrating their…uh….”sisterhood”, stirring up controversy, pinching the cheeks of the dour religionists, celebrating their own physical hunkiness, bringing wit and humor to add to an obviously sunny day. In short, I see the Creator’s children at play. Is there anything wrong with that? I have no doubt that if there was real evil doing going on, the good folks in this gathering would have addressed it appropriately. At least no one was preaching that queers are sick, sinful, criminal, second class, immoral, in need of psychiatric “care”, child molesters, wreckers of society’s institutions, abominations worthy to be cast to the outer darkness, defined as being intrinsically evil, and ” We love the sinner (we really do!) but we hate the sin!” Now THAT would have been REAL vulgarity for you!
the crustybastard
Gay priests always remind me of Dave Chapelle’s blind Klansman.
As to the “b-b-but not all churches are homophobic! Respect goes both ways!” arguments presented, gay people have never been subjected to persecution because they failed to respect or note that some congregations are more tolerant than others. Moreover, the few tiny congregations that are recently gay-friendly IN NO WAY cancel out the relentless and overwhelming animosity of their coreligionists.
On the day ALL Christians beg forgiveness for the innumerable gays they have slaughtered and tortured and continue to oppress in the name of their religion, then on that day — and NOT ONE DAY BEFORE — your demand that ALL gays show respect for Christianity will finally be justified.
Until that day, just STFU. Seriously.
Devington
I’m sure this sort of thing won’t be used to turn moderate christians against us the next time our rights are put up for a vote or anything like that.
Shannon1981
@the crustybastard: *BIG STANDING O* A fucking men, my brother!
TheRealAdam
@Devington: If they do “turn,” they were never on our side to begin with. Period.
Shannon1981
@TheRealAdam: So right. See my post above. Since I posted this to FB I have cut 2 so called allies out of my life. Its funny. End of story. The people putting this on are Christians and have a whole lot more respect for Christianity that I have in the last 15 years, certainly. Its harmless. They are looking for something to whine about, and this cannot possibly compare to the BS I go through in this hicked out, podunk, homophobic town on a daily basis.
linda
I’m sorry if this offends anyone, but you know something? There are 6 billion people on this planet. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING will piss a bunch of people off somewhere.
Personally, from what I see of Jesus, and how he handles things, I think He’d be somewhat embarrassed, but secretly flattered, and would use the opportunity to teach the audience some larger lesson. And that He would definitely prefer NOT to see it again, if you can help it.
Then after you left, He’d check Himself out in the mirror, flex a bit and think, “I DO kinda look like that second guy, don’t I?”
the crustybastard
@Devington:
Oh yeah, BUT FOR all the gay parades and celebrations, “moderate Christians” would have guaranteed our equality by now.
Because it’s not that “moderate Christians” WANT to use the law to strip us of our rights and dignity — we’re FORCING them to do it with these hijinks and shenanigans! Think about it: before Hunky Jesus and assless chaps, “moderate Christians” had always treated gay folks with such tenderness and respect.
It’s those IMmoderate Christians that are most certainly to blame!
Surely you must know dozens or even scores of Immoderate Christians. There must be tens of millions of them, given how they’ve won some statewide antigay votes with 70% or better over the last couple of decades.
That said, you good people must know my share of Immoderate Christians, because I’ve never met anyone who described themselves that way.
Flex
How about bigot Jesus, and dress up as Maggie Gallagher?
OVERIT
I think the Sister’s of Perpetual indulgence are a Satanic Cult, that practice witchcraft (this from information from a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence). And, I think the Hunky Jesus Contest is an insult to the beliefs of Christians.
American Again
Wow the hate on this site is unbelievable. You want to see who is killing gay men? It’s not Christians..it is other gay men. Go to Craig’s List and read the posts about dudes looking to fuck/be fucked BB. And the “community” doesn’t say shit because it doesn’t fit the PC narrative.
As far as the contest. Do what ya want..it’s a free country. People who get offended by this adolescent show must have a pretty small G_d. I am sure if there is a Deity “he” can take care of himself.
American Again
@Shannon1981:
You write like you have a “dogmatic” belief system. Since when did you become the “norm” others have to conform to? You sound bigoted against all Christians. You have become what you hate the most….a “fundamentalist”, but just a gay one.
Shannon1981
@Flex: great idea. would be a lot more accurate than the people who parade themselves as beacons of love.
Listen, all of you: I recognize that gays can be Christians. I also recognize that many Christians don’t hate me. One of my best friends who is a class mate doesn’t hate me, but is a straight, married Christian, 34 years old, and a house wife, just now going back to school, REALLY RELIGIOUS, and thinks im the shit.
But, she also realizes her religion oppresses me. PLEASE stop ignoring that. IF she can recognize it, so can the rest of you.
Shannon1981
@American Again: I am no fundy of anything. I want to be left alone to adopt and marry and parade as I please. If putting on a hunky Jesus contest makes these people feel better, so be it.
John
*A-HEM*
“In the next 48 hours, conservative lawmakers could move a bill that would make being LGBT in Uganda a crime punishable by death.”
Ugandan President Museveni must vow to veto the “Kill the Gays” Bill: http://www.allout.org/petition/uganda
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill’s author Ugandan MP David Bahati’s backers: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/The_Fellowship_%28Christian_organization%29
Now why don’t y’all kiss & make up, sign the above petition and then head off to Facebook & find some REAL fundies to debate with–as in take the high road with the aim of showing neutral Str8 lurkers that WE aren’t a problem, the haters are.
Here’s a growing collection of links I’ve assembled for use by those LGBT’ers who enjoy a bit of Facebook fundie fun time. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466102646385&set=a.423943556385.199974.660216385&type=1
John
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/uganda-kill-the-gays-leader-homosexuality-is-killing-our-society/polls/2011/05/09/19786
John Doe
It’s not just sacrilege – it’s sacrelicious!
Ruhlmann
I couldn’t get past the five minute mark. This is incredibly juvenile and silly and for the record I am atheist.
However offensive some adherants of Christianity might be towards LGBT, how we respond to this hostility says much about us. This behaviour is vulgar in its intent and beneath dignified intelligent beings.
Kittredge Cherry
For me as a lesbian Christian, there’s a lot to love about the Hunky Jesus contest. It’s packed with living, breathing gay Jesuses — or “Jesi,” as they are called. Many of Hunky Jesus photos are wonderful. I put a lot of energy into promoting images of a queer Christ in order to heal the damage done by homophobes in Jesus’ name. The Hunky Jesi can free people who feel left out when Jesus is presented as a straight man. Maybe they can even enlarge the way some people see God. I was inspired to write a whole post about this at my blog, the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBT Spirituality and the Arts. Thank you!