Gay Jesus Play Canned at Texas School

(CBS)  A college play that depicted Jesus Christ as a gay man was canceled after school officials received a barrage of "vile, hateful" emails and messages, a university spokeswoman said.

According to a report by CBS station KTVT, the situation began with a theater class assignment at Tarleton State University. In "Corpus Christi," Jesus is depicted as a gay man who presides over the marriage of two male disciples.

But David Harris, pastor of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, rallied his congregation to derail the production and handed out phone numbers and email addresses of school officials.

"We are told in our bibles that we are to contend for the faith - that means fight. We were just as determined in our efforts not to let it happen as they were to let it happen," said Harris.

Harris insisted his opposition was not rooted in play's gay theme.

"This has never been a battle between the homosexuals and the Christians," Harris said. "This has been a battle about the defamation of the name of Jesus Christ and I don't care if it had been a tobacco-chewing cowboy, I would've fought just as hard."

John Otte, the student director of the production hoped the play would serve as a lesson for tolerance.

"I'm not angry with anyone, it just saddens me that they would go this far," Otte told KTVT in an email. "I understand their belief and their anger, but not the violence threatened."

University spokeswoman Liza Benedict said the messages didn't contain any specific threats, but had an unmistakably angry tone.

"We didn't have specific threats of violence, but we had hundreds of vile, hateful emails and phone calls that got increasingly volatile as the week went on," she said. "We had enough hate spewed our way from Christian believers that the professor took that into consideration."

Harris said he neither suggested nor condoned the tone of the messages.

Otte hopes to stage the play at some point off-campus, though Harris said his opposition will continue.

Watch KTVT report:

Local Video from CBS 11 / TXA 21 in Dallas/Fort Worth

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[jrclem2006]

We all should now thank the God that this play mocks. We could be living in a nation or culture that immediate execution would be the consequence for this type of expression. Christianity is radically tolerant!

[bugsbun847]

Sadly I grew up not that far from Tarleton State. Way back in the 70's I was in my high school's production of Jesus Christ Superstar musical. You would have thought we were having sex and drinking and everything else against the Baptist. I was determined to do it and we did. Boycotts, pickets etc. I invited a few in to see it before we opened. 90% were fine with it then. They had no idea what the play was truly about. IGNORANCE!! I saw Corpus Christi in NYC late 90's. It's a great play and so wish others can see it and learn of it's true meaning. If anything it gives you another way to admire Christ. BTW I believe in atheism. But see I am open minded.

[NowBeWithThat]

by Hosheen March 30, 2010 6:46 AM EDT
As always, the religious reich shouts down anything that disagrees with the delusions. They hate free speech, rational thought, and will attempt to destroy anyone or anything that espouses those.
___________________________

No bigotry, stereotypes or intolerance there no siree.

[NowBeWithThat]

by Ms_enza March 29, 2010 5:40 PM EDT
It was not a religious play. It was a play about a religious figure.
___________________

Enza, I gave you more credit than that. Even you are not that big a hypocrite.

[endurorob_5]

I am atheist but that theme even offends me. If they want to do the play in a private theater I have no problem with that but I do have a problem with them using a tax payer funded college to run it.

[bugsbun847]

IT was a private showing and the student paid all royalties.

[Hosheen]

As always, the religious reich shouts down anything that disagrees with the delusions. They hate free speech, rational thought, and will attempt to destroy anyone or anything that espouses those.

They may say they are offended, but many are offended by religion and what they are doing to humanity. Violence, intolerance, hate, brainwashing children, all crimes against humanity. Let's unite in disassembling all religion by speaking the truth, disproving their delusions, and standing up for free speech and equality for all. It wouldn't hurt if that were no longer given a free ride on taxes, either.

Mankind will never truly be free until the black yoke of religion is lifted by the clear light of truth and logic.

[tb_whiteness]

Jesus LOVES me...
but I only like him, so it's awkward
I think he might really be gay.

[runner5k07]

It is true - He loves you!

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:13

[maxrep1]

I'm a gay man and I'm offended! I was offended when Dan Brown try to say Jesus married Mary Magdalene. I'm offended by this disrespect of saying Jesus was gay,and married 2 disciples. There is a big chunk of gay people the don't care for the liberal gays. I would protest with that preacher and his chuch members before I'd support that trash. Jesus didn't come to earth for any other reason than saving mankind from their sins. For many of readers out there, a lot of Gays don't support this Crap I'm One of many!

[Hosheen]

Jesus never existed. Much like your brain. Show me even ONE contemporary account of Jesus. Then look up Mithra and learn where the christian sole the jesus myth.

[maxrep1]

I did look up Mithra and Christianity does not need any other faiths to derive any of its doctrines. All the doctrines of the Christianity exists via the Old Testament where we can see the prophetic teachings of Jesus as the son of God (Zech. 12:10), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), was crucified (Psalm 22), the blood reparation (Lev. 17:11), risen back to life (Psalm 16:10), and salvation through belief (Hab. 2:4).

Yes you?re correct as of today there are no contemporary accounts of Jesus. Why believe then? For me the personal relationship the energy of love that surrounds you when you talk to him. Most of the apostles martyred for their beliefs in Jesus.

You would like Dinesh D'Souza?s new book (What?s So Great About Christianity) He's not a preacher. Also there is a wonderful book: There is life after death. Roy Abraham Varghese was once an atheist and came to accept the existence of God through his encounters with science.

As far your personal attack on my brain never existing. I'll turn the other cheek. It's what Jesus would do. Have yourself a great week.

[texas_liberal]

i wonder if them good ole timey church followers will behave just like their Muslim Brethren and offer a Fatwa over it.

[I_am_me1953]

Yes they did.

[NowBeWithThat]

Tarleton is a state supported university.

Corpus Christi is a religious play.

But there was no outcry about the separation of church and state, and no ACLU involvement.

Corpus Christi epitomizes pop cultural animus toward Christianity in present-day society. It's all right to make a mockery of Christ while glorifying perversion. This passes for art.