Dress-Up Jesus Figure Sparks Controversy; Game Sold At Urban Outfitters Stores

NBC10 News ^ | 3.15.04

[ambrose]

NBC10.com

Dress-Up Jesus Figure Sparks Controversy

Game Sold At Urban Outfitters Stores

POSTED: 12:44 PM EST March 15, 2004
UPDATED: 1:16 PM EST March 15, 2004

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. -- Some people are outraged over a sacred symbol that is being sold for laughs.

Slideshow:

Images Of Dress-Up Jesus Figure

"Dress Up Jesus" Controversy

The novelty item gives buyers the chance to dress up Jesus in different outfits.

"I did a double take. It just seemed unbelievable to see something like that," said Gerry, a viewer who didn't want NBC 10 to use his last name.

From a distance, the item looks like a kid's dress-up game. But when you look closely, it is a magnetic Jesus dress-up figure.

"I basically stood there speechless," Gerry said.

Gerry stumbled upon the dress-up Jesus at an Urban Outfitters store at the King Of Prussia Mall.

He said he was shocked by the magnetic game showing Jesus on the cross, clad in underwear with interchangeable outfits like a devil costume, a skull T-shirt and a hula skirt.

"Is it because it's Jesus Christ, that it's OK to bash on Jesus? Is that more fashionable than some other religious figure from history?" Gerry asked.

Gerry e-mailed Urban Outfitters to complain that the item was in horrible taste.

NBC 10 tried contacting Urban Outfitters, but the company said there was nobody who could comment. However, in an e-mail response to Gerry, the company said it doesn't sell the dress-up Jesus to provoke or offend people, but it sells it to reflect a diversity of opinion among its customer base.

Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Liz]

Urban Outfitters Discontinues Offensive T-Shirt


Philadelphia, PA, January 9, 2004 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended Urban Outfitters, Inc. for its decision to discontinue production of a t-shirt that perpetuates an ethnic stereotype of Jews.

The clothing item, part of a line of ethnic t-shirts, featured the language EVERYONE LOVES A JEWISH GIRL surrounded by dollar signs. The League wrote to Urban Outfitters, Inc. President Richard Hayne on January 6 to complain that the shirt reinforced a negative association between Jews and money and, as such, perpetuated an offensive stereotype.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. has reported that it chose to take this action because of both internal and external concerns and out of respect for the sensitivity of the Jewish community. It has also stated that future production of the shirt will not contain the dollar signs or any other graphic elements or embellishments.

The League expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Urban Outfitters, Inc. for this action showing sensitivity to its clients and to the Jewish community.


The League also offered its assistance to the company in the future and expressed that it hopes that this experience, combined with another recent controversy surrounding an Urban Outfitters product that reinforced stereotypes, has served to sensitize the company to the sensibilities of its customer base and all ethnic groups.

[Ciexyz]

The company has sh** for brains, IMO.

[Ciexyz]

Get yerself a sweet Madonna
Dress 'er up, put pearls on 'er....

From the film Cool Hand Luke. I believe Paul Newman himself sang it, but I can't swear for sure, it's been years since I saw it. That ditty stuck with me, tho.

[Drago]

They have other items as well...(darn rebellious teens!)...
some links:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/search/searchresultsmain.jsp?fresh=1&searchType=advanced&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&attribute14=0&attribute15=0&attribute16=0&RS=1&keyword=Jesus
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/jump.jsp?itemID=289&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1%2C2%2C6%2C336&KickerID=382&KICKER

http://www.normalbobsmith.com/design/

[WV Mountain Mama]

Aren't these the people that came out with Inner City Monopoly? That was funny. Relax people, I would like to think that the people that made this or buy this will not be annoying us with their presence in the after life. There is a silver lining here. The reason the game is here is because of The Passion and with the new resolve of Christians to not back down from their beliefs and morals, this game will bite these people.

[Liz]

What else can you expect from vacuous liberals?

[Max7]

Yes, it was Paul Newman singing the song in Cool Hand Luke.

[Yroute66]

now on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1469&item=2994732198

that didn't take long, did it...

[Liz]

ping

[TC Rider]

I visited one their outlets in Georgetown a few months ago. Everything in the store is designed to outrage parents.

I cracked up a few weeks ago when there was an outrage over the 'Old People Vote' t-shirts.

I remember thinking at the time, they must have missed all the sacrilegious novelties.

One that caught my eye was the G-Force Jesus. A plastic statue of Christ hanging on by his fingernails to the cross as the acceleration of your Honda Civic pulls him away.

[JTG]

LOL!

[Mudboy Slim]

This is waaaay outta line...MUD

[Just mythoughts]

I guess I should be surprised, however, sad to say I am not.

[boris]

"From the film Cool Hand Luke. I believe Paul Newman himself sang it, but I can't swear for sure, it's been years since I saw it. That ditty stuck with me, tho."

He did indeed. The title is Plastic Jesus; I forget the author.

--Boris

[nmh]

Can we see the Muslim, Mohammad or whatever his name is in a dress up magnetic thing like this? Or would that be sac-religious?

[smith288]

You know there are some times when I can almost agree with Mo's followers....

Umm...not me. This type of crap is foretold to us by Jesus. "The world will hate you as they have hated me..." I dont need violence to back up God's word. His Judgement will be enough for me.

[bondjamesbond]

OK, having Him on the cross might be a little over-the-top, but, but I think this is kind of amusing. On the cross is just not right, though.

But I always liked Plastic Jesus as well.

[ELS]

"the company said it doesn't sell the dress-up Jesus to provoke or offend people, but it sells it to reflect a diversity of opinion among its customer base."

The anti-Christian beat goes on.