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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 01/21/2003 1:58:23 PM PST by weegee
A sacrilegious stunt by Penn & Teller that offended some at a major magicians convention was defended Thursday by fellow local headliners.
A group walked out of a roast of Amazing Johnathan on Monday after Teller, dressed as Christ on a full-sized cross, entered the room on a cart. A midget dressed as an angel performed a simulated sex act on the near-naked Teller.
Penn Jillette, in a Roman gladiator costume, unveiled the scene by pulling away a "Shroud of Turin" that covered the cross.
Rick Neiswonger, a longtime magician and local marketing executive, said "the majority" of the 400 who attended the roast were offended.
"They (organizers) warned everybody that something offensive was going to happen, but my God, where do you draw the line? I've seen Friar's Club ... Sam Kinison and Andrew Dice Clay, but this was beyond bad taste."
The roast was part of the four-day World Magic Seminar at the Riviera.
Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton, a roaster, addressed the controversy during the awards luncheon finale Wednesday that drew about 1,000.
Reached Thursday, Burton said, "I told them, `You were warned ahead of time.' It was a roast; it was held late at night (midnight). I absolutely, positively did not apologize.
"I said Penn & Teller, Siegfried & Roy, Mac King, Amazing Johnathan and I all have different styles. That's good; that's what makes it an art form."
He added, "Penn & Teller are my dear friends and I would take a bullet for them, and you can write that," said Burton.
Amazing Johnathan said he was aware that a number of "gospel magicians" walked out and raised cane.
"This was performance art," said Johnathan, who moves to a new, open-ended run at the Flamingo on Saturday. "I know that Penn is a practicing atheist, and I agree with him that Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."
Penn & Teller declined comment
http://www.worldmagicseminar.com
Here's Lance Burton's website:Lance Burton
I don't see any details from the Riviera show.
The Amazing Johnathan's website:The Amazing Johnathan
Here's Penn & Teller's website:Penn And Teller
I also checked some PAT messageboard but did not see this topic under discussion.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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If you want on or off this list, please let me know!
Those dad-burn Christian suicide bombers...
Who would have expected that?
(Now I've done it!)
I see it.
Here is a posted excerpt from an email:
You missed a really amazing Amazing Johnathan roast. Penn came in with Teller nailed to a cross, dressed like Jesus Christ getting a b*** j** by a midget. It really offended some people. Also there were great jokes by Siegfried (surprise guest), Billy McComb, Post a follow-up to this message
I was there, along w/ about 350 magicians. People were informed up front by Rich Block That if you easy affended, not to come. We all know what can happen @ a roast. When I think of a roast I think of the Fryers Club, I dont think anyone there was prepared for what follow That Night Midway thru the Amazing Jonathan Roast.
Here in Las Vegas, The roast For the amazing Jonathan began @ 11:30 on Monday Night. small stage w about 8-10 people to Roast the Amazing Jonathan. Lance Butron Roast -no problem, Billy McComb-no problem-very funny, Mac King -all very funny,,,,,,and then Penn---
Not on stage but from the back of the room-Im sure you'll all hear about what followed. I think it was a really bad call. Many people were offended. Sorry I atttended.
said Johnathan, who moves to a new, open-ended run at the Flamingo on Saturday. "I know that Penn is a practicing atheist,
And under American law, they have the right to express their opinion. As have I. And if my opinion is that Penn and Teller are disgusting abhominations who act outside the pale of civilised behaviour, they and their supporters shouldn't try to cry "censorship" when I say so.
and I agree with him that Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."
That was done in the name of a specific religion, which has as it's primary tenet world domination by armed force. And an atheist movement in Germany killed 13 million people. Another atheist movement, in Russia, killed more than 20 million. And an atheist movement in the United States has killed more than 40 million, and hasn't stopped. The hypocrisy (and historical ignorance) of Messrs. Jilette and Teller is astounding.
Sorry, this ain't christianity. The inquisitions didn't come from Biblical teaching. And Christianity doesn't allow for this. Period. The Group that hosted this afront to Christianity a great deal in it's history if one bothers to look to tell one that it is a religion unto itself - a philosophy unto itself. So don't put this junk off on Christ. Has nothing to do with Him or His message or any Christian. Thank you.
This stuff is what ruffles my feathers. Even the Orthodoxers from which that sect broke from would tell you this stuff is wrong and not only disallowed by Christian scripture but noteably defined as sin against God. It's amazing that some here can understand that a Jeffords was not a republican though he called himself one. Try thinking about applying such thinking to the rest of your lives and see where it leads.
Penn & Teller ridicule Christ's crucifixion
Some posters there wanted a "better source" than WND. I have posted the original article plus some magician spectators comments. The incident did happen although it doesn't "have legs" yet. If it were a college fraternity dressing in blackface as a prank, it would have gotten more attention from the national media.
Penn & Teller have a new show coming to Showtime. Let them know how you feel.
I thought that was the "small statured" guys specialty...
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