"Playboy never meant to offend anyone..."

Deacon's Bench ^ | December 16, 2008 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Some of you by now may have heard about the cover of Mexico's Playboy magazine. To wit:

A nude model resembling the Virgin Mary on the cover of the Mexican edition of Playboy magazine, published only days before a major Mexican festival dedicated to the mother of Jesus, prompted the company's U.S. headquarters on Friday to apologize.

The magazine, which hit newsstands on Dec. 1 as ceremonies began leading to Friday's pilgrimage to the Mexico City shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, showed a model wearing nothing but a white cloth over her head and breasts.

She is standing in front of a stained glass window with the cover line, "We Love You, Maria" in Spanish.

Well, that's certainly...different. If that didn't offend you, perhaps Playboy's explanation will:

"While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies," the statement said.

Raul Sayrols, publisher of Playboy Mexico, said in a statement, "The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of Guadalupe or any other religious figure. The intent was to reflect a Renaissance-like mood on the cover."

Ah. Of course! It's the Renaissance! How could anyone have thought otherwise?

Could Playboy possibly be right?

You decide. Send the children out of the room and take a look at the cover for yourself.

H/T American Papist.

[NYer]

Ping!

[trisham]

Liars.

[50sDad]

bump for later

[TASMANIANRED]

Intentional.

[MaxMax]

I didn’t intend to punch you in the nose. I’m sorry if you feel bad about it.

[Ditter]

I don’t know if that picture would have reminded me of the Virgin Mary if the title of this thread hadn’t told me. I could see some girl coming out from under the sheets before the VM.

[DuncanWaring]

At least they had the decency to “recognize that it has created offense” and apologize, rather than the usual corporate/celebrity blather about “we apologize to any who may have been offended”.

[SouthDixie]

Hef, smartin up and don’t upset the illegals, sheesh.

[mbarker12474]

Raul Sayrols, publisher of Playboy Mexico, said in a statement, "The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of Guadalupe or any other religious figure. The intent was to reflect a Renaissance-like mood on the cover."

Horsesh*t: The cover refers to Mary by name. Mary is wearing a white (virginal) covering worn by nobody else but THE virgin Mary. The stained glass window in the background clinches it.

[ConorMacNessa]

Te adoramus, Maria? What else could you conclude but that they were referring to the BVM? Obviously intentional and the "apology" is nothing but a lot of self-serving bullhockey!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Somehow I missed that part of art history class detailing Mexico’s important relationship to the Renaissance.

[Adder]

They “apologized” because there was outrage stronger than they intended.

You KNOW it was deliberately done.

[pnh102]

Hit them where it really hurts. Pirate their content.

[seemoAR]

How do we know what Mary looked like. What did Jesus look like. I have never seen a picture of either one.

[mvpel]

Payback for Absolut Reconquista?

[albie]

These are “attention tactics” learned by Playboy from the retail “King” of attention, “Abercrombie & Fitch”. I have 12 and 15 year old daughters that aren’t allowed to shop at A&F as a result of their sleazy marketing. I’m sure my wife will do the same with Playboy and not allow me to read it. ;)

[PaleoBob]

Maybe they should apologize again if it turns out Maria IS a virgin—?? Or, apologize to Maria for implying she isn’t one if she is one—?? Anyway...is she?

[MeSpikeLibs]

Sales are down. Need some free publicity.

[GOPJ]

The cloth over her head shows that she’s Muslim. Spread that rumor and Playboy will be REALLY sorry.