A Catholic Bishop has slammed a series of provocative billboards in Sydney touting Jesus as a “prophet of Islam”.
The Islamic apologist website Mypeace.com.au launched the
controversial advertising campaign to provoke discussion and promote
free literature.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Julian Porteous,
described the campaign as a direct assault on Christianity and called
for the billboards to be immediately removed.
“In Australia with its Christian heritage a billboard carrying the
statement ‘Jesus A prophet of Islam’ is provocative and offensive to
Christians,” he said.
“Central to Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is more than
a prophet. He is the Son of God. He is acclaimed Lord and Saviour of
humanity.
“This statement is a direct assault on Christian beliefs,” said Bishop Porteous.
The bishop has also lamented that the incendiary campaign has the
potential to damage relations between the Christian church and the
Muslim community.
“It is important that religions do not set out to antagonise those
with differing beliefs. This would threaten the social harmony which we
enjoy in Australia. Dialogue between the religions can only take place when it is
founded in mutual respect. It is not fostered by provocative
statements,” he said.
“For the sake of preserving social harmony and respect between major
world religions these billboards should be withdrawn, along with others
which carry messages directly offensive to Christians.
Despite one of the billboards being vandalised within 24 hours of its
launch, Mypeace.com.au has announced the campaign will now be extended
beyond the original four weeks.
You can view the billboard designs on www.mypeace.com.au