'Knife-wielding Christian fanatic' attacks billboard

NZPA

An inner city Auckland church trying to promote debate over Christianity has given up on a controversial billboard that made headlines around the world.

The billboard featured a dejected Joseph and a quizzical Mary in bed, with the message "Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow", has been attacked four times since it was erected outside the Anglican church in Federal St in the inner city on Thursday.

After the latest attack, by an elderly woman with a knife last night, the church said the billboard would not be replaced.

The Vicar of St Matthew-in-the-City, Glynn Cardy, said the billboard was "attacked by a knife-wielding Christian fanatic who was then apprehended by a group of homeless people who care about our church. Later in the evening another group of fanatics ripped it down.

"When knives are wielded in the name of God I have two responses. One is to act to ensure the safety of the public and parishioners. We will therefore not be replacing the vandalised billboard with an identical one.

"My second response is one of deep sadness at those in the Christian Church who don't want to offend any faith position, even the most literalistic view of a male god. By having unity as their priority they inadvertently feed fanaticism."

He said the church had no regrets about bringing the discussion about the origins of Jesus and the nature of the Christian God into the public sphere - into homes, workplaces, universities and the internet.

"We are glad that discussion about Santa, food, and present buying was momentarily usurped by a discussion about Jesus."

He said there had been hundreds of messages of support from around the world and he thanked the people who were supportive, offered encouragement and respectful engagement.

Only hours after the billboard was erected on Thursday it was attacked by a man who stood on the roof of his car and painted over the message.

Overnight on Thursday it disappeared but was replaced yesterday. Several hours after this second billboard went up, it too was attacked by the "Christian fanatic."

The billboard drew criticism from inside and outside the church.

The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, John Paterson, called it "insensitive" and said he was disappointed the parish had continued with the billboard after the initial damage.

Archdeacon Cardy earlier said the billboard was designed to let people outside the church realise that many Christians and church leaders did not believe in the literal virgin birth, and did not believe that was the true meaning of Christmas.

"We're out to critique the idea of a male god impregnating Mary and the literalism of the virgin birth.

"The topic is ... something the church has talked about for centuries, but what is new is that we have the audacity to laugh at something quite so ridiculous as a male god sending sperm down to impregnate Mary," he said.