"Forgive them Father for they know not what they do"

I am absolutely sure of two things: - Firstly, Jesus died on the Cross - Secondly, Jesus was a man, not the son of god.

Now , can we get on with some common sense in our lives instead of this religious nonsense?

Message aside, if I was part of this congregation I wouldn't be comfortable dropping my coins into a bucket that's going into their controversial billboard fund.

For all those arguments whether Easter is about Jesus or Pagan fertility. Easter is about shopping. As is Christmas, Boxing Day, Sunday, Saturday, Monday to Friday, and every other day in western culture. Sad and pointless.

Your right Dagg #30. Jesus has nothing to do with Easter!! Easter is pagan. Its all about spring not JC. What do bunnys and eggs have to do with him? I dont see any bunnys in the bible?

Jesus has nothing to do with Easter. Eostre is the pagan fertility goddess and easter is her spring fertility festival hence the use of eggs and rabbits. The Christians just stole it.

JD14, The issue is also whether the Stuff website would have the bravery in the face of Muslim violence to publish such a cartoon. But letting religious fundamentalists dictate our freedom of expression here in New Zealand is unacceptable to me. I find loads of things offensive, I don't feel I have the right to threaten violence or cry hurt feelings in order to stop my fellow New Zealanders reading them. I have a right to be offended. This right protects all of us. One example would be the clear depiction of a man being tortured to death which appears around this time of year, and to which thousands of children are exposed to every Sunday around the country, and told it's a good thing.

Easter has very little to do with Christianity. It has a lot more to do with old Pagan festivals.

Christ never died on the cross or sacrificed him self for our sins if you believe this then you have to be accountable for all the outlandish events religion brings with it. The war the death the gentile mutilation of children via circumcision. 3000 people were killed in September 11 attacks a religious fueled act people find a live Pearson amongst the devastation and people praise the lord for saving this Pearson, what for I ask? religion was some thing when there was nothing, a blind faith I don’t believe in religion as you can tell does this mean my soul will go in limbo? Or will I for ever burn in hell I say more billboard and the add brakes

This is pure blasphemy. Yes, God has a sense of humour, but it's in the right places... There is nothing FUNNY about Jesus being butchered on our behalf. The Bible says He was not even recognisable as a human when He hung on that cross. He did not have the privilege of wearing a covering even. I have a good sense of humour myself, but the Holy Spirit is grieved by this - I could sense it the minute I saw this. St. Matthews may be in-the-city, but the Holy Spirit is not in St. Matthews-in-the-city.