Colchester RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos


An unholy row: Pub’s Easter poster branded offensive

9:00pm Tuesday 12th April 2011 in Colchester

The sign outside Tom Peppers The sign outside Tom Peppers

A PUB poster showing an image of Jesus wearing headphones and saying “Thank Christ for Easter bank holiday!” has angered Christians.

The advertising, which depicts Jesus giving a thumbs-up and smiling, is promoting bank holiday events at the Tom Peppers pub in Clacton.

One of the offers available on Easter Sunday is vodka and Red Bull for £2.50 – to “bring yourself back to life”.

Christian Jean Raven, 61, contacted the Gazette after she saw the poster.

The Holland-on-Sea resident said: “If you are Christian, it’s offensive. I try to be a good Christian and it upsets me.”

The Rev Ben Marlowe, senior minister at Frinton Free Church, said: “This kind of advertising will undoubtedly offend all Christians, for whom the message of Easter lies at the very heart of their faith.

“It is also symbolic of a society that is increasingly hellbent on trivialising everything whilst it slowly amuses itself to death.”

Lois Cakebread, secretary of the Emmanual Church, in New Pier Street, Walton, added: “If they were promoting the church and encouraging people to go there, it might be OK.

“But if it’s just promotion to get people in the pub, then no. Easter is a very special occasion in the life of the church.”

However, Michael Denny, manager of the pub, defended the use of the posters.

He said: “It’s something we came up with ourselves and it’s not meant to be offensive to anybody.

“It’s about saying it’s Easter, which is about his resurrection. We considered using the Easter bunny, but thought ultimately it was a religious festival.

“It doesn’t show Jesus drinking or drunk and just says what we have on offer.

“We might bring the one outside the pub indoors, but I don’t believe it can be taken as offensive, otherwise I would get new posters made up.”

Although the posters were drawn up locally, all designs are approved by parent company, Cavendish Bars.

Comments(36)

Taximan01 says...
9:44pm Tue 12 Apr 11

So, you're offended? well, wake up tomorrow & the sun will still rise & the sun will set, life (as sinfull as it may be) will still go on, stop worrying about a poster & think about how many people have been killed in the name of your (all) religion.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

The Conductor says...
10:03pm Tue 12 Apr 11

'a society that is increasingly hellbent on trivialising everything'?

I can't think of anything more trivial than believing an imaginary friend is telling you what to do.

People have been locked up for less.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Say It As It Is OK? says...
2:29am Wed 13 Apr 11

Tend to agree with the above comments although i'm sure the authorities would take a very dim view of this poster had the subject matter been directed towards certain other religions! Its just what we have come to expect?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
9:29am Wed 13 Apr 11

Get real people with fish on back of car you follow the biggest fiction story ever told

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Say It As It Is OK? says...
9:38am Wed 13 Apr 11

Polydoly.....That is their belief, who are you, or I, to take that belief away from them? Like it or not many do believe. Suppose next you will tell the kids santa and the tooth are fictitious and non existent!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

The Conductor says...
9:58am Wed 13 Apr 11

They can believe in whatever fairy they want to.

When that belief in anyway impacts upon my life then I've as much right as them to say it's codswallop.

I would be ridiculed if I said the earth was flat, why should religion be any different?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

AndyP335 says...
10:14am Wed 13 Apr 11

It is not a matter of whether you believe in Christ, but of respect for others' beliefs. The ad is certainly tasteless and low-brow - as such it may well appeal to the sort of clientele the landlord wishes to attract with his brand of poison. However as SIAIIOK rightly points out, if that was a picture of the prophet Mohammed, the pub owner could expect at the very least a demonstration outside his establishment, at worst a fatwa against him or homicidal riots in Afghanistan. The fact that a local lady objects on behalf of Christians is testament to the reasonableness of her ilk.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
10:59am Wed 13 Apr 11

Say It As It Is OK? wrote:
Polydoly.....That is their belief, who are you, or I, to take that belief away from them? Like it or not many do believe. Suppose next you will tell the kids santa and the tooth are fictitious and non existent!
as the rules of this forum state direct your comments to the post not the poster please you have been reported

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Say It As It Is OK? says...
11:49am Wed 13 Apr 11

polydolly wrote:
Say It As It Is OK? wrote:
Polydoly.....That is their belief, who are you, or I, to take that belief away from them? Like it or not many do believe. Suppose next you will tell the kids santa and the tooth are fictitious and non existent!
as the rules of this forum state direct your comments to the post not the poster please you have been reported
Well it won't be the first time. I'm already quaking in my boots. Nothing I said was offensive, unlike your original comment. Live and let live, if they want a fish shape on the back of their car then so be it, their choice.

Also, if you are so perfect and follow all the rules then why don't you apply the same criteria!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
12:01pm Wed 13 Apr 11

“Live and let live”, but they don’t if they didn’t like the poster why did they look at it and why do they ram there fiction story down our throats get a life chave.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Feisty CBC says...
12:19pm Wed 13 Apr 11

It's a tongue-in-cheek ad and to most people would seem quite humourous. Best thing about it, was it was printed locally.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Say It As It Is OK? says...
1:35pm Wed 13 Apr 11

polydolly wrote:
“Live and let live”, but they don’t if they didn’t like the poster why did they look at it and why do they ram there fiction story down our throats get a life chave.
Looked up the word "chave" not sure which category suits my persona!

Its only your opinion that Christ is a fictitious character. (Incidentally I don't buy into any religious doctrine.) However I do believe others have a right to their own beliefs and they have a right to comment.

As said, if it had been another religion then the sign would have been quickly removed, but because it hasn't it shows the majority of Christians are a tolerant bunch!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
1:43pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Say It As It Is OK? wrote:
polydolly wrote: “Live and let live”, but they don’t if they didn’t like the poster why did they look at it and why do they ram there fiction story down our throats get a life chave.
Looked up the word "chave" not sure which category suits my persona! Its only your opinion that Christ is a fictitious character. (Incidentally I don't buy into any religious doctrine.) However I do believe others have a right to their own beliefs and they have a right to comment. As said, if it had been another religion then the sign would have been quickly removed, but because it hasn't it shows the majority of Christians are a tolerant bunch!
Where did I mention your name if you want to think of yourself as a chave that’s your choice, and if I believe in say blowing people up in the name of my religion that’s ok with you then is it LOL! go swallow another dictionary.and stop bigingup fool

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

CO6 resident says...
1:51pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Hey Polydolly, I know where you're coming from. We need to rise above insults, etc. Believe me, I was once a sceptic...forget the Religious side of things (even going to church) and simply believe that God came as man to die for us.

If you choose not to believe that's your prerogative, but remember, Christianity (even in a world apparently overrun by Islam) is still the choice of the majority! There's a reason for that - the testimony of so many!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
2:01pm Wed 13 Apr 11

I’m converted halayloolya "LIVE" reverse = EVIL so let em, if you say so, there is absolutely no proof infect séance has proved time and time again it's poppycock EG the shroud look it up Google it, religion is the obsession of the desperate of which there are thousands.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

love Dr says...
2:10pm Wed 13 Apr 11

thank god for the Royal wedding another bank holiday also,im not watching that on telly i would rather drive nails into my balls

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
2:13pm Wed 13 Apr 11

love Dr wrote:
thank god for the Royal wedding another bank holiday also,im not watching that on telly i would rather drive nails into my balls
EE Ohuch!!!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

love Dr says...
2:55pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Whats ee ohuch the wedding on telly,or ten inch rusty nails lol

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

hama babalaa says...
3:19pm Wed 13 Apr 11

It is common to see signs advertising church services and religious text. I find it offensive to be told that 'God is the only way' or other such nonsense. However I don't complain about it...how about these complainants try the same. It really doesn't matter. Also the picture is of a man with a beard and long hair. Does this mean all pictures of men with long hair and beards should now be classified as 'offensive'? No where does it explicitly say it is a depiction of anyone at all. This IS a trivial matter, trivialised by the church by giving it so much attention!? Great bit of free advertising for TP's though!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Say It As It Is OK? says...
3:37pm Wed 13 Apr 11

love Dr wrote:
thank god for the Royal wedding another bank holiday also,im not watching that on telly i would rather drive nails into my balls
That's against the rules of cricket!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

wormshero says...
3:40pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Even as an atheist I find that poster in bad taste. Don't think anyone should ban the poster, but designers should think about what they're putting across - sure, he may be a fictional character in a book, but alot of people believe that book so having a picture of him basically celebrating his death is pretty weird and clearly offensive to those people who believe it.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
3:53pm Wed 13 Apr 11

love Dr wrote:
Whats ee ohuch the wedding on telly,or ten inch rusty nails lol
Not sure love Dr probably the extravagant wedding. LOL

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

KBB says...
5:23pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Well I'm a devout Christian and I think the sign is fabulous! Easter isn't about doom and gloom- Jesus gave His earthly life as a ransom so that we might live forever in Paradise-is that not something to be celebrated then?! By the way,Jesus liked a drink and a knees-up,I reckon He'd approve of the ad too!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

pants2 says...
5:35pm Wed 13 Apr 11

 
   
Pollydolly "why did they look at it and why do they ram there fiction story down our throats"
    
Firstly because it's a free country. As to your second point, how exactly are "they" doing this "ramming". Believing or not is up to you, but making nonsensical generalisations doesn't make a convincing argument.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

polydolly says...
6:41pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Who's arguing “YOU” I'm just “having my say” darling, as for the later I don’t knock on doors preaching Darwin, if you want an argument "pants2" I sagest you go down the pub.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Mr Anory. Jack says...
10:59pm Wed 13 Apr 11

As AJ looks in,
reads all,
laughs out loud,
walks away again....

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

g r i n c h r e t u r n s says...
12:10pm Thu 14 Apr 11

Mr Anory. Jack wrote:
As AJ looks in, reads all, laughs out loud, walks away again....
Keep walking then Clacton pier isn't that long LOL!!!!!!!!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

crum says...
12:38pm Thu 14 Apr 11

g r i n c h r e t u r n s wrote:
Mr Anory. Jack wrote: As AJ looks in, reads all, laughs out loud, walks away again....
Keep walking then Clacton pier isn't that long LOL!!!!!!!!
But Jack is walking towards Colchester to check out its new Giant Bargain Store

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Mr Anory. Jack says...
7:28pm Thu 14 Apr 11

crum wrote:
g r i n c h r e t u r n s wrote:
Mr Anory. Jack wrote: As AJ looks in, reads all, laughs out loud, walks away again....
Keep walking then Clacton pier isn't that long LOL!!!!!!!!
But Jack is walking towards Colchester to check out its new Giant Bargain Store
Oh, such a very good reply crum,
brilliant...
Us pensioners do love a bargain store,
now soon to have a Wilkinsons too!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

g r i n c h r e t u r n s says...
9:58pm Thu 14 Apr 11

SAD old butt bigging up again LOL@ the tw@t

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

crum says...
10:59pm Thu 14 Apr 11

Mr Anory. Jack wrote:
crum wrote:
g r i n c h r e t u r n s wrote:
Mr Anory. Jack wrote: As AJ looks in, reads all, laughs out loud, walks away again....
Keep walking then Clacton pier isn't that long LOL!!!!!!!!
But Jack is walking towards Colchester to check out its new Giant Bargain Store
Oh, such a very good reply crum, brilliant... Us pensioners do love a bargain store, now soon to have a Wilkinsons too!
Not just pensioners love a bargain store, so do I (attempting to get my pension but the bar is going up), I think that Grinch is upset, I wonder why?

I have decided to bring some light relief to posts on this site so watch this space .........

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

donttalkdo says...
7:24am Fri 15 Apr 11

You have gone off the point again. Have you not thought if you did not like this poster you had keept your mouth shut the the newspaper would not have printed it and loads of people would not be going down to clacton this weekend to look at it themselves, and popped in for a drink or eats?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

crum says...
10:49pm Fri 15 Apr 11

donttalkdo wrote:
You have gone off the point again. Have you not thought if you did not like this poster you had keept your mouth shut the the newspaper would not have printed it and loads of people would not be going down to clacton this weekend to look at it themselves, and popped in for a drink or eats?
Sorry still off the point but which poster did someone not like? I will neither be in Church or the Pub over Easter as to keep you Guys and Girls happy I will be supporting part of the Internet infrastructure - its a hard life.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Sdapeze says...
12:53pm Sun 17 Apr 11

It offends me.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

No.1 says...
6:47pm Mon 18 Apr 11

People should take this as good advertising for the church as it's going down the thunderbox quicker each and every year.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Sdapeze says...
10:22pm Mon 18 Apr 11

Sadly our society has descended to such a level that respect for other people's beliefs can be treated with such disrespect. One only has to walk into town to see how the majority have descended into a world where materialism and self-interest and a total lack of community spirit are the norm. Their world is not for me.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

click2find

Most popular


About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree