Virgin Mary ad ruled offensive
An ad poster seeking a young man and woman to auction their virginity has been ruled offensive by the Advertising Standards Bureau – but only because it included an image of the Virgin Mary with male genitalia drawn on her face.
The poster caused outrage when it was put up on university campuses in March.
The ad is the work of a company called Thomas William Productions which claims it is creating a documentary called B Side, which will be about a man and a woman auctioning their virginity.
It is offering each winning applicant $20,000.
The ASB said it had received complaint about posters sited near four schools. It stated: “The Board considered that the image of the Virgin Mary with a penis on her forehead was disrespectful to people of the Christian belief and that the image denigrated this religion.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Yeah I reckon if I was 15yo it would have embarrassed the hell out of me. I don’t think it’s right to cause embarrassment to the general population. I don’t think it’s prudish, I just think people out to be respectful to their fellow human beings. There’s funny then there’s kind of infantile shock value humour. It’s a bit low grade.
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Sick humour at the cost of generic stereotyping any religion is offensive. In some countries the ad guys would’ve been castrated!
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I am applaud by the audacity the so called filmmaker Justin Sisely has bestowed on the general public. He obviously has no taste or no concept about what constitutes art. I will be happier knowing that this image will not be seen in public again.
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I wonder if the company would depict the Prophet Mohammed in the same way.
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Lol. Cool poster – I’m definitely watching the movie.
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I find this ad very offensive if you had the islam prohet on there , imagine the impact but becasue catholics do nothing these people think they have a democratic right to offend, so lets be clear your bastards will rot in hell for this offensive behaviour and do you think us catholics are happy for that no……pull the ad off and apologise its the only decent thing to do….
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i’ve seen the companies next poster. LMAO.
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Is this going to be the return of gorilla marketing? I hope so, haven’t seen it in years.
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I cannot believe this has been ruled offensive. I see the word SEX plastered on massive billboards every morning when I take my 8 year old son to school. I have now had to try and attempt to sugar-coat what ‘lasting longer in the bedroom’ and ‘sex’ actually mean. A tiny cartoon penis pales in comparison…
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Our society is so politically correct these days. Where’s the fun? You can’t make fun of ~EDITED~ friends.
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Our society is full of ‘offence’ and as a consequence is so easily offended. Arguably, wars, riot, and bloodshed have been incited and perpetuated in the name of ‘religion’. It is therefore surprising to me that something as seemingly inoffensive as a poster has generated so much ‘offence’. A poster does far less damage than a loaded gun. Freedom of expression should be valued, regardless of the nature of what is said – God knows, religious leaders have more than ample opportunity to express their opinions….
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Yes, okay, I can see how the ASB would rule this offensive on religious grounds but what makes it particularly disguisting is virginity as a commodity. Maybe I’m particularly senstive being a mum, and having recently read stuff on human trafficking, but this is wrong on so many levels, religion probably lowest on the list.
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I agree with Jude. What ever happened to good old fashion morals?
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Forget the poster … I love it that Alissa was “applaud” (I’m appalled at her spelling), and as for Alli’s call for a return to “gorilla” marketing what do you call the Cadbury/Phil Collins effort?
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Dear John Grono,
Are you comparing Cadbury and Phil Collins to an image of the Virgin Mary with male genitalia on her forehead?
Somehow, I think we are dealing with a completely different campaign here buddy. However, in sympathy, an interesting attempt at… Whatever your tiring to point out..
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Not at all … merely using a pun in an attempt to highlight the difference between ‘guerilla’ advertising and ‘gorilla’ advertising. Surely, it wasn’t THAT obtuse!
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Dear John Grono,
Umm, I Still dont understand. I guess your much, much smarter then I. Oh-well, it’s back to my menial hospitality job. At least there i can dream and live vicariously in the shadows of others, or one shadow in particular.
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Pass me the sledgehammer …. ‘guerilla’ vs ‘gorrila. Try http://www.dictionary.com if all else fails.
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