The newspaper article:
And a few of the letters:
Here’s some of the mail we’ve received since the Toronto Star Article:
To Whom It May Concern,
I just read the Toronto Star article about the upcoming bible
burlesque
> show. I find this is completely offensive. I’m not a prude, but
this is
> downright tasteless. Isn’t there anyone out there who is clever?
> Let me ask you this question, would you host a burlesque review that
> depicted Mohammed or Buddha in the same way Mary/Jesus are being
> characterized? Why not? So then, why do you think it is ok to
present
> this show? Who are you afraid of offending?
> It’s not harmless. It’s not even funny. It’s low-brow. How about
our
> kids, teenagers, university students, ourselves -- is this something
we
> want to "aspire" to intellectually or in any other way?
> Show some real courage - put your money where your BRAIN is - cancel
the
> show - on principle. Stand for something or you’ll fall for
anything.
> Respectfully,
> Name Witheld
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To Whom It May Concern:
A friend has sent me the insulting pictures of Jesus as portrayed by the troupe in the employ of the Cadillac Lounge. This is supposed to be for the "entertainment" of your customers, I suppose, which does not say much for them or for you.
It is so easy to make fun of the Christian religion, because no one ever sues - but you should be thoroughly ashamed of making fun of Jesus Christ who is adored and loved for all that he has done, not only for Christians, but for the whole world. It is thoroughly shameful and disgusting, not only to Christians, but to everyone who has respect for religion, to mock Him in this way. Holy Week, when Christians meditate on his death, which has redeemed those who believe in Him, and His Resurrection - in this week it is especially cruel and demeaning of you to put on such a degraded form of "entertainment"
May God forgive you and may you repent of offending Him in this way. Please know that many people are outraged.
I hope you will cancel this show, and never again offend God and the Christians of the world by having the poor judgement which you show in hiring people to portray Christ’s Passion in this way.
I can only say what Christ said, while dying on the Cross "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Name Witheld
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Hello,
I read the Toronto Star article on the burlesque program scheduled for the Cadillac Lounge. Everyone has freedom to express themselves. Everyone should also have a sense of decency, something obviously lacking in the case of the troupe putting on such a sacrilegious performance. The owner/operator of the lounge ought to feel ashamed of permitting such nonsense. I am disappointed that anyone would resort to such "theatre" in order to make money. What a pity! And what a statement it makes about the values and moral priorities of the owner and the troupe.
Name Witheld
Markham
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I note with concern your advertized "Biblical Burlesque," as graphically described in a current Toronto Star article by Susan Walker, that is clearly insulting to all Christian beleivers, more particularly that you should choose to stage this during the special season of Holy Week.
Further I cannot imagine that you would even dare to stage something similar, based upon scenes and figures from the Koran; within whose pages, by the way, the Virgin Mary is also held in very high esteem.
Name Witheld