Cable network Adult Swim recently premiered Season 2 of controversial late night TV show "Black Jesus." The new season has been met with backlash for the show's depiction of a so-called modern day Jesus, who wears a hood, smokes marijuana and loves to spew the F-word. At least one advertiser has withdrawn its commercials for the show in response to the outrage.
Christian critics have blasted the show, as well as a stream of others hitting U.S. television networks for what they call a blatant anti-Christian sentiment. Shows such as "Impastor", "Lucifer", "Scream Queens" have angered some for their controversial portrayal of Christians and faith as well as their promotion and glamorization of evil and wickedness.
Adult Swim's "Black Jesus" is a supposed satirical comedy drama about the life of a modern day Jesus called "Pops", who is portrayed by a black man who curses, and does drugs.
One group that has expressed outrage at the show's return is OneMillionMoms, which is a division of the American Family Association. It has gone on the offensive to slam Turner Broadcasting and its parent company, Time Warner, which own Adult Swim.
"The show makes a mockery of our Lord," OneMillionMoms said on Monday. "The foul language used, including using the Lord's name in vain, is disgusting. In addition, there is violence, gunfire, drugs, and other inappropriate gestures which completely misrepresent Jesus. This is blasphemy!"
"Adult Swim is not ridiculing any other religion currently and wouldn't dream of mocking Muhammad or Muslims. 'Black Jesus' is another attempt to distort the truth about Christianity," the group said.
"We need to send a loud and clear message to Adult Swim, its owner Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (a Time Warner Company), and all potential advertisers of 'Black Jesus' that this kind of programming is insulting and completely unacceptable."
As a result of the uproar about the show's content, Prestone, an advertiser on the show, has announced that it is withdrawing its TV commercials during the controversial series.
"Our company's advertising during an episode of 'Black Jesus' was an oversight and not intentional," said Steven Clancy, president of Prestone. "As soon as we were made aware of the situation, we took steps to ensure that our advertisements do not air during that show."
Responding to critics, Adult Swim through Turner Broadcasting claimed that the show — which stars Gerald "Slink" Johnson as the modern-day black Jesus living in Compton, California — actually seeks to spread "love and kindness."
In a press release, Adult Swim said, "Black Jesus' is a satire and one interpretation of the message of Jesus played out in modern-day morality tales; and despite what some may consider a controversial depiction of Jesus, it is not the intent to offend any race or people of faith."
But David Outten, production editor of the Christian media ministry Movieguide, totally disagrees.
"'Black Jesus' is not only an ugly attack on Christianity, but a horrible example of racism," he told WND.
"It implies that, if Jesus Christ were black, he would be vulgar and use drugs and alcohol. It also presents the African-American community he comes to using the worst of black stereotypes."
In the show's trailer, "Black Jesus" is seen confronted by his gang mates for smoking up all their marijuana. He defends himself by declaring, "You do realise I died for your motherf---ing sins, right?"
