Just a few days after the Adult Swim network released the trailer for their new live comedy Black Jesus, Christian leaders are calling for the plug to be pulled on the show before it airs.
In writer and producer Aaron McGruder's new comedy series, the "Black Jesus" in question is played by Gerald "Slink" Johnson and lives in Compton, in California.
The blurb for the show describes him as a benevolent figure whose daily mission it is "to spread love and kindness throughout the neighborhood with the help of his small but loyal group of downtrodden followers".
If that's all the show were about, Christians would probably not be up in arms about it, but this particular nice guy likes to drop a few expletives into his conversations and is apparently quite partial to a certain herb.
It's little wonder that his efforts to create a community garden and share the faith with the good people of Compton are not enough to assuage Christians who find the concept of the show less than funny.
Apostle David A Rodgers, pastor of the House of Prayer for All Nations in Chicago, is rallying Christians around his letter to the Adult Swim network.
He complains that "Black Jesus" is "utter foolishness and disrespectful" and that Christians should "work together to keep this show from being aired".
Rodgers is asking churches to copy the letter and circulate it in their congregations for signatures before sending it to the network.
It reads: "We, the Christian Community are vehemently opposed and violently offended at this upcoming program soon to air on your channel called Black Jesus. The level of disrespect aimed at the depiction of our Lord and Savior is inexcusable.
"We are hard pressed to find any value in this program, its message or its purpose. As a group of believers, we are prepared to launch a mass campaign and boycott of your channel and any advertisers that are financially profiting from this program.
"These continued attacks against our Christian values and the degrading imagery of the Lord Jesus Christ, will be met with social media awareness to the entire Christian Community and a targeted boycott of your advertisers.
"There is no way that this show would be aimed at the Jewish or Muslim community. We are demanding an immediate retraction of this show and a public apology to the Christian Community at large."
