A book and series of paintings depicting Jesus as a gay man in modern society has drawn criticism from Christians.
"The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision" details Christ's final days, crucifixion, and resurrection, through the lens of a persecuted gay man.
"He is jeered by fundamentalists, tortured by Marine lookalikes, killed as news cameras broadcast his pain, and rises again to enjoy homoerotic union with God," the book's author, Kittredge Cherry, wrote in a Huffington Post essay.
The paintings were completed by openly gay, agnostic artist Doug Blanchard, who said that his interpretation of Jesus understands the suffering of the LGBT community.
"Christ is one of us in my pictures," Blanchard said in the book's introduction. "In His sufferings, I want to show Him as someone who experiences and understands fully what it is like to be an unwelcome outsider."
Blanchard's "gay Jesus" is shown on Palm Sunday, at the Last Supper during an arrest and trial, and other events. At the Last Supper, Jesus is shown hugging men, and he is naked after being apprehended by soldiers.
Facebook initially cancelled the book's ads due to "shocking" content, according to Cherry, but later reversed its position. For many Christians, however, the book and paintings remain disturbing.
"You cannot put this in the same category as Jesus," one Facebook commenter wrote. "He died for sin and homosexuality is a sin."
"Pure blasphemy! God is not mocked," wrote another.
Each of the 24 paintings in the book are accompanied by an essay by Cherry on the art's "artistic and historical context, Biblical basis and LGBT significance," as well as a scripture, meditation, and prayer. Cherry intends to post excerpts daily on the Jesus in Love blog during Holy Week.
