A SEXUALLY explicit illustrated The Book of Genesis by controversial artist Robert Crumb, which features Bible characters bonking, has upset that bastion of barminess, the Christian Institute.
The book, which is released this month, carries the warning “adult supervision recommended for minors”, and is described as “scandalous satire” by its publishers, according to The Telegraph.
It includes graphic illustrations of Bible characters having sexual intercourse, and other scenes depicting naked men and women as well as “gratuitous” depictions of violence.
Crumb, the book’s author, is most famous for his creation Fritz the Cat, a sexually graphic “underground” comic strip. It was turned into a film that became the first animation to receive an X rating.
He has said he does not believe that the Bible is the word of God.
I take it all for myth from start to finish, with probably some faint relation to historical reality. They’re great stories. But for people to take texts as something sacred, handed down from God … that’s pretty backward, I think.
The Book of Genesis illustrated by Crumb has been criticised by leading religious groups. Said Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute:
It is turning the Bible into titillation. It seems wholly inappropriate for what is essentially God’s rescue plan for mankind. If you are going to publish your own version of the Bible it must be done with a great deal of sensitivity. The Bible is a very important text to many many people and should be treated with the respect it deserves.
Representing it in your own way is all very well and good but it must be remembered that it is a matter of people’s faith, their religion. Faith is such an important part of people’s lives that one must remember to tread very carefully.
Twit!
The inimitable Robert Crumb
He [Crumb] set out to say; ‘this is important, fundamental myth’ and it seems to me he’s done a good job.
A spokeswoman for the Bible Society said she hadn’t seen the book but that reviews had suggested that Crumb had “really engaged” with the Book of Genesis.
It may surprise people but the Bible does contain nudity, sex and violence. That’s because it contains real stories about real people. If by reading the book people are encouraged to re-engage with the Bible then that can only be a good thing.
A spokesman for the Church of England said:
I haven’t seen the book but I think trying to sell something by emphasising the sexual nature of some of the scenes doesn’t seem to be a good way to pass on the message of the Bible.
Hat tip: Adam Tjaavk, Brian Jordan
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
October 18th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I always laugh when pinch-faced nutbags scream about "evil" books/movies like Harry Potter while claiming children should read the Bible. The Bible has more lust, sex, bloodshed and other vile crap in it than any R-rated film I've ever seen. I'd never give it to a child.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
‘This is important, fundamental myth’ Well said, Bishop Blaines. I couldn't have put it better myself. Well, I could – I'd have left out "important", then it would have been spot-on.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Oh, but the little kiddies are only supposed to read the jesus approved bible stories, like David and Goliath and Noah's Ark and whatever else has been deemed "fit" by some standard. I remember getting read all kinds of stories like that if I was sleeping over at my faithful cousin's place. We couldn't go to sleep before we got one. Even at age 6 I was aware of the unlikeliness of it all.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:42 am
What the godphuqt cannot get through their heads, is that the reason their bible is the most obscene paean to evil ever written is not that it graphically depicts the mass murders and rapes perpetrated or authorized by its deity. It is that the bible applauds those crimes and takes the position that, "When God does it, it's not evil." If a human committed the sadistic atrocities attributed to "God" by the deity's own official biography, in a country that does not have a death penalty, he would be committed to an asylum for the criminally insane for the term of his natural life. Anyone who does not know that the most God-like man alive today is Osama bin Laden, has never read a bible with his brain in gear.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Well it is important in the sense it has come down to us over thousands of year as any early, if twisted, record of human history.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I think you could argue that it is "important" with regard to the effect that the Bible has had on society, shaping the views of Jews, Christians and Muslims (sadly!). No other ancient writings have had anywhere near the same influence, which is amazing when you consider what wisdom some of the ancients came up with, and what childish drivel the Bible contains!!
October 19th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Actually Brian, it was Crumb who said ‘This is important, fundamental myth’ and Blaines agreed. This might not have been clear when I originally posted the piece, but it is clear now.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Pure Sin!!
We have regular Book Burnings and we now have a new one to add to the list.
If you want some real reading, try one of Pastor Deacon Fred's many books based on real True Christian™ philosophy.
My own favorites are:
"Daddy, Why Did Jesus Kill Grandma?"
God's violent anger is directed toward those who dare to question His perfect love for them. Grandma Jenkins is no exception. One little slip of the tongue on her deathbed secured an eternity of separation from God. Marooned alone in the lake of fire, her only company is a visiting red-finned water demon who sodomizes her from the deep as fire waves crash into her screaming head and burst her wrinkled body into flames.
or
"Donkeys Can Talk, People Can Fly, And a Man Named Jesus Lives Up in the Sky!"
Creation Science for Teens is a Bible based textbook designed to reclaim America's children from the corrupting influence of today's culture. Religious leaders around the country believe it will replace most high school science textbooks in the next four years.
and that old favorite: "
"The Talking Snake Theory: Creation Science & History for Christian Children".
For True Christians®, Jews, and Muslims, our entire belief systems hinge on a few words from a talking snake who appeared around this same time. By using fun characters and cartoons based on factual accounts from the Holy Bible book of Genesis (one of the few history books that all three major religions in the world agree on), youngsters are taken on an educational journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.
You can get them Online at the Landover Baptizon Store: http://www.landoverbaptist.org/talkingsnake.html
October 19th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I think this comment will probably not be approved, but I'll take a shot anyway.
Barry, you are a disgusting pervert, and so is the writer of this trash. You criticize priests for their wicked acts, and then promote pornography?
I think an article like this tells us a lot about you, Barry. You seems to be just as vile as all of the people you criticize on this blog.
Block this comment or don't, ban me or don't, I'll never read this trash again.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Tom Estes, Crumb is faithfully illustrating the events narrated in the Bible. If Crumb's book is porn, then so is the Bible.
Oh, and remember you are a guest on this blog, so keep a civil tongue in your head or you will be banned.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Tom Estes, Crumb is faithfully illustrating the events narrated in the Bible. If Crumb's book is porn, then so is the Bible.
Oh, and remember you are a guest on this blog, so keep a civil tongue in your head or you will be banned.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Tom Estes, Crumb is faithfully illustrating the events narrated in the Bible. If Crumb's book is porn, then so is the Bible.
Oh, and remember you are a guest on this blog. So keep a civil tongue in your head or you will be banned.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Tom Estes, Crumb is faithfully illustrating the events narrated in the Book of Genesis. If Crumb's book is porn, then so is the Bible.
Oh, and remember you are a guest on this blog. So keep a civil tongue in your head or you will be banned.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Ditto. The publication is no more than pornography to offend Christians and no more than a narcissitic effort of an old man who still needs to find methods to be considered relevant when old age causes you to be forgotten. The accolades from those who knowingly reject their conscience; therefore, rejecting Jesus, gives the irrelevant old man a means of relevancy and an insecure hope of eternity. Afterall, he makes own path, but just like everyone else in the world it leads to the grave and which, thus far, no one seems to have the ability to divert from death's path. Essentially, no ever rises from the dead except one.
Moreover, Christians shouldn't be offended, though this is surely the author's intentions. We shouldn't be offended because he is just putting into pictures the words of Scriptures from historical Biblical accounts which none here can adequately disprove. Crumb has given a relevancy to the Biblical account in his foolish attempt to gratutiously titillate his readers and offend the religious. It's been done before and will be done again. He calls it a myth, but he is just a man and doesn't really know, does he?
October 19th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Finally, Crumb does not have to answer to us. The same "mythical" God who gives him breath is the same "mythical" God who can take it away. When that happens he can plead his case before God, but let's hope and pray he doesn't have to.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
The Bible simply reveals the perverted heart of man, thus, the reason it infuriates him because he doesn't like his conscience exposed to the Truth.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
"The writer of this trash"
Actually Pastor Estes, I think you'll find that Robert Crumb is the illustrator of this trash, the writer is…erm…your god.
You really aren't very bright, are you Tom?
October 19th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
"The writer of this trash"
Actually Pastor Estes, I think you'll find that Robert Crumb is the illustrator of this trash, the writer is…erm…your god.
You really aren't very bright, are you Tom?
October 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Whoopee, we have an attack of trolls. Well done Mr Crumb, I've long admired his work; Fritz the Cat is an excellent piece of work and this latest cartoon: inspired. It certainly has offended the xtians – but it doesn't take much it seems. What Mr Crumb has done here is to illustrate a section of a work of fiction [the bible] as he see it. Don't forget Mr Estes and Xnilo, many others have been inspired by the bible: Myra Hindley, David Koresh, Adolf Hitler, to name a few; Mr Crumb draws an amusing cartoon but this lot killed people. The bible is probably the most disgusting and violent book around – no wait, it is in second place to the koran.
October 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I think Lot's daughter's boobs are fake.
October 19th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
As I mentioned earlier. The Bible unequivocally reveals the evil which resides in the heart of all and exposes it and records in the historical texts of the Bible. Good lies in no one and athesit point this out better than all in their attacks on Christianity and religion.
It is this exposure which self-righteous people respond with hate-filled rhetoric and pithy comments. People exposed to it respond with hate, denial, and rejection. Who wants their sin exposed?
Finally, if God does not exist what is there to hate, deny and reject. The masses of ignorant Christians should be easily ignored, but the battle over people's souls still continues among the sheep and the goats.
October 19th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Don't you just love Xians !
let's get some in a cage and poke them with pointy sticks [metaphorically speaking]; anyway if this book if enough to upset Testicles it must have some worth
October 19th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Yes. The guy produces a book which merely illustrates Bible stories, and Estes calls it "pornography"! Doh?
October 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hook…
Line….
you know the rest. Superb by Crumb. Absolutely nailed their hypocrisy. (…to a cross! – well in the next anthology at least perhaps!)
October 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I do hope that Mr. Crumb is going to work his way through the Bible one chapter at a time. I can't wait to see what the faithful have to say about illustrations of the righteous throwing babies at rocks.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I've seen some pretty wicked-looking dildos in my time. I wonder whether Barry could supply some suitable implements (at a discount, of course)!
October 19th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
"…historical Biblical accounts which none here can adequately disprove."
The light just went on! I can't disprove it so it must all be true! How could I have been so blind?
"…he is just a man and doesn't really know, does he?"
But those who believe these things do know–which is proved by the fact that they believe.
I'm convinced. Bye-bye all you hellbound losers! Have a toasty eternity.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Esticles the testicles no more!? Say it ain't so!!!!
So does anyone else always expect some blowhard who is yacking on and on about jebus this and jebus that and magic man this and magic man that to just burst out laughing and say, "just kidding! who would believe that crap?"
October 19th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Why has Testicles' name not been fed to the spam filter? We do not need further proof that a sicko who thinks that the same behaviour was evil when Hitler did it but virtuous when his imaginary sky Fuhrer does it is incapable of telling right from wrong — in most of the world, the legal definition iof insanity. Why did Nurse Ratched let this mad dog out of Bellvue?
October 19th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
For those who have not heard of them: There is a bunch of crackpots who call themselves ExcatholicsforChrist. They have done with the cath. branch of religion and gone fundamentalist. In fact, it is amazing to hear their views on priests, cardinals and the pope. They take the bible literally and want to have creationsm taught in British schools. These are not your usual US mental cases but our very own home-grown.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ex...../a/D99CA...
This video, entitled "You are not an atheist", promises you that after watching it you will revise your views. As rating and commenting on this particular dross have been blocked I wrote on their profile page. As expected they did not approve of what I had to say. Only favourable comments are allowed to stand.
I'd love to know what they make of the Crumb edition.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
OPEN LETTER TO WINSTON CHURCHILL
Winnie, you are a disgusting pervert, and so is the writer of the trash called "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." You criticize me for invading Poland, and then wage war against the Holy Crusaders who have GOTT MIT UNS. Your statement that, "We will fight them on the beaches…" tells a lot about you, Winnie. I will never communicate with you again, as I will be too busy masturbating as I fantasize exterminating the Jesus-rejecting Jews so that gentle Jesus can barbecue them in hell.
SINCERELY, ADOLF HITLER
October 19th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I think we should club together and buy testicles one of those 'baby jesus butt-plugs' for xmas, a metaphor for what he can do with his religion….
October 19th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I just hope that the film comes out soon!
October 20th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Bloody hell! I go away for a few days and not only do you go fishing but you catch two, even if they are only mino's. I must pay more attention.
Neuseline. As an ex catholic ( though I prefer the term 'recovering catholic' ) I can say without fear of contradiction that this video is the single most unconvincing argument for christianity I've ever heard. If I ever needed to reinforce my lack of belief, this video would have me back off my knees and thinking clearly in seconds, thanks for posting it.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Nothing new. From Neil Gaiman's journal, long ago.
"The first time I ever came close actually to sending a publisher to prison for something I had written was about 1986 or 1987, for Knockabout's Outrageous Tales From The Old Testament: I'd retold a story from the Book of Judges that contained a rape and murder, and this was held to have contravened a Swedish law depicting images of violence against women. The case was only won when the defense pointed out that the words were from the King James version of the bible, and that the images were a fair representation thereof…"
October 20th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Exactly, Angela.
They really don't like having their noses rubbed in it, do they? They want it to be all abot 'gentle Jesus meek and mild', but unfortunately, there's a lot more baggage to take on board when you base your world view on that of primitive goat-herders.
How can illustrating exactly what's in the bibble be anything other than what it is? A depiction of the events in this insane, and at times, quite vile book?
October 20th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Exactly, Angela.
They really don't like having their noses rubbed in it, do they? They want it to be all about 'gentle Jesus meek and mild', but unfortunately, there's a lot more baggage to take on board when you base your world view on that of primitive goat-herders.
How can illustrating exactly what's in the bibble be anything other than what it is? A depiction of the events in this insane, and at times, quite vile book?
October 20th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Exactly, Angela.
They really don't like having their noses rubbed in it, do they? They want it to be all about 'gentle Jesus meek and mild', but unfortunately, there's a lot more baggage to take on board when you base your world view on that of primitive, bronze-age goat-herders.
How can illustrating exactly what's in the bibble be anything other than what it is? A depiction of the events in this insane, and at times, quite vile book?
October 20th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Exactly, Angela.
They really don't like having their noses rubbed in it, do they? They want it to be all about 'gentle Jesus meek and mild', but unfortunately, there's a lot more baggage to take on board when you base your world view on that of primitive, bronze-age goat-herders.
How can illustrating exactly what's in the bibble be anything other than what it is? A depiction of the events in this insane, and at times, quite vile book?
Estes sending his attack hamster over here is just hilarious.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:26 am
I'm looking forward to the children being torn apart by bears and the Levite's concubine being gang-raped and dismembered.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Because of his endless entertainment value, Dr. H!
October 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Yawn! Can't argue without referring to your book of fairy tales, can you? The bible is not a reference book or indeed a worthy tome of philosophy; it would be like me quoting from "The Wind in the Willows" Poop Poop!
October 20th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Just watched this video and I was starting to lose the will to live listening to that droning imbecile; he has no idea how to construct an argument either.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:23 am
"The publication is no more than pornography to offend Christians…"
So, writing about a drunk old man getting fucked by his daughters isn't pornography, but illustrating it is? Hm.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I think his arse would be too tight!
October 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Lot's wife was invited to appear in the musical version ("Sodom!"), but said she would be petrified.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Yes. I was very disappointed to read that Testes was "threatening" not to visit the site again. (That's a joke in itself!) He's a born comedian!!
October 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
off topic but, a friend for testes?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2.....logging_...
Blogging vicar casts Tina Turner into hell
Pop-driven secular cremations simply not the best
A blogging Tunbridge Wells vicar has caused a bit of a brouhaha by roundly condemning secular cremations where the dearly departed can expect nothing better than "a poem from nan combined with a saccharine message from a pop star before being popped in the oven with no hope of resurrection".*
Father Ed Tomlinson, 35, of St Barnabas' Church posted his musings on "The death of death" in his personal blog. He lamented: "In the last few years it has become painfully obvious that many families I have conducted funerals for have absolutely no desire for any Christian content whatsoever.
(cont)
October 20th, 2009 at 11:33 am
He heeee
October 20th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Thanks for the heads-up Harry!
Just ordered my copy of Outrageous Tales from the Old Testament second-hand for £12.50 (it's £97.50 for a new copy!)
October 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
"Finally, if God does not exist what is there to hate, deny and reject. The masses of ignorant Christians should be easily ignored"
Where to begin?
The indoctrination of children
The oppression of women and homosexuals
The demanding of special privileges
The hypocrisy
The denial of science
Absolute certainty in the face of conflicting evidence
These are just a few of the things I 'hate, deny and reject'. Well, these and the fact that you ( christians ) continue to try and claim the moral high ground while living a life that is anything but.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
http://hardtruth.squarespace.c.....9/10/16/...
Testicles has thrown in the blogging towel! but not before showings us the embryonic beginnings of his youtube career, I wonder how long it will be until that is aborted….
301 views and counting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaF2RF_Ghlg
October 21st, 2009 at 3:24 am
One is a historical, Biblical account while the other is pornography depicting sexual acts in order to titilate Crumb's audience. Crumb is not writing for the benefit of Christians, but for you and your peers; and to the offend religious folks for which I am of neither party.
You don't understand the account of Lot and his daughter which caused them to ignorantly, immorally, and wrongfully get their father drunk and have incestous sex with him. Lot was a compromised, weak man of God and his daughter's were raised in an environment of solictous, sexual degradation of Sodom and Gomorah. As far as his daughters were concern they foolishly believed they were doing the right thing since their father failed to teach them the precepts of God. Their children bore the responsibility for their stupid, depraved decision, but in order to understand that you've got to get beyond the verses after they had sex with their father to see the results of their sinful, foolish decison.
At least I see you agree Crumb's publication is pornography.
October 21st, 2009 at 3:35 am
All you did was make pithy comments about comments. Next thing you'll be telling us is something is made from nothing. I am unconvinced of your disbelief.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:00 am
Wow.
So Xnilo has served up the argument from personal incredulity as if it actually meant something.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:42 am
Sorry, that was meant to be a reply to the post in the above sub-thread:
"All you did was make pithy comments about comments. Next thing you'll be telling us is something is made from nothing. I am unconvinced of your disbelief."
Sometimes this commenting system goes bonkers. Not as bad as the system over at Pharyngula, though…
October 21st, 2009 at 7:40 am
"Donkeys Can talk, People Can Fly, And a Man Named Jesus Lives Up in the Sky."
He walked on water: he healed the sick:
He's so damned smug it gets on your wick!*
(*English colloquialism that means to piss one off!!)
October 21st, 2009 at 7:45 am
I hope you're not suggesting that any of these events really happened, Xnilo! If so, you're a bigger fool than I thought!!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:50 am
I don't believe that he doesn't believe that I don't believe; but he doesn't believe that I don't believe that he doesn't believe…
October 21st, 2009 at 7:56 am
I'm not sure that all these stories are even "myths" in the accepted sense. Some, like the story of Noah may be, but I have a suspicion that others are merely "concocted" morality tales, and are not half as ancient as they are made out to be. Can Dr Harwood shed light on this for us?
October 21st, 2009 at 8:12 am
unbelievable…..
October 21st, 2009 at 3:50 pm
“I hope you’re not suggesting that any of these events really happened, Xnilo! If so, you’re a bigger fool than I thought!!”
Then call me a fool, my friend, for not only am I suggesting it I am unequivocally stating they did happen as recorded the the historical Biblical accounts.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
All of Barryjohn’s questions are answered in “God, Jesus and the Bible”, available from Amazon.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Your laughable attempts at exegesis aside (wasn’t Lot saved because he and his family were the only righteous ones in Sodom?), you then go on to lay your fuckwittery bare to the world by replying to this post:
“So, writing about a drunk old man getting fucked by his daughters isn’t pornography, but illustrating it is? Hm.”
With this piece of inanity:
“At least I see you agree Crumb’s publication is pornography.”
Way to go, reading-comprehension boy.
And if incest is such a sinful thing, remind telling me who Cain and Abel fucked? Each other?
October 30th, 2009 at 5:36 am
Yea and lets not get into the apocrypha.