Crucifixion Cartoon in the Times on Good Friday

It is insensitive towards the people depicted and to the feelings of Christians, given that it was published in Holy Week. I don't find it at all funny.

I don't actually think it is a good cartoon. If it was, and it was funny I'd like it but it isn't and I don't.

Baggs

Shocking. Poor taste. But a good cartoon. All these things can be true at once.

Shocking and poor taste are the whole point of political cartoons. I often really dislike the Times cartoons but I believe in freedom of expression so I just move on swiftly after seeing one.

All good points.

Well, it’s certainly in very bad taste.

... however I don't actually see this as mocking.

Well said Baggs.

What has brought about the situation where the Christian religion can be mocked but not other religions?

Tolerance.

Serious question - why is is offensive to Christians?

Its a picture of three people being crucified.

Is the film "Spartacus" offensive to Christians?

I don't know what offends you and you don't know what offends me. I can't be responsible for making sure you are not offended.

Since the cross is not part of the Muslim religion, (I think), you'd be very unlikely to see Allah depicted this way. But Muslim people are offended by portrayal of people (I think).

Are you suggesting that Christian people should behave like religious zealots to stop people doing things which upset them?

I agree that the cartoon is most certainly clever.

It is certainly offensive to Christians, but I believe that free speech and expression is a right that we don’t want to curtail, and therefore the fact that it is offensive is legally acceptable. Whether or not it s acceptable to offend some groups in society is questionable. Legally yes, it’s okay; in terms of respect, well it’s disrespectful, and some people believe that it’s not good form to be disrespectful.

In terms of disrespecting other religions, that is considered by many to be unacceptable. I don’t think we’d see a cartoon depicting Allah in such a way. Whether or not it’s okay to disrespect some religions but not others is certainly worth discussing. What has brought about the situation where the Christian religion can be mocked but not other religions?

Apparently only 31% of the population is Christian now, so it would seem Easter although still a national holiday has little significance for the majority. It isn't in any case using the traditional christian cross, so the only real reference is the three crosses.
I think it's quite clever and funny.
When I was much younger I remember a joke being told that would probably offend Christians.
Teller stands with arms outstretched, head slightly to one side-"What a way to spend Easter. Still there's a good view of Jerusalem" (Sorry!!)

I wonder how many people on here would now ban "A Life of Brian". And how about Dave Allen - a brilliant comic but also one who made fun of the Catholic Church.

Shocking. Poor taste. But a good cartoon. All these things can be true at once.

Shocking and poor taste are the whole point of political cartoons. I often really dislike the Times cartoons but I believe in freedom of expression so I just move on swiftly after seeing one.

I saw that cartoon and thought it was in very poor taste. I'm surprised that an editor would sanction its use.

volver3

The fact that its Easter is the point, I think.

Its not mocking Christians or the crucifixion and its not mocking Muslims.

I saw the "X" as the voting X on a ballot paper, cleverly tied in with Easter and looking "on the bright side" being another clever link to politics and that most ridiculous of nonsense and satirical wit, Monty Python.

Galaxy is right. Being offended and the right to offend is actually a good thing. I am, however, not offended by it.
Volver is also right. I don't see it as mocking either.

It doesn’t bother me and has more publicity because of this, many would’ve been unaware otherwise.

It's quite important to offend, and no one should be exempt from that.

The fact that its Easter is the point, I think.

Its not mocking Christians or the crucifixion and its not mocking Muslims.

tickingbird

It’s offensive and the reason they don’t mock Muslims is because they daren’t; nothing to do with respect.

exactly

You are surely aware that the current FM of Scotland IS Muslim?

It’s disgraceful.

It’s offensive and the reason they don’t mock Muslims is because they daren’t; nothing to do with respect.

I think it’s kind of tacky.

I don’t care about the political subtleties . I DO care that it is offensive to Christian’s, of which I am one. To a Christian Easter is our most holy festival and to mock the crucifixion is beyond the pale. It’s ok to mock Christians apparently other religions, particularly Moslems would not put up with it and why should they?

I don’t like it. I think it’s inappropriate. I understand that it’s satire but that doesn’t make it acceptable in my opinion. I don’t like these kind of cruel satirical jokes about politicians and I feel it’s totally inappropriate at Easter, the most holy time in the Christian calendar. It’s probably offensive to many Christians. I find it mildly offensive as I will be in church tomorrow having never been inside a church since before Covid, apart from two funerals and also a carol service at my grandchildren’s school in New Zealand. If it’s offensive then it probably shouldn’t be there, although since I believe in freedom of speech and expression, I certainly wouldn’t ban it. I do wonder what the reaction would be if Allah was portrayed in such a way.