Penn & Teller ridicule Christ's crucifixion

WorldNet Daily ^ | 2003-01-20

[Ethan Clive Osgoode]

The magic-comedy team of Penn & Teller has performed a stunt parodying the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, offending some attendees of a major magicians' convention, reports columnist Norm Clarke of the Las Vegas Review.

The skit, performed last week in Las Vegas, included Teller, dressed as Christ on a full-size cross, entering the room on a cart. According to the column, a midget dressed as an angel "performed a simulated sex act on the near-naked Teller." Penn, in a Roman gladiator costume, unveiled the scene by pulling away a "Shroud of Turin" that covered the cross.

A group of people attending the event, billed as a roast of magician Amazing Johnathan, walked out in protest, says Clarke.

According to Rick Neiswonger, a longtime magician and marketing executive, said "the majority" of the 400 who attended the roast were offended.

"They (organizers) warned everybody that something offensive was going to happen, but my God, where do you draw the line? ? This was beyond bad taste," Neiswonger told the Review.

One magician, Lance Burton, defended the stunt in an address at the finale luncheon of the conference.

"I told them, 'You were warned ahead of time.' It was a roast; it was held late at night (midnight)," he said, according to the Review column. "Penn & Teller are my dear friends and I would take a bullet for them, and you can write that."

Amazing Johnathan told the Review he was aware that a number of what he called "gospel magicians" walked out of the performance.

"This was performance art," said Johnathan. "I know that Penn is a practicing atheist, and I agree with him that Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."

Clarke said in his column that Penn & Teller declined comment.

[smith288]

"This was performance art," said Johnathan. "I know that Penn is a practicing atheist, and I agree with him that Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."

He cant be this dumb can he?

[lady lawyer]

How, exactly, does an atheist "practice"?

[Marysecretary]

And what did Christianity have to do with the WTC? Cheez, that guy is a real turkey. Maybe he can make himself disappear! Jerk.

[wimpycat]

Amazing Jonathan
Penn & Teller
some two-bit magician I've never heard of, named Lance Burton

[Mr. K]

Peen and Teller are professed atheists, and they have that right-, but this crosses the line of humor

[Onelifetogive]

"I know that Penn is a practicing atheist, and I agree with him that Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."

It boggles the mind...

Working at a job to earn money can be dangerous. Look at criminals. They steal in the name of getting money.

Idiot...

[bmwcyle]

Christianity can be dangerous. Look at the Trade Center. That was done in the name of religion."

It is dangerous to stand next to a Christian that Satan own it trying to kill. This does not make the religion dangerous.

[Ethan Clive Osgoode]

How, exactly, does an atheist "practice"?

Penn just showed you.

[tracer]

"Penn & Teller are my dear friends and I would take a bullet for them, and you can write that."

Careful what you wish for, Lance-baby. A wise old Chinese philospher warns us that when you roll around in a pig sty, you invariably end up covered in $#!t.

I doubt that the Savior shares the sense of humor sported by you and your sodomite friends, Sir Lance. You'll all find out when it's far too late, I expect.....

[MEGoody]

"It was a roast"

Perhaps, but it was not billed as a roast of Jesus.

Penn and Teller are off my list of performers worth seeing.

[GWfan]

Why people pay to see these guys is something I will never understand.

[Constitution Day]

This wasn't very bright, Mr. Jillette.

[Servant of the Nine]

This happened months ago and was discussed in endless detail at the time.

So9

[Welsh Rabbit]

That's what I thinking. I once saw Penn give a tour of his home on TV and he has a whole library devoted to atheism. I don't understand how someone who doesn't believe in a higher power can be so rabid and zealous about their non-belief.

[al_c]

Penn & Teller has performed a stunt parodying the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Again? I guess they just want to keep angering people. I'd like to see someone try to parody the life of gays, or Muslims, or some minority group. That act wouldn't last long.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

In getting ready to film the last scene of 'Life of Brian', what had been non-stop sunny weather suddenly turned cloudy. Python were worried they had finally crossed a line.
The filming went on without incident and added to the drama/humor of the scene.

Which leads to my question: Does God have a sense of humor?

*awaits flaming*

[TX Bluebonnet]

Penn and Teller are off my list of performers worth seeing.

They were never on mine. Never funny, always angry/bitchy sounding. This stunt however, is really beyond the pale.

[discostu]

No not again. The story is from January. Some apparently just wanted to stir a pot.

[Charlie OK]

I was going to post the same thing. Look at the date on the article.