Man dressed as the devil disrupts ‘Passion’ movie (satire)

The Hoosier Gazette ^ | 28 Feb 04 | Bill Dinkel

[MTBNate]

Moviegoers at Stadium 16 Theater in Evansville attending a showing of “Passion of the Christ” got more than they bargained for Saturday night.

They were greeted in the lobby of the theater by a man wearing a ‘red devil’ costume. Tyler Wendell, a 19 year old freshman at the University of Southern Indiana, caused quite a ruckus with his get-up. The audience, many who were part of church groups, was visibly upset by the antics of Wendell.

”I always like to push the limits,” Wendell said. Many were upset that Wendell chose to wear a devil costume to a religious movie. Many patrons jeered Wendell as he stood in line for concessions.

Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell.

Tim Tolbert, General Manager of Kerasotes Stadium 16, asked Wendell to leave because he was such a disruptive presence. “Our corporate policy is to eject anyone that interferes with the movie experience of fellow patrons,” Tolbert said.

Ingrid Holzappel, a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, was outraged. “This is no place for this type of behavior,” Holzappel remarked, “This was already a sensitive subject, and then to mock it by dressing up as Satan is despicable.”

When asked what he hoped to accomplish by his actions, Wendell said he likes doing things to get a reaction. He was also inspired by a biography he read about the Marquis de Sade.

De Sade was an 18th century writer who caused scandals with his libertine behavior in pre-revolutionary France. De Sade was once arrested for desecrating the Holy Eucharist to see if God really existed. Wendell said his stunt was along the same lines.

Wendell, an atheist, said, “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.” He also wanted to prove “that Christians aren’t as forgiving as they portray”. Wendell says his actions were also partially due to a genuine dislike of Mel Gibson.

Tolbert replied that Wendell was “a misguided and deranged person.” Tolbert also said measures are being taken to ensure this type of disruption does not occur again. “From now on, people dressed offensively will not be allowed to enter the theatre.” Kerasotes’ management is in the process of creating new guidelines for preventing people dressed as “evil beings” from gaining entrance to the theatre.

As of this writing, Evansville police were investigating the incident.

[MTBNate]

Guess they showed him... let he who is without sin cast the first Ju-Ju Bee!

[dirtboy]

Kerasotes’ management is in the process of creating new guidelines for preventing people dressed as “evil beings” from gaining entrance to the theatre.

Well, I guess wearing a Bill Clinton mask to the theater is out now.

[Tempest]

The kid was just a little punk looking for attention. Looks like he got it.

[Pikamax]

isn't this a parody site?

[Sir Gawain]

Some people are too serious. Sounded funny if you ask me. The moviegoers are the ones that sounded disruptive.

[b4its2late]

“If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.”

No. God needs a good laugh now and then too.

[Dog Gone]

[RolandBurnam]

I smell onions.

[Tempest]

"De Sade was an 18th century writer who caused scandals with his libertine behavior in pre-revolutionary France."

Methinks the author is making an understatement here and tends to side with the Wendell punk chump kid.

[MEGoody]

"When asked what he hoped to accomplish by his actions, Wendell said he likes doing things to get a reaction."

Well, he got one. Hope he's happy.

[Sloth]

”I always like to push the limits,” Wendell said.

I always like to beat people like this senseless with a shovel.

[dirtboy]

isn't this a parody site?

Yep.

[Veggie Todd]

Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell. Tim Tolbert, General Manager of Kerasotes Stadium 16, asked Wendell to leave because he was such a disruptive presence. “Our corporate policy is to eject anyone that interferes with the movie experience of fellow patrons,” Tolbert said.

Sounds like the old bat should have been thrown out, not the devil man. She sounds like a real "christian".

[ZULU]

"Wendell, an atheist, said, “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.”

Why? God was probably having a good laugh looking at what of an Ass he was making of himself. Also, God has the last laugh.

Have a nice life Wendell - its all you have to look forward to.

[2banana]

Wendell, an atheist, said, “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.” He also wanted to prove “that Christians aren’t as forgiving as they portray”. Wendell says his actions were also partially due to a genuine dislike of Mel Gibson.

Wendell should go to any arab country and stand in front of any mosque as Mohammad eating a pig. He would get a big lesson in tolerance and respect...

[kjam22]

If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.

I wonder if he ever considered that maybe got jeered at him, pelted him with candy, and poured a coke on him.

[freeeee]

"Our corporate policy is to eject anyone that interferes with the movie experience of fellow patrons," Tolbert said.

No it isn't. Otherwise you'd have ejected the people throwing food as well.

[jwalburg]

Yes. This IS a parody site.

[MEGoody]

"Some people are too serious. Sounded funny if you ask me. The moviegoers are the ones that sounded disruptive."

Yeah, they overreacted. But he wanted a reaction, and he got one.

I wouldn't have viewed this as funny. It was just an immature child's attempt at garnering attention. Rather sad, actually.

[kidd]

let he who is without sin cast the first Ju-Ju Bee

LOL!