Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Catholic Group Rejects Miller's Apology for 'Last Supper' Poster
CNSNews.com ^ | October 29, 2007 | Randy Hall

Posted on 10/30/2007 7:33:46 AM PDT by 300magnum

An apology issued by the Miller Brewing Company over a poster that promoted a homosexual event in San Francisco by copying Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of "The Last Supper" was rejected on Monday by the leader of a national Catholic group, who charged that either the corporation doesn't "get it" or "they think we're stupid."

The apology, which was released late Friday, "is nothing but a rehash" of what the company has been saying all along, said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious Civil Rights, in a statement of his own on Monday.

"It limits its apology to the use of its logo on the offensive 'Last Supper' promotional poster," Donohue said, which replaced Jesus and his disciples with half-naked homosexual sadomasochists, but "it still refuses to apologize for the anti-Catholic nature of the event itself."

That event was the Folsom Street Fair, which bills itself as "the world's largest leather festival" and is held on the last Sunday of September, when it draws about 300,000 people each year.

"The poster was the least offensive part of this Catholic-bashing forum," Donohue continued. "What was even more offensive was the sight of Christian symbols being sold at this Miller-sponsored fair as sex toys.

"Then there was the incredible sight of a stripper and a man dressed as Jesus hoisted in cages above a Catholic church on a Sunday," he added. "This was done to provoke, taunt and insult Catholics.

"Evidently, Miller thinks these kinds of things are okay," Donohue said. "In the latest news release on this subject, Miller Vice President Nehl Horton said that 'when one group actively disrespects another, we cannot support its events and activities,'" Donohue said. "This is a fine statement, if only it were true.

"The fact is Miller has made no pledge not to sponsor the Folsom Street Fair again," he stated. "Accordingly, we will continue the boycott and the anti-Miller PR campaign." Donohue also stated that the boycott has "reached a new level."

"In addition to the countless number of Catholics who have called us joining the boycott, we are now drawing the support of high-ranking members of the Catholic clergy, the Knights of Columbus in Illinois and New York, and the Chaldean community in Michigan," he noted.

"Any corporation that sponsors events that belittle people on the basis of religion is no better than one that belittles people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation," Donohue said.

"We are not asking for much," he added. "Just as important, we will not settle for less."

"Miller has been a strong partner to countless local organizations throughout the country for decades," Julian Green, senior manager of media relations for the Miller Brewing Company, told Cybercast News Service on Monday. "Consumers have come to trust us as a company committed to doing the right thing.

"We hope that consumers will forgive us for this serious error and have confidence that our response in this case has continued to demonstrate our commitment to upholding their trust," Green added.

As Cybercast News Service previously reported, Friday's apology from the Miller Brewing Company said the corporation "has taken action to ensure that such an incident will not happen again."

"Miller has just completed an exhaustive audit of its marketing procedures for approving local marketing and sales sponsorships, and it is implementing plans to tighten its compliance procedures," the release stated.

"The company has received assurances from its local distributor in San Francisco and from Folsom Street Events that future marketing materials and event activities will fully comply with Miller's marketing policies and procedures," the statement added.

The poster first drew attention - and criticism - from the conservative group Concerned Women for America on Sept. 25.

"Gay activists disingenuously call Christians 'haters' and 'homophobes' for honoring the Bible, but then lash out in this hateful manner toward the very people they accuse," said Matt Barber, CWA's policy director for cultural issues, at the time.

Within 24 hours, Miller Brewing Company asked to have its logo removed from the advertisement, even though Copper said there was no intention "to be particularly pro-religion or anti-religion with this poster; the image is intended only to be reminiscent of the 'Last Supper' painting."

On Sept. 26, the Catholic League issued a press release expressing outrage that Miller still supported the event despite the fact that a portion of the money raised by the festival was going to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an anti-Catholic group that held a fundraiser entitled "The Last Supper With the Sisters."

The following day, Donohue announced that his organization was boycotting Miller Brewing Company products and urged more than 200 other religious organizations to do the same.

A Cybercast News Service investigation determined that some of the funding for the festival came from a city program to support "parades and celebrations," as well as a "Zero Waste" grant from the San Francisco Department of the Environment to promote "recycling, materials reuse and waste reduction for municipal, commercial and residential clients."

On Sept. 28, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) - whose district is host to the event, which draws about 300,000 attendees each year - said: "I do not believe that Christianity has been harmed by the Folsom Street Fair advertising."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: antichristian; boycottmiller; homosexualagenda; millerbeer; zerowaste
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

1 posted on 10/30/2007 7:33:48 AM PDT by 300magnum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

Queer Beer!!!! I've goaded all my friends into not drinking Miller Queer Beer any more. What a riot! :)

2 posted on 10/30/2007 7:36:07 AM PDT by MarineBrat (My wife and I took an AIDS vaccination that the Church offers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

Miller has made their choices. I don’t think apologies really matter, at this point. Now the Catholic League is just playing for points.

People have made up their minds about what they think about SAB/Miller. That is not going to change because they come out with some mealy-mouthed “We’re sorry you were offended” type apology.


3 posted on 10/30/2007 7:38:05 AM PDT by gridlock (ELIMINATE PERVERSE INCENTIVES)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

No one it seems really apologizes any more. They just read platitude-filled, condescending statements put together by lawyers and/or publicists. A massive boycott of the product might get their attention.


4 posted on 10/30/2007 7:40:14 AM PDT by fatnotlazy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum
On Sept. 28, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) - whose district is host to the event, which draws about 300,000 attendees each year - said: "I do not believe that Christianity has been harmed by the Folsom Street Fair advertising."

It wasn't harmed by the advertising, it was harmed by the Folsom Street Fair and it's participants.

Stupid, corrupt, useless idiot. The most incompetent House leader ever.

5 posted on 10/30/2007 7:42:12 AM PDT by rllngrk33 (The RATs and Media are the enemy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fatnotlazy
A massive boycott of the product might get their attention.

The best part about boycotting Miller is that it involves no sacrifice. No trouble at all to stay away from piss-water.

6 posted on 10/30/2007 7:45:17 AM PDT by DManA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: MarineBrat
Queer Beer!!!! I've goaded all my friends into not drinking Miller Queer Beer any more. What a riot! :)

ROFLOL!

7 posted on 10/30/2007 7:50:06 AM PDT by 300magnum (God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it. D.Webster)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

Miller has supported this event since the mid-1970s. They won’t be backing away from the S&M Street Parade now.

They are sorry that they got caught and that you were offended by your narrow views.

But they aren’t sorry for what they DID.


8 posted on 10/30/2007 7:56:18 AM PDT by weegee (NO THIRD TERM. America does not need another unconstitutional Clinton co-presidency.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DManA

All Knights of Columbus Councils with bars should discontinue selling Miller products.


9 posted on 10/30/2007 7:57:27 AM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: massgopguy

Does Miller own a coffee company? That would be the only product my church could boycott.


10 posted on 10/30/2007 8:02:58 AM PDT by DManA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Frank Sheed

I’m hoping you stick to your guiness and stay away from Miller.


11 posted on 10/30/2007 8:03:17 AM PDT by tiki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

My wife almost fainted when I told her not to buy anymore Miller beer when getting groceries. She thought I was going to quit drinking beer.


12 posted on 10/30/2007 8:03:24 AM PDT by my right
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: fatnotlazy
A massive boycott of the product might get their attention.

I've been boycotting Miller for years... because their beer is swill.

13 posted on 10/30/2007 8:08:50 AM PDT by Dr. Thorne (Compromise on your vote and you get a compromised government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

MILLER BREWING COMPANY

414-931-2000 (corporate headquarters)
414-931-2222 (media line)

I am a Roman Catholic with a phone. Call them up, let them know!


14 posted on 10/30/2007 8:13:59 AM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MarineBrat

Within 24 hours, Miller Brewing Company asked to have its logo removed from the advertisement, even though Copper said there was no intention “to be particularly pro-religion or anti-religion with this poster; the image is intended only to be reminiscent of the ‘Last Supper’ painting.”

__________________________________________________________

How stupid for a company to do this, they are going to lose a lot of business because of this.


15 posted on 10/30/2007 8:14:40 AM PDT by ThisLittleLightofMine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 300magnum

Miller Beer. Bad call.


16 posted on 10/30/2007 8:17:36 AM PDT by NRA1995 (Mr. President and Congress: This is OUR country and don't you forget it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MarineBrat
I think it was the humorist H.Allen Smith who said, upon his first taste of something that might have been Miller beer, "Put it back in the horse."

I can't add to the boycott, since I was never in the market for "spoiled bread" juice. But I would point out that Catholics aren't the only ones offended by such parodies of Christ and the Apostles.

17 posted on 10/30/2007 8:24:29 AM PDT by thulldud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: thulldud

“I can’t add to the boycott, since I was never in the market for “spoiled bread” juice. But I would point out that Catholics aren’t the only ones offended by such parodies of Christ and the Apostles.”

Amen. This Mormon is horrified by this stuff. Unfortunately, since I’m Mormon, I can’t help with the boycott since I don’t buy beer, anyway.

What other products does Miller and/or its affiliates sell?


18 posted on 10/30/2007 8:39:40 AM PDT by lady lawyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ThisLittleLightofMine

The Catholic League should reach out to all the Greek Orthodox Churches.

Every year each of those churches do Greek Festivals. Food and Family fun stuff. There has to be a dent if all those thousands of festivals skip miller beer.


19 posted on 10/30/2007 8:48:38 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: MarineBrat

There has been no Miller Lite in the coolers after our monthly Knights of Columbus meetings. But there has been more Shiner Bock. :o)


20 posted on 10/30/2007 8:55:12 AM PDT by al_c
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson