Philippine Cultural Center Closes Exhibit Offensive To Christians

In the Philippine capital of Manila, the board of the government-run Cultural Centre of the Philippines has closed down an exhibit that included works by local artist Mideo Cruz which Christians found highly offensive.  AFP reports that the exhibit, which opened June 7, included a Cruz poster of Jesus with a wooden penis glued to his face, a cross made of discarded wood with a penis attached, and Jesus with a red clown nose and Mickey Mouse ears.  The closure comes after a group of Christian lawyers said it was filing charges with the government ombudsman accusing the Centre's management with violating the law against "immoral doctrines that violate religion." It also wants those responsible for the exhibit suspended or fired. Philippine president Benigno Aquino says he called the Centre and told the staff he was opposed to the exhibit.  The Centre board said it had received an increasing number of threats to person and property over the exhibit.