A new ad encouraging Australians to register as organ donors using a depiction of Jesus is facing being banned from TV after a number of complaints have been made to the ad watchdog.
The two and a half minute ad, Created for Dying To Live, a pro-organ donation group, features a dying Jesus and asks viewers ‘what would Jesus do?’.
The ad is facing being banned from TV after a number of complaints have been made to the ad watchdog.
Created by filmmaker Richard Todd and directed by Richard Bullock, the ad features two guards engaging in a humorous exchange with Jesus before taking a selfie with him.
The guards then ask if he would register as an organ donor, to which he responds ‘Obviously, I am Jesus’.
It’s been met with mixed reactions from the religious community with The Daily Telegraph reporting that Islamic community figure Keysar Trad said the ad “showed irreverence towards venerated figures" and will cause offence to some Muslims and Christians.
The Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead said some people “might be offended by the Monty Python-esque humour", but ultimately it uses the self-sacrificial example of Jesus to communicate an important message.
Production company Revolver/Will O’Rourke was also involved in the making of the campaign.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.