An apostate ex-Mormon has produced a play which depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual, and residents of Stephenville, Texas are justifiably outraged and plan to protest. Primary media story published by World Net Daily; supplemental stories in the Dallas Voice (pro-gay) and the Dallas Morning News (119 public comments).
John Jordan Otte, the student director at Tarleton State University, is directing the controversial play entitled "Corpus Christi", which was originally written by Terrence McNally. The production of the play, scheduled for Saturday March 27th in Stephenville, features the Jesus character named Joshua kissing Judas during their prom at Pontius Pilate High School and performing a same-sex marriage for two of his disciples. Before the ceremony, a disciple named James pauses and quotes the Old Testament Scripture: "If a man lies with a man as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them." Joshua then responds: "Why would you memorize such a terrible passage? 'And God saw everything that He had made, and behold it was very good.' ... God loves us most when we love each other." Otte further claims he picked the play not to be deliberately controversial but because its theme – that the teachings of Jesus apply to all – resonated with him. A lengthier statement by Otte was published by WFAA Channel 8.
John Otte is also identified by WND as a gay man who is a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Otte claims that he was extremely faithful, and did everything he was supposed to do, even serving a full-time mission in Italy. But after an emotional upheaval leading to him coming out as a fully-blown homosexual, he left the LDS church, which condemns homosexuality. Media sources do not disclose whether Otte left voluntarily via resignation, or involuntarily via excommunication. Otte also has a MySpace page HERE.
The play has stirred up major controversy not only on the campus of Tarleton State, but also in the surrounding community of Stephenville and beyond. Some who identify themselves as conservative Christians said they were particularly incensed that the play would be performed this Saturday -- the day before Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn and sacred of Christian celebrations. "It's just sticking a thumb in the eye of the standards of this community," Carroll Cawyer of Stephenville told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (155 public comments). "That's what a lot of people are upset about." An unscientific opinion poll being run by the Star-Telegram on the same page indicates that 53 percent oppose the play and only 34 percent support it. The Catholic League also issued a statement condemning the play as hate speech.
Tarleton's president, F. Dominic Dottavio, said in a March 11th letter to the university that he allowed the play to be presented on campus because Tarleton is committed to protecting and preserving the freedoms of thought, speech and expression. In response to expected protestors, security will be beefed up at the school on Saturday. As a matter of fact, the Stephenville Empire-Tribune now reports that university officials changed the time to 8 A.M. Saturday, citing security issues. The play will also be made into a private showing with only family members of the cast and invited guests allowed to attend. The public and all members of the media will not be allowed to view the showing.
The real sin here is not Otte's sexual orientation, but his promotion of homosexuality as a desirable lifestyle, and worse yet, his solemn mockery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To represent Jesus Christ as a homosexual scales the heights of blasphemy and plumbs the depths of depravity. Unfortunately, it is common for someone who leaves the LDS Church under adverse circumstances to go completely to the dark side. But time remains for him to repent - if he chooses to do so.
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