Netflix ‘Gay Jesus’ Film Sparks Outrage As Over 1.5 Million People Petition For Its Removal

A new Netflix Christmas comedy titled “The First Temptation Of Christ”, which shows Jesus Christ in a gay relationship and Mary as a weed-smoker, has angered millions all over the world, who have signed a petition demanding its withdrawal.

The 46-minute film was released by Netflix in Brazil on December 3, but no sooner had the picture started streaming, controversy had been sparked.

So far, more than 1.5 million people have signed an online petition – Change.org – calling on Netflix to remove the piece and take action against the producers for their ‘alleged insensitivity toward Christians.’

The film sees Jesus and a friend named Orlando arriving at Mary and Joseph’s house who are throwing a birthday party for their son.

Jesus tries to downplay his relationship with Orlando, but there are hints the pair are romatically involved with each other.

The Netflix description reads: “Jesus, who’s hitting the big 3-0, brings a surprise guest to meet the family. A Christmas special so wrong, it must be from comedians Porta dos Fundos.”

In a statement, the creators of the show said: “Porta dos Fundos values artistic freedom and humor through satire on the most diverse cultural themes of our society and believes that freedom of expression is an essential construction for a democratic country.”

Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world with 123 million followers, according to the Catholic website Crux. So, the film has received immense criticism in the country.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of conservative Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, blasted the film on social media.

He wrote: “We support freedom of expression, but is it worth attacking the belief of 86 percent of the population?”

One Brazilian congressman, Marco Feliciano, who has a history of anti-gay and lesbian comments, expressed his outrage on social media, noting that “Christians and non-Christians have asked me to take action against the irresponsible members of Porta do Fundo.”

Henrique Soares da Costa, a bishop in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, wrote on Facebook to say he had canceled his Netflix account due to the film, denouncing it as ‘blasphemous, vulgar and disrespectful.’

Watch the movie trailer below: