Wait a minute…the fourth wise man? I may be Jewish, but I’m pretty sure (mostly from Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”, and more recently from “The Nativity”) that the account of the magi visiting baby Jesus only has three wise men.But in a recent advertisement for energy drink Red Bull, the fourth wise man was present, and drinking a can of Red Bull of course. And there’s nothing like “sacred family sacrilege” to make Italian priests mad.According to Reuters, Father Marco Damanti, from Sicily, has persuaded soft drinks company Red Bull to withdraw an advertisement setting its product in a nativity scene on the grounds it is disrespectful to Christianity and denounced the commercial as “a blasphemous act.”
The advert depicted four wise men, instead of three, visiting Mary and the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The fourth wise man bore a can of the soft drink. “The image of the sacred family has been represented in a sacrilegious way,” Father Damanti told Corriere della Sera. “Whatever the ironic intentions of Red Bull, the advert pokes fun at the nativity, and at Christian sensitivity.” The priest also objected to the company’s slogan, “Red Bull gives you wings,” said by angels in the animated advert.
Sacrilegious? Or sacrilicious? You be the judge.
posted December 5, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The whole 3 wise men thing is actually only based on the fact that 3 gifts are presented to the baby Jesus in Matthew’s gospel (the only one that includes the magi in the story of Jesus’ birth). Matthew’s gospel never says how many wise men (actually Greek ‘magi’ or astrologers were present. I find it crazy that tradition has made them 3 men with specific names since none of that is in the actual gospel.
Popular culture and religion collide once again!
posted December 5, 2007 at 5:53 pm
The whole 3 Wise men thing is also inherent in other “savior” stories (many older than Christianity), and is not unique to the Christian mythology.
posted December 5, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Yeah. I mean, the ad may or may not be disrespectful due to content, but not an inaccurate ‘wiseman’ count. There’s nothing in the story that gives a number of visitors, only a number of gifts.
posted December 5, 2007 at 7:39 pm
What’s the difference between Red Bull and Papal bull?
posted December 5, 2007 at 9:05 pm
It’s nice to see that the church is once again concerning itself with the truly important issues.
posted December 6, 2007 at 1:18 am
Look at that…you guys are teaching me! Thanks. We didn’t cover this in my New Testament class, apparently.
posted December 6, 2007 at 11:38 am
i thought only muslims got upset at depictions of the prophet that don’t ”jive” with their beliefs! at least the priest didn’t announce a jihad or something….actually there is no need for red bull to use religious connotations for advertising..there really IS a limit to good taste….and none of their ads have ever impressed me anyway. it took me ages to figure out what was being advertised….maybe they need a new ad campaign…..
posted December 7, 2007 at 2:20 pm
And still, no brought diapers, blankets, beanie babies, or even a 401k for the holy tike.
I said it else where and I’ll say it here, As a rally big – pan-galactic if you will – group Christians have GOT to get a sense of humor, or at least a sense of perspective.
Papal Bull / Red Bull ~ one is runny and the other makes you run, but both leave a nasty aftertaste!
posted February 11, 2008 at 5:05 pm
The real problem with Red Bull is that it makes you want to pee halfway through Mass.