Jan 31, 2008 11:42 am US/Eastern
Boston Catholics Angered By Ad With Nuns, Nude Man
Some Call It Art, Others Say It's Avarice
BOSTON (CBS) ―
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This controversial ad for Equinox Fitness shows heavily made up nuns swooning over a naked man posing for an artist.
Equinox Fitness/WBZ
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but a controversial ad in a Boston magazine featuring nuns and a naked man in a drawing class is causing quite a stir, reports CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston.
"It's unfair and depraved," said C.J. Doyle with the Catholic Action League.
The ad is for the Equinox Fitness Club in Boston's Back Bay. The ad seems to be working because it's getting attention, even though a lot of it is negative.
The Boston Archdiocese says the ad is a slam on the Catholic Church.
"When you look at it, it's offensive to religious women who dedicate their lives for the good works of the church," said Terry Donilon with the Boston Archdiocese.
Equinox says the ad captures the energy and artistry of the well conditioned body in a thought-provoking fashion, blending fantasy and impact.
But the Catholic Action League finds the ad very offensive.
"It's also an example of this perverse obsession that the advertising industry has with exploiting and sexualizing Catholic religious imagery," Doyle said.
The ad is getting mixed reactions from local Catholics.
"Yes, I am (Catholic) and my family is as well," said Boston resident Carlos Gomes. "It's offensive. Everyone is getting too acceptable these days."
"It just doesn't bother me," said Laura Deveau, of Norflok. "I don't take things like that seriously."
So, should the ad be seen as offensive or creative art? There's only one way to find out.
WBZ-TV took the ad to the Museum of Fine Arts to get an expert opinion.
"It's evoking a very particular aspect of art, the study of classical statuary or using the human body as a tool to learn how to draw," said Marietta Cambareri with the MFA.
One man had an interesting take on the ad.
"The body is such a work of art that even the nuns appreciate it," said Bostonian Gaetano Tarara.
The Boston Archdiocese said it wants an apology from the fitness club.
The Catholic League now wants the ad to be withdrawn, saying it shows a callous contempt for the beliefs and sensibilities of Catholics.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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