Look: Burger Joint’s Blunt Jesus Ad Sparks Controversy

Look: Burger Joint’s Blunt Jesus Ad Sparks Controversy (Image)

Posted by: K.L Nelson in Humor, Image Gallery, Religion April 17, 2014

The image of Jesus has not changed much in the hundreds of years since the old masters began painting him. Other than some wardrobe alterations and slight changes in expression and/or complexion, artists have been content to leave his iconic visage alone.
Recently, John Schmidt, owner of the Seattle-based Lunchbox Laboratory chain of eateries, took some liberties with the image of Jesus that made a lot of people very uncomfortable. Schmidt created an advertisement for his “Burger of the Gods” Easter special featuring a picture of Jesus holding a burger and a joint (as in marijuana, a blunt, or for the totally out of touch, a “jazz cigarette”). The caption reads “When I get back, all I want is the Burger of the Gods.” Above Jesus’ head the date “4/20” is highlighted in green (for the uninitiated, “420” is a reference to smoking marijuana).
Schmidt sent the ad to a list of his subscribing customers, but the ad got out to the public and was openly discussed on local TV and radio stations.

”The chatter is much more than I expected. I’m simply trying to sell burgers.”

Needless to say, many people took issue with Schmidt’s depiction of”Blunt Jesus.” Some of his detractors even asked if he sought guidance from his pastor before sending the ad. Schmidt, who says he is a practicing Christian and a “family man,” was amused by the suggestion.

“When my business is struggling to pay my bills, I’m not going to go to my pastor. I am trying to get people excited about this advertising.”

Schmidt admits that he often “pushes the envelope” with his advertising, but he is comfortable with his decision to use the ad and with the mostly positive feedback he has received.

I’m not your moral compass. We’re just trying to sell sandwiches. If you’re looking to me for moral direction you’re probably misguided.”

See the ad here: