Church defends poster campaign

A Church of England diocese has defended a poster campaign designed to appeal to young people through references to drugs and body piercing.

The Diocese of Birmingham has put up the series of four adverts around the city to advertise its new website and target the 16- to 24-year-old age group.

The adverts have been placed in 100 bus shelters in the Birmingham area.

The diocese said there had been some criticism of the campaign, mainly from people outside the target age group.

The posters are displayed through the city centre

Arun Arora, director of communications at the diocese, said: "The posters are aimed specifically at a 16-24 age group who don't know who Jesus is, don't know about His life and have no idea why He died.

"The criticism we received was from those people who were either outside the age group, already Christians, or in most cases people who were both.

"We would like to think that those who already have a Christian faith who may not find the posters to their own personal taste will understand what we are trying to do and would support us in our efforts."

One poster, which refers to the Crucifixion, reads: "Body piercing? Jesus had his done 2000 years ago."

Another is designed to appeal to young people with experience of drugs and says: "Life gone to Pot? Made a hash of things? Things not too E-asy? Love is the drug."

Mr Arora defended the style of the posters which have drawn some criticism.

"The response from the target group has been overwhelmingly positive. The posters are designed to get people to think about what we are saying as a Church, and to go to the web site to find answers."