Paris Jackson’s upcoming portrayal of Jesus sparks backlash; thousands sign petitions objecting
Hundreds of thousands of people aren’t fans of Paris Jackson playing Jesus.
More than 274,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to prevent the distribution of the indie film “Habit,” which critics say is “Christianophobic garbage.”
“A new blasphemous Hollywood film is predicted to come out soon depicting Jesus as a lesbian woman,” reads the petition, which was created one week ago.
The 22-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson was tapped to play the role of Jesus, alongside Bella Throne and Gavin Rossdale. A press release, according to Deadline and Entertainment Tonight, said “Habit” will follow “a street smart, party girl with a Jesus fetish (who) gets mixed up in a violent drug deal and finds a possible way out; by masquerading as a nun.”
Another petition created by the group One Million Moms is also gaining steam with over 73,000 signatures denouncing the film. The group, which “stands against the immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity the entertainment media,” accused the movie of mocking Christianity and ridiculing people of faith.
USA TODAY reached out to Jackson’s and Thorne’s reps for comment.
Following the backlash, Sia sent some support to Jackson. She tweeted: “Dear @ParisJackson I love you, keep going. I believe you are a good person.”
Jackson recently opened up about her sexuality in her new Facebook Watch series, “Unfiltered: Paris Jackson and Gabriel Glenn,” her boyfriend and bandmate. Despite dating a man, Jackson says she identifies as gay.
“Homosexuality, in general, is very taboo in the Black community,” Jackson says. “So that, on top of the religious aspect, it was something that I did feel like I needed to withhold for a while. And then the first time I came out to a family member they, like, didn’t believe me.”
Article via USAToday