A church in Auckland, New Zealand, trying to promote debate over Christianity, has decided to give up on a controversial billboard. The billboard, featuring Joseph and Mary in bed, with the message, ''Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow'', has been attacked 4 times since it was erected outside the Anglican church on Thursday. After the latest attack, by an elderly woman with a knife, the church said the billboard would not be replaced. The vicar of St Matthew-in-the-City, said: ''The billboard was attacked by a knife-wielding Christian fanatic who was then apprehended by a group of homeless people who care about our church. Later in the evening, another group of fanatics ripped it down. When knives are wielded in the name of God, I have two responses. One is to act to ensure the safety of the public and parishioners. My second response is one of deep sadness at those in the Christian church who don't want to offend any faith position, even the most literalistic view of a male god. By having unity as their priority, they inadvertently feed fanaticism.'' The vicar had no regrets about fuelling discussion about God: "We are glad that discussion about Santa, food, and present-buying was momentarily usurped by a discussion about Jesus.'' He said there had been hundreds of messages of support from around the world and he thanked the people who were supportive, offered encouragement and respectful engagement.
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