The Last Supper
Feb 20th, 2008, in News, by PatungLikely criminal charges against Tempo magazine for blasphemy against Christianity.
The 4th-10th February edition of Tempo magazine carried on its front cover this picture, for a story tempo titled “Setelah Dia Pergi”, “After He’s Gone”, showing former president Soeharto having dinner with his six children:
Soeharto’s Last Supper
The original:
The Last Supper
Given the picture’s similarity to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “The Last Supper” some Christians, particularly Catholics, felt that Tempo was suggesting that Soeharto was in some way similar to Jesus Christ, and a storm erupted with Tempo management quickly apologising.
On 20th February representatives from a Christian youth group called Aliansi Mahasiswa dan Pemuda Kristen (AMPK), visited Jakarta police headquarters to give witness in police investigations into the case. Tempo magazine, or its proprietors and editors, may soon face prosecution for blasphemy against Christianity, both historical western branches of which are official religions in Indonesia. antara
37 Comments on “The Last Supper”
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Dragonwall says:
So if someone had a picture drawn in similar pose then they are making blasphemous composure to insult the religion? And by that someone is incinuating Soeharto is God? No I think this is a personal vendetta when they lost the case earlier. Weren’t they the ones that lost the court suit? As to the magazine being sued by Christians I think the chances are slim or getting someone charged for that.
But if that was something in the making towards the Islamic religion I am sure there will be a contract by the Muslims to get like that guy will be a second Sal Man Rush To Die by perhaps Iran or Afghanistan.Every time someone takes a leak there are bound to have someone will making the peek. Later someone will be slap in the cheek and this is sick.
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Odinius says:
I have no problem with Catholics boycotting Tempo, if they so choose. But blasphemy charges?! Wait a minute…why exactly does Indonesia have criminal laws against blasphemy again?
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Mr. Tic Tac Toe says:
shameful.
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dewaratugedeanom says:
OMG, now the Christians are also growing long toes!
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Jamis says:
The Christians have to bring up blasphemy charges against the Koran, and the muslims can bring blasphemy charges against the bible, then the 2 religions will both be outlawed as they will cancel each other out, then end.
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Janma says:
Well then, lets add to the fire…. bait em!
There once was a pope who was Protestant
Who had a propensity to gallivant,
Then the Catholics said Hey!
We don’t mind if you’re gay,
But a Pope cannot be a Protestant! -
Rambutan says:
Fanatics – whatever their religion, ideology, or nationality – are just incredibly annoying.
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Lairedion says:
Jamis,
It will never stop. As long as the religious are calling the shots in our world we are doomed to be vanished from the universe. Our planet is suffering big time by our wrongdoings (war, religion, destruction of nature) but here we are discussing Mohammed and Jesus cartoons….
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Catholics, do not get offended! Have mercy on them. Jesus Christ The Son of GOD is a Merciful God and The Ultimate Judge!
Shalom & Blessings
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Andrew says:
That was a very poor judgment on Tempo’s end, but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
I still don’t get it though – what analogy is it (Tempo) trying to draw anyway? -
That was a very poor judgment on Tempo’s end, but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
I still don’t get it though – what analogy is it (Tempo) trying to draw anyway?Last supper…Suharto as Jesus…so the big question is, who’s Judas?
Habibie?
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chammer says:
I am not surprised that Tempo is being sued for blasphemy considering all the rioting and destruction caused by Christians protesting-tires burned, traffic blocked, buses set on fire, rocks thrown, windows broken, tempo’s office building burned down, a fatwa issued against the its editor and publisher with a big reward for their heads ala Salman Rushdie…
oh, wait a minute, that did not really happen. quite a contrast to what transpired after those cartoons were drawn. i guess we will really see some fireworks soon after the upcoming release of the short documentary of a certain book
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The only thing I approve of in this whole mess is that the government is trying hard to be fair by not just getting huffy over supposed slights to Islam. But as much as I think this magazine cover was mildly but unintentionally offensive to Catholics and the cartoons were deliberately offensive to Muslims, neither lawsuits nor violent protests are proportional responses to being offended. Obviously violence is orders of magnitude more out or whack, but really both responses are inappropriate.
Free speech comes with responsibilities: the responsibility to understand that saying certain things can have unintended consequences on the one hand; and the responsibility to respond maturely to offense on the other.
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I actually think that cover is hilarious. Leave Tempo alone.
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Bogalakon says:
I don’t know how sacred the Last Supper for Christian, but I think people should respect things that is sacred for any religion.
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Last supper”¦Suharto as Jesus”¦so the big question is, who’s Judas?
Habibie?
I would rather add Harmoko altogether with Habibie. Odinius, I still don’t get it, was Tempo trying to depict Soeharto before his downfall or before his death?
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This is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Look, if there a number of Catholics who are offended by this depiction of Soeharto and his kids and they want to pursue legal action, then they should go for it as this is their legal right! Hopefully, the Court system will be smart enough to toss the case out before it even begins as it is not going to reach the required level of blasphemy.
This is not a Christian vs. Muslim issue. In fact the depiction would have been better with not only his kids but some of his cronies also depicted. Let’s face it, it wasn’t only his kids that were the parasites feeding off the big fish. And truth be told, Soeharto probably considered himself to be an incarnation of some Javanese God-king, you do not rule for 32 years without getting caught up in your own invincibility and perhaps immortality.
Another consideration is whether Da Vinci’s depiction of the last supper is sacred. When it is all said and done it is a painting that depicts an event as the artist sees it in his own mind. The painting is subjective and aside having been analyzed to the extreme and with all sorts of theories being proferred (read the Da Vinci Code for example) the reality is that Jesus was probably not some white bloke with a beard. The historical record suggests that Jesus was probably Egyptian meaning that his features would be considerable different to those in the Da Vinci painting.
I do not necessarily see this as bad judgment on Tempo’s part. The bad judgment is probably the ease with which they back-flipped and apologized. The apology suggests that Tempo considers that it breached a standard of free speech or expression. Therefore, some clarification from Tempo regarding the apology is warranted.
Such is life here in Jakarta Town!
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I should add whether Jesus was really Egyptian or just fled there in order to avoid Herod’s pursuit is an issue of contention for some and a simple flight of fancy for others 🙂 point being it does not really matter either way to the argument!
The beauty of IM is that it always forces me to look up ‘stuff’ to confirm the ‘I am sure I have read that somewhere initial resposne’…thanks IM and the dedicated commentators to the IM posts.
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They cannot represent and are not representatives of Christians. At least, they don’t represent me as a Christian. Leave Tempo alone.
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People who make believes that what ever that was presented is in blasphemy of something or somebody’s religion.
Your are right making a mountain out of of ant’s hill.
It seems that the Indonesian has nothing better to do.
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Aluang Anak Bayang says:
I think it is Jewish conspiracy.
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Meletus balon Hijo…. hatiku sangat kacau…
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Enigmatic-2 says:
Jesus Christ The Son of GOD is a Merciful God and The Ultimate Judge!
Goobers, you better answer the questions posed in this link:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/ch1.2.2.4.html
And this one too:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/ch1.2.2.12.html
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Riyoz says:
That’s on big Oops for tempo magz…
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Enigmatic,
I don’t have to check the links and answer the question because Jesus Christ The Son of GOD is a Merciful God and The Ultimate Judge. I trust in HIM, I love HIM and I worship HIM , because of HIM I am heaven bound!Shalom & Blessings!
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Goobers,
Blind faith, huh?
How about when you found out in the afterlife that you are NOT heaven bound? Who will you blame then? What plea will you give in defense of your faith? Because my pastor/priest said so? Sad…
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Enigmatic says:
Goobers Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Enigmatic,
I don’t have to check the links and answer the question because Jesus Christ The Son of GOD is a Merciful God and The Ultimate Judge. I trust in HIM, I love HIM and I worship HIM , because of HIM I am heaven bound!Shalom & Blessings!
WHICH ENIGMATIC ARE YOU REFERRING TO?
ok no offence. But the fact that my username is being umm replicated? shows how cool my username is.
ok back to the point.
BLASPHEMY AGAINST CHRISTIANITY?
Since when were people EVER prosecuted for burning churches?
Isn’t this pretty obvious that the Suharto factor is still existing in the judiciary?
Also isn’t this just a tokenistic attempt to show Christians that their religion is still being respected?
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Dear Enigmatic-2,
It’s a True Faith not blind faith. I have a very strong faith to my Lord Jesus Christ and because of HIM I will definitely find myself in heaven, I have no doubt about it. I’m saved by the blood of Jesus! I do not have to defense my faith, Jesus is my defense. I follow and worship HIM not because of my pastor/priest but because my Lord Jesus chose me. You said Sad? No, it’s wonderful…. I’m greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved by Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day, Enigmatic-2!Jesus and me love you!
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Enigmatic,
I apologize for referring to you, I was actually referring to enigmatic-2. I did not know that you are exist. You’re absolutely right that your username is too cOOl!Shalom & Blessings
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jeeze, when will it end!?!