Christ as a 'loser' billboard mocks front runner Trump

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Christian Examiner) – A church billboard 8,000 miles away from the United States hits close to home for Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

The billboard, sponsored by St. Luke's Presbyterian in the Auckland suburb of Remuera, mocks the New York billionaire for his claim that he hates "losers."

Jesus was killed – violently, publicly and shamefully – because he spoke truth to power and confronted the leaders of his day about their treatment of the outcasts. ... I hope that voters in the US will see Trump's message for what it is, and not make him a nominee for their highest office.

The cartoon on the billboard shows Jesus Christ nailed to a cross and the golden-haired Trump holding the hammer. The comment bubble above Trump's head features the phrase, "I don't like losers."

Glynn Cardy, pastor of the church, has a history of posting provocative billboards. He said he is mocking Trump because of the contradiction between his claim to be a Christian and his position on immigrants, Muslims and women. Cardy said Jesus was considered a "loser" by "the Trumps of his day."

"To the Trumps of his day, and to those who see winners as having money and power, the Jesus of the Bible was a loser who associated with those rejected by society. And he died broke," Cardy said.

"Jesus had an alternative vision of reality, however. He was a person who sided with minorities and those who were most vulnerable, and it was this that got him killed," the pastor said.

Cardy, offering a progressive version of theology, said St. Luke's is a politically active church because "the cross is about politics."

"Jesus was killed – violently, publicly and shamefully – because he spoke truth to power and confronted the leaders of his day about their treatment of the outcasts," he said. "I hope that voters in the US will see Trump's message for what it is, and not make him a nominee for their highest office."

Cardy said the billboard will remain up through the Lenten and Easter Season, but he hoped it could be removed once American voters decide against Trump. He may have to wait awhile. Even though Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has gained traction against Trump, he remains atop most national polls.

Cardy is well-known in Auckland for his provocative church billboards. As newshub reports, while serving at a different Auckland church, he posted a billboard of the Virgin Mary looking gobsmacked over a positive pregnancy test.