'This is a blasphemous attempt to rewrite the Christmas story': Christian campaign group slam a gay tree ornament showing a nativity scene with two JOSEPHS
A gay Christmas decoration showing a nativity scene with two Josephs has been slammed by outraged Christians.
The colourful hanging tree ornaments – on sale for £13 - also have a lesbian version with two Virgin Marys sitting beside a baby Jesus Christ, who is lying in a manger.
Campaign group Christian Concern has branded the decorations created by a California-based designer a 'blasphemous attempt to rewrite the Christmas story'.
This gay Christmas decoration showing a nativity scene with two Josephs has been slammed
Chief executive Andrea Williams said: 'These decorations are a desperate and ridiculous attempt to pretend that homosexual relationships are pure and holy.
'They blasphemously portray the Lord Jesus being parented by a homosexual couple. What depths will the LGBT lobby stoop to in order to try and normalise their behaviour?'
Ms Williams added: 'God's design is for children to grow up with a male and a female parent. The Lord Jesus was parented in this way, and this is what is best for children.
'The LGBT lobby is not interested in the welfare of children but only in pursuing its own selfish agenda. Trying to rewrite the Christmas story is their latest self-deception.'
The images were created by Kittredge Cherry - and artist Mark Thaler, from California, designed the decorations for his company Pride and More. They are available to buy in the UK on Zazzle.co.uk.
There is a lesbian version available with two Virgin Marys sitting beside a baby Jesus Christ
Defending the gay and lesbian ornaments, Mr Thaler said: 'Not everyone's viewpoints are the same. People need to coexist and not judge one another.
'It's just an image. They need to focus on themselves and not worry about what everyone else is doing.'
Mr Thaler is now considering removing the decorations from sale 'out of respect for his fellow humans'.
LGBT charity Stonewall declined to comment. Zazzle.com has been contacted.
In 2012, gay couple Andrés Vásquez and Felipe Cárdenas came under fire after creating an all-male nativity scene in their home in Colombia.
After receiving criticism from the Colombian Catholic Church, Mr Vàsquez and Mr Càrdenas insisted they hoped it would encourage reform of the country's gay marriage laws. Same-sex marriage in Colombia has since been made legal.
