Jesus Christ Looks Like Me*

Sometimes you read a news story that just makes you laugh....or shrug. This is one of those stories (below).

SINGAPORE - A cosmetics range with cheeky taglines that extolled the virtues of "Looking Good for Jesus" has been pulled from stores in Singapore after some Roman Catholics complained the items were disrespectful, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Promising to "Redeem your reputation and more," the product line included a "virtuous vanilla"-flavored lip balm and a "Get Tight with Christ" hand and body cream, as well as bags and other items sold by British retailer Topshop and produced by Blue Q, The Straits Times said.

Wing Tai Retail, which manages Topshop in the city-state, removed the range late last month after receiving complaints, the newspaper said.

"These products trivialize Jesus Christ and Christianity," it quoted Nick Chui, 27, one of the complainants, as saying. "There are also sexual innuendoes in the messages and the way Jesus is portrayed in these products."

On the packaging of one of the products, Jesus, wearing a bright white robe, looks heavenward while a blonde, heavily made-up woman with an arm draped across his shoulder gazes dreamily at his face.

"Why would anyone use religious figures to promote vanity products? It's very disrespectful and distasteful," the report quoted 24-year-old accountant Grace Ong, also Catholic, as saying.

An unnamed Wing Tai Retail spokesman apologized for offending the Christian community, the Straits Times said. Wing Tai Retail officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday because the company's office was closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The report did not say whether the products were sold by any other Singapore retailers.

Christians make up about 15 percent of multicultural Singapore's population of 4.5 million people. About half of Singaporeans are Buddhist, Muslims account for another 15 percent, and Hindus around 5 percent.

What do you think about this? Admittedly I am not a religious person by any stretch, so I'm not the kind who would get offended. I find it kind of funny and boy could I use a lip balm that would redeem my reputation(!). However, I think the whole idea of using a religious figure to sell cosmetics is a bit odd--I can only imagine a Buddha cellulite cream hitting the market--and I wouldn't be in line to get any of these goods. Offensive? Yeah, probably. I guess I'm a firm believer in the separation of church and makeup!

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

*If you can tell me where the title of this post comes from, I'll give you a special prize...just leave a comment!