Christians and club find solution to poster debate

2:32pm Friday 16th February 2001

CHRISTIANS in Watford are celebrating after a successful campaign to remove an advertisement they feel denigrates Christ.

Almost 600 people, from 12 churches, signed the petition against the Second Coming poster for Area nightclub, High Street, Watford, depicting a figure wearing headphones and dressed as Jesus, smiling as he is crucified.

The minister of Watford Community Church, Tim Roberts, met with the nightclub's owner Leon Lenik last Tuesday, to discuss the removal of the poster, which has offended the Christian community.

Mr Lenik has agreed to remove the large poster on show outside the club. It will be replaced by several A1 size posters in which the Cross is less prominent.

Mr Roberts said: "We are really happy with the result.

"The poster has caused a bit of a stir but, because we approached it in a mature way, we have come to a compromise."

Mr Lenik has apologised for any offence caused.

The two are now discussing the possibility of Watford churches displaying posters in the club to promote Christianity to clubbers.

Mr Roberts said: "In the past the Church has been criticised for not standing up for things. We are no longer going to be silent about issues that are important to us.

"The poster portrays Christ as sinister, and the smiling completely mocks the central act of the Cross, the central symbol of our faith.

"We are not condemning anyone. We don't want to close the nightclub down. We just wanted the poster taken down, because it makes light of the most central act in the Christian faith and that is what Jesus did on the Cross."