‘Creation of Adam’ now pushes condoms

February 18, 2009

A modern version of “The Creation of Adam,” one of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world, is now pushing the proper use of condoms at the University of Georgia, sparking outrage among some Christians.

A condom appears between the hand of God and the hand of Adam in posters distrubuted at the University of Georgia.

Posters have been set up throughout the dormitories on campus, featuring the hand of God giving a condom to the hand of the first created man.

Text on the poster states: “Condom Tip #5. Carefully open condom wrappers with your fingers – don’t use a sharp object.”

There’s a logo of the university’s health center at the bottom, along with its online address.

The original “Creation of Adam” is a fresco adorning the Sistene Chapel
in Rome, and is considered of the masterpieces of artist Michelangelo
circa 1510.

“The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo

Based on a complaint from a Catholic student at the college, the New York-based Catholic League sent a letter today to Dr. Rodney Bennett, vice president for Student Affairs.

“The famous Michelangelo painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling that features the hand of God giving life to Adam has been hijacked to promote condoms,” wrote Bill Donohue, the league’s president.

“I hasten to add that the University of Georgia would never choose a depiction of Muhammad to hawk condoms. Indeed, only a few years ago an inoffensive depiction of this Islamic figure in a Danish cartoon led to murder and churches being burned to the ground. One can only imagine what would have happened had he been portrayed pushing condoms to youth.”

Donohue noted the university just finished “Sexual Responsibility Week,” which took place Feb. 8-12.

He explained if condom distribution were part of that program, “surely it can be done without needlessly offending the religious sensibilities of Catholics and Protestants.”

The letter had an impact, as Donohue says the university official immediately apologized:

“Dr. Bennett was not aware of the offensive poster until we contacted him, but when he saw it, he reacted swiftly and responsibly: his apology was as sincere as it was thorough. He pledged to take ‘corrective action,’ doing what he can to stop this from happening again on campus. He not only conveyed his ‘deepest apology’ over the phone – he put it in writing.”