JESUS STOPPED AT THE BORDER

Jesus: The Guantanamo Years

Would Jesus Christ get through US immigration? According to Irish comedian, Abie Philbin Bowman, the Son of God wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Jesus is a bearded, Middle-Eastern guy, who is ready to die as a martyr. Anyone matching that description today would be sent to Guantánamo Bay.”

Bowman wrote a one-man show based on this premise during the Bush administration. After selling out at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe, Jesus: The Guantanamo Years toured London, the East coast and Pakistan.

“I think I’m the only Western comedian dumb enough to do religious comedy in a Muslim country, during a state of emergency.”

Ironically, the show got the most hostile reception in his native Ireland, where blasphemy is still a crime. In his defence, Bowman cited scripture.

“Christ said ‘What you do to the least of these, you do also to me’. By that standard, if we water-board people in Guantánamo, we’re doing that to Jesus as well.”

Northern Ireland’s largest political party, founded by notorious hardliner, Rev Ian Paisley, boycotted the show.

Despite this, the show sold out across Ireland and has toured widely, becoming a surprise hit on iTunes. It has also proved popular with many religious audiences.

“A lot of Christians and Muslims believe Jesus would speak out against Guantanamo. Many have thanked me for portraying Christ as a kind, intelligent man with a great sense of humour.”

Bowman dismisses the charge of blasphemy. “Which is more offensive to God: a comedian telling jokes about Him? Or a soldier torturing His children?”

Jesus: The Guantanamo Years (1hr) $16
Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
Box Office: 866-811-4111
June 18 @ 8.30pm June 20 @ 5.30pm,
June 22 @ 8.30pm, June 24 @ 7pm

For radio or press interviews, contact Abie Philbin Bowman directly via:
+ 353 861 677 268 [email protected]

For high-resolution JPEG images, visit: www.AbieLaughs.com/Press
To follow Abie on Twitter, check out: @AbiePB