KATHY GRIFFIN - GRIFFIN CONDEMNED BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS

GRIFFIN CONDEMNED BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Comedian KATHY GRIFFIN has come under fire by a Christian theatre group for blaspheming during her acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards on Sunday (16Sep07). Members of Tennessee's Miracle Theater posted an $90,000 (GBP45,000) advert in USA Today condemning Griffin's speech, during which she said: "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. This award is my God now!" General manager Russ Hollingsworth says group members are offended by jokes about Jesus. He says, "When word reached our cast that a Hollywood celebrity had stood before TV cameras and said such vulgar things about Christ, they were incensed. "It's just not OK anymore to mock Christians and Jesus with impunity." But Griffin insisted her statements were meant as a joke, adding, "Am I the only Catholic left with a sense of humour?"