Church snubs 'holy' toilet paper
2013-03-04 18:54
Oslo - A Finnish toilet paper maker has removed quotes
from the Bible, including the words of Jesus, that it inadvertently placed on
its rolls after protests from some Norwegian church leaders.
Metsa Tissue was trying to convey messages about love but
accidentally included lines from the Gospel of Matthew and First Corinthians on
toilet paper sold in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
The firm selected the quotes from Facebook submissions,
including one from Jesus: "For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also."
It only realised its mistake when it received feedback.
"People like to read small, happy messages while
sitting on the toilet," Christina von Trampe, a spokesperson for Metsa
Tissue, which produces the Lambi brand, told Reuters.
"The vast majority of the feedback has been
positive. Our intention was to spread love and joy, not religious
messages."
Laila Riksaasen Dahl, the Bishop of Tunsberg in
protestant Norway, was not amused.
"This is bad taste and show lack of respect,"
she told Vaart Land, a publication focusing on religion issues.
"Bible verses do not belong on a roll of toilet
paper."
The company, whose toilet rolls in the Nordics regularly
feature witty quotes, poetry or philosophical messages, said it would continue
the product line but with more stringent vetting.
