Web users no longer can dress up Jesus

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Originally published 08:59 p.m., March 31, 2004, updated 12:00 a.m., April 1, 2004

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The company that hosted a Web site that allowed users to place a devil's costume, a tutu and other unusual outfits on an image of Jesus hanging on the cross pulled it offline last week after opponents waged a fax campaign.

Members of LaptopLobbyist.com, which describes itself as "America's first and foremost online conservative community," sent thousands of faxes denouncing the "Jesus Dress Up" site, according to Chris Carmouche, executive director of LaptopLobbyist.com.

A person who identifies himself as "Normal Bob Smith" created the Jesus Dress Up site. Mr. Smith, who describes himself as a former Christian who is now an atheist, also used the site to sell a set of refrigerator magnets that also let buyers place unusual outfits on an image of the crucified Jesus.

The company that hosted the site did it for free, Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Carmouche said his organization's members sent faxes denouncing the Jesus Dress Up site and magnets to the corporate parent of the site's host, as well as to the chief executive at trendy retailer Urban Outfitters Inc., which sells the magnets.

Charles Wheelus, president of Pick Internet Solutions Inc., the Boca Raton, Fla., parent company of the business that hosted the Jesus Dress Up site, said he was unaware that such content existed on his network until LaptopLobbyist.com notified him.

"I am as appalled as you. I find the content of these sites to be obscene and offending," Mr. Wheelus wrote in a letter to LaptopLobbyist.com.

Mr. Smith said he hopes to find another company to host his Web site.

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