Source: Youtube/JesusTattoo

Billboards showing Jesus Christ covered in tattoos have sparked outrage in Texas, United States. The billboards were part of an advertising campaign by a Christian outreach organisation, JesusTattoo.org. The controversial billboards depicted Jesus Christ with tattoos of words like "Hated," "Outcast," "Addicted" and "Faithless" on his body.

Over 50 billboards of the tattooed Jesus were placed in the Texan town Lubbock so far, according to a report from the Christian Post. Jesus Tattoo media relations coordinator Ashleigh Sawyer said the message of the billboards is simple. She said the ad campaign is spreading the message that "Jesus' love is transformative."

Ms Sawyer said Jesus Tattoo only wants to express Jesus' unconditional love, and no matter what other people said about a person or what labels they called, Jesus' love has the power to bring about change.

While those behind the billboards with the tattooed Jesus insist that they are spreading a positive message, some residents in Texas were offended by the images.

A local resident said in an interview that he doesn't like the billboard because he thought it was very derogatory. Another resident remarked that the image of Jesus covered in tattoos was "blasphemous."

Despite the disapproval of many residents, JesusTattoo.org welcomed the criticisms.

Ms Sawyer told the Christian Post the group is hoping that people who visit their Web site and see the video will understand the true message of the ad campaign. She said the organisation was aware that not everyone will approve with the idea of Jesus covered in tattoos.

ABC News reports said not all people reject the message of the campaign. Some local Christian leaders expressed their support for the JesusTattoo.org and its decision to use the images to attract the attention of the people.

Aside from the billboards, Jesus Tattoo also released a video in YouTube as part of its ad campaign. The video shows Jesus Christ who becomes a magical tattoo artist. Jesus in the video has the power to change negative labels usually given to people and turn them into positive messages. Instead of the negative labels just disappearing, Jesus takes on them himself as a sign of his unconditional love.

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