Netflix has been ordered to stop showing a Christmas special that was called blasphemous for depicting Jesus as a gay man.
The ruling by Rio de Janeiro judge Benedicto Abicair responded to a petition by a Brazilian Catholic organisation that argued the “honour of millions of Catholics” was hurt by the airing of comedy The First Temptation Of Christ.
The film depicts Jesus returning home on his 30th birthday and insinuates he is gay.
Although religious groups were angry at the depiction, the creators of the film defended it as legitimate freedom of expression.
The special was produced by the Rio-based film company Porta dos Fundos, whose headquarters were targeted in a petrol bomb attack on Christmas Eve.
Netflix said it would not comment on the ruling.
Porta dos Fundos also declined to comment on the ruling, which contradicted an earlier decision rejecting censorship of the film.
Judge Abicair said its withdrawal “is beneficial not only to the Christian community, but to Brazilian society which is mostly Christian”.
