Corpus Christi play may go on, judge says

Christian Century, August 1, 2001

An Indiana judge has ruled that the controversial play Corpus Christi can be performed at a state university, denying a request from opponents who said a public facility was being used to attack religion.

The play, scheduled to begin August 10 at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, features a gay Christlike figure and portrays the Last Supper as a food fight.

Chief Judge William C. Lee of the U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne said the performance of the play "would not create the perception of government endorsement in a reasonable observer."

He added that the university has stated that its permitting the play does not constitute an endorsement, and it plans to hold a forum to permit contrary viewpoints about the play.

Lee also ruled that despite the earnest concerns of the plaintiffs--who included 21 members of the Indiana General Assembly--their complaints did not warrent stopping the play. He said the university would have paid some of the costs of the production "regardless of the content or production of the play." --RNS