Many interesting news stories appeared in the local media over the weekend, but surely one of the most entertaining, yet saddening news pieces was an online report about the latest ‘controversy’ - a clever marketing campaign by a popular local burger joint.

The mural, found in Msida, depicted an upgraded version of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, but instead of breaking bread and wine, Jesus and the apostles were shown sharing pizzas, burgers, hot dogs fries and even some milkshakes. These are, of course, the staples offered by this particular restaurant.

The news website that carried the report visited the site, together with the president of one of the police unions, Police Inspector Sandro Camilleri, who proclaimed that his phone had not stopped ringing and that he had received multiple complaints from people who feel that something like this is “offensive to their religion.”

The intrepid journalist then adds: “We also call on the Church to investigate something like this, just like it goes into other things.”

Shortly after the report went up, members of the so-called ‘Patriots’ vandalized the poster, peeling off Jesus’ face. (These are the same people who distributed pork sandwiches near Muslim prayers in Msida)

The reaction since the incident has been incredible. Many have taken to the social media and the comments boards calling for the restaurant to be boycotted. The owner told this newspaper he had even received threats of violence, which is the real criminal act here.

Many said the advert was an affront to Christian Malta and another person claimed that it took the mickey out of the important Catholic commemoration of the establishment of the Eucharist.

Unsurprisingly, many brought up the Islam card, challenging the restaurant owner to put up an advert showing Muhammad, if he has the guts.

There is a big chance that some of these people had changed their Facebook profile pictures to ‘Je Suis Charlie’ after the Charlie Hebdo attack, which was spurred by a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad.  But not when it comes to the Roman Catholic Church – no, we cannot have that.

It is simply unbelievable that Malta still has these ‘controversies’ in this day and age and that we must make an issue out of everything. While its marketing effectiveness remains to be seen, the mural does not depict Jesus performing some devious or criminal act. It does not show the apostles naked. It is simply an innocent play on a world famous painting. Since when is eating a hamburger considered offensive anyway?

It is exactly debates like this one that show that the country is, in many respects, not willing to move forward. Some would say that the recent law that decriminalises the vilification of religion was a step in the wrong direction, and we agree that no one should be allowed to insult religions because, let’s face it, some people do take these things very seriously. But this particular example cannot be regarded as vilifying or insulting religion.

With this typical kind of narrow mindedness, it is no wonder that many people are opposing the introduction of gay marriage. Once again, the country is drawing battle lines, with those in favour on one side and those against in the opposing trenches, and we are forgetting, in all the arguments that are being made, that this law is above everything else about equality, about giving equal rights. Once again we are showing how we will fight anything that does not fit into our way of doing things, even if it denies our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters their right to love and be equal. Is this what these so-called Christian values are about?