# CMU parade controversy over naked woman, dressed as pope **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 30, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134 "2013-04-30T19:03:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/1 "2013-04-30T19:03:45Z")
[Link.](http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/04/29/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope-2/) Personally, I think it’s fantastic. Other people… not so much. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/2 "2013-04-30T19:34:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Even more, witnesses say the woman had shaved her pubic hair in the shape of a cross. _joke about kissing the cross deleted_ ---
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/3 "2013-04-30T19:38:15Z")
Pics or it didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/4 "2013-04-30T19:47:51Z")
Is the controversy over the fact that a naked woman can’t be “dressed” as anything? Sounds like a theological dispute to me. Like how many angels can dance on the point of a pin\* \*dancing on the _head_ of a pin is child’s play for angels. Lotsa room there. They do it naked, dressed as the Pope. Edited to add: a reading of the linked article shows that it’s about a _half_-naked woman, dressed ( or _half-_ dressed) as the Pope. But I guess “Half-Naked Woman Half-Dressed as the Pope” wouldn’t fit, and wouldn’t draw in the salacious and the grammar mavens. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/5 "2013-04-30T19:58:32Z")
I think it’s mostly a theological dispute with a dash of indecent exposure. ---
**Author:** ![EMCEE\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5ac83/32.png) [@EMCEE\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EMCEE_98)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/6 "2013-04-30T20:04:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > _joke about kissing the cross deleted_ Get some licks on that crucifix! That’s one lewd rood. That’s her cross to “bare.” ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/7 "2013-04-30T20:26:38Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Edited to add: a reading of the linked article shows that it’s about a _half_-naked woman, dressed ( or _half-_ dressed) as the Pope. But I guess “Half-Naked Woman Half-Dressed as the Pope” wouldn’t fit, and wouldn’t draw in the salacious and the grammar mavens. Speaking as one of the prurient, I would have been equally interested if the title had said “[..] bottomless woman, dressed as pope”. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/8 "2013-04-30T20:52:11Z")
I don’t think it’s “wrong” but I do think it’s tacky. Similar to the picture someone made of the Virgin Mary that was composed of pornographic photos and elephant dung. It’s infantile and disrespectful. I know I’m going to be slammed for this but do you think if she had been half-dressed as Khadija bint Khuwaylid the protests and complaints would be as well-behaved? Obviously there are no images of her but she could have worn a sign. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/9 "2013-04-30T21:38:48Z")
Sounds a lot like trolling, so I just give it a :rolleyes: and move on. Who cares? Although the bishop was all up in arms about it. “If this is freedom of speech, may god help us all,” or something like that. Well, yeah. Freedom of speech also protects the KKK. I mean, hey, it can be offensive, but that was her entire point. I’m just surprised she didn’t get arrested for indecent exposure. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/10 "2013-04-30T22:28:52Z")
I’m always impressed with people who can shave actual recognizable shapes into their pubes. When I try it, no matter what pattern I use, it always ends up looking like a deflated football. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/11 "2013-04-30T22:38:22Z")
I think this young lady should be thanked for _having_ pubes, no matter what shape they are shaved into, what with all the pressure from her peer group to shave or wax them off entirely. Huzzah! ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/12 "2013-04-30T22:39:46Z")
> [@Reyemile](#): > > Pics or it didn’t happen. [Here you go.](http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/04/30/national-catholic-officials-calling-for-action-after-cmu-naked-parade/) It’s in the video. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/13 "2013-04-30T22:59:32Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > I don’t think it’s “wrong” but I do think it’s tacky. Similar to the picture someone made of the Virgin Mary that was composed of pornographic photos and elephant dung. It’s infantile and disrespectful. Except the Catholic Church is constantly disrespectful and worse to women, so that’s just too bad. They shouldn’t dish it out if they can’t take it, but apparently their interest in “respect” only goes one way. > [@Slypork](#): > > I know I’m going to be slammed for this but do you think if she had been half-dressed as Khadija bint Khuwaylid the protests and complaints would be as well-behaved? Obviously there are no images of her but she could have worn a sign. There’s the problem that most people would have to look that name up (I did), which makes it ineffective as an insult. There’s also the problem that Khadija bint Khuwaylid is long dead and irrelevant; there’s a Pope _right now_. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/14 "2013-04-30T23:45:05Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > I don’t think it’s “wrong” but I do think it’s tacky. Similar to the picture someone made of the Virgin Mary that was composed of pornographic photos and elephant dung. It’s infantile and disrespectful. This is true. But sometimes infantile disrespect is all an idea deserves. > [@](#): > > I know I’m going to be slammed for this but do you think if she had been half-dressed as Khadija bint Khuwaylid the protests and complaints would be as well-behaved? Obviously there are no images of her but she could have worn a sign. Ugh. Firstly, no one knows who that is. Secondly, what would such a protest be protesting? It seems like she’s upset about the Catholic stance on birth control. What is your protest about? What makes you think that’s an issue that’s relevant to these students? Thirdly, So? I mean, really. So what? Some Muslims get very upset when you insult their religion. What does that have to do with this? Are you jealous the Catholics don’t get to act more barbaric? Are you jealous of the lack of freedom in Iran? What are you trying to say with this statement? It just comes across as a stupid \*tu toque \* ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/15 "2013-04-30T23:47:49Z")
I think she could have done it without the indecent exposure and wore a bikini bottom. However, it certainly wouldn’t have been as provacative and probably not garnered as much attention. Which is the whole point. Either way, I think the student wins. The school decides not to take action and effectively snubs their nose at the church or they take action and she’s a martyr with her first amendment rights that being denied. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/16 "2013-04-30T23:55:44Z")
> [@Reyemile](#): > > Pics or it didn’t happen. ht tp://gawker.com/catholic-diocese-mad-at-cmu-student-for-wearing-naked-486149412 ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/17 "2013-05-01T00:02:32Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > I don’t think it’s “wrong” but I do think it’s tacky. Similar to the picture someone made of the Virgin Mary that was composed of pornographic photos and elephant dung. It’s infantile and disrespectful. I think you’re conflating two different works of art. The depiction of the Virgin Mary was made nearly entirely of elephant dung. The artist explained that he used elephant dung because it is considered a sacred substance to various African peoples. I heard a lot of outrage from people who never bothered to learn why the artist used elephant dung or what he meant by it. It seems to me, that the half-naked Pope was female and half-naked to get attention, and passing out condoms to make a statement on the Roman Catholic Church’s stance on birth control. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/18 "2013-05-01T00:10:10Z")
Too late to edit- Reading the Wikipedia article, the image did indeed contain pornography. I sit corrected and admit my error. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/19 "2013-05-01T00:40:49Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Too late to edit- Reading the Wikipedia article, the image did indeed contain pornography. I sit corrected and admit my error. But you have to understand the context. Pornography is considered a sacred substance to various teenage boys. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/20 "2013-05-01T01:46:15Z")
Makes me proud to be a CMU alum… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134.md?page=2)