Giant inflatable whale too ‘religious’ for London park

Plans to beach a 50ft sperm whale in a park by the Thames as part of a children’s event on the theme of Jonah turned down because of their ‘religious nature’



The 50ft PVC whale was to be the centrepiece of a retelling of Jonah

7:30AM GMT 28 Mar 2014
By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor

Plans to beach a giant inflatable whale beside the Thames in London for a re-enactment of the story of Jonah have been refused because it would be too “religious”.

Organisers had hoped to place the 50ft sperm whale, which is owned by a circus troupe, in a park opposite Tower Bridge during the school summer holidays.

The life-size creature, which children can explore inside, has been beached on the same spot in the past as part of a pirate-themed attraction for children.

Actors were being lined up to play Jonah and other characters as part of an ambitious drive by the Bible Society to help reintroduce a new generation of children to once familiar stories.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10728255/Giant-inflatable-whale-too-religious-for-London-park.html