See How NY Times Handled Two Very Different Pieces of Religion-Themed Art: 'Worst Kind of Hypocrite

Earlier this year, the New York Times joined other media outlets in proclaiming it wouldn’t print cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad as it deemed such art “intentionally provocative.” On Monday, the news outlet published a photo of a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI made out of 17,000 condoms.

The decision to show the latter and not the former quickly sparked angry comments and accusations of hypocrisy from readers online.

Portrait of Pope Benedict made of condoms sparks controversy in Milwaukee https://t.co/Ft8iVRE6gJ by @SCBegley pic.twitter.com/yCrraDFUha

— Ryan Teague Beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) June 29, 2015

This portrait of Pope Benedict XVI is made out of 17,000 condoms https://t.co/eKWJGHzU1S

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 29, 2015

Here are some of the reactions, some of which were first flagged by Twitchy:

.@nytimes, per your transparently-dissembling rule that you won't run pictures that offend the religious, this picture should be suppressed

— TheUltraYachtLife (@AceofSpadesHQ) June 29, 2015

The @nytimes wouldn't show the winning Mohammed drawing, but it's happy to present a picture of the Pope made up of condoms.

— Razor (@hale_razor)

June 29, 2015

Hey @MitchKSmith whatever happened to that NYT policy against showing offensive religious images? @nytimes https://t.co/jFDn4GsZ3K

— Streeter (@thestreeter) June 29, 2015

Same NY Times that condemned draw Muhammed “@nytimes: This portrait of Pope Benedict XVI is made out of condoms https://t.co/2z8soBVhCg”

— Harold Stickeehands (@StickeeNotes) June 29, 2015

So, it's ok to show offensive religious images again? You're just scared to offend ISLAM? @nytimes

— JenniferنBossypants (@ajenable)

June 29, 2015

@nytimes @nytimes Ever wondered what it's like to hit rock bottom? The NYT knows.

— Legislative Intent (@Rem870P) June 29, 2015

@nytimes "We're hypocrites and cowards, and we find we're pretty ok with that."

— Paterfamilias (@PaterFam27) June 29, 2015

@nytimes LOL--now show the one with Mohammed! Wait, the NYT is spineless.

— Argylist (@argyle_argylist) June 29, 2015

The NYT is the worst kind of hypocrite. Almost as if Charlie Hebdo never happened... https://t.co/eeVVBeWKNC

— George (@NJSpeechGuy) June 29, 2015

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