Jesus' picture banned from Facebook for Nudity

Facebook’s policy on pornography has
meant a Rubens painting called The
Descent From The Cross has been censored.
Their rule has caught out a few other
images – the iconic Napalm girl image was
censored in 2016 for the same reason but
the decision was then overturned after a
significant outcry.
Rubens’ painting features Jesus being
lowered from the cross, covered by a
loincloth but mostly naked.
Facebook’s nudity policy as stated on their
website is: “We restrict the display of nudity
or sexual activity because some people in
our community may be sensitive to this
type of content. Additionally, we default to
removing sexual imagery to prevent the
sharing of non-consensual or underage
content. Restrictions on the display of
sexual activity also apply to digitally
created content unless it is posted for
educational, humorous or satirical
purposes.”
But it also listed exceptions including
nudity in protest images or when for
medicinal purposes.
“We also allow photographs of paintings,
sculptures and other art that depicts nude
figures,” the policy reads.
Tourism authorities and museum curators
have written an open letter to Facebook’s
founder Mark Zuckerberg to complain about
this happening frequently to Rubens’ work.
In a letter from the CEO of Visit Flanders,
Peter De Wilde said: “Even though we
secretly have to laugh about it, your
cultural censorship is making life rather
difficult for us. After all, we want to use
your platform to promote both our Flemish
Masters as well as Flanders as the perfect
place to discover their works of art.”
He added: “Are you willing to help us think
of a solution to this problem? That way,
everyone in the world can marvel at the
magnificent brushstrokes made by Rubens
and our other Flemish Masters. If you can,
we will gladly swap that coffee for a
refreshing Belgian beer. We hope to hear
from you soon.”