Halifax bar apologizes for ads that offended some Christians

A Halifax bar is apologizing for advertisements for its Good Friday Party which offended some in the Christian community.

The Toothy Moose in downtown Halifax advertised their upcoming Friday night event as “The Good Friday Party”.

Some says the ads were disrespectful on what is supposed to be one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar.

“Anybody with brains is not going to have a party on Good Friday,” says Halifax resident Kay MacDonald.

Her daughter agrees.

“The way I was brought up is that Good Friday is the holiest day of the year and I could never see myself partying,” says Lynn MacDonald.

The online ad on the Toothy Moose’s website has now been removed. Originally, it said, “There’s no better way to start Easter than with a solid hangover from partying with three of Halifax’s best DJs.”

In an e-mail, one of the owners of the Toothy Moose, Brad Hartlin, told CTV that the ads have since been removed and that in no way did they mean to disrespect anyone.

David Dean is an associate professor with the Atlantic School of Theology. He says Good Friday is a very significant Christian Holiday.

“It’s the day on which Christians learn who God really is in a sense,” he says.

He says he personally doesn’t find the ads disrespectful, but understands why some might, mostly because partying is not what many Christians would do on Good Friday.

“Christians would be spending time thinking about who God is and what the events on Good Friday mean rather than partying,” says Dean.

While there will be many church services tomorrow to mark Good Friday, there will also be several social events for those who aren’t celebrating the holy day.

With files from CTV's Matt Woodman.