CARNAL NATION

If you want to keep your children from being exposed to massive amounts of sex and violence, the one book that you shouldn't give them is the Bible. No matter what translation you're reading, the Bible is chock full of murder, incest, rape, and begatting from beginning to end. Nevertheless, this is one of those rules that gets flouted regularly; children all over the world are regularly exposed to the Bible with little or no adult supervision. The one version that just might be an exception to that is comic artist Robert Crumb's new illustrated version of the Book of Genesis, which has just been released this week. Already, Crumb's work has caused controversy among those who think that it doesn't afford proper respect to a holy book, especially in its graphic depictions of the sex and violence in Genesis. Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute, a religious think tank, told the Telegraph that "It is turning the Bible into titillation. It seems wholly inappropriate for what is essentially God's rescue plan for mankind." A spokesman for the Church of England admitted that he hadn't seen the book yet, but "I think trying to sell something by emphasizing the sexual nature of some of the scenes doesn't seem to be a good way to pass on the message of the Bible."

The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb depicts, among other things, Adam and Eve copulating on the ground for the first time after they taste the apple and Lot having intercourse with his daughters in realistic detail. Crumb has emphasized that he went strictly according to the text: "If people of faith say what I've done is blasphemous or profane, I'd shrug my shoulders and say, 'I just illustrated what is there,' " he told USA Today. "I'm not ridiculing it, just illustrating the exact words that are there. I restrained myself. I really didn't want to make visual jokes about it. I hope people see it for what it is."

Not all representives of religion are condeming Crumb's profane vision of Genesis, however. Some see it as an interpretation that makes the Bible, warts and all, a more vital and human experience. The Rt Rev Nick Baines told the Telegraph that Crumb "set out to say; 'This is important, fundamental myth,' and it seems to me that he's done a good job."