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Drunk Brits get Crete arrest for nun prank

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) on May 26th 2009 at 8:00AM

How many people actually dress up as nuns when they get drunk?

In Crete, the answer was "17" recently. That's how many drunk British tourists were arrested for insulting the Catholic Church. After a bit of extra imbibing, they donned "nun attire and naughty lingerie," which didn't sit too well with the local cops.

The tourists were busted in Malia, which is a popular destination for the young, drunk and rowdy. Even seasoned resort-town resident, who've probably become immune to the stupidity that tourists bring, have limits, it seems.

The penalty is most likely to be a fine.

UPDATE: After spending the night in jail wearing the lingerie they were wearing when they were arrested, the men have all been set free. Moreover, since no one showed up to testify that they had been upset by the tourists' bawdy conduct, the court dropped all charges.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ashiraladonai777 May 26th 2009 8:57AM

It never ceases to amaze me how people think making fun of other people's beliefs is acting "tolerant" (which in this day & age means "accepting")--as long as you aren't Christian...And then it's a free-for-all. Apparently this didn't go in this location...I wish Americans would take note. I may not agree with, believe, nor value the beliefs of others in the same way I do mine, but that doesn't mean at all that I should go & make fun of them. That's considered sacred to them, & respect & tolerance is in order. To me the above is the height of intolerance--even worse, it was done under the guise of "drunkeness" (so that others would just look at it like it was nothing more than a stupid stunt, when most likely, it was done while drunk to conceil that fact.) I'm sure everyone who wants to do such things always happens to have a handy "nun" outfit along, don't they?

J.M. May 26th 2009 10:25AM

And yet you and your religion can happily discriminate against homosexuals, other religions, women, children and anyone else who doesn't fit into your neat repressed dominating ways.

If you can condemn others, you can take an "insult" or two.

ALison May 26th 2009 9:31AM

The wearing of naughty nighties and ecclesiastical outfits is a traditional party theme in GB called Fancy Dress Parties. No harm meant and none should be taken.

jojo May 26th 2009 10:28AM

It might be a tradition in GB, but guess where these drunken Brits were...CRETE...a whole 'nother country! As another poster stated, these guys were being rude under the guise of drunkeness (from my experience, that is about all they do. Get drunk and be rude.

According to friends of mine that live in France and Italy and have to deal with a lot of Brits, they find them to be rude, loud and obnoxious. It's not the so-called ugly American, it's the ugly Brits.

Buster May 26th 2009 9:36AM

I didn't know that mocking someones religion was against the law. It 's not in the USA. But intelligent people should respect all religions.

Mike F May 26th 2009 9:37AM

WOW. The Catholic Church is mad? Well i guess they forget how they refused to let catholics talk to non catholics in the 50;s and 60's. I was removed as alterboy for having a jewish friend.

Michele May 26th 2009 9:54AM

It was the cops who were angry not the church!

Tim May 26th 2009 9:44AM

Kinda touchy considering the catholic church,tolerates child molestation by moving preists around (that have commited that crime) rather than throwing them out. Puts things into perspective..doesn't it? Lighten up and stop prosecuting for an insult, and prosecute for actual crimes. (P.S. I know it was "Crete" that is prosecuting, but you get my point.)

Will May 26th 2009 10:38AM

The prosecutor charged them with exposing themselves in public and offending religious symbols--it was state action and the Catholic Church had nothing to do with it. Indeed, the state church of Crete is the Orthodox Church. Gadling either mistakenly included reference to the Catholic church or purposely used it to garner more attention.

david May 26th 2009 9:54AM

Did you all miss that the people in the nun getups and lingerie were men? Their punishment should be for them to pay a fine that would publish the pictures of them in their home town news paper. Then we will see who is made fun of.

Thomas Brown May 26th 2009 10:06AM

Leave it to the Brits for a quick refresher couse on history. Who do they think defeated the Muslims in the 2ND century AD? Italian/Sicilian/Crete-ian warriors are famous on the sea and land. The scoffers at Historical sanctity of religious roots to the Mediterranean success in settling their respective areas ought to learn compliance to the social orders to avoid injury.

Anne May 26th 2009 5:56PM

There were no Muslims in the 2nd century AD. Islam originated in the 7th century. Your math is off by 4 or 5 centuries.

Angiebaby May 26th 2009 10:42AM

This is not rocket science... when in a foreign country, respect their laws and culture. Why is it that when people go to other places, get drunk, show their ass and end up in jail, they are surprised and cry foul?

Cheryl May 26th 2009 10:45AM

So Tim. In your opinion it would be ok to dress up as Mohamed and naughty lingerie, or what about putting your 5 year old daughter in the same gettup because we should all lighten up. Im feeling so enlightened now that I was thinking of dressing up in black face to go to the 4th July Macys parade. Im sure I wont insult anyone.

Dina May 26th 2009 11:03AM

Oh, Please. Have you ever watched "History of the World, Pt.1?" In that there was a musical number called "The Inquisition" which included the swimming nuns. It was funny as is this. These young men were just being stupid. I was raised Roman Catholic and do not find it offensive.

I think they have had their punishment. When word gets back to their friends about them spending the night in those get-ups, they will NEVER live it down.

All Christians need to loosen the bunches they have worn their knickers in; it must be uncomfortable to not have a sense of the ridiculous. Also, show me where in the Bible it states that we are not allowed to laugh at our faith. Make ye a joyful noise. Lighten up. Even cherubs have a little mischief in their souls.

MELODY May 26th 2009 10:51AM

If what these kids did, dressing up as nuns, for a drunken joke was in a movie how many of you would have loved it and laughed? It has been done in movies many times. It wasn't done out of hate.

Dina May 26th 2009 12:12PM

"Nuns on the Run" comes to mind. I am shocked that no one attempted to boycott that movie and, yet, will cause a stir about any fiction written by Dan Brown.

Sirius May 26th 2009 11:20AM

Realy, where's the harm??? Oh, poor Catholic Church had their feelings hurt- bo ho.
Small price to pay for the Crusades, the burnning times, the inquisition, etc....

MELODY May 26th 2009 10:58AM

All religions have been and are made the butt of jokes not just christians. So, yes it is time for people to lighten up and not feel they are the only ones picked on. Learn to lagh at yourself, with others and about others. Taking a joke as well as dishing them out.