Angels Frolic, But Critics See Devil At Work

Thu., Dec. 25, 1997

Associated Press

The Rev. Edward Smart wants everyone to know the truth: There’s no beer in heaven.

A TV commercial by Miller Brewing Co. showing three beer-swilling angels partying in heaven is blasphemous, Smart says, and should be off the air permanently.

“It’s theologically dangerous to assume that angels in heaven … are alcoholics,” Smart said Tuesday.

The ad wrongly implies that God sanctions beer, alcohol, substance abuse, he added.

The pastor at Israel Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church has helped collect a petition of 3,000 signatures and won a City Council resolution last week that condemned the ad.

Gina Shaffer, a spokeswoman for Milwaukee-based Miller, said the ad was not meant to be taken seriously.

“We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback,” she said. “People get that it’s very lighthearted, it’s very fun.”

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Angels Frolic, But Critics See Devil At Work

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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