Black plays Jesus in 'Prop. 8' musical

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Jack Black plays Jesus Christ in the new online video "Prop. 8 -- The Musical."

Conceived and written by Marc Shaiman, and directed and staged by Adam Shankman, the video addresses the recent passage of California's Proposition 8 referendum, which overturns a state Supreme Court ruling that laws against same-sex marriage violated the state constitution.

Posted on the Funnyordie.com Web site, the musical features appearances by more than a dozen stars -- including John C. Reilly, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Chalke, Maya Rudolph, Craig Robinson, Allison Janney, Margaret Cho and Andy Richter -- playing various critics and supporters of Prop. 8 and singing their points of view.

Black appears as Jesus and admonishes those who cite the Bible as their reason for opposing same-sex marriage but then ignore Biblical passages that don't support their opinions.

"It seems to me you pick and choose. Well, please choose love instead of hate," Black sings. "Besides, your nation was built on the separation of church and state."

Openly gay actor Neil Patrick Harris also sings part of the song pointing out gay marriage could be the key to turning the economy around, since money would not only be spent on weddings, but eventually on divorces and tattoo removals, as well.