Holy uproar: The play caused controversy when it was performed in Glasgow in 2009

Furious Christian leaders have demanded that the screening of a play featuring Jesus as a transgender woman be stopped.

The Gospel According to Jesus Queen of Heaven is set to be shown on Sunday at the Outburst Queer Arts Festival.

The story ­- which involves Jesus returning to the world as a transgender person - has sparked fury in the past, with hundreds turning up to protest against it in Glasgow.

It was written by Jo Clifford, who describes herself as a practising Christian and also a transgender woman.

She claims to have recreated Biblical stories with a "different slant".

The play imagines a transgender Jesus coming back to the world today and taking part in a communion, even sharing bread and wine with the audience.

Ms Clifford will not be performing the play in Belfast. Instead, a recording of a previous performance will be shown and a live question and answer discussion with Ms Clifford will take place afterward.

"It's a very important, very intimate show," she said when she previously defended the play.

"Obviously being a transgender woman myself it concerns me very greatly that religious people so often use Christianity as a weapon to attack us and justify the prejudices against us.

"I wanted to see if we could move away from that and make people think again."

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Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A religious protestor hands out pamphlets to participants taking part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A man displays his rainbow coloured tights as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A street party on Union Street takes place as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Drag artiste Glitzy Glamour performs on stage in Union Street as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A man draped in a rainbow flag watches as religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality while thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A drag queen takes a selfie with a friend as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. 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(Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Basil McCrea, centre, joins thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Members of Sinn Fein join thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Christian protesters outside the City Hall as thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Teenagers look on as thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Belfast Lord Mayor Arder Carson joins thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye PRESS RELEASE IMAGE 1/8/15: Justice Minister David Ford showing his support for the LGBT community at Belfast's Pride Festival with Roisin Lavery, Equality Commission and Sean O'Neill, Festival organiser. Picture: Michael Cooper Michael Cooper / Facebook

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However clerics from a number of different churches across Belfast have urged that the performance be cancelled.

In a letter to the Belfast Telegraph, the Rev Tim Anderson, rector of St Elizabeth's Church in Dundonald; Pastor Stuart Crooks from Dundonald Baptist Church; Rev William Press from Knockbreda Church; David Luckman from Crosslinks Ireland; and Trevor Johnston from All Saint's on University Street warned that the show will give offence.

"The traditional teaching of the church, expressed in its historic creeds, clearly portrays Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God," they wrote.

"As the Bible says, he is 'the exact imprint' of his Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1.3) and the good news of the Christian message entirely depends on this unique and unchangeable relationship.

"Although in his incarnation he is male, the New Testament is very clear that his death upon the cross is for all. All have sinned and all can be redeemed through faith in him, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, social class or any other human distinction.

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"There is therefore no need for any other Jesus."

They went on to write a presentation of a transgender Jesus will "not only be regarded as offensive by Christian believers but also by Christ himself".

"The performance will therefore cause great offence and for this reason we respectfully urge that it may not happen," they wrote.

Rev Press told the Belfast Telegraph he felt disturbed by the description of the plot of the play.

He said it would be extremely regrettable if the play was not cancelled, but felt a protest would be unlikely.

Pastor Paul Burns of the Adullam Christian Fellowship Church said though the recording of the play "shouldn't be shown in Northern Ireland" he said his independent church won't be protesting at what was a "money-making" enterprise.

"I don't feel the need to protest," he confirmed. "Christianity stands on its own and we know the story of Christ and that he is coming back, and is neither a transvestite or gay.

"To protest is only to attract attention for something that is trying to make money, and in relation to the placards and protests it generates - it's just what they want.

"They want publicity and no doubt the opposition of Christians will be going to help this."

The Queer Arts Festival has defended bringing the play to Belfast and said it will not be cancelled.

"Jo is a celebrated playwright with a transgender history who has written an uplifting piece of work that explores and celebrates her own Christian beliefs," said festival director Ruth McCarthy. "We're delighted to welcome her this weekend to share it with our audiences.

"While I recognise that there are people in Northern Ireland who oppose the idea of LGBTQ people celebrating their own religion in a way that is inclusive and embracing, Outburst is a celebratory and joyful event, so we prefer to concentrate on the hope, support and warmth that Jo's work brings to Belfast."

Jesus Queen of Heaven has met controversy in the past, when 300 protesters held a candlelit protest outside a Glasgow theatre in 2009, with some claiming that the play was blasphemous.

Issues surrounding same-sex marriage sparked consternation in the Assembly only last week when the third proposal to legalise it in Northern Ireland failed.

Belfast Telegraph