Comedy group's office petrol bombed after outcry over Netflix film depicting Jesus as gay

'We will move on, more united, stronger, more inspired and confident that the country will survive this storm of hatred and love will prevail alongside freedom of speech', group says in statement

The First Temptation of Christ (YouTube)

A Brazilian comedy troupe's headquarters was bombarded with Molotov cocktails on Christmas Eve after the group launched a Netflix film which depicted Jesus as gay.

The base of operation for Porta dos Fundos in Rio de Janeiro was briefly set alight in the incident, however a security guard was able to contain the blaze. No one was harmed in the incident.

The group have faced international scrutiny and accusations of blasphemy following the release of their Netflix Christmas special "The First Temptation of Christ," - a 46-minute comedy that portrays Jesus bringing home his presumed boyfriend Orlando to meet the Holy Family.

The airing of the film on the streaming service prompted around 2 million people to sign a petition calling on Netflix to remove the show because it offended Christians.

Porta dos Fundos won an International Emmy for its last holiday special, which depicted Jesus and his disciples retracing their steps after a night of heavy drinking, drugs, fighting and magic.

The group wrote on Twitter: "In the early morning of December 24, on Christmas Eve, the headquarters of Porta dos Fundos was the victim of an attack. Molotov cocktails were thrown at our building,"

"We will move on, more united, stronger, more inspired and confident that the country will survive this storm of hatred and love will prevail alongside freedom of speech."

Brazil is home to the world's largest Catholic community as well as a fast-expanding evangelical community with increasing political influence.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who has described himself as a "proud" homophobe, once told an interviewer he would rather have a dead son than a gay son. Earlier this year he suspended funding for a series of films, including a handful with LGBT+ themes.

The decision was later struck down by a federal court.

His son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, recently called Porta dos Funds' Christmas special "garbage" on his Twitter account, saying the filmmakers "do not represent Brazilian society".

Additional reporting by Reuters