Christians angered by the Jerry Springer musical broadcast by the BBC are to pursue a private prosecution against the corporation for alleged blasphemy.
Critics were angered by the show, shown uncut on BBC2 on Saturday night, because of foul language and scenes showing Jesus in a nappy admitting he is "a bit gay".
As the row escalated, senior BBC executives were given security guards after phone threats were made by irate campaigners.
Their private phone numbers were posted on a website and the matter has been reported to the police.
It is believed Mr Roly Keating, the controller of BBC2, and Ms Jana Bennett, the director of television, are among those who have been given protection.
Mr Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, a UK-wide prayer group, confirmed it would mount a private prosecution.
He said: "We will probably bring a private prosecution against them for the common law offence of blasphemy." Mr Green is taking legal advice.
Reacting to news that threats were made against BBC executives, he said: "We completely distance ourselves from it and condemn these threats.
"We were a little naive in thinking our website was used only by Christians."
The BBC insists there are fewer than 300 offensive words in the opera, even under the broadest definition of the term, including 117 "f-words" and seven "c-words".