'Piss Christ' gets smashed

[Spear]

A group of Christian fundamentalists armed with hammers and screwdrivers destroyed two artworks in an exhibition in the southern French city of Avignon at the weekend, one of which depicted a crucifix immersed in urine, French media reported Monday.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/article1027410.ece/Piss-Christ-gets-smashed

 

[menageriekeeper]

<sarcasm> awwwwwwwwwww! </sarcasm>

 

[targus]

"...director of the Lambert collection, said he would leave the shattered artworks hanging so that the public could "appreciate the barbarity committed by extremists."

Vandalism is poor testimony.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Vandalism is poor testimony.

I agree.

Now the vandals have "persecuted" the artist and turned sympathy toward his instead of letting the "art" stand on it's own merits (whatever those might happen to be).

Just like the protests and furor over "The Last Temptation of Christ" turned a movie that would have probably died at the box office into a moderate financial and critical success.

Responding calmly and rationally to these provocations defuses their power and allows Christians to express the truth of the gospel to those who encounter this kind of art.

Knee-jerk reactions feed the media cycle, gives power to provocateurs of all types, greatly reduces the opportunity to express the truth of Christ.

 

[preachinjesus]

Vandalism like this only fuels the skepticism against Christianity.

The artist had been disqualified and people were thoroughly disgusted with the filth he was peddling as art. These displays didn't need to be destroyed.

Such an action is part of a deeply seated, anti-intellectual element that damages the Bride of Christ more than it helps.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Vandalism like this only fuels the skepticism against Christianity.

The artist had been disqualified and people were thoroughly disgusted with the filth he was peddling as art. These displays didn't need to be destroyed.

Such an action is part of a deeply seated, anti-intellectual element that damages the Bride of Christ more than it helps.

I agree. As simple as is sounds, Proverbs tells us that there is time to answer a fool according to folly or else he will become wise in his own estimation and there is a time NOT to answer the fool with his own stupidity or you will become just like him.

This artist was NEVER wise in the estimation of the world frankly. But now those attacking him are the fools in the eyes of the world and the artist is a martyr.

 

[Benjamin]

Yes, the "art" has now been used to make a martyr...and the director of the Lambert collection has become the fool.

 

[jaigner]

Responding calmly and rationally to these provocations defuses their power and allows Christians to express the truth of the gospel to those who encounter this kind of art.

Knee-jerk reactions feed the media cycle, gives power to provocateurs of all types, greatly reduces the opportunity to express the truth of Christ.

Good response.

I think this is horrific and disgusting expression. Should artists have the right to create this kind of thing? I believe so. Let it be judged by its artistic merits.

I think a lot of times we talk about little sad Jesus up on the cross and we forget that he chose to follow the will of the Father and hang there. He doesn't need us to act like his big brother and kick the butts of bullies who pick on him. God is mighty and powerful enough to take the most egregious of insults. We don't need to repay evil in this situation. Instead, respond to these people in love.

 

[Crucified in Christ]

While such garbage is worthy of having a hammer taken to it, we must realize that this is exactly what the artist wants.

He is a provocateur. He provokes by continually producing offensive "art", waiting for someone to respond, then he gets to play the victim.

Our Lord is not fooled. This artist will one day stand before the King of Glory. I wonder how profitable his sick blasphemy will seem to him then?