Catholics Fear the Chocolate Penis
March 31st, 2007 | Published in Miscellaneous | 5 Comments
The Chocolate Jesus, apart from being a Tom Waits song, is a sculpture which was to be displayed in New York over easter. The display was cancelled after a group calling themselves the Catholic League protested against it, and as an artist, this really struck a nerve in me and sent me way into the red. Not only is it ridiculous that these supersticious fools think they have the right to censor art, but it is even more horrifying that the gallery cowed to these people.
I detest organized religion, whether it be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Scientologist or even these devout atheists who seem to hate anyone who believes in anything at all. And this is a perfect example why. If you want to have a personal relationship with whatever god(s) you believe in - by all means do so. Having something to belive in has proven to increase the overall quality of life and is a good thing. But don’t force your morals and beliefs on me. No one is forcing these people to go to any art shows, they don’t like. If you can’t stomach the chocolate, you don’t have to eat it. That is what democracy is all about.
The two main ‘arguments’ are that they statue is presented without the traditional loin cloth (gasp! a chocolate penis!) and that the show was to coincide with easter, which combined apparently is too much for the frail catholic nerves to handle. I would love nothing better than to laugh at them and say hey, you know, the middle ages are over and there is such a thing as freedom of speech these days. But I can’t, because of the cowardice of the art gallery.
So, when the Christians celebrate this victory, it is truly theirs to celebrate, and in the end my anger is not towards them. They are after all little more than sheep (I believe that is what they are compared to in their own holy book), who don’t know better than to fear anything that doesn’t fit with their beliefs. I am sure their joy over the outcome of this is genuine rather than malicious. The real idiots are the gallery owners, who made the decision to let the sheep run the show.
The influence of Christian organizations in the US is downright scary.
Related links:
BBC article about the cancellation of the exhibition
The penis-fearing catholics
The christian-fearing gallery
March 31st, 2007at 3:57 pm(#)
I’m surprised Catholics would object. Considering the absurd amount of idols they have lining the exterior and interior of their gathering places.
Also don’t confuse Christianity with Catholicism. It’s very simple, Catholicism believes in salvation by works and faith. Which plainly denies the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for sin as well as the Biblical doctrine of salvation by faith alone.
April 1st, 2007at 5:53 am(#)
you seem to be quite excited. i heard some catholics here talk about the chocolate jesus - i didn’t hear any fear, they were just expressing their disgust at the sculpture. and you know what? i think they have every right to do that, no matter where these catholics are - here in bavaria or in the u.s. or wherever.
the real losers are the gallery people - why did they gave up?
April 1st, 2007at 12:04 pm(#)
I agree. The biggest idiots are the gallery people. They gave up because of “pressure” (applying that kind of pressure makes the Catholic League idiots too in my mind).
April 7th, 2007at 4:19 pm(#)
How does this differ from the activists fighting for their Ungdomshus? I might sound like an odd comparison. But whether you fight for religious or political issues these two groups use methods that violate some fundemental laws that the majority of people demand in society, i.e. democracy and the freedom of speech, in order to get their message out.
June 3rd, 2007at 3:25 am(#)
What about your blog? Stay writing and shoting. I’m hungry!