It began approximately 35 years ago…
A unique, fairly sensational photograph was a winner of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art’s “Awards in the Visual Arts” competition. The 1987 photo focuses on a small cross… with Jesus Christ nailed to the boards. Christ and the cross are then submerged in the “artist’s” urine.
One more detail… The competition was sponsored in part by American tax dollars, as the National Endowment for the Arts was involved in the funding.
Having been since damaged after being exhibited in multiple international museums, the artwork — entitled “Piss Christ” — is returning to Manhattan this coming Thursday.
Interesting.
Meanwhile, across the globe, Muslim extremists are fighting and protesting and engaging in anti-American, violent behavior. In Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Libya, Kashmir, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan… tens of thousands of protestors are burning American flags and effigies of President Obama. There’s startling video of children in Pakistan, out on the streets, shouting “Death to America!” The outrage — and extent of the outrage — is troubling indeed. Some days the possibility of world peace seems so incredibly unattainable and far away.
The American government’s response has been fascinating. They continue to focus on a brief video made by one American. They have denounced the video that some purported to have spontaneously fueled the protestors’ passion; however, most intelligence now acknowledges that the initial 9/11 Islamic attacks were intentional, planned, and possibly coordinated; the video was not the primary instigator.
Our government, no less, has denounced this video. Pres. Obama and Sec. of State Clinton have even appeared on Pakistani television — paying for commercials that publicly share their stern denouncement; they do not approve.
The truth is, the Intramuralist doesn’t care for the video either. While I will always advocate for a factual analysis of faith — noting what’s inherent in any religion that prompts such erratic, brutal behavior — I will also advocate for a respect for all religions. Let me be clear; respect is not the same as acceptance as equally good and true.
The challenge for me today then is this…
Our government has clearly denounced any disrespect for Islam. Since his early days in office, Pres. Obama has been very supportive and consistent in reaching out to the Islamic world. America is not at war against Islam. We are not. We are at war against terrorism — which in this instance, has been initiated by Islamic fundamentalists. Pres. Obama has attempted to mend many of the misconceptions within those efforts.
Yet in what seems to be a very intentional approach, I remain fascinated…
We denounce the video that seemingly disrespects Muslims. And yet… we are quiet about something labeled as “art,” that defiles the Jewish Messiah in Manhattan.
Our government is quiet.
I don’t totally get this, truthfully. I mean, I know there are partisan faithful who talk so loudly on radio and TV that they try to influence the rest of us in this area. I get kind of tired of hearing them. (Yes, I often fast.) But it seems to me there is some sort of added sensitivity of the Muslim world and faith that our government does not freely nor generously extend to other religions… I don’t understand how our government called the shooting in Ft. Hood by the Muslim man “workplace violence,” but the Sikh temple shooting in Milwaukee by the caucasian man was instantly referred to as “terrorism.” Aren’t they both terrorism? Can’t we call them that?
What are we afraid of? Are we afraid of how the extremists will respond? Are we trying to ignore the violent extremists — and attempting to promote Islam as always peaceful? And if the government is wrestling with how to truly separate church and state, shouldn’t they be supporting both the Muslim video and the defiling of Jesus Christ in the name of free speech? … or denouncing both? Why one and not the other?
I don’t understand. I don’t understand whether this is actually respect or hyper-sensitivity. I’ve simply observed that the treatment is not the same.
Respectfully,
AR