Sunday, December 19, 2010

A great demo against censorship

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is hosting a show called Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. At the demand of Bill Donohue of the Catholic League, and also of conservative Congressman John Boehner, a segment of David Wojnarowicz's video (A Fire in My Belly), depicting red army ants crawling over Christ's crucifix, was removed from the show.

As a Christian who accepts Jesus as my personal Savior, I am outraged that self-appointed judges of what constitutes acceptable symbolism regarding the Son of God have the ability, and temerity, to dictate and stifle artistic expression made on His behalf.

This beautiful artistic statement raises the point that so many militaristic agents of violence have co-opted the message that Jesus brought to humanity, that we should love our enemies, not fight them. The ants represent so many so-called Christians who are nothing more than a mindless army of  robots perpetuating diabolical violence in Jesus's name. How delighted Jesus must be with David's eloquent statement! There is no better Christmas message than the one that reminds us how far we have fallen from Christ's grace.

It is time to rescue Jesus from the militaristic kidnappers, and inheritors of the Roman Empire, who have held Him hostage for the past 2000 years. It is my 57th birthday today (12-19), and this demonstration was the most joyous birthday/Christmas celebration I could have asked for.

Thank you, William K. Dobbs, for organizing this, and a big thank you to the 500 activists who took part. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Age!