Museum Exhibit Portrays Jesus in Porn Pose
- Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:16pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Some may call it art, but others are are outraged and declaring it blasphemous.
A Loveland, Co., public art museum has sparked a heated debate among the town’s residents after highlighting an exhibit which seems to feature Jesus Christ in a tawdry sex act.
The controversial piece is part of a 10-artist exhibit called, “The Legend of Bud Shark and His Indelible Ink.” The lithograph showing the son of God engaged in a sexual act is called, “The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals,” and was created by Stanford University professor Enrique Chagoya.
“It is visual profanity,” said art gallery owner Linda King, in an interview with the Loveland Reporter-Herald. “It disgraces the God of all creation.”
Donna Rice, a member of the Loveland City Council, told the Denver Post that the “taxpayer-supporter, public museum” was meant to be family-friendly. “This is not something the community can be proud of,” she says.
Though many protestors hoped the city council would cut off funds to the museum over the issue, the city’s attorney has indicated that a painting of Christ engaged in oral sex “does not meet the criteria of public obscenity.”
The artist has defended his work, claiming to be surprised by the public’s outcry. “My intentions are not to offend anybody,” Chagoya told the Associated Press. “The main intention of my work is to express my personal concerns about religious institutions, not about the actual religious beliefs, which I respect.”
Nearby Denver seems to boast more supporters of the art, including Carol Ware told the Post she thought the work was “provocative and thought-provoking.”
But many local Christians say the museum exhibit is nothing more than taxpayer-funded pornography that defiles Christ and their religion. “We don’t think our savior should be put in those kind of poses,” Steven Gregory told Fox-Denver. “I love art, but this isn’t art.”
To view the lithograph, click here.
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Comments (175)
RobertCA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:17pmBreaking News !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enrique & in support of arts announced that he will paint his mother having sex orgy with their street gang & he will call the painting ” Enrique’s Momma & the Gang “
Report Post »independantgrimace
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:17pmIf this guy had any real guts, he would have portrayed muhammed that way. Artists need to find a new outlet. This picking on christians is really starting to get old fast. Pretty soon it is going to lose it’s shock value.
Report Post »EAGLEMOM
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:11pmsince this is being funded by taxpayers, it is up to those citizens to demand thier elected politicians cease financial support for this so called museum and if they don’t they have to vote them out.
this is despicable and we, voters, have to take responsibility for those we put in power. Without taxpayer support, I doubt this museum could survive.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:06pmSome people will do anything for money. You just have to pity them.
I would do just what Taquoshi said to do. I would find out who sponsored it and write them a letter expressing your shock at their extreme poor taste, and if it’s a corporation boycott their products.
Report Post »blackregimentgrunt
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:04pmIt is ironic that when some embrace everything but the Lord, and the US Constitution and domestic policy are used against the Lord, while protecting foreign ideas from practical scrutiny, it only serves to make the Bible’s claims regarding our circumstances more accurate, and regarding itself more believable.
Report Post »Hillbillybone
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:00pmRepulsive…..Vile……Disgusting.
If it were the prophit Momomoud, the Islamists would bomb the building and be backed by the city council over their right to protect their religion.
Defile Jesus and it is OK……….Because the Christians are not considered to have a voice anymore.
Sad, so Sad.
This country needs to get on its knees and PRAY!
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:58pmSo, it is okay to draw Jesus in sexual poses, but ANY drawing of Muhammad and somebody blows their top… literally.
Report Post »Billsocal
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:56pmNotice that the gutless wonder didn’t do it about Muhammad, but was more than willing to use Christ.
Report Post »The artist doesn’t seem to be worried about Islamic religious institutions. Why is only Christian institution that are attacked. If this had been Muhammad the artist would be in hiding right now.
Mithra
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:27pmPerhaps his next piece of art will include both Jesus and Muhammed. That would be more inclusive.
Report Post »FlowerBell
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:56pmIf you need tax-payers to support your art you are not much of an artist. At least not one of merit.
Report Post »If your art actually challenged people, made people think, and then these same people were compelled to buy it, your an artist.
Otherwise you are just someone using other peoples money to pretend.
YOUR WORK SHOULD STAND ON IT’S OWN.
Defiling a cultures God is simply juvenile. And since it did not include Allah, cowardly as well.
caitlynsdad
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:51pmOkay, maybe this is a dumb question [dripping sarcasm], but if a depiction of Christ engaged in oral sex “does not meet the criteria of public obscenity,” what does?
…
Oh, yes, how silly of me! A depiction of **Mohammed** engaged in oral sex. **That** would be public obscenity. Like I said, it was a dumb question.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:49pmFather forgive them, for they know not what they do .
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:52pmLOL, I almost posted that myself!
Report Post »Laus Deo Too
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:56pmThe sad part of this Roberta is they do know what they are doing and they do it anyway.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:24pmSorry. I disagree. These..yes they know what they do…they do it with purpose…
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:47pmOkay, everybody, take a deep breath. We’ve been here before. Done this already. Remember Piss Christ? Or how about the Temptation of Christ? or the elephant dung Madonna? And there is some theater play about Christ being gay or some such. I think it flopped.
Here’s what you do. Find out who sponsored it. Write them a very nice letter saying you are disappointed in their choice of what they believe is art. If its a corporation, let them know that you are aware of their products.
I used to listen to our local “Catholic” university station on the way to church on Sunday morning because they had a great baroque program. Then NPR started spouting off about how members of the tea party were violent, etc., etc. (you know the drone). I wrote the college and NPR and informed them I was no longer a listener and stocked my car with baroque CDs for Sunday mornings.
So, move along. Really nothing to see here.
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 8:11pmWere it not for drawing more media coverage to this event, I’d say the citizens of the town should protest by marching back and forth or around the building as stipulated by city restrictions! A definite stand needs to be made IMO. It’s comforting to read that most here agree that this is reprehensible. Thank you!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:47pm“My intentions are not to offend anybody,” Chagoya told the Associated Press.
===========
Report Post »Sure . We believe you Che-goya.
Now that you know that you have offended Christians, why don’t you take it down and destroy it. Since your intention is to not offend anybody
LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:13pmVery good point, I think it should hensforth and herafter become the default point thrown back at everyone from now on who claims, ” NO OFFENSE, BUT……”. But STOP OFFENDING then!
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:41pmI wouldn’t do it and not advocating it, but maybe it is time for the Christians to start doing like the Muslims and go after the Art museum owner / empolyees and the artist and his family. Not sure why anyone wants to attack someone else’s beliefs?
Report Post »Veritas
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:48pmListen to yourself.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:49pmNo. We don’t need to do that. We need to let the sponsors and the foundations know they are funding dreck. We should be clear, but polite. We are not Muslims.
Report Post »RESTORATION1787
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:40pm$3400 for this crap? Personal concerns? This is nothing more than trashing Religion for profit!
Report Post »AndreaCristiano
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:40pmthats tasteless and his excuse is BS ask him if his artistic license would have let him put mohammed in that same disgusting pose. God forgive him and have mercy on his soul. As for Veritas51322 your platitudes and stupidity are laughable at best the depiction even though just a depiction attacks our savior even if we dont know exactly what Jesus looked like. so please do not try and paint us the offended as the problem here
Report Post »Veritas
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:40pmI agree that the first amendment allows for things like this, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I went to an art college and I saw things praised that I thought was pure crap. Modern Art is not art, it is pretty much a mistake on canvas or the work of a diseased mind. Art these days is applauded for it’s shock value, not it’s artistic triumphs. I think this artist expected and wanted this attention because it will get him more work in the elitist art movement that is now dominated with people who hate America and love mediocrity!
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:07pmDid you know that some of the communist goals from 1963 were #22 “Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to ‘eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.” #23 Control art critics and directors of art museums. ‘Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art.” This story just made me think of the list.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:38pm“My intentions are not to offend anybody,” Chagoya told the Associated Press. “The main intention of my work is to express my personal concerns about religious institutions, not about the actual religious beliefs, which I respect.”
================================
Mohammed was a pedophile, “ married” a little 9 year old girl.
Report Post »How about doing a piece on that , and call it art for White House funding ?
LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:54pmYeah, funny how they‘re all ’concerned’ by religion as long as that religion is Christianity or Judaism. It is, after all, very dangerous to manipulate the minds of young people and indoctrinate them into hateful extremist groups by using God as a justifier for horrible atrocities. Oh, wait, I must be thinking of some obscure non-denominational religion. I think you get the over abundance of sarcasm there. (’ç’)
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:36pmEnrique Chagoya’s Contact Information. Email: echagoya@stanford.edu. Primary Phone: (650) 736-8143. SecondaryPhone: (650)736-8143
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:59pmAwsome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks .
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:34pmI don‘t know if you guys already send him an e mail but here’s mine :
Hi Mr Enrique , we love your art work & we like to see a painting of your mother in a sexual act since we as tax payers are paying for your exhibition .
Report Post »As you’re expressing your right of the first amendment so am I in this e mail .
We’re looking forward for this particular painting .
Thank You so much .
RobertCA
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 8:29pmThe Coward never replied to my e mail .
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:36pmNow, will radical, extremist, fundamentalist Christians (who, of course aren’t real Christians, they’ve just hijacked the title (pun intended)) publicly demand the head of this artist and set their own neighborhoods’ cars on fire in outrage? My wild guess is , “No”.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:56pmNo!! because we know that our Havenly Father will take care of it. Romans 12:19-21 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
Report Post »RUKiddingMe
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:33pmIf people want to pay to see something like this, go for it. But I think the taxpayers also have a right to say how their money is spent. The public museum should stop funding and let him to private showings.
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:50pmNational Endowment for the Arts uses taxpayer monies to fund such exhibits. I am thinking of several from the past that I dearly wish had not used my taxes.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:45pmBut where do you draw the line on that? By the same logic, a pacifist would be justified telling the government not to allow their taxes to fund the military. Would that be fair?
Report Post »Anarcho Capitalist
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:14amahh. the moral hazard of public property enters the debate. Odds are the guy sucks as most all “artists” suck, yet because we live in a time where death worship is king his impotence will bring him fame.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:32pmLet’s, just for arguments sake, substitute someone like, ohhhhhhh say, MUHAMMAD and see if it’s just all about, like, culture, and religion, and race, and BLAH BLAH BLAH and stuff! I am of the immpression that some smaller towns (like my own for instance) think they have to be ‘hip’ and ‘edgy’ to be like the super-cool modern big cities. I think their common sense (and common sense of decency) is blinded by their need to belong to the ‘cool kids’ cliche. I am now a grown up though, and I guess I will just never be one of the cool people. Oh darn!
Report Post »kaypal
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:46pmLoveland is a very small town outside of Boulder, a very liberal town. Very shameful.
Report Post »homeschooln4years
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:28pmJust want to be clear that Loveland is a mid-sized conservative city somewhat near Boulder.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:58am65 thousand pepole isn’t a small town.
Report Post »Laus Deo Too
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:28pmAs for me and my household, we will serve The Lord.
Pray for these people. They have little hope of salvation
Report Post »Veritas
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:42pmDitto!
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:49pmIt’s hard but will do it.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:51amBoy, is that hard to do!
Report Post »ARMOR BEARER 147
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:22amI wonder why you say they have kittle hope of salvation? What qualities or charactor did Moses, or King David, or Saul (Paul), or you have that caused you to have greater hope of salvation? Millions of adulterers, muderers, slanderers, perverse, and liars have been saved by our Merciful God by His divine choice not by men’s opinon.
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
Report Post »But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”" 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 —-[-
veritas51322
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:27pmHaving not seen the exhibit I wonder how one knows it is Jesus in the photo. Since there are no actual pictures of Jesus we as Christians recognize him as artists depicted Him by the scenes showing the stories we know and love. Are there Biblical scenes before and after ?
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:34pmIt was intended to be Jesus, no matter what he actually looked like.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:35pmThe artist knows it is Jesus and he has said so. He is a liberal college professor.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:44pmIt’s the intent that counts. The only description of Christ is in Isaiah 53:2-3 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Report Post »BladerunnerKC
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:01pmSo why not depict Mohammed then instead of Jesus? Let‘s see how long the ’artist’ lives. It‘s amazing it’s ok to defile Jesus but you can’t even create an image of their religious person without risking death.
dquay
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:21pmveritas51322, is that your only argument?. Pathetic!!!!.
Report Post »Rhonda j
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:27pmReally? You know very well that this is CHRIST. If it wasn’t what would be the point?
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:26pmArtists with little talent must resort to shock to get attention for their so called “art”.
Let‘s don’t give it to them.
TruthTalker
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:33pmSure defile our Lord Jesus and everything is ok, it is ART. but try burning a Quran and watch all the politicans and libs get up in arms. Sheep, I tell you sheep and hypocrits. Every last one of them.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 10:40pmSure defile our Lord Jesus and everything is ok, it is ART. but try burning a Quran and watch all the politicans and libs get up in arms. Sheep, I tell you sheep and hypocrits. Every last one of them.
So true it should be posted twice.
Report Post »Cheryl-Ann
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:23pmAs abhorrent as I find the work to be, I’ll defend, to the death, the right to exhibit it as art. I won’t go see it. I’ll encourage people not to see it. I do think it should be shown in an area where minors are prohibited. However, by all means, show art!
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:27pmBurning a Quran is a lot worse than this. However, it’s strictly for shock value and if that is what art is, it’s pretty pathetic. Fine by me if the guy wants to defile Christ, he will get what is coming to him. Pray that God gives him a cup of wine before casting him off.
What’s more wrong is that it is taxpayer funded to keep this exhibit going. If it was a private museum, then I don’t think you could have an issue with it, if you believe in freedom. But to ask taxpayers to foot the bill for this place is what’s evil. Thankfully, it will be gone at the end of November, but even then, it’s horrible.
I hope the protests remain peaceful and they are able to have this art removed from a public building. This artist, who’s obviously atheist, has all the right to create something like this. Just keep it in your house, or your privately funded museum.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:54pmAfter reading about him, I have to say I dig what his goal was. I would just prefer he use the Pope’s image and not Jesus.
watchmany2k
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:34amThis “professor” of how many Angels fit on the head of a pin,
has the loosely defined artistic gift of a blind tagger in twilight,
who’s mental regurgitation is reminiscent, and contains the pubescent equivalent of
a 1960′s toy spirograph, set on TEXT.
The only eyebrow raising aspect of it is the utter waste of art supplies,
that would have been better spent on an enrichment art class for inner city 1st graders.
Had it not been for the ill-conceived endowment of public funds, I should hardly have noticed the charlatan’s medicine show, for that, restitution should be made promptly under the supervision of the public works department -division of crosswalk and parking line repainting, where his touted aptitude would at the least be productive.
His debt would be satisfied upon completion of 3600 hours public service, along with the order to not seek further endowments in any form, and subject to periodic drug testing.
As far as his intention, I call upon St. Michael’s example: the Lord rebuke you.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:49amIf Muhammad was defiled in such a way, there would be blood in the streets.
Chet Hempstead
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:47amJJ Coolay Actually, Mohammed IS defiled in another panel of the very same piece.
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:45amI agree with IndependentTess. Such monstrosities are created by so called “artists” for the purpose of drawing attention to themslves and not to their “art”. I suppose that this display of pornographic
Report Post »material falls under the right of free speech an or expression. However, a line should be drawn somewhere and this display would be a good starting place.
walkwithme1966
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:05amI agree with you so much – goes too far! http://wp.me/pYLB7-bc
Report Post »t00nces2
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:09amIslam and liberalism defiles itself, that is why they have to make a scene about telling the truth and why they have to make it a point to defile the good and wholesome.
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:29amThis is the world in which we live. Talent isn’t honored as much as crude anti-religious screeds that promote thoughts and actions that push back at decency. The people who are hailed as cutting edge ground breaking performers and artists are the ones speaking the most vulgar words painting the most vulgar images and claiming freedom of speech to support their freedom of expression. In a related story, saying a prayer at a school commencement is considered offensive and unconstitutional. Jesus come soon.
Report Post »A1955Rosie
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:31amYou’re right Tess, if they can’t get it through RESPECT they go for shock. Now days they are using shock to desensitize our morals. I WILL NOT ADVOCATE ANYTHING THAT COMPROMISES MY MORALS in hopes that I raise a better generation NOT WORSE. Anyone find it odd that our christian potus hasn’t said word one, nor his preacher?
independentvoteril
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:54amI hope the City of Loveland come to their senses or my they experience the wrath that comes form this type of showing.. and the artist says he didn’t THINK anyone would be offended.. he should have stopped at he didn‘t THINK he’s brainless.. and my 4 year old grandson can draw better than that..
Report Post »mrkeys1962
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:15pmThese artist are nothing but chicken excrement. If they truly think they are so courageous let’s see them do the same to Islam. Lets see him portray Mohamed doing a sex act…with a nine year old girl (that was the age of his favorite wife). What? He doesn’t have the ******?? Picking on Christian religious symbols is like stoning a defenseless woman… cowardly and pathetic. I have no respect for these pathetic sphincters.
Report Post »4kidsandacat
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:42pmNoname, don’t be a jerk. I am Catholic and that would be just as offensive to me.
Report Post »