They said Jesus was hung on the cross ...
WARR ACRES — Churchgoers are outraged over a crucifix in a Catholic church that they say shows an image of genitalia on Jesus.
The controversial crucifix has caused a deep divide among members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, where it hangs above the main altar.
"There are a couple people who have left the parish,” said the Rev. Philip Seeton, the church’s pastor. "There are people in the parish who don’t like it and have stayed.”
Critics of the crucifix take issue with what appears to be a large penis covering Jesus’ abdominal area. Seeton said the portion of the crucifix in question is meant to be Jesus’ abdomen "showing distension” — not a penis.
Seeton said, "I’ve had people who have vocally said that that’s what they see there. I’ve had people who have been just as vocal who said that’s not what they’re seeing there.”
Janet Jaime, a local iconography artist who designed the crucifix, had no comment.
"I think it was painted according to the certain specific rules of iconography and church art,” Seeton said of the crucifix.
The crucifix is about 10 feet tall. It has been hanging above the altar since Feb. 21.
Seeton said the crucifix doesn’t concern him, and there are no plans to remove it.
Monsignor Edward Weisenburger of the Oklahoma City Archdiocese also said he has no problems with the crucifix. He said the archdiocese has received no complaints about it.
However, numerous current and former church parishioners contacted The Oklahoman this week expressing outrage at what many called a "pornographic” depiction of Jesus. Many asked that their identities be withheld.
Parishioner Rita Cook said the crucifix is one of many recent decisions by Seeton, who has been at the church since 2008, that longtime parishioners are concerned with.
"The crucifix is the straw on the camel’s back,” said Cook, who has attended the church for 35 years. "I think it’s an embarrassment to our Lord. I think it’s an embarrassment to our parishioners. And I think it’s an embarrassment to our visitors.”
Molly Jenkins, who is not a member of the church, said she attended a funeral at the church recently and immediately noticed the crucifix.
"I was appalled at the sexualization of Christ,” said Jenkins, who is not Catholic. Jenkins said she contacted a Catholic friend to ask whether such crucifixes are common.
Her friend, Seannene Smith, said she visited the church Friday and also was disturbed.
"I was horrified,” Smith said.
Tags
Who is online
93 visitors
Happy Good Friday!
Well, Hal, you succeeded in demonstrating why so many people dislike atheists.
I am not going to debate this shit with you, there is nothing to debate.
" Happy Good Friday" is not a thing by the way.
Since when?
Don't believe everything you see on the internet Dean.
Tell that to all my co-workers who are sitting at home right now, while the atheist is hard at work in the office.
We know that you glory in low life presentations Dean, so no surprise here.
I hate to break this to that church, but the artist pulled a fast one on them. Yes, crucifixion causes chest distention and some abdomen, but that is not how it looks. This is how it looks.
The actual cause of death is suffocation.
I hate to bring science into this, but I was a biology teacher.
AND, it is an extremely slow agonizing death, essentially you are alive as your body parts start shutting down and you don't realize that they are particularly breathing which is slowly constrained as the body's muscles lose there ability to hold the chest in shape, the ribs collapsing inwards compressing the lungs and heart. As the Abs start losing their ability to hold the mass of intestines start to sag outwardly from the body........
The whole process can take up to 24-48 hours depending on the physical condition of the victim placed in crucifixion. Generally people are not nailed in a crucifixion scenario, they are usually tied to the cross. They would rather have you die of the natural inability to maintain bodily functions due to weight sag and exhaustion than having any blood loss aid the process.
But no, the body doesn't grow a penis like appendage during the process.
Good thing Christians dont ordinarily put out fatwas or you might be up a creek.
Who cares what the painting looks like for the purposes of this forum?
The atheist demonstrated why people don't like them or respect them, to a large degree. Good Friday is a sacred day to Christians and there is no need to intentionally disrespect it.
What kind of bigot doesn't like or respect atheists? Is that a Christian thing?
What kind of bigot doesn't like or respect atheists?
an eye for an eye maybe?
you are Zen Dean, where is your live and let live?