Homophobes Attack Christian Art at Methodist Church

HUFFINGTON POST
By Kittridge Cherry
The gay and lesbian nativity scene at Claremont United Methodist Church,
before it was vandalized (photo courtesy of the Claremont United Methodist Church).
CALIFORNIA - A recent attack on a gay and lesbian nativity scene at a California church proves how much these liberating images are needed. Claremont United Methodist Church bravely re-envisioned the nativity scene as three couples -- gay, lesbian, and heterosexual. They stood on the church lawn in life-sized silhouettes built from 600-pound light boxes. Each pair held hands beneath the star of Bethlehem and the words "Christ is born." There was no baby Jesus, but a small tree of life grew atop a statement about Christ's "radical message of love." On Christmas Eve vandals knocked down the gay and lesbian couples, doing $3,000 in damage. Only the straight couple was left standing. [link]

Comments

Bob Rowell said…
Absolutely dispicable vandalism, on the face of it. Abhorant. Yet, upon reflection, is the destruction yet another form of art? a dialogue with the original piece? I doubt that was what was in the minds of the perpetrators, and lament that their action stemmed from seeking to isolate rather than embrace in love.
Your comment reminds me of the words of Sister Wendy Becket that art is what you make of it, and in this case the vandalism is what you make of it. It most certainly does start a new kind of dialogue for those of us who witness the result, and also for those involved in the act. Imagine the Dr. Suess scene where the Grinch steals the Christmas presents and awaits for the outcry. What does he hear instead, and how does that impact...the Grinch. What power the arts can have!

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