
As a kid growing up in midwestern Ohio, our trips south on I-75 were dotted with many landmarks. There were exits to take to see friends
and family, barns painted with funny phrases, and, of course, there was Big Butter Jesus.
Just outside Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio, there stood King of Kings, a gigantic bust of Jesus over 50 feet tall reaching up into the air. Some called him Touchdown Jesus or High-Five Jesus. There were internet memes dedicated to him, and the song "Big Butter Jesus" by Haywood Banks was written in his honor.
But in June of 2010, King of Kings melted to the ground. That is to say, he went up in a blaze of glory. Who would have thought the material he was constructed of was highly flammable and that a lightning strike to his internal steel core would ignite him and turn him into ash? It was actually a really sad day for a lot of us Ohioans, because that statue was legendary, and his demise will live on in infamy.
But Solid Rock Church didn't let that stop them from rebuilding, and this week they dedicated a new and improved -- and non-flammable -- full-bodied Jesus statue overlooking I-75.
King of Kings, also known as Big Butter Jesus. He's been dubbed Hug Me Jesus, as he reaches out to highway drivers several yards away, and he received standing ovations at his dedication Sunday evening. His real name is Lux Mundi, which means Light of the World.
According to the Dayton Daily News, sculptor Tom Tsuchiya chose the name Lux Mundi because "it sounded cool."
Of course, what statue dedication would be complete without some protestors? A small group of men protested just outside the event and called themselves The Watchmen. They shouted on megaphones about idolatry and the second commandment.
What is your favorite Jesus statue? What do you think of the new statue at Solid Rock Church?
Comments (9)
I thought it was hilarious when it burned down, but given how upset people were, I'm glad they can feel better now, though I do like the old one more.
Isn't it technically still an idol? >_<
As art, it is a mite lacking; as a sign of religion, it is intimidating; compered to the remains of the previous one. It lacks detail, is artlessly designed and for the most part, a bland erection with few discernable details of note. So, yes, a good representation of organized religion.
Maybe the local Hindu community could erect a statue to Shiva in the carpark of their indian restaurant? No, they better not. The local Christians would change local ordinance to have it removed, burn it down during the night. The more civilised Christians of course would just organise a bycott of Gupta's restaurant, so to speak.
The Jews could put a statue of Moses outside their synagogue. Oh, they won't, because they're not sos boustfully ostentatious as the Christians. The Muslims won't because they don't like representations of their demi-god.
My favourite would be a giaint wickerman in honour of Anu? erected by the Irish as the main decendants of the Celts in the wilderness beyond Nantucket island. They could always fill it periodically with heretics.
This statue strikes me initially as lacking in taste to say the least. It also seems to be stretching out its arms as if to grab all you have. So, yes, a good representation of the sort of fundie tent-type spilers American protestantism that America is awash with.
Rant over. Back to quiet contemplation in the corner.
@mycontinuity@xanga - I wouldn't consider it an idol, as long as no one is bowing down and worshiping the statue. Usually an idol is something that the person puts before God. As long as that is not being done, I wouldn't consider it an idol.
@ProudToBeAChristianFruitcake@xanga - Christians and Catholics, but Catholics more so, bow down to statutes all the time. Some Catholics never even pray to God directly, but little santos and they little altars and everything.
@mycontinuity@xanga - I'm only speaking for myself, but I don't bow down to statues to worship them, I bow down to pay respect for who they represent. I bow to the altar in front of my Church to pay respect to where I believe the sacrifice of Christ is repeated daily through the transubstantiation (the bread and wine becoming body and blood).
To better explain myself... let's say a loved one died. Would not looking at a picture help you to remember and speak to them? I'm not speaking directly to the picture, I'm speaking to who the picture is of. In the same way, I don't bow to statues to worship the marble the statue is made of. I bow to who they are a statue of. There is a big difference between worshiping a statue as an idol, and using a statue to help us remember and communicate with our Savior and Lord.
@BehindTheSeens@xanga - I'm not sure how many religions that pray to idols think the carving/image is the actual god, but most would say it's idea of the god/gods of the idol/s they're praying to. So, basically what you said but replacing "Lord" with other deities' names.
@mycontinuity@xanga - To those who hold to the idea that representations of Jesus are forbidden by the commandment. Many Presbyterians and Reformed hold to this belief. Outside of the Reformed camp most believe the commandment forbids making an image of God the Father or of any other "god".
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