Is this offensive?

[ZiSunka]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/29/entertainment/main2627264.shtml?source=mostpop_story

Without telling you my take on this, I would like to know what you really think of a chocolate Christ. Is it offensive to you as a Christian?

I'll tell you my opinion later.

 

[CelticRose]

I get a little tired of these sorts of things. I find it more boring than anything else; as if the God who made the heavens & the earth could be reduced to a few pounds of chocolate. It's rather silly. Why give it importance & credability by even paying attention to it? The world will always act in a worldly way.

 

[MrJim]

It would be offensive in that I wouldn't want my children to see it and that it's a waste of chocolate, which should not be used for such childish things

Read the article, the guy is a nut job...though I don't know how much we're needed to raise cain about this sort of thing...it should just be melted down, maybe mix in some peanut butter...

 

[FAITHFILLED]

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I AM WITHOUT THOUGHT AFTER READING THE ARTICLE.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

 

[oliveplants]

disgusting, but typical.

Pagans can worship their ishtar with chocolate bunnies, but God does not delight in such things for Himself.

 

[ZiSunka]

I have the urge to hang a sign on it that says, "Taste and see! The Lord is good!"

If it's good chocolate, of course.

But it makes me think about what a friend of mine always says, "Food is love, that's why Christ presented himself as food." Meaning the symbolism of the last supper, of course.

I think it's an interesting portrayal of Christ. Something to start conversations with pagans over.

 

[Latreia]

If it were a clothed figure of the Christ as Christians think of Him, it would be amazing. Not even Catholics would mind, I think.

The "artiste" Cosimo Cavallaro, obviously hoped for all the adverse publicity and so made it as offensive as he could.

But then I read about his other "works" and the part that food played:

-repainted a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella cheese

-sprayed five tons of pepper jack cheese on a house in Wyoming

-festooned a a four poster bed with 312 pounds of processed ham.

After all, in this latest "effort" he might have used a combination of bleu cheese and limbuger.

Same old, same old.......yawn....

 

[ZiSunka]

The Romans didn't let people wear clothing while they were being crucified. Jesus was most certainly hanging on the cross naked. It was meant to be humiliating.

It's we westerners that make him wear a loin cloth in our churches so we don't have to experience the embarassment and humiliation of his nudity.

 

[Latreia]

The Romans didn't let people wear clothing while they were being crucified. Jesus was most certainly hanging on the cross naked. It was meant to be humiliating.

It's we westerners that make him wear a loin cloth in our churches so we don't have to experience the embarassment and humiliation of his nudity.

Excellent point. Very glad that you made it.

Blasphemies crucify our Savior many times over through the insults aimed at our souls.

Forgive them, though they know what they do.

 

[Joykins]

I don't think it is half as bad as those toy guns that shoot cross-shaped sponges. Now THAT is offensive.

 

[CelticRose]

Huh? I haven't seen those.

 

[Joykins]

I saw 'em in a catalogue for Easter toys a few years ago.

Cross-shaped sponge bullets...Cross-shaped missiles to be shot with rubber bands--astounding bad taste, so bad it was funny really.

 

[Latreia]

I don't think it is half as bad as those toy guns that shoot cross-shaped sponges. Now THAT is offensive.

I saw 'em in a catalogue for Easter toys a few years ago.

Cross-shaped sponge bullets...Cross-shaped missiles to be shot with rubber bands--astounding bad taste, so bad it was funny really.

Actually saying that an ugly, offensive representation of Jesus Christ can't match the offensiveness of sponge bullets, regardless of their shape?

A bewildering distraction from the image in the OP which is in prominent display for hundreds to see, as well as thousands in the media coverage???

 

[ZiSunka]

I find those toy guns supremely offensive, too.

Committing violence, even pretend violence, using a symbol of our Lord, making the weapons with forced labor from political prisoners, some of them our siblings in the Lord, and acting like good Christians own guns, that's more offensive than a chocolate statue.

 

[Latreia]

I find those toy guns supremely offensive, too.

Committing violence, even pretend violence, using a symbol of our Lord, making the weapons with forced labor from political prisoners, some of them our siblings in the Lord, and acting like good Christians own guns, that's more offensive than a chocolate statue.

Perhaps you did not see the full photo of this object.
It serves no other purpose than charlatan efforts to attract attention by insulting Christians in a revolting manner.

Sponge bullets don't begin to be any more offensive.

We do not worship and consider sacred any shape of sponge.

 

[ZiSunka]

It's an anabaptist thing Latreia.

The image this man has created is only symbolic of Christ because it's creator says that is who it represents. I'm sure it bears little resemblence to the reality of Christ's likeness. It is, afterall, just a big lump of chocolate shaped like a man. That's all.

But bullets, real or toy, fired in the name of God, that is a horrible abomination against the Lord who told us to love our enemies, to do good for those who hate us, to give up our lives for those who would kill us. To shoot someone in his name is to defy his teachings.

A vain idol is nothing. Killing in Christ's name is a terrible sin. vbmenu_register("postmenu_33467744", true);

 

[Crazy Liz]

I didn't read the article, but I agree with those who say there are offensive ways to interpret this artwork and other interpretations that make one think. That is one of the strengths of art, poetry and great literature. Once one realizes the depth of possible interpretations, it can become a means of instruction or food for meditation.

Whereas it is difficult to find any redeeming value in crass toys.

But perhaps the toys are more shocking to Anabaptists and Quakers because of our historical peace witness. While the chocolate sculpture evokes the imagery of the Lord's Supper in a strange, skewed modern way, can you see that toys that shoot cross-shaped bullets would offend Christians who have learned and try to teach others the meaning of turning the other cheek?

The cross is offensive, shameful and violent, but Christ transformed it into something for the good of the world. Something we are invited to partake in. Yet there is an ambiguity in our participation. By taking this idea and portraying it in a less stylized form, we are provoked to think anew what meaning and what gifts Christ meant to impart to us through the Lord's supper and his crucifixion.

 

[Latreia]

Liz, the photo of the full "work of art" cannot be posted on CF as it would be a rule violation.

But if you think it is OK, I can send you a link to the entire view and you can post it.

To bring in the violence implied in sponge bullets as a way to distract from the offence and ugliness of this thing in chocolate is lame, I think.

Here is the "artiste's" website:

http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/

 

[Crazy Liz]

I've seen the full image before I saw the cropped version here.

You may be right about the comparison being a distraction. A crass toy and a work of art are not really comparable.

I agree that there is ugliness in this image, as there is in every crucifix.

[bible]isaiah 53:2-5[/bible]

 

[Latreia]

I've seen the full image before I saw the cropped version here.

You may be right about the comparison being a distraction. A crass toy and a work of art are not really comparable.

I agree that there is ugliness in this image, as there is in every crucifix.

[bible]isaiah 53:2-5[/bible]

You are saying this is ugly, then:

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Perhaps we need to alert Raven?


While we are at it, get these out of the Religious Special Items:

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