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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStatue Of A Homeless Jesus Startles A Wealthy Community
A new religious statue in the town of Davidson, N.C., is unlike anything you might see in church.
The statue depicts Jesus as a vagrant sleeping on a park bench. St. Alban's Episcopal Church installed the homeless Jesus statue on its property in the middle of an upscale neighborhood filled with well-kept townhomes.
Jesus is huddled under a blanket with his face and hands obscured; only the crucifixion wounds on his uncovered feet give him away.
The reaction was immediate. Some loved it; some didn't.
"One woman from the neighborhood actually called police the first time she drove by," says David Boraks, editor of DavidsonNews.net. "She thought it was an actual homeless person."
That's right. Somebody called the cops on Jesus.
more
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/302019921/statue-of-a-homeless-jesus-startles-a-wealthy-community
Reter
(2,188 posts)Some people.
Blue_Adept
(6,399 posts)Some folks can't handle anything not being what it should be. Some of it is foundational psychological issues. Others can't have the facade of how the would should be removed from their eyes.
Warpy
(111,270 posts)when a homeless person has passed out on the sidewalk or on the street instead of under a tree. The desert gets blisteringly hot in summer and being down and out in full sun can be fatal.
The cops will do the welfare check and take him to the hospital. If he wakes up and can walk, they'll offer to call a van from one of the missions.
They usually don't shoot them like they shot Boyd.
ETA: I think this statue is pure genius, bringing "the least of these" to upper middle class suburbia which clearly needs a reminder.
Dorian Gray
(13,496 posts)I live in NYC so don't usually call the cops on the homeless I see sleeping. But there have been two instances when I thought it was possible that the homeless person was possibly injured or sick (sleeping on the sidewalk on the curb in one instance), so I did call the police. Not to get them in trouble, but I thought that they would have access to medical resources that I do not. It's POSSIBLE that this complaint was made in that vein (though unlikely).
Regardless, I agree that the art is genius and serves the very purpose you state. People need that reminder.
imthevicar
(811 posts)Will I ever, call a cop for that kind of "service". Police are not required to "Protect" any more. Rarely today is their any situation, that can be made better by the introduction of the Police into it. 10 years ago I would agree with you completely, However that time has passed.
Warpy
(111,270 posts)is a lot kinder than death by desert heat and dehydration.
imthevicar
(811 posts)You would rather be remembered as some Crazy Mother Effer, who Pulled a Gun on a Cop, and tried to Kill one of our brave boys in blue
(Cause that is how the Narrative would spin.) than As the Poor soul who died of heat stroke!? Fuck That!
irisblue
(32,980 posts)on a few people who were propped up against a post. There is a tent city about a mile from here, and I couldn't tell if they were alive or not as I drove past. I didn't stop myself to check, I'm a fairly short, semi disabled middle aged female and I had to consider my own safety. Both times in the that year that I've called, I was late to work b/c I pulled around and waited till the cops showed up. I usually have an extra bottle or two of water in my car and I did hand them to the guys when the cops got them up. This year I'll add a couple of granola bars just in case.
seveneyes
(4,631 posts)You mentioned that you had to consider your own safety if you went to Tent City. What is the danger?
valerief
(53,235 posts)that's illegal.
IronLionZion
(45,450 posts)The cops would have them checked out by medical staff and take them to a shelter, especially if they are from out of town and don't know where to go.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I can't even list all the reasons that I find this to be an important work and statement.
Wow.
TeeYiYi
(8,028 posts)I think it is extremely powerful and brilliant in its execution. (No pun intended.)
TYY
marew
(1,588 posts)"This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.
― Dalai Lama
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...all one has to do is read the passage about the rich and the camel going through the needle's eye, and that pretty much sums up what He though of the well-off.
Chemisse
(30,813 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Nice to hear from you
It's remarkable, it speaks to the homeless challenge, one that is growing at a heartbreaking rate, and challenges the "holier than thou" groups to reconsider their hypocrisy.
It's subtle, it's powerful, it needs to be seen and heard.
WhiteTara
(29,718 posts)I'll bet angry.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)CFLDem
(2,083 posts)Wanna bet they only keep the golden calf instead?
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...with it's rear end pointed towards Avenue of the Americas, where most of Big Media is headquartered.
Maybe THAT explains it...
demwing
(16,916 posts)and we all know who the 1%ers are.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)You find the private property that will allow it.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)sign they did that with?
Brigid
(17,621 posts)pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)A guillotine.
IronLionZion
(45,450 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)Larkspur
(12,804 posts)with the caption from Matthew 19:24 -- "... it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
That is a statue I'd contribute there.
They should be startled..... and ashamed
malaise
(269,049 posts)Brilliant
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)Most of the followers of Jesus' teachings over time have been poor and outcast. Of course there have been the very privileged clergy and church bureaucrats that have lived a life of luxury. But if you look back over the last 2000 years that is the case.
Today, however, we have secular communities of very wealthy individuals who attempt to justify their wealth through the concept of the prosperity Gospel. This is at least in some part the same community that used the Bible to justify slavery, child labor and certainly today homophobia.
These people have, no doubt, some form of religious faith. There are some like most of the televangelists who I believe are secretly agnostic or atheists but they see an opportunity to milk the meek and stupid of their money. But these with money have some form of faith...and I will give them that this is sincere.
The problem is they read, or don't read, the words of the New Testament and freak out. What? Jesus says it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven? Jesus, their idol, hung out with prostitutes, the poor and hungry, the outcasts of society. What? That can't be right.
So they build a fantasy of cherry picking from the Old and New Testaments to justify their bigotry and practices of engaging in business practices that harm others.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)The flocks are not passive but are active participants.
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)I get the feeling that you don't have many encounters with "the flocks" you so pigeonhole.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)over the years and of more than one religion. I've seen more than enough from evangelical fervor to liturgical repititions in more traditional practices. My experience is of the flocks is that they are just that--flocks. Sitting silently in the face of wrongdoing by clergy or unquestioningly following. There are sins of omission as well as commission. Yes, they do sit in the pews as well. I have observed this as a child and an adult until the point where I decided not to participate in religions.
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...is as old as the Bible itself, from the Council of Nicea through the Reformation and to today.
And the "prosperity Gospel" is particularly galling to me, because it's the exact OPPOSITE of what Christ taught and embodied.
Time to call out the charlatans and turn off their transmissions.
geretogo
(1,281 posts)MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)calimary
(81,307 posts)Glad you're here! I don't know what else can be said in a post to top what NYC_SKP posted upthread a little. I cannot even begin to count the ways that this imaging of Jesus is FREAKIN' SHRIEKIN' BRILLIANT!!!!!!
But let me just say that YOUR post is also brilliant in its simplicity and total hit-one-outta-the-ballpark truth!
Matthew 25:40
New International Version (NIV)
40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25:40
Brigid
(17,621 posts)James:1-6.
LuvLoogie
(7,011 posts)Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)totally high (and mighty)
Whisp
(24,096 posts)Some people get angry at this sort of art and at the idea behind it because they can't handle their hypocrisy and so lash out. It's guilt combined with confusion because we all basically know what is right and wrong but do a lot of squirming about it.
A lot of very stupid, selfish guilty people out there. You don't have to give away all your worldly possessions to the poor, just not condemning the poor and recognizing the problem is a good start.
avebury
(10,952 posts)EC
(12,287 posts)ever had a home. Wasn't he a vagrant living in camps with his apostles? Instead of a park bench, I'm guessing he would have slept on a matt (that he rolled up and carried with him) on the ground or directly on the ground.
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...he's been described as an "itinerant" preacher, traveling with the apostles and living either in camps or doing the equivalent of "sofa hopping" at people's homes.
Remember: Judas was the treasurer of that group. Think about it.
demwing
(16,916 posts)Which was the Greek word for "Tax Collector"
...will the irony never cease?
Good info!
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)The "publican" called by Jesus is alternately referred to as Matthew or Levi, not Judas. Nothing of the latter's call or previous identity is mentioned in the Gospels.
demwing
(16,916 posts)Matthew was the despicable publican, Judas was merely the traiterous thief.
Interesting band of disciples
demwing
(16,916 posts)John 12:3-6:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/john/passage.aspx?q=john+12:3-6
Republicans are just the return of the Publicans
geretogo
(1,281 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)the first thing I think of is the Social Security lockbox. Same thing, and rePublicans want to control it (privatize it) so they dip into it, like a modern Judas.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)According to his own words, Jesus was homeless.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)SunSeeker
(51,571 posts)"They'll [the police] vag ya here [in north carolina]" --Cormac McCarthy (Suttree)
calimary
(81,307 posts)Good to have you with us! This is probably my favorite thread of the day. No - the week. No - maybe the whole month, or year! Certainly the most bedrock-fundamental.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)geretogo
(1,281 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)They feel "those people" are lazy and owe us some of their labor.
It teaches them a trade and that work has value.
Of course, these same types don't believe a housewife should be paid.
geretogo
(1,281 posts)Isn't that whats written on the sign to the entrance to Auschwitz concentration camp ?
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Everyone I've met who rail about the virtue of work dream of being rich so they'll never have to work again.
Oh,....and they also claim the rich work harder than we do and don't see the contradiction.
geretogo
(1,281 posts)regards to the blacks too . The justifications used by the right to climb over any one they see as
having less value seem to be endless .
YoungDemCA
(5,714 posts)nt
drynberg
(1,648 posts)Oh yeah, I could see it happening...more than a little scary...
npk
(3,660 posts)Everyone knows that Jesus was rich and lived in the suburbs of Jerusalem and died on the cross for all the wealthiest among us and their sins. Read a book people.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)will sue to have it removed.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)It's a brilliant work. There should be one of these sculptures in front of every church where the members take their faith seriously.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)won't pressure to have it removed. Guilt is a powerful emotion.
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)...you have very little knowledge of the Episcopal Church.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)I have very little knowledge of them.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Pope Francis blesses one of Canadian Timothy Schmalz's sculptures of "Jesus the Homeless" during his Nov. 20 general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The Vatican plans to install the bronze piece near Vatican Radio in memory of a homeless woman who died in the cold. (CNS/L'Osservatore Romano)
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/homeless-jesus-provokes-debate-what-it-means-be-christian
geretogo
(1,281 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,025 posts)HipChick
(25,485 posts)Bad week for Jesus....accused of having a wife, and now being depicted as being homeless
butterfly77
(17,609 posts)of toronto doing?
kjones
(1,053 posts)Seems like it would have been a good opportunity to put some Jesus-ly teaching into practice rather than on exhibit.
Lady Freedom Returns
(14,120 posts)Remember the old saying?
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Well, doing that will keep people thinking for a lot longer about how to help for longer than the 22k would have lasted. We need to find a fix. And as long as the problem stays up front, people will start thinking that way instead of just patches.
kjones
(1,053 posts)Pretty much everyone with opinions on something like this, already
had the opinion before. There's no 'Scrooge' moment where people
look at it and go, "Wow, I've been wrong for so long, I should get
on board and help people less fortunate than myself!"
People who are going to help generally don't need an excuse, and
people who aren't generally aren't going to be convinced, particularly
by a statue they apparently are disturbed by (for the record, I like the
statue, I just disagree with presenting it some sort of morally positive
act in an of itself).
Beyond that, we have constant reminders everywhere already that
we should look out for the less fortunate, first and foremost, those
that need the help. That it takes homeless Jesus to convince anyone
to care about real homelessness etc is depressing.
I'm honestly not sure what you mean by "Give a man a fish...".
That charity is "Giving a fish"? I don't know, I missed the point.
Regardless, I know that frozen and starving people can't very well "fish."
That's what charity is about, giving to those who, in whatever sense,
cannot currently "fish". Either way, 22k can buy a lot of fish and/or a lot
of whatever it takes to teach someone to fish.
Of course, I've never liked the idea that those who are down on their luck
simply don't know how to "fish."
Anyway, I just happen to disagree, and that's the way I see it. It's something
personal to me, so I hope you don't take offense.
Lady Freedom Returns
(14,120 posts)And what I mean is that society itself needs to come up with more to help.
You can give a person a blanket and one hot meal, but that will not solve the problem.
Things like this picks at conscious over time. And Charity is not the answer. We need reform in Government.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)Maybe the sculpture will make many people think, and ultimately do far more charitable things than the cost of the statute.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Beartracks
(12,816 posts)http://www.zazzle.com/social_justice_jesus_tee_shirt-235499372986923045?rf=238682849495657271
==============================
baldguy
(36,649 posts)and unemployed, too.
Lady Freedom Returns
(14,120 posts)classykaren
(769 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)Short version....A wealthy woman is expecting Jesus for dinner. While she is preparing everything to be perfect, a child knocks begging for food and she chases her away saying she is too busy. Then a homeless man knocks on the door, and again she tells him to leave because she is so busy and expecting a special guest. Then a bag lady knocks, and she gets upset and yells at her to hurry up and get out of the area so her guest will not see her.
She waits and waits, and as midnight approaches, she chastises Jesus for not showing up. He answers her that he came three times, and three times she told him to leave.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)its not the short version though :p (I've used it a number of times when it comes to some of my lazier Christian friends, usually with this saying at the end as a reason for em to actually start acting: God helps those that helps themselves)
A terrible storm came into a town and local officials sent out an emergency warning that the riverbanks would soon overflow and flood the nearby homes. They ordered everyone in the town to evacuate immediately.
A faithful Christian man heard the warning and decided to stay, saying to himself, I will trust God and if I am in danger, then God will send a divine miracle to save me.
The neighbors came by his house and said to him, Were leaving and there is room for you in our car, please come with us! But the man declined. I have faith that God will save me.
As the man stood on his porch watching the water rise up the steps, a man in a canoe paddled by and called to him, Hurry and come into my canoe, the waters are rising quickly! But the man again said, No thanks, God will save me.
The floodwaters rose higher pouring water into his living room and the man had to retreat to the second floor. A police motorboat came by and saw him at the window. We will come up and rescue you! they shouted. But the man refused, waving them off saying, Use your time to save someone else! I have faith that God will save me!
The flood waters rose higher and higher and the man had to climb up to his rooftop.
A helicopter spotted him and dropped a rope ladder. A rescue officer came down the ladder and pleaded with the man, "Grab my hand and I will pull you up!" But the man STILL refused, folding his arms tightly to his body. No thank you! God will save me!
Shortly after, the house broke up and the floodwaters swept the man away and he drowned.
When in Heaven, the man stood before God and asked, I put all of my faith in You. Why didnt You come and save me?
And God said, Son, I sent you a warning, a car, a canoe, a motorboat and a helicopter but you refused them all.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)but funnier.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)on my earlier mentioned friends and such.
Some humor often helps soothe bruised egos
Its also logical enough that it makes people think about the 'moral' of it even if they didn't plan to(most of the time anyhow), and anything that makes people think is a net positive in my book.
Far to many people i know as religious(even if i don't really know them personally) are quite hands off on things, asking god for help on this and that then not doing anything about it themselves which is my mind is silly.
Its kinda like if you asked me for help moving some heavy furniture then sat back and watched me move it all by myself, that wouldn't be me helping you, that would be me doing the bleedin work for you.(which is their attitude)
A proper example of it might be that if you are looking for a girlfriend, sure ask God for help in finding love, but you should be out seeking as well as its extremely unlikely that he would send your soul mate to your door
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)He could, if he wanted to. Jeez! But you are right, so many people use praying INSTEAD of action to accomplish something. And of course, nothing gets accomplished.....but they should feel good about themselves.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Thinking it was someone in need of help.
Very powerful artwork. Like a Tolstoy story.
agbdf
(200 posts)He also eschewed materiel possessions and materialism. He traveled among the poorest, sickest and most unappreciated of society's people. He preached love and helping the less fortunate.
This statue is a fitting monument.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,014 posts)agbdf
(200 posts)I'm so happy to be here. I've been involved in helping to elect Democrats most of my adult life.
LongTomH
(8,636 posts)Now help us with some of our more difficult 'Third Way' brethren!
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
King James Version (KJV)
daybranch
(1,309 posts)I thank the commenters here for expressing a thoughtful consideration of Christianity. i may myself be less charitable than many of you with those who forget the words of Jesus to help the poor. I actually see this as the guiding principle for all political discourse and question why that question is not the end in every political discussion. I fervently believe that prosperity in spirit and in life is achieved only by helping those in need. It is the true win-win situation.
Thank you for posting that!
Response to n2doc (Original post)
Egnever This message was self-deleted by its author.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)And has Pat Robertson blamed teh gay for Him yet?
UtahLib
(3,179 posts)Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)Increasingly rare these days.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Come on, people, we're several short of hundreds!
"That's right. Somebody called the cops on Jesus."
A typical Republican was heard to say, "Jesus was a lazy moocher. Who knew?"
Dorian Gray
(13,496 posts)and I think that it's great it startled people in the community. People need to wake up from their small world reality, sometimes, and that's what art does.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)chrisa
(4,524 posts)Am I wrong that this is the prevailing attitude in modern Christianity? How many of those people go to church because they've bought into the fire-brand version of God, or think that God will like them more and answer their prayers first?
I wonder if we'll actually try real Christianity some day and not the self-serving abomination it is today? Even the Vatican is a symbol of excessive, unnecessary wealth. It's like nobody cares what Jesus said - they're content with "Strawman Jesus," a corporate executive who loves wealth, capitalism, and kicking dirt in homeless peoples' faces.
This isn't a Christian nation. It's the opposite.
wryter2000
(46,051 posts)I'd attend my Episcopal church if I were a confirmed atheist. And I'd be welcome, too.
father founding
(619 posts)OH NO!, End timers, it's the rapture.
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)"That's right. Somebody called the cops on Jesus. "
No they didn't. Look at that pic. Would you know it was Jesus is you hadn't been told? I doubt she saw the stigmata on the feet if she couldn't even tell it was a statue.
And the other thing is.... This is Davidson, NC. A college town.(a college that costs a lot to go to, BTW) It is not urban at all. There are no high rise buildings in sight. It is the manicured lawns of the College and the surrounding suburbia. A homeless person sleeping on a bench would be a very rare sight there.
You'd think the entire community had gone ballistic over this statue from the posts here.
C'mon guys! There are plenty of complaints to make about the GOP and selfish people with some money without having to make up stuff.