Back in 1988, Andres Serrano submerged a crucifix in a vat of his urine, photographed the result and called it “art.”
Naturally, most of the world’s Christians were shocked and angered by this blasphemous display. Even members of Congress called for an investigation into the National Endowment for the Arts which helped fund Serrano. Public outcry against Serrano was vocal and widespread.
As the uproar grew, numerous editorials in defense of the “Piss Christ” were printed in newspapers. Of course the liberal New York Times beat the “freedom of expression” drum for all its worth sympathizing with Serrano and depicting him as courageous. In New York City four hundred artists held a public rally in support Serrano and of his work.. he became a celebrated art world hero.
Though Serrano’s work was beyond the pale, he and his work were not forced underground. His life was not seriously threatened. Christians did not roam the streets of major American and European cities chanting obscenities about Serrano or calling for his head to be lopped off.
Consider the Christian reaction of his blasphemous display against the reaction of Islam regarding the cartoons originally printed by the Dutch newspaper Jyllands-Posten in September 1995. Radical Muslims have since called for the deaths of the cartoonists, the Jyllands-Posten editors and staff, assulting newspaper vendors and other violent acts. The Danish Consulate in Beirut was torched as well as the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Syria… and many killed in riots in Afghanistan in trumped up outrage over the cartoons. In fact just yesterday Osama bin Laden issued another diatribe condemning the re-publication of those original cartoons and issued threats against the European Union.
Yet anti-Semitic cartoons are often published in Arab and Muslim newspapers. Christians living in predominately Muslim countries are beaten and put to death. Violence and death to Jews and Christians are often encouraged on Arabic television. Yet there is barely a peep out of the Muslim religious community condemning the intolerance. Where is the courage of the Muslim religious leaders. They call for tolerance and respect for their customs and laws. Where is the tolerance for Christian values and beliefs. It is quite the opposite with Muslims however… infidels are to be killed according to the Qu’ran. And so-called moderate Muslims are afraid to speak out too loud for fear of reprisals from the radical branch of the family tree.
So in honor of this momentous day in history I was tempted to redisplay all those cartoons… but what would that accomplish? To show that we stand in solidarity with the Danish? I guess it would. But just as much as I hate blasphemous depictions of Christ, I am invoking the Golden Rule and decided not to show those cartoons again. This weekend also marks the time of year when Christians celebrate the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. So I think it would be more appropriate to show a depiction of the leader that, contrary to the Muslim leader, Christians are not ashamed to display.
But for the naughty click this link…"So you are not a believer in the Golden Rule, huh?"
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