Column - Kinder to our Christians

I am Catholic (Roman Catholic to those that make the distinction), and I am absolutely disgusted by these artworks.

I’ll stop there, or else I will likely say something that I will regret. I have no desire to offend anyone.

Though I must say, I am getting sick of this “Turn the other cheek” wiseness that I am taught. In a lot of circumstances, it is the wisest decision.

That was a nice article, Mr Bolt.  However, as you listen, remember that Bach was a Lutheran.  Phat Adams was appalled to discover that his “late night live” radio segment was introduced by a Bach ditty, I can’t remember the Contata.

I notice some posters igniting some stuff about Catholics vs Protestants.  Its not needed.  We are on the same team, dudes, despite us disagreeing on some silly issues like sacraments or confession or the virgin birth.

Some may be acquainted with St Johns Lutheran church on City Road, nearby the Herald Sun offices in Southbank, which do string quartets etc etc of Bach and others from time to time.  Lunchtime and other weekend stuff, don’t quote me.  I have fallen off the perch, sigh, so am not up to scratch.

Falling half asleep stepping into my car to drive 500 kms at 5am.  Much coffee and, dare I say it, cigarettes.

Thanks man. Well done.

True Christianity is confronting and threatening. It challenges us every day, Christian and non-Christian alike. I think that’s why it’s a target.

Not many of us can live up to its demands, some of us try and some of us don’t. Some of us are embittered by our failure so we turn and instead of accepting the challenge we attempt to belittle and demean it, to bring it down to our level.

On a personal level it boils down to that fundamental battle we fight with ourselves every day - the conflict between pride and humility.

I’m a former lapsed Catholic and now an agnostic but this type of thing offends even me, so I can only guess how it offends a practising Christian.

At the same time, I wouldn’t want to see “chocolate Mohammeds” or “Korans dipped in urine”.

Mocking someone’s religion is an appalling thing to do.  Every person in the world is entitled to his or her own beliefs and opinions.  Even someone like Kerry Nettle with her silly T-shirt and the G20 protesters last November, though of course the latter without the violence.

You’d think we would have learned something in these past thousand years or so.

Andrew, further to your piece, The Age on Holy Thursday ran a letter criticisng a column by a Catherine Deveny, endng with the comment “...Catholics believe in turning the other cheek.” The Age subeditor chose to head the letter with the title “Tis the time to be gutless”. Thus is dismissed the huge contribution of Christian non-violence.

In Green Guide of the same day, Will Anderson’s atheism is quoted and the example he uses is of course the claimed absurdidty of Jesus’s birth. But if he is genuinely atheistic rathet than just anti-Chroistian, he could have chosen similar ‘absurdities’ regarding Krishna, ******** [you know who], etc. but of course he doesn’t.

Dear Andrew

Congratulations. Brilliant column.

Make sure you have the day off and have a lovely time with your family.

Happy Easter!

To Mr Brian Phillips: I have put your comment about the English prisoners under this article because your comment is about desecrating the faith of people. Iran has been supplying arms to Iraq insurgents who are trying to kill British troops yet you defend Iran. Your very statement has an undertone that there is something good and holy about the Iranians that just made those troops “want to tell the truth”.

We have to ask ourselves, “how has it come to this” that all 15 would betray their country so quickly. They have betrayed not only their country but the British troops that are still fighting there and the British troops that have fallen (died) there. The old term was that they are taking the ‘queens shilling’ and have a responsibility. But then I read your comment Brian. 

“Look Andrew, I saw video of Ms Turney tucking in to a hearty meal.  She is not “guant”.  There are no circles under her eyes.

On this and many other criteria you outlined last week, her confessions could not have been coerced and are not faked”

I really don’t know anything of Brian Phillip’s life or background. But he is the quintesential leftist moonbat. With his likes the West will give up so much of what it has fought for and achieved.

There is something terribly wrong when the issue is that the Iranian’s either made an act of war and nothing was done. Or the British sent these troops into Iranian waters illegally. If the British knowingly sent these troops into Iaranian waters what could they possibly have hoped to achieve. They would have been better to send all Brian Phillips who would have bowed and scraped day 1 instead of day 2. As people in the pay of the British services these people (I won’t call them service men and women)have done an incredible disservice to England, and the coalition and all the troops that have died in Iraq. Should they be punished, I think so, will they be punished I doubt it, the moonbats are rife in England.

There are somethings bigger than a man, they are ideas of right or wrong not based on the feeling of men but on the facts of life. Iran is threatening to nuke Isreal, Iran is killing Christian Lebanonese, Iran is killing english service personal in Iraq. But to the Brian Phillips of this world we must compare David Hicks with these sailors. David Hicks of whom Phillips knows nothing if he is prepared to defend him.

This is my plea “why are the Brian Phillips of this world prepared to shit over all of the true values of the west” to satiate his feelings of goodness. SNIP

SNIP

Too long, especially when it’s a bit off topic.

Andrew Bolt
Fri 06 Apr 07 (10:15am)

These liberal elites attack only Christianity because
a) they know they will not fight back and threaten them. and in this they share the same reasons as the islamists who behead schoolgirls and burn down churches in Indonesia
b) they know full well that is is not politically incorrect to attack Christianity so they do it under the veil of artwork or satire to ridiculise it.
c)
they attack the morals of Christianity because they believe that morality should be the sole property of liberal elites . The Christian old moralities, that have guided us for two millenia, should no longer decide what is right and wrong, or good and evil . they must eventually be the sole owners and dictators of moral principles.
And we know what those principles are don’t we?

Good one Andrew...Thanks for telling it like it is.

Artists mocking Christianity claim they are being brave and outspoken. But this is very dishonest. Artists are doing this for one reason only. It is self promotion. They get blanket media coverage in a way that would never be possible for any of their other mediocre work. The media laps it up because it is safe sensationalism.

Who would have ever heard of this chocolate artist otherwise?

Both the media and artists,when it comes down to it, are cowards.

Andrew,
top stuff, I’ll enjoy reading this again because you’ve made some very good points, I know I’m forever grateful that I was born a westerner and live in a civilized community, so much of this legacy comes from the Christian example.

Awesome column, Andrew.  Well done. 

I could write so many words but I must now go now.  I’ll be back after the morning service.

Even those of us who do not call ourselves religious, in a country like this are defined by Christian principles because they are the basis for our society. Most people I know, though they may not voice it so would live their lives according to Christian standards.

What becomes the norm is a natural target for those wanting attention - just human nature. However the avoidance of other religions, especially those prone to violence, as targets undermines the credibility of Christian bashers or mockers. They want to be big and brave, but not too much!!

Anyway thank you Andrew for a thoughtful piece on Good Friday - may your Friday indeed be good and your Easter full of blessings, Lin

Christianity gives freedom to reject even Christianity not so easy for a muslims who rejecting religion. If more Westerners even no Christian like Mr Bolt defended their given religion like they defend Islam, the jihad against them would be lost.

Excellent article Andrew.

I’m an agnostic, but I still liken kicking Christianity to kicking a man with his hands tied, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

On a different tack, I sometimes wonder, if human civilisation was to start from scratch, with the purpose of eliminating religious strife, how would this best be achieved?

1. No religion at all - seems totalitarian and to be against human nature

2. Everyone belongs to the same religion - again seems totalitarian.

3. A free market of religion, without the concepts of exclusivity and ‘my way is the only way’. - would seem to be the hardest to achieve as it would require the most enlightenment and tolerance. I suppose it would also be dependant on all religions being inherently ‘good’ and promoting a universally appropriate code of ethics. I must say though, putting aside the way humans actually practice their religions, I’m not aware of many religions whose tenets are actually promoting evil.

I’d like to think that option 3 would be possible one day , but maybe I’m kidding myself.

I have been reading your column for a while but this is the first time I put a comment.  THANK YOU.

It may be a double standard (certainly in relation to comedy).

However, the real reason western artists are more interested in Christ is because he’s a part of our culture.

They’re exploring the images and icons of our own art.  Images of Muhammed don’t have the same place in our culture at all.

Where are the cathedrals full of elaborate Muhhamed images?  The millions of churches and chapels with images of Muhammed? Who hangs an image of Muhammed in their house?

Andrew wrote:

So when I see a Western artist mock Christ, I see an artist advertising not his courage but his cowardice.

Bullseye.

Hit the nail on the head ,Andrew
Happy Easter to all

Another brilliant article, Andrew, even if a couple of people have missed the point. Well done and thanks for being one of the few to have the guts to tell it like it is.

Andrew
You have got to be joking with this shallow piece.  Let’s take it point by point.

1) Shocking art works.  They have a very long history going back centuries.  Many christian artists have deliberately made their work shocking in order to force people to think about their faith rather than have a warm fuzzy feeling.

2) The chocolate Jesus was an artistic protest about the commercialization of Easter.  Did anyone even consider that? 

3) Sinead O’Connor ripped up the photo of the pope in protest of the child molesters that the Catholic church had knowingly hidden!  Shouldn’t christians be called to account when they betray the principles of their own faith?

4) Abbot was trying to force his religious views on the rest of Australia.  It’s his right to hold such views but he wasn’t elected to force them on the rest of us. In other words people should be able to live their lives as they see fit.  As long as it doesn’t violate the law or harm others.  NO ONE [and that includes Mr. Abbot] has the right to force someone to live how they want them too.

How would the christians on this board like it if I could force them to live life my way?  Unfair?  Of course!  Outrageous?  Absolutely!  But that’s what Tony Abbot was doing!

Who can forget Piss Christ, the crucifix plopped in a jar of urine at the National Gallery of Victoria?

Or the Chris Ofili picture of the Virgin Mary, decorated with cow dung, which the National Gallery of Australia tried to bring in?

Or the appalling Madonna’s world tour last year where Madonna pretended to be crucified while she performed songs from her latest album suspended on a cross.

Yes, it’s easy to take the mickey out of Christ in tolerant Christian countries. I’m just waiting to see how brave this blasphemous lot are with Mohammed. We already know the answer to that. Totally, utterly, gutless.

I often think of Rowan Atkinson skit where he’s the devil sorting the newcomers to hell into groups.

Love the bit where he says, “And you athiests, you’re a right bunch of charlies, you got that one wrong didn’t you? There is a God after all. Athiests over there.....”

I always conjure a mental picture of the horrified look on Phillip Adams’s face for some reason.....

And a Happy and Spititual Easter to all.

As a practising Roman Catholic, I think I’m as qualified as any to speak on the subject.

For me, it is not the offence or the offender that hurts me - they are ignorant and need my pity.

Rather, what hurts and disappoints me is is the NON-reaction, or worse, often gleeful reaction displayed by NON-Catholics / NON-Christians, when an icon of Christianity is mocked or lampooned.

Often, people - who tell Catholics to “lighten up” when we are offended by sacrilegious behaviour - are the same people, who would be disgusted and cry “un-Australian”, or “anti-Semite” if an icon that they revered were to be desecrated.

E.g. How would a patriotic atheist Australian react if art were to be titled: “Taking the Piss out of Australia”, and displayed the Australian Flag in a bucket of urine?

How would Jews react to seeing a piece of art titled “Piss David” that depicted the Star of David in a bucket of urine?

We know how the Muslims would react.

So, I wonder ...

I get disgusted and speak out when religious icons of OTHER religions are desecrated.

Why do NON-Christians rarely show disgust or speak out when Christian icons are desecrated?

Andrew, very well said.

It is a conundrum for me to live by, and teach your children, the Ten Commandments but reject the Christ story.
Where else would we get the great values to live by?
I do not criticize any religion only the violence and power over others they perpetrate in the name of their particular version.

From the bottom of my heart the sincerest thank you Mr Bolt, for being the only person in the media to address the truly cowardly double standards that have distressed many of us over the years.

Happy Easter.

I wish every one a happy Easter.

I’m a Christian, but I won’t be going to a church this Easter (or for the last ten) because Christian leaders are too quick to espouse liberal policy and call it god’s word. I am also a conservative, and I prefer to worship Christ, and take communion in fellowship, not to worship ALP power and endure endless quips from leftist clergy which frequently endorse terrorists.

Andrew, I think you are missing the point of art and placing far too much stock in the kindness of Christians. Christianity, like Islam, is anti-reason, anti-rationality and anti-liberalism. Christians, given the right provocation and the right circumstances are no more or less inclined to violence and hate then Muslims. To quote Christian fundamentalist and anti-abortionist Terry Randall, founder of Operation Rescue:

"I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good..."

Andrew, the point of art (and comedy to a certain extent) is to challenge the prevailing paradigm, whether it be government, religion or whatever. It is courageous for an American artist to challenge, slur or ridicule Christianity by displaying a chocolate Jesus in a New York gallery because he lives in a Christian nation. It would not be courageous (from an artistic stance) for the same artist to display a chocolate Muhammad in the same New York gallery. However, it would be courageous for a Saudi artist to display a chocolate Muhammad in a gallery in Riyadh.

The same could be said for comedians at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Australia is home to only 300 000 Muslims, so telling Muslim jokes does little to challenge or confront the prevailing authority and in fact is more likely to confirm some peoples’ prejudices and bigotry. While telling Christian jokes is confronting and challenging, especially with the rise of fundamentalist Christianity in this country.

Claiming that American artists and Australian comedians are cowards because they challenge the prevailing Christian majority is a decidedly weak argument. It makes me wonder if you think it courageous when a schoolyard bully picks on the weaker, younger kids? I am, by no means, saying that Muslims are weak or that Christians are bullies, what I am saying is that in the Australian and American context attacking Islam is not quite the courageous act you like to make it out to be.

Andrew you are right in one sense though, that Islam needs to be confronted and challenged, but not by us in the West. The best thing we could do is give courage to our Muslim allies to stand up against the Islamist extremist and fundamentalists, to confront the forces of irrationality, anti-liberalism and anti-reason by doing the same here. A good place to start might be a few more Christian jokes:

The Devout Catholic Woman

Maria is a devout Catholic. She gets married and has 17 children. Then her husband dies. She remarries two weeks later, and has 22 children by her next husband. Then he dies. A while later, she dies. 

At the funeral, the priest looks skyward and says, “At last they’re finally together.”

A guy sitting in the front row says, “Excuse me Father, but do you mean her and her first husband, or her and her second husband?”

“I mean her legs!”

I sent a link to youtube a couple of days ago, but I don’t think it came through. Must have been some sort of problem on your end of the line. Yeah, that must have been it.
Well, here is a link which I believe is appropriate for discussion.Religion And here’s another one. Ten Commandments
May the Easter Bunny bless all believers and non-believers alike!