Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

‘Anty Christ’ at the Smithsonian

posted by Mark Herringshaw

‘Anty Christ’ at the Smithsonian

A Smithsonian museum video of ants crawling on a crucified Christ has triggered a backlash from the head of the Catholic League president Bill Donohue who claims that the artwork is “hate speech.” 

“A Fire in My Belly,” by late artist David Wojnarowicz, is part of “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture,” an exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery which runs through Feb. 13. 

Donohue said the four-minute video “was designed to insult and inflict injury and assault the sensibilities of Christians.” He blasted the museum’s federal funding. 

“If the government can’t fund the promotion of religion, it shouldn’t be in the business of funding animus to religion,” he suggested.

Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas declined to comment “on people’s opinions on art.”

Does Donohue have a point? If government cannot fund pro-religion art, can if fund anti-religion art?



You Might Also Like...
Previous Posts

Ice Cream: A Prayer of Thanks
“God, thank you for ice cream. Well done! Sure, we humans have been clever enough to combine your goods in a creative way, But you made the milk, the eggs, sugar, the flavors we use to fancy it up and the ice that makes it cold. Thank you, thank you. And please enjoy it with me.  Jesus, you never

posted 8:58:40pm May. 30, 2013 | read full post »

“I Need a Job” - A Prayer
"Lord, you know I need work. I want to do my part and carry my weight. I’m not asking for a handout; but I do need your help landing the right employment. It’s been too long and I’m feeling frustrated. You know exactly the situation that fits my skills, my interests and my experience. You know

posted 2:02:50pm Mar. 28, 2013 | read full post »

Super Bowl Power Outage: Let There Be Light - a Prayer
“God, light matters. We need light and when light goes out, we’re thrown into confusion and even fear. When power fades or goes out, we need to turn to you. God, you are our power source. You are the source of light. As the lights have gone out in the Super Bowl it reminds us that you alone are

posted 8:52:33pm Feb. 03, 2013 | read full post »

SAD: A Prayer for Joy and 'Vitamin G’
“God, I need vitamin D, but even more I need ‘vitamin G.’ Today, I am heavy with sadness. These winter days are gloomy and cold and I crave the light. I was made for light. Even my body knows this. I need the vitamin D that comes from light, and now, in the shadows I feel pushed down and heavy

posted 6:58:33am Jan. 30, 2013 | read full post »

Egypt: A Prayer
“God, today we pray for Egypt, a nation one again in great turmoil. Save Egypt from violence and despair. You love this land, and always have, even when that love demanded your hand of discipline and judgment. Egypt along the Nile is intricately woven into the fabric of our histories together. It

posted 8:15:16am Jan. 29, 2013 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(1)
post a comment
John W.

posted December 1, 2010 at 4:53 pm


Government does apostasy so well. This is not our parents’ Smithsonian.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.





Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.