A church in Oklahoma is actually losing members over a crucifix on display. The problem is the artist has painted Jesus with a 'distended abdomen', or perhaps a six-pack (actually a four-pack in this case), that is making all the filthy-minded Catholics think of something else.
I'm looking at the dimensions of that thing and thinking that they also seem to have a highly unrealistic expectation of Jesus' endowment. Also that he gets aroused in very peculiar circumstances — who knew Jesus was a masochistic sub?
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is that a boner, or some seriously badly drawn abs?
what, no nipples?
...
*bursts spleen laughing*
What's the big deal? We all knew he was hung.
In the immortal words of G.O.B.: "oh c'mon!"
If that wasn't deliberate, then my name isn't Watson.
Not only was Jesus crucified, he was hung as well.
that's what I get for posting without reading the description :-p
Aren't all masochists going to be subs? Can you be a dom and a masochist?
The king of glory, indeed.
Oh, Glory!
[laughing up a storm here]
Heh. I read some of the comments, it was mostly women, in dire need of the fainting couch, over the sexualization of Jesus!!!!1! For people who think Jesus was real, they seem to think he was a life size Ken Doll.
Jack (#8):
I've certainly known some subs that only a masochistic Dom/me would want, but I can't say I've met any masochistic Dom/mes. It's certainly a curious idea.
OK, now [wiping tears of laughter] I followed the link and looked at some other San Damiano crucifixes. For what it's worth, they all have that shape above the loin cloth--but not as big and bulgy as this one. No, I still don't really understand why. Iconography was never my thing.
Hey, the artist was just copying what the father showed him in coral practice...
Besides, Mary? on his right appears to be staring.
And, if you are going to idolize a brutal form of torture, and them eat the victim and drink his blood...
Now I understand the whole soggy sao thing (google it). We have the cracker, now we have the rest.
Maybe is an early design for another one of these.
The "distended abdomen" explanation is absurd. No matter what the artist intended, no one could fail to see what it looks like. I'm very interested in the motivation of the church for displaying it.
Waiting for Godot, act 1
(hopefully the tags hold)
Did they have to head it "The King's Glory" or there abouts? yeesh.
Heh heh. Who knew indeed. It's about time we see some pareidolia in Jesus.
That must be why, when de ladeez finally get to see my trouser snake, they so often exclaim:
"Jesus!"
It seems outrageous, but I did a google image search on "San Damiano cross" and there is precedent for this style, eg:
http://www.iconsbydelphia.com/damianocxpage.html
Jesus looks mildly irritated at all the attention, too.
You know what they say, Deus Omnius Maximus - so why are they surprized that their god has (and incidentally, is) the biggest dick?
Just setting aside the phallic overtones for a minute, is anyone else a bit disturbed by all the blood and skulls? Is this a church or a Megadeath concert anyway?
If you told me that people would voluntarily take their kids to see this kind of gore, and then let them spend 10 minutes alone in a dark closet with a sex-starved pedophile priest, I'd say you were nuts.
The Raised Erection Of Christ
There is a reason why Christianity is called a death cult.
well, yeah. All "San Damiano crucifixes" are copies or interpretations of the San Damiano crucifix, the one that always hung in the church in (yes) San Damiano. The damn thing apparently spoke to St. Francis one time. The weird abs-rendering is not only not obscene, it's just holy as all get out. Idiots.
You shoulda been there on the third day!
The distended abdomen is actually in the original San Damiano cross, with the two bulges at the bottom and all.
And I'm not sure about it being a bulge; looks to me like it's meant to represent an abdomen collapsing inwards, possibly due to starvation, or possibly because the chest is pushed outwards trying to breathe.
But people who think it's meant to be genitalia really need to get a sense of perspective.
robertdw:
Xtians are obsessed with sex. They see genitalia everywhere.
Odd fact. Jesus is reported to have had up to 18 penises according to the RCC.
As god, he could of course poof as many as he wanted to for himself. Still, 18 seems a bit excessive.
I've also never seen a crucifix with an 18 penis jesus so where he hung them all is a bit of a mystery.
PS The last jesus foreskin remaining was stolen a few years ago. Too bad, we now could run some amazing DNA tests on god, blood time, ethnicity, and so on. Conceivably someday we could have even resurrected him! Would that be cool or what?
Well, shouldn't a son of God have the genitalia of a deity?
@19
You can also see something similar in many Orthodox icons. It appears to be a way of depicting an ascetic body. In better painted examples you can see that the top shape represents the concave arch below the ribs that you get on someone is quite skinny and is also raising their arms above their head. That bit is often shaded to look concave, but some artists do just copy the shape without bothering about what it represents. The rounded or somewhat distended stomach is also common on people who are malnourished.
So yes, anatomy fail, understanding of the tradition of sacred art fail, and major technique fail.
As funny as this is, I'm actually a bit disheartened by the fact that people are leaving their church over this.
Ok, that might need some explanation.
I've been in a few conversations with people about the Catholic Church lately and I've been saying that I wish that we could see more people leave the Church in protest. The RCC derives its massive power and influence from its vast numbers and monetary resources, so people should hit them where it hurts if they disagree with their practices. If people started leaving the Church, saying that they won't support those who protect child molesters, lie about condoms et cetera, the Church would start losing some of that power and money and would have to change to keep people from leaving.
I said that I know that there are millions of good, nice, non-crazy Catholics and I'd love to see them leave over the atrocities performed by their church. People have told me that I'm naive - that it's impossible; their church is too much of their identity and culture - they can't leave it.
I kept arguing that hey, people can of course be good even if they believe in strange things and I'd bet that a lot of them can see that it's the right thing to do. Besides, they can just leave the RCC and bring with them all that really matters - they can still pray to the Virgin Mary, believe in the Holy Trinity, gather up to pray and read the Bible in Latin together or whatever.
But people keep telling me no, that won't happen. People are too set in their ways. Even if they disagree with what the Church is doing in regards to child molesters, sex education, aids in Africa, gay rights et cetera, they won't leave and I shouldn't expect them to.
But now you come and tell me that they will leave over this crap?
Sure, sure, I know that some people really have left because of the child molestations and so on. But if a few people can leave their church over a trifling, silly, minor detail like this well-hung Jesus, then people should be fleeing the RCC by the millions. And that should have started years ago.
Although I'll also say that if I had to look at that in the front of the church every Sunday, I'd find another parish too. Actually, being me, what I'd really do, I'd sleep in.
Rather than healing paralytics I think this Jesus made a few women unable to walk.....
Ghastly's Ghastly Comic knew Jesus was kinky years ago: http://www.ghastlycomic.com/d/20040411.html.
A Dutch poet once wrote:
which roughly translates to :
Ok, I know what it looks like... but that being said, this is common for Byzantine icons. Tour a Greek Orthodox or Serbian Orthodox church sometime, they're full of these. A lot of the "baptism of Jesus" icons have the same abdomen rendering; it's not limited to crucifixion scenes.
Does this have anything to do with the Second Coming?
There's also a pointless pole there.
Huh. Early 12th Century.
'kipedia:
Why do all the girls like Jesus? Cause he was hung like this (stretch out arms).
Praise Him! PRAISE HIM!!!!
Never mind the giant wang, look at Jesus's freaking face. He's all "hey ladies" and it's seriously creeping me out.
Jesus Christ Pornstar
Wasn't Jebus supposed to be circumcised? It looks like he has one of those defective foreskins that don't peel back over the German helmet. Intelligent design indeed...
Back in the day, my mom (a darned good painter and a lifelong church-going United Methodist) painted a mountain landscape. And when you looked at the landscape without, say, concentrating on making the paint look like a cliff or sky or something, the mountains looked like a guy lying on his back covered in a gauzy sheet (maybe the shroud of Turin?). With a huge erection. It would be, were it an actual mountain, at least an eighth of a mile long. It's one of those things that, once you see it, you can't unsee it.
So Jesus may have been hung, but when it comes to accidentally painted penises, I think mom's got the title. (At least, until someone finds a schlong in one of those "artist's rendition of space" paintings.)
Also that he gets aroused in very peculiar circumstances — who knew Jesus was a masochistic sub?
We already knew he was a cannibalism bottom: "This is my body. Take. Eat." Why should a torture bottom be surprising?
Jesus least know divine power:
Having a package that puts Ron Jeremy to shame.
Isn't that part of the body called the 'six pack' and is a left over from our insect ancestors?
People are pattern spotters so no surprise many see a penis. What is more surprising is that apparently the original images from years ago were not perceived the same way. Are we now conditioned to see dicks?
I find the grinning skull beneath his feet creepy.
Ancestors with segmentally organized trunk muscles, yes.
Insects?
no.
Wow, just when I thought christians' internet peen was shriveling, with the way they whine about how evil atheists bully them with porn on twitter, they hit back with this?
It's a "San Damiano" cross ... they have looked like that for centuries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Damiano_cross
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kruis_san_damiano.gif
Have those people no respect for the traditions of their church?
"Odd fact. Jesus is reported to have had up to 18 penises according to the RCC."
During the height of the holy relic industry there were across Europe no fewer than 14 foreskins of Jeshua ready for veneration(?). Did the so-called church loose track/count? Did the bris-meister tire out? Did the other/missing 4 go to Eastern Orthodox sites? This may go some way toward explaining the schism between Rome & Constantinople.
It seems to be growing out of his belly button.
"Jesus, is that a hernia or are you just glad to see me?"
I see Jesus dresses to the left. Good to know.
An international decades-long cover-up of child rape is tolerable, but this, this is the last straw causing people to leave?
WTF?
Nice priorities there, you pearl-clutching, vapour-having pedophile enablers. The solution is clear. Paint one of those cutesy rosy-cheeked chubby little baby angels getting it balls deep over the offending bit. They're OK with that, I guess.
Well, there's plenty of switches. I knew someone who was a domme to one partner and a sub to the other. As most of us have probably figured out in our lives, you need to make the relationship fit the people, not the other way around. Also, while I admit that I know very little of the lifestyle, I've been told that the best way to learn to be a good top is to start at the as a bottom.
[metal pedant] Megadeth [/metal pedant]
\m/
Yes, that's completely anatomically wrong. I thought by now everyone knew the nails have to go through the wrists, not the palms.
Stupid artist.
Hmm... this one reeks of passive aggressive humor. Perhaps someone was having a quiet laugh at the expense of some clergy several hundred years ago?
Or maybe some artist had an instinctive guess as to what features and proportions his benefactor might appreciate in a Jesus icon? Either way it is pretty fucking hysterical.
@58
Bible says the nails were in the hands, and we know the Bible is never wrong about anything...
These morons, as usual, have no clue about their own religion.
It's a coherent concept, but I'm guessing it's not that common.
No suprise here, since his father seems to like such thing. (For those of you who don't know, read the Old Testament).
No suprise here, since his father seems to like such thing. (For those of you who don't know, read the Old Testament).
------------------
You forgot to mention that the story come with is own (pointless) poll. So, don't forget to pharyngulate the aforementioned poll.
Now that's one Big Swinging Jesus.
*giggle*
*snorting giggles*
*full-blown laughter*
I'm sorry, but that looks like a giant dong to me....
And ya'll thought that everything was big only in Texas!!
Jesus Christ, Superstud ........
Remember: Oklahoma is OK.
not great ....... just OK
Hey!!! That's where I went to grade school!! And I was an altar boy too!! I really wanted to ring the bells, but I never got to do it. I'm visiting OKC right now. I'm going to go over there and look at it, in the Flesh. Woo Hoo!!!
Gee, what a surprise. Nobody outside the catholic church saw /that/ coming.
raven @ 29
Listen and learn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLGAHepMhbg
See also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs7NbgkgbQU
Zabinatrix @ 32
There is a long history of folks of the church-hopping variety, who change their parish or denomination because they don't like that new priest so much, or the rosary club wasn't quite going their way.
Leaving over something substantial? Meh.
Jesus Christ, it's a shlong!
Get back in the car!
LOL@0:50: "The original cross is in [a sissy], Italy..."
I'm a gay male atheist and I approve this crucifix.
I'm way too slow with my "hung Saviour" pun. Oh well, I support pictures like this in all churches. If they are going to be dicks, they might as well openly worship one.
Pfft. A perfectly nice painting of a male reproductive organ in rude good health, utterly ruined by the sick addition of a religious icon.
Isn't there supposed to be some rule about "graven images?" Looks like this abdominal oddity has a history...
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=San+Damiano+cross&um=1&ie=UTF-8&so…
I was raised Greek Orthodox, and I must say it took me a while to understand what this was about, by looking at that picture. I have seen such depictions of Christ many times.
It is, as others have noted, a very common artistic style. The only flaw in the picture is, perhaps, that the shading on the side is a bit too intense, making the abdomen look as if it's protruding more than it should. The dirty mind of the 'faithful' does the rest.
Seriously: If they are not predisposed to see dicks everywhere, I seriously doubt if one would immediately see that as an image of a penis (emerging from the middle of the belly, nonetheless).
Seriously, Christians, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Hmmm, looks a bit pagan to me!
From now on I will feel more respect for those who say to be married to Jesus!
Actually, I have heard of this phenom recently. Someone wrote a whole book about it-
The Sexuality of Christ in Renaissance Art and in Modern Oblivion by Leo Steinberg
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0226771873/geomtrack9-20/ref=nos…
In the description: “(The author) argues that the artists regarded the deliberate exposure of Christ's genitalia as an affirmation of kinship with the human condition.”
There's an idiotic poll question on the linked site:
An icon at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Warr Acres has created controversy among parishioners. Do you find it offensive?
Yes
No
Ummm...? Yes, because it is a religious symbol, and nearly all religious symbols arouse my ire. No, because it's frackin' hilarious. Can't decide.
Or is the question whether or not I find the controversy to be offensive? Can't anyone make an intelligent meaningless poll?
Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 15-16: "We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love".
I'm probably the only person reminded of the song Christian Woman http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Woman_(song) by the band Type O Negative. It's about a woman mastrubating with a crucifix.
Jesus of Finland
He has risen, indeed.
they should add some children reaching up trying to touch it... you know to make it more Catholic
So they bought a crappy piece from an artist who doesn't know how to draw abs (or nipples), and who apparently never bothered to get a second opinion before delivering the finished piece.
The fact that the church didn't go back to the artist and say, "Fix it" just demonstrates that they're idiots.
Never mind the fact that Jesus, being of Hebraic (and possibly also Roman) descent was certainly much more hairy, and that the scripture says he was crucified after being stripped naked.
Looks like I am a Jesus worshiper, but this time it's for the right reason. If Jesus went to college right now do you think his nickname would be "Donger."
Probably one of the most accurate depictions of Jesus. If you were a god able to create your own genitalia what male here wouldn't reach to his chest and be big around as his arm?
I'd love to ask the offended xians, "So how big was your savior's penis?" but that would make me sound TOO interested in the wrong thing.
(Tray, actually I wouldn't. Having one that big would mean I can't wear shorts or t-shirts without running the risk of being arrested for indecent exposure.)
Were you drawn by an incompetent, or are you just happy to see me?
You think this picture is funny, thinking about it as an executed man with en erect penis? You sure would have loved being nazis during WW2.
http://www.rusnecro.com/english/stories/hanged_hostages_in_trees.htm
So much fun, with photo session and all.
PZ: who knew Jesus was a masochistic sub
Sometimes, you surprise me. You really don't get what's driving religion, do ya? Of course he was a masochistic sub -- that's what Christianities about, building societies composed mostly of subs and a few doms. It's the propagation of the worst of Rome.
What do ya think a cross is, but a phallic S&M trip?
Err... anyone who was planning on inserting it into a partner at some point.
That is not a "man" and he is not being "executed". It is a god experiencing the pain and pleasures of the flesh, dingbat.
Wow, what I've heard about the Internet is true. Reductio ad Hitlerum is always an option. I would never have imagined a Godwin on a thread like this, but there it is.
I just can't stop laughing. The mere thought of the throngs of sheeple looking up at his holiness' holiness... Ha ha, there I go again!
Of course. It there were nipples he couldn't show his work on Facebook or Deviantart.
Pah! You call that a penis? Check out the loincloth on Jesus in Lucas Cranach the Elder's Crucifixion. Now that's a penis.
Watson #83 -- great!
Perhaps the reason it looks like the appendage starts in his belly is that the testicles are low-hangers, and have been pulled up over the loincloth. That conclusion certainly fits the available visual evidence.
I don't get it. Sure, his genitals look a bit small to me, but nothing to be ashamed of. I'm only a little bigger.
Holy Christ on a stale cracker! Just looking at that thing makes my orifices scream in horror.
On the other hand, if there was a push toward displaying nude hotties at church, I might actually consider going once in a while. haha
Hm? I could'Ve sworn I saw that image years ago.... Are they getting pissed just now?
you mean, like, 900 years ago?
The artist was paying attention, it's just that Tom of Finland was guest lecturer that day.
Now the story about Peter denying him thrice before the cock crowed makes more sense.
Har!
(@#106)
You sure love being a fool right now.
#6, you win the interwebs for the day. :)
The rod of God.
In related news: Our* Lady of Fátima by Atlantis Crystal.
*"Their Lady"? Or is it just a name like "Holy Roman Empire" that doesn't need the words to be true? Statues of her are bloody everywhere in these parts and never know how I ought to refer to them.
@111
Woah. I predict some poor doctors will be gingerly removing that holy statue from some very dirty mission work.
Folks seem to be unaware of traditional iconographic practices. This isn't meant to be Western "art" following well-established norms for drawing; it's religious iconography. Surely we can learn the difference in the West, and get over our Freudian proclivities in appreciating religious iconography.
MikeM is reminded of this:
Basil: Did we get Dr. Evil?
Radar Operator: No, sir, he got away in that big spaceship that looks like a huge...
Teacher: Penis. The male reproductive organ. Also known as tallywhacker, schlong, or...
Friendly Dad: Wiener? Any of your kids want another wiener?
Friendly Son: Dad, what's that?
Friendly Dad: I don't know, son, but it has great big...
Peanut Vendor: Nuts. Hot, salty nuts. Who wants some?...
Peanut Vendor: Lord Almighty!
Woman: That looks just like my husband's...
Circus Barker: ONE-EYED MONSTER. Step right up and see the One-eyed Monster!
Cyclops: RARRR.
Cyclops: Hey, what's that? It looks like a...
Fan: Woody. Woody Harrelson. Could I have your autograph?
Woody: Sure. Oh, my Lord! Look at that thing!
Fan: It's so huge.
Woody: No, I've seen bigger. That's...
Dr. Evil: Just a little prick.
113 you're preaching to the choir in one way since art history was kind of my thing.
I'm aware of the history of the religious icon, but actually I think if you allow yourself to ignore things like the very dickishness of the abs in this painting or the gory images of saints with their bowels being removed you are actually the one glossing over the content.
After all, have you ever seen the paintings of the wound of christ before? http://kaganof.com/kagablog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/vv5.JPG
You wanna pretend that's not intentional?
Well, someone at andrew sullivan's blog made this waaaay more interesting (to me anyway, and probably a handful of others, I wager (sickos)):
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/04/religious-…
The post refers to a gallery which is worth a look.
Here's the text (linkless):
"""In reference to this post, I thought you might be interested to know that Alexandre Leupin happens to have written an entire book (in French) on the subject of penises in Christian art. Here is a photo gallery of some interesting examples of "phallophanies." """