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News & ArtsMonday, June 14, 2010
Religion God Destroys Graven Image
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Was it the violation of the Second Commandment that pissed him off? Or just the fugly of it all:
The large Jesus statue iconic to Interstate 75 in Monroe was destroyed following an apparent lightning strike during a thunderstorm. Motorists were stopped along the highway and around the Monroe area to watch the 62-foot King of Kings statue burn. The fire was reported at 11:15 p.m. Monday, June 14. Within minutes, all that was left was the steel frame of the statue at Solid Rock Church, 904 N. Union Road. Church member Cassie Browning, 27, of Dayton, said she was driving north on I-75 on her way back from Tennessee when they noticed the statue was missing. “It meant so much to so many people,” Browning said.
The thing was made out of wood and styrofoam and resin. Nothing but the best—and most flammable—materials for our savior.
3
Looks like Allah has scored a few against "our side." The Lord needs some sacrifices to keep him strong if he's gonna come out on top and show that Allah character who's boss. He doesn't go in for blood sacrifices these days, but the terror, fear & confusion of molested children feed him just fine. So come on, Christian America! Bring unto the Church your children!
6
If I recall chemistry class, Styrofoam burns to release cyanide gas. Not the sort of thing you want to stand next to when it burns.
The real question is, WILL THEY REBUILD? I mean, of course they will. It's not like having lightning strike a statue of Jesus means that the lord wanted to smite it or something. He was probably aiming for the illegals trimming the grass, and missed.
The real question is, WILL THEY REBUILD? I mean, of course they will. It's not like having lightning strike a statue of Jesus means that the lord wanted to smite it or something. He was probably aiming for the illegals trimming the grass, and missed.
9
that hilarious statue was one exit up from 2 awesome flea markets. it made an excellent landmark. if you saw giant jesus then you would know you had gone too far. what will the stoned drivers of cincinnati do now?
13
If God did strike that statue with lightening, then at least we now know that God has good taste.
14
awww... i'm gonna miss big butter jesus goin up/down I-75...oh well,there's always the 10 commandments promising me eternal hell goin' up/down I-71!!!
16
Ha! They'll turn this around to say 'God is angry with the world for...blah, blah, fucking blah.' which religionists will see as an excuse for some bullshit.
17
The church spent $250K to make that thing, and they did it to help people??? Just think what else could have been done with that money...
20
So the styrofoam Jesus next to "Solid Rock Church" burned eh?
Dunno about what he thinks of graven images, but he has a good sense of humor.
Dunno about what he thinks of graven images, but he has a good sense of humor.
21
The only bad thing about this is that those who never saw it in person no longer have the chance to truly see how *incredibly* hideous this thing was. The story made. my. day.
22
Video posted this morning. "it's a sign, not a good one". How will they turn this around? http://www.whiotv.com/video/23901994/ind…
24
Hahahahaha I mean I'm glad no firefighters were hurt and it's never good to have toxic fumes filling the sky but this is freaking hilarious (though the "It's a sign!" people make me scared for the IQ level of our future).
And hey, everyone who lives in a Dryvit (tm) or other EIFS house? That's how your house will flame up if it catches fire, too. Be careful!
And hey, everyone who lives in a Dryvit (tm) or other EIFS house? That's how your house will flame up if it catches fire, too. Be careful!
27
Unbelievable - there's even a blog devoted to this damned thing:
http://jeeebus.wordpress.com/
(Check out the photo of what it looks like after the fire.)
http://jeeebus.wordpress.com/
(Check out the photo of what it looks like after the fire.)
30
Cyanides contain a C-N triple bond. Styrene doesn't contain any nitrogen, and molecular nitrogen in air doesn't react much in fires (even under pressure in a car engine, it yeilds just a little nitric oxide), so, duh, burning pure styrofoam won't produce cyanide. In a plastic fire with a nitrogen-containing component like ABS (or wood, which contains plenty of nitrogen), maybe you'd get some cyanide. But careless burning of styrofoam will produce plenty of other toxic glop you don't want to breath!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene…
31
I hated that thing. It's ugly and tacky, although it does a good job of pointing out the crazy of that particular church. My uncle went there once and never went back. The congregants were rude and sanctimonious along with a liberal dose of Christian crazy.
Although it did make a good landmark. That was our favorite thing to spot on marching band roadtrips on 75.
Although it did make a good landmark. That was our favorite thing to spot on marching band roadtrips on 75.
32
The holy ghost is pissed that JC may get a show on Comedy Central and not him. Watch out there, god the father he will smite you next!
33
@3 Actually, Allah and Yahweh (Jehovah, etc.) are the same guy (from the perspectives of the various religions that follow him; the names are just different transliterations from Ancient Hebrew /YodHeVavHe/). The religious war of Christianity vs. Islam is entirely an earthly one over how The Big Insecure Authoritarian Fairy in the Sky (if they get to pick names, I do too!) wants to be worshiped. No great theistic battles in the heavens over that one.
As for the story, that's pretty funny, especially because it directly impacts a group of people who are wont to ascribe directed intelligence to random natural phenomena. If your worldview is predicated on everything MEANING something, I have to wonder what having your giant Jesus statue destroyed by a bolt from the heavens MEANS. Probably that you're not doing enough to spread His Good Word, given the astounding mental-gymnastics abilities of the faithful.
As for the story, that's pretty funny, especially because it directly impacts a group of people who are wont to ascribe directed intelligence to random natural phenomena. If your worldview is predicated on everything MEANING something, I have to wonder what having your giant Jesus statue destroyed by a bolt from the heavens MEANS. Probably that you're not doing enough to spread His Good Word, given the astounding mental-gymnastics abilities of the faithful.
35
Wow! Can't fathom why it was built, though. I'm guessing it is missed by many, kind of like those billboards along I-5 in Washington as I'm heading north; they are intended to be some kind of inspiration/condemnation to those driving by, but they really serve as a marker as to where we are with relation to our travel destination. Bummer for those who loved it, but I am betting that they can find better use for their funds than rebuilding it: mobile denistry clinics, mobile health clinics, soup kitchen, shelter for those who's homes are outside, clothing closet, food pantry, fresh water ground wells...
36
I have family in Ohio and always thought that statue was creepy! Of course this morning there is video! Jesus is Burning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAAj1OiH-…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAAj1OiH-…
37
Apparently a giant "Hustler Hollywood" sign at the adult store across the street was untouched.
God hates bad art, likes porn. Man, it is going to be hard to continue being an atheist.
God hates bad art, likes porn. Man, it is going to be hard to continue being an atheist.
39
So THAT'S what happened to the bolt of lightning that was aimed at Orlando's pride celebration a few years back. Pat Robertson, eat your heart out.
41
speaking of Pat Robertson, what will he say about this? Fred Phelps? Bring on the freak show!
I think I saw an aborted fetus in the flames. Or perhaps a shellfish eater.
I think I saw an aborted fetus in the flames. Or perhaps a shellfish eater.
42
That hideous thing was about 20 minutes from my house. I'm glad to see it gone! Of course the "pastors" of that "church" will probably have it rebuilt. Or maybe they'll just wait 3 days to see if it reappears.
44
Lulz.
@30: I spotted that too, having sat through a year of O-Chem. I think #6 might have meant carbon monoxide (which is almost isoelectronic with HCN). CO, of course, is toxic because it complexes with hemoglobin, causing asphyxiation, and is generated by the incomplete combustion of just about any hydrocarbon.
@30: I spotted that too, having sat through a year of O-Chem. I think #6 might have meant carbon monoxide (which is almost isoelectronic with HCN). CO, of course, is toxic because it complexes with hemoglobin, causing asphyxiation, and is generated by the incomplete combustion of just about any hydrocarbon.
45
They are rebuilding the Jesus, so maybe they can have a ceremony with Dina Martina who will say "He has Risen!!"
46
The lightening strike was obviously a warning to Obama for being a Muslim, communist with no birth certificate.
47
Wait, what happened to Loveschild anyway? Did she finally get banned? Not that I miss her, but I just realized I have no idea why she stopped posting her garbage here.
48
Now if only a few strikes could head towards the angels Moroni on the tops of the (rapidly multiplying) temples here....
49
I've had to drive by that obnoxious monstrousity whenever I visit family in Cincy. Please don't judge us Ohio people too harshly. 99% of the people I know are totally creeped out by that thing. And I just can't get this stupid grin off my face.
52
@33
Oh, geez, I didn't know any of all that, all I know is what I read in Jack Chick comics and the Kentucky Creation Museum.
I also know that I'm a sarcastic asshole. You may not have noticed.
Oh, geez, I didn't know any of all that, all I know is what I read in Jack Chick comics and the Kentucky Creation Museum.
I also know that I'm a sarcastic asshole. You may not have noticed.
53
I'm imagining Xenu with Jehova in a headlock saying, "stop smiting yourself," over and over as he points I AM's lightning hurling finger at the earth.
54
I actually just took a vacation to New Orleans by way of Nahville with some friends. We're from Ontario and drove right past this on the way down and back. My initial reaction, as was my buddy driving (the third was passed out in the back of the car) was "What the fuck, is Jesus drowning?"
56
I once visited a village in Nayarit, Mexico. I was the first live American kids in the village had ever encountered. When I said I lived in Cincinnati...they responded..."you live near the giant Jesus...that's really crazy." It must be rebuilt...better, stonger, faster.
57
I know, 54. What exactly is Jesus doing? It looks like he is in a yoga pose with his legs crossed? Or is that a cross near his waist and he's climbing ON TOP of the cross, (perhaps to get out of the water)? Why is only half of him there? Isn't it blasphemous to chop Jesus in half? I SO don't understand. Boggles the mind.
58
A lot of people made light of the 62 foot high graven image for a long time. I hear it at the office all day long. I personally believe that God got fed up with the foolishness and decided to torch it. I don't claim to know exactly why it happened, but it sure does reveal the heart of people who are commenting about it. If your believe the scripture, your can understand why its gone.
59
A lot of people made light of the 62 foot high graven image for a long time. I hear it at the office all day long. I personally believe that God got fed up with the foolishness and decided to torch it. I don't claim to know exactly why it happened, but it sure does reveal the heart of people who are commenting about it. If your believe the scripture, your can understand why its gone.
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