WHAT WOULD JESUS THINK?

From the Guardian:

At more than 100ft tall, it will tower imperiously over the Polish town of Swiebodzin. But a giant statue of Jesus currently under construction has divided Polish Catholics and led to charges of megalomania against the Catholic church.

The 36 metre (118ft)-high structure is being built on a 16 metre-high hill in the western Polish town. Locals claim it will be taller, just, than the 80-year-old Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, currently the world's highest statue of Jesus.

The main body of Swiebodzin's Jesus is 33 metres high – a metre for each year he lived – and is topped with a 3 metre-high metal crown of thorns.

So. The statue will be higher than Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. What would Jesus think of the competition to have the tallest statue of him? Not much, I expect.

The project has split Polish society with some expressing pride, others derision, and with many practising Catholics calling for it to be abandoned. The chief building inspector has received threats, including having a brick thrown through his car window.

Jesus would not think much of the expressions of pride, nor would he approve of death threats or bricks thrown at car windows.

Remember "Touchdown Jesus" at the Solid Rock Church? Lightening struck the statue and set it afire, which resulted in its destrction.

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

What folly. Next time someone, anyone, has the bright idea to build another tall statue of Jesus, why not kill the idea, give it a decent burial, and give the money to the poor?

Thanks to Paul (A.) for the link.

"TOUCHDOWN JESUS" DESTROYED BY LIGHTNING AND FIRE

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Lightning struck and ignited a fire late Monday that destroyed a 62-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ with his arms stretched toward the skies, according to Monroe police.

The only thing visible this morning is the charged frame of the structure.

“It burned to the ground. The whole statue is gone,” said Kim Peace, a police dispatcher.

The large “King of Kings” statue was a Butler County landmark since it was erected in 2004 outside Solid Rock Church, 904 N. Union Rd., along northbound Interstate 75 in Monroe just north of the Ohio 63 exit.
....

The sculpture stretches 40 feet wide at the base. It was made of plastic form and fiberglass over a steel frame. The frame is the only thing visible this morning.

According to the evangelical church's website, there are about 4,000 members. The church was founded by former horse trader Lawrence and Darlene Bishop of Middletown.

I'm pretty much speechless about this story. Maybe something will come to me later.

Thanks to Ann.

Top image from Wiki.