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.
