Why Christian Art Should Be Banned

   There are many people these days that seem to gravitate toward simple solutions to complex problems. For example, someone was killed by a bullet, we should outlaw guns. Or, since a person can’t raise a family or buy a house with a burger flipping job, let’s raise their wage so they earn $60,000 a year so now they can.

   They seek a political solution to all our ills. The thought process is about a centimeter deep. It seems like a good idea for the three seconds that they ponder it. These solutions never work because there are always unintended consequences to all these actions. It’s unfortunate that elected officials entertain such stupid notions, either to be popular or are stupid themselves.

   But since dumb ideas are gaining in popularity, I have decided to jump on the bandwagon.

   So I propose that we ban Christian Art. Not Art in general, just Christian Art.

   Hear me out and follow the reasoning. In our world today we have a plethora of thorny issues that can be traced back to a core problem: Men and their lack of leadership. If you fix that one thing, everything else will begin to turn around.

   There are men who lack the nerve to commit and get married, and the traditional family suffers. Co-habitation is popular because it offers an exit strategy that is quick and painless, except for the kids and the lousy example they see.

   The men who do marry often lack the maturity to keep a promise that was made when it ceases to be fun. There are dead-beat dads who need their money more than the kids need provision, and there are bums that just don’t like the work thing because it’s not always the pleasure that little boys in men’s bodies need a steady supply of.

   Welfare payments and food stamps are needed and taxes go up, taking from the people who are trying to do things the right way. And the single Mom has to work and struggle instead of making a happy home for her kids to be raised in.

   Inner city gangs happen because of kids with no guidance and too much time. Drugs, hopelessness and irresponsibility abound and perpetuate. This all happens because one person failed to set an example for someone else to follow and shirked the responsibility to lead in a small way.

   We look for a hero to lead, but we look in the wrong places. We often turn to the media and see athletes beating up their girlfriends, movie stars getting DUI s and politicians caught in a scandal.

   So what does all this have to do with Christian Art? It’s simple. The Headwaters of everything that makes a society function has been horribly misrepresented. Look at the artwork of Christ over the centuries. He is shown as this mopey, limp-wristed guy staring down at the ground. There is this aura thing around his head and his palm is always turned up. These paintings are full of symbolism and were done with good intentions but sorely misleading. Jesus Christ was bold and confrontational. He challenged the leaders of His day to their face. He never shrunk from controversy. Also, He would have been a blast to be around. He drew crowds everywhere because people wanted to be near Him. The artwork depicts a sad faced Jesus that didn’t know how to smile. Seriously? What did He talk about? Joy, abundant life, hospitality to strangers, being a light to others; how do you live that out and never smile?

   The plagues in society mentioned above can all be cured by this one Man. But no one considers Him as a possible solution because He looks wimpy. If the ancient artists painted Jesus more like William Wallace in “Braveheart”, complete with warpaint, perhaps more men would emulate His leadership and become real men. Men that protect their family, love their wives and provide for their children make for a strong nation.

   Although it is oversimplified, you understand why I think Christian Art should be banned. It hides the solution our country is desperately searching for.

  

   

The Sugar Police

   The dictionary defines “dignity’ as “ bearing, conduct or speech indicative of respect or appreciation.” The word came to mind recently as I was watching the news as they reported about Mayor Bloomberg banning large sodas in New York City. It has since been struck down by a clear thinking judge.

   How much regard for dignity is shown when an official bans a soft drink? It isn’t cocaine, it’s not alcohol, it’s just fattening. Maybe he thinks he was elected Mama of New York instead of Mayor.

   Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for Coca Cola, I don’t even like the stuff. But I am a big fan of freedom. I like to think of it as being the Sovereign King of a kingdom the size of the space my feet occupy. It’s not a huge domain but it’s all mine. The surrounding territory I may have little power over. No matter. I control where I live, what I do for a living and . . . what goes inside my mouth Mr. Bloomberg. I have this covered, thank you. I still own ME. You have invaded my personal space, please back away quickly Sir.

   Apparently, all of the serious problems have been eradicated in New York. There is no unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse or crime of any kind since the top cat is focusing on bad habits now. After love handles are conquered, I wonder what will be the next frontier? Dirty windows? Restrooms out of paper towels? How about nose blowing in a restaurant? Now that is a threat to life as we know it. Perhaps we should cite clerks that don’t say ‘thank you’ enthusiastically enough?

   That may sound ridiculous, but it is the natural progression to monitoring what legal drinks people consume. This kind of Utopia seeking nut will never stop at soft drinks. They will continue until they are content with the perfect world they have created. And this crowd always thinks they are getting closer every day. One more law here, another restriction there, and before you know it, all will be well except for the fact that no one can legally leave their home.

   I don’t mean to pick on New York. Chicago is another fine example of the Nanny from Hell.

   In a city that can boast of the highest homicide rate in the country, take a guess at what Mayor Rahm Emanuel has on his little liberal brain. Sugary snacks! We’ll deal later with the teenagers shot to death in the inner city, world renown government corruption and the eroding manufacturing base. That’s all silliness! It’s the Honey-Buns in the vending machine that will push us over the cliff. Hershey Bar task forces are what is called for in a desperate situation like this.

   Please excuse my sarcasm here. It can’t be helped. The shocking thing isn’t that politicians suggest this kind of buffoonery, it’s that they can say it with a straight face. Is anyone else offended at the hubris it takes to be a self appointed food cop?

   If a Mayor can dictate what a city is permitted to eat, maybe it’s not too intrusive enough to oversee personal hygiene? Bathroom habits should be randomly checked to insure that the all-important public safety is intact. After all, people can die from E-coli. There. We have our justification. The dirty little fools need supervised. Like stupid children, they need us even if they don’t like it.

   Of course it is even worse at the federal level. What is Obamacare, but a cradle to casket plan to oversee lives? ‘This is a dangerous activity, you needn’t do that, this is bad for you Sweetie, stop it now!’ or ‘You will buy health insurance you don’t need and can’t afford, or else!’

   The paradox is that these are the so-called pro-choice leaders of the nation. ‘You have every right to an abortion if that’s what you want’ is their proud motto. Now, just to be clear, what we are saying is that we have the right to end the life of a sleeping unborn child, but when it comes to the beverage at lunch, these are decisions that should be left to the wiser, deeper thinking leaders in charge. Okay. I’m clear now.

  Our nation has lost its vision of personal freedom and how precious it is. Our Founding Fathers thought it was worth dying for. I believe they would be embarrassed to see their descendants being led around by the nose by elected control freaks. We haven’t lost our dignity; we gave it away.