Expert Answer Forum
icon of christ QUESTION from Frances March 24, 1999 We have a retreat centre in our area that depicts Christ on the cross above the altar in the nude.The rational given concerning this representation is that Christ was naked on the cross and that artists always showed this truth until some time in the middle ages when they began to cover Christ for puritanical reasons.The people who run the centre say they derive deep meaning in focusing on this humiliation of Jesus.
Thank you for your response.
yours in Christ
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius on March 29, 1999 Dear Frances:
As a professional artist myself my reaction to the situation your describe is not printable.
It is only my opinion, but in this day-and-age where our culture is totally and complete bathed in sexual energized and charged images, to depict Christ totally nude (and accurately) will serve to further inculcate especially youngsters into this culture of sexuality. Will pre-teen girls and boys come into the church and giggle? Probably so.
The excuse of the alleged depiction of Christ in such a manner hundreds of years ago is bogus. First off, people with this mentality are not to be trusted in their 'history'. Second, this isn't hundreds of years ago (when people were more mature) this is today, a self-indulgent, immature, sexually charged culture on the brink of total disintegration (largely due to the disintegration of sexual modesty).
I am reminded of a quote from Mother Teresa who was told that the sex and violence on TV was just a depiction of real life. She is reported to have said, Honey, diarrhea is real life too; that doesn't mean I want to see it on TV.
Now, John-Paul, tells us what you really think :-)
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