Even in an age in which it seems that any obscene scribbling may be passed off as art, an exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow, Scotland, has drawn the ire of Christians.

According to a July 23 article in The Times of London, “The open Bible is a central part of Made in God’s Image, an exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (Goma) in Glasgow. By the book is a container of pens and a notice saying: ‘If you feel you have been excluded from the Bible, please write your way back into it.’” Such an absurd invitation has led to predictable results: “To the horror of many Christians, including the community church, visitors have daubed its pages with comments such as ‘This is all sexist pish, so disregard it all.’ A contributor wrote on the first page of Genesis: ‘I am Bi, Female & Proud. I want no god who is disappointed in this.’”

The defaced Bible is described as a “central part” of an exhibition entitled Made in God’s Image. The exhibition was created by GoMA “artist in residence” Anthony Schrag and David Malone. Schrag — whose previous “art” included running down the street wearing a sign reading, “Culture is Dead! Long Live Entertainment!” — defended opening the Sacred Scriptures of the world’s largest religion to defamation. “If we are to open up the Bible for discussion, surely we have to invite people to speak out,” he said in the article in The Times. “Art allows us to discuss difficult things, and Goma allows difficult discussions to take place — that is why Glasgow is at the cutting edge of contemporary art.”

Such a defense is utterly nonsensical. Even from the perspective of “contemporary art,” “discussion” need not imply the destruction of the work being “discussed.” (Unless one wishes to describe the attack on Michelangelo’s David in 1991 as such an expression of “contemporary art.”) There is nothing “cutting edge” about obscenity or mocking the church’s faith. Perhaps Schrag would consider the Diocletian persecution an example of “performance art”?

The homosexual lobby’s agenda of assaulting traditional Christian teaching is implicit to the entire concept of the GoMA exhibition, according to the gallery’s website: “The intersection of sexuality and religion has often been the site of controversy, and more so for those from an LGBT perspective.... While some of the works may be controversial from the more traditional and right-leaning positions, the exhibition challenges the assumption that one cannot lead a fully spiritual life while identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and/or Intersexed. Working with various individuals, Christian and Muslim groups, artist Anthony Schrag explored the personal and communal experiences of being both LGBTI and have a faith, and looked to defy the expectation that being religious was just as much of a choice as someone’s sexuality.” Perhaps ironically, the gallery’s target audience rejects the gallery’s agenda of mixing perversion and a “fully spiritual life,” given the propensity of visitors to the exhibit for scrawling obscene meanderings next to the text of Holy Writ.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of the Christian Legal Centre, places the entire exhibition in proper perspective. As she told The Times: “This is symbolic of the state of our broken and lawless society,” she said. “We have got to a point where we call the desecration of the Bible modern art. The Bible stands for everything this art does not: for creation, beauty, hope and regeneration.”

The exhibition is scheduled to remain on display until August 22.

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Ash said:

... This work was intended for people who felt as though they had been left out of the bible to write their name back in it, it cannot be help if some people write horrible things, but look past that to the true intentions. Also look past the fact that the books with which this has been done are not THE BIBLE, just copies, which number in the millions. Also the reason it is a bible that was used was because it was a christian that wanted to allow people the choice. The artists are the faith groups that took part. I am sure if the muslim group wished to do this with the Koran then there would have been one next to the bible. So please in future don’t solely read the media spin before you judge. I am Christian, i believe that God made us, he knows us, i believe in the word of God, but i do not believe in what man has said God wants or tells us to do, i do not believe in this man made religion for that is what religion is man made. Believe in the word of God if you wish, for he made us.

July 24, 2009

Mikey Pinkie-rings said:

A reminder regarding Holy Scripture If the Bible is the Living Word, then it bears remembering that your attitudes towards a copy of it is very likely a reflection of your attitude towards our Creator Himself. Trust me, mildly devout Muslims would literally kill over a similar exhibition featuring the Koran. Muslims are amazed that Americans would even consider placing their Bible on the floor for fear that it is disrespectful!

July 24, 2009 | url

Lee Gonzales said:

Ash the semi-Christian soldier says: ".. I do not believe in what man has said God wants or tells us to do. I do not believe in this man made religion for that is what religion is man made. Believe in the word of God if you wish, for he made us." Not clear on what you are saying, Ash. Most people arrive at their beliefs by observing their parents in their devotion and love of God and His church. As you grow older and wiser you turn to the scholars and theologians who have made the study of Scripture their life's work. God gave us a brain to reason with and wouldn't it be reasonable that those who dedicate their life to the Word of God would know more than those who don't, or those who only recently opened a Bible? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas:)

July 24, 2009

Flu-Bird said:

Blasfomies not art So this is art? Just like the nasty peice called PISS CHRIST showing a picture of JESUS submirged in the artists own urine and it was froma grant from the nortorious NATIONAL ENDOWMENT for the ARTS which comes from the AMERICAN TAX PAYERS

July 24, 2009

MSgranny said:

He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best Almighty God will have the last laugh. People may spit on His word and scorn Him but they, too, will kneel before Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Sadly, it will be too late for them.

July 25, 2009

Carrie said:

Desecration of the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19) Revelation 22:18 says, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this gook of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

July 29, 2009 | url