The Long Suffering Stormtrooper Crucifix?

By Connecticut Catholic Corner

I really get disturbed by the sheer ignorance of people who think nothing they do can or will offend God.

I had a non-denominational Protestant tell me once that she was forgiven all her sins and never needed to repent of any sins because Christ already died on the cross for her past, present and future sins.

It was a "done deal" once she "accepted Jesus into her heart"- and of course said the "sinner's prayer".

I was reminded of her today, when I read a story about an "artist" who created the "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" crucifix.  The "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" is from the Star Wars movies.  The fictional soldier AKA a 'stormtrooper' has replaced Jesus Christ on a crucifix- this is "art" according to Mr. Callanan (the artist) and The Picture Frame Gallery where this "art" is displayed.

Quote (my comments is PURPLE):  Mr Callanan, whose artwork has been bought by the likes of Fatboy Slim and Russell Brand, said: “It’s not making fun of any particular religion and certainly not Christianity.” [really? What other religion is known for using the image of the crucifix?]
The piece of work represents the sacrifice of the movie stormtroopers as “cannon fodder” for someone else’s cause, said Mr Callanan, who is also known as RYCA.
The avid Star Wars fan said that he isn’t offended by Mrs Jenkin’s criticism. “If it was [Star Wars film-maker] George Lucas having a go at me I would be more upset,” he said.
Gallery owner Mark Belda, who says he was raised as a Catholic, also defended the sculpture, which is priced at more than £300 and titledThe Long Suffering Stormtrooper.
“I’ve got three customers who are priests and they all like it. [God help them if that statement is true.] I totally take on board what she’s saying, but it’s not got anything to do with religion,” said Mr Belder.

It wasn't only the ignorant artist and the "Catholic" gallery owner that bothered me - it was also the poll taken asking if the "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" was blasphemous or not.  

At the time I took the poll, only 11% were offended by the "art" of a science fiction character replacing Jesus Christ on the crucifix.  More than half thought it was 'just fine'.

"Just fine"?  Really?

I can almost understand non-Christians and atheists... but anyone who claims to be Christian - and KNOWS the suffering Jesus did for love of us -and yet finds nothing offensive about this "art" is simply... pathetic.

Do they even take a moment to THINK what that suffering was like?

Do they even take a moment to LOOK upon a true crucifix and CONTEMPLATE the pain, suffering and anguish our dear Lord went through for LOVE of us?

How... how can anyone contemplate Christ on the cross and then look at this stormtrooper 'art' and NOT be offended?

I don't get it...I truly don't understand such ignorance.

On another note... had a depiction of Islam's Mohammad been placed where the stormtrooper is I am willing to bet there would be more "offended" people in the poll.  JMO


In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner


link: http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/star_wars_stormtrooper_in_crucifix_sculpture_blasphemy_row_in_gidea_park_1_3736483

New Holy Land Cross Dedication Today

Today at 10 AM is the dedication ceremony for the new Holy Land cross in Waterbury. Last April, the original Holy Land cross was taken down after more than fifty years as a luminous beacon on Pine Hill in Waterbury. The new cross will not be lit from the inside, but instead will be lit by flood lights. For more on this story, check out this news video: http://www.wtnh.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=2602436&h1=Dedication%20ceremony%20for%20new%20Holy%20Land%20cross%20-%20by%20Kent%20Pierce&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=90967&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=14746399

This is a follow up story to: Connecticut Catholic Corner: Holy Land USA Cross Comes Down

Holy Land USA Cross Comes Down

What Connecticut resident isn't familiar with the Pine Hill cross? Certainly no one who spends any time driving on I-84 in Waterbury. The 50 foot Holy Land USA cross in Waterbury is going to be taken down on Tuesday April 8th to make way for a replacement. Holy Land USA was built in the 1950's upon Pine Hill by a Roman Catholic lawyer named John Baptist Greco. Greco wanted to create his own version of the Holy Land in miniature. Holy Land grew out of 18 acres on Pine Hill and was created and built with assorted easy to find materials. By the 1960's and 1970's there were 50,000 visitors a year to the site. What it's probably best known for though is the 50 foot cross that can be seen for miles and for years lit up the night for all to see. During Lent it would be lit in purple and at Christmas the cross was a brilliant red beacon on a hill top. I remember several night time drives to Waterbury just to see the cross lit up. As a child I visited Holy Land USA, though I don't have many memories of it and wish I had some photo's. Living in CT all my life, that 50ft cross and Holy Land have always been part of Connecticut's unique culture for me. When I heard the cross was coming down I was saddened. I know it's being replaced and the hill top won't be barren for long, but I will miss the original and all the times I stared up at that cross as a child and an adult. It's too bad Holy Land has fallen into such disrepair and closed it's gates decades ago. I would have liked to have been able to take my children there to witness one Catholics vision and dream made a reality. Perhaps one day the site will be fixed up and open it's gates once more to welcome people.

Purgatory AKA "Paradise"

JJ writes: I'd like to discuss the CC's idea of a 'purgatory' and tell you what I think. Frankly, there is no such thing as your Catholic purgatory because scripture contradicts that bad theology. We see a perfect example of that when Jesus was on the cross. Jesus said the thief would be with Him in paradise that day - and since Jesus is God and God is in heaven and on earth, the thief went to heaven that day like Jesus said. No stop in any purgatory, earthly death - then straight to Heaven!

My response: Jesus did not go to Heaven until 40 days later when he ascended, that is what scriptures say and the Catholic Church agrees. Jesus and the thief went to "paradise" that day, not Heaven where the Father is. When Mary Magdalene tries to touch him Jesus tells her not to touch him because he has NOT yet gone to the Father (John 20:17 "Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.") So we know when He was in the tomb (not yet gone to Heaven with the Father) and the thief who died with him, they did not go to Heaven, but to Paradise. This "paradise" (AKA "Abraham's Side" found in Luke 16) is purgatory for the righteous. It's were all the righteous were awaiting Jesus to open Heaven for them.

Another term used for this "paradise" was a sort of "prison" because the righteous were...locked out of Heaven if you will, until Jesus opened it.

Scripture says Jesus went to "prison" after he died to talk to the souls there, this is Paradise/Abraham's Side. Once Jesus ascended into Heaven, all the righteous from Paradise went with him.

Luke 16:19-31 (Abraham's Side- the place where the righteous went before Heaven was opened)vs 22 (in part) "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side."

1 Peter 3:18-19 (in part) "He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison,"

Acts 1:3 "After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

And vs 9 "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight".

Is the Rosary Biblical?

Have you ever heard a non-Catholic comment that the rosary is not biblical? Have you ever told them they are mistaken on that idea? To pray the rosary is to pray the scriptures in a most beautiful way.
Hail Mary full of grace, The Lord is with thee! (Lk 1:28)
Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. (Lk 1:42)
Holy Mary, Mother of God (Is.9:6) pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. (Jn 5:6)

And Luke 2:35 shows how Mary will suffer with her Son our Savior.

The Joyful mysteries are the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), Mary's visitation to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56), the Nativity (Luke 2:1-20), the presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38), and the finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52).
The Sorrowful mysteries are the agony in the garden of Gethsemane Luke 22:39-53), the scourging (John 19:1; Is. 53:5), the crowning with thorns (Mark 15:17-20), the way of the cross (Mark 15:20-22), and the Crucifixion (John 19:18-30).
The Glorious mysteries are found in the following scriptures: the Resurrection (John 20:1-29), the Ascension (Acts 1:6-12), the descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13), the Assumption of Mary (Rev. 12:12), and Mary's coronation in heaven (Rev. 12:1-2, 5).

The rosary is biblical and beautiful.