28/07/2024
Well, well, Mr. Speaker of the House, let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Remember when those French cartoonists were murdered because they dared to draw the Prophet in Charlie Hebdo? I certainly do—because I personally knew them and it was a shining example of radical faith gone off the deep end. Is this the direction we're headed in now?
Let’s be clear: nowhere in Christianity is it considered blasphemy to paint Jesus. You’re not outraged by Da Vinci’s interpretations or by paintings that show Jesus as some sort of Norse god, but you’re losing your mind over this? The Last Supper was painted by an Italian about 1,498 years after the event. If you’re going to be offended on Da Vinci’s behalf, fine—art is subjective. But do you really think Da Vinci’s version would offend Jesus himself? Given the difference between historical accuracy and Da Vinci’s artistic license, I’m pretty sure Jesus would just chuckle and quote, “Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
France has been enforcing the separation of church and state—something you in the UNITED STATES actually enshrined in the FIRST Amendment of your Constitution. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, you might want to brush up on this document that so many people cherry-pick to suit their agendas.
If you don’t like the art, that’s your prerogative. It’s art—some will love it, some will hate it. Some will use it as an excuse to stir up division and hatred, like you’re doing, rather than just shrugging it off and moving on.
"The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects religious liberty and the separation of church and state through two provisions: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause:
Establishment Clause
The first clause of the First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". This prevents the government from creating an official religion or favoring one religion over another. The U.S. Supreme Court has established a three-part test to determine if something constitutes an "establishment of religion":
The primary purpose of the assistance must be secular.
The assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion.
There is no excessive entanglement between church and state."
