Artist’s depiction of ‘Saint Bill Clinton’ pisses off Christians.

Posted by Les on Monday, September 20, 2004 at 09:34 AM. Read 797 times. Tags:
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Some people have no sense of humor. Graphic designer Scott Ritcher has stirred up some self-righteous indignation after creating a tongue-in-cheek painting of former President Bill Clinton titled Saint Clinton which he is selling on t-shirts and lunch boxes from his similarly named website. The folks over at WingNut Daily have an article up about the controversy which reprints some of the comments angry Christians have sent Scott. Scott recently responded to his critics with the following:

When I made the piece, I felt like some people wouldn’t like it, but I really had no idea of the outrageous ways that people would respond to it. I have been more than a little surprised by the some of the commentary I’ve heard and read, and many of the e-mails I’ve received from people who call themselves Christians, and yet behave in such a very un-Christian manner.

The basis of this work and most of the other work I’ve done on the saintclinton.com site, including the “I love abortion” items is intended to be humorous and ironic. I feel silly that I even have to say that. People are so defensive over everything these days, and so eager to fight at the smallest suggestion of conflicting ideals. Honestly, I cannot imagine that anyone actually loves abortion. Seriously, people. I would be shocked if even a single abortion practitioner loves what he does for a living.

So much of American domestic and foreign policy is created from a Christian morality-based standpoint, and that is what offends so many people who are not Christian. Furthermore, Christians continually fill the airwaves and other media with their endless fundraising and recruitment of new members ("saving" and “converting"), and that is also offensive to people who are not Christian.

The vast majority of people who do not share Catholic or other Christian beliefs must constantly sit by quietly and absorb – or try to ignore – the unending stream of preaching and endure the everyday skewing of public policy, and be led by a president who mentions his religious values in each speech. A complete separation of church and state clearly do not exist in this country, and for those who do not share the beliefs of the Church, that is offensive.

There is definitely nothing inherently Christian about invading countries who have not attacked us. Nor is there anything Christian about fighting back ("turn the other cheek"). There is nothing Christian about signing the execution order for a retarded person (as G.W. Bush who calls himself a Christian did as governor of Texas).

I find most of Christianity in general to be increasingly less Christian. For those reasons, I could not be happier that people are offended by my artwork. Perhaps those who are offended now feel what it is like to have someone else’s ideals paraded in your face as if the country is intolerant of any other views.

I was raised Catholic. I attended 12 years of Catholic schools where I feel I received an excellent, well-rounded education. I love God’s creatures and have been vegetarian for 13 years.

I feel like if someone who looks like Jesus looked were to walk up to the window of a modern American Christian’s car and ask for food, shelter, help or compassion, they would receive less than what Jesus would hope they would give. Naturally, this is America and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

I would urge those who are offended by my art to try to imagine where it may have come from. Look at the country and the world from the other side. And judge not, lest ye be judged.

I’m tempted to buy myself a poster of this just because it’s pissed so many people off and I admire Scott’s reply. That and I find it pretty amusing.

Comments:

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Spocko United States Posted on 09/20/2004 at 11:34 AM

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I prefer these…

arc_legion Canada Posted on 09/21/2004 at 02:11 AM

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Yeah, There was a livejournal icon I couldn’t get enough of. I must have sent it to six or seven people within about 5 minutes.

“Don’t settle for the lesser evil. VOTE CTHULHU 2004!"… hah. Love that reply, too. A little overstated, I think, since it seems to be a minority of Christians who cram their views. Even so, I know more non-christians who treat those around them with little judgement than not. In fact, I know former drug dealers with more compassion than the average Christian I’ve met. You think the obligation of “having to be” Christian has taken away some sincerity in it?

TheJynXeD United States Posted on 09/21/2004 at 06:30 AM

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That’s because when confronted with their sad behaviour, your average Christian will have a mental melt-down and get all religious fanatical on your ass.

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“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

-Mahatma Ghandi

Les United States Posted on 09/21/2004 at 06:48 AM

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Actually, I don’t think the average Christian would do that. Most of the ones I encounter regularly are actually bothered when their fellow believers get overly zealous.

Now I will say that when it comes to the average Christian Fundamentalist then it becomes more likely that they’ll go off on your ass.

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All I know is the wine lasts longer when you don’t gotta share it with someone
All I know is my steak tastes better when I take my steak tastes better pill
-- I Feel Fantastic, Jonathan Coulton

ingolfson Germany Posted on 09/21/2004 at 10:36 AM

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Sigh. Shipping charges to Europe are too high to buy this one just for fun.

Tish Australia Posted on 09/21/2004 at 05:37 PM

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I’m getting an image of St. Clinton talking to that woman at the well…

“So, honey...where’s your husband?”

Dave United States Posted on 09/23/2004 at 03:19 PM

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Indeed, I can see why this would piss off the Fundies. Which is why I’m getting the lunchbox. I work in the burbs, where there are an abundance of Fundie types, and I never miss the chance to annoy, vex, and befuddle them.

bessie United States Posted on 02/22/2005 at 09:33 PM

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that makes me sick…

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