Christians have a bad habit of wanting to usurp the symbols and icons of others in order to promote their ideology. History shows us this can be much more effective than relying on the sword alone as a means of subjugating people. Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are the three best examples of attempts by the Christians to replace Pagan seasonal holidays with versions that were more palatable to the Catholic church. The Vatican hasn’t done much of this sort of bait and switch for the last couple of hundred years, but that doesn’t mean other Christian sects aren’t keeping the tradition alive.
This time it’s a single church, specifically the “World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church” of Memphis Tennessee, and their brand new $2.5 million bastardization of the Statue of Liberty which they’re calling The Statue of Liberation Through Christ. The picture in the upper right—click it for a bigger pic if you dare—is from the recent installation of this monstrosity and still is still partially veiled (I’m trying to find a picture of the statue without the veil). Here’s a description from the statue’s website:
The New Statue of Liberation Through Christ is a 72ft replica of the original Statue of Liberty with a cross in the right hand and the Ten Commandments tablets in the left hand; designed to remind America of its spiritual liberation and its foundation in God.
Lady Liberation’s theme inscription reads as follows:
Give me your POOR, BROKENHEARTED Your CAPTURED, BLIND, AND BRUISED Your huddled MULTITUDES
yearning to be free;
The wretched LOST SOULS from shore to shore, Send these,
the SICK, OPPRESSED, HOMELESS
The tempest LOST to Christ.
I lift the cross as a symbol
that CHRIST IS THE DOOR.(Luke 4:18, John 8:32b, Romans 7:24, Acts 10:38, 2 Corinthians 4:3, John 10:9)
Oh, but it doesn’t stop there. They go on to list a number of new interpretations of the symbols present:
THE CROSS demonstrates God’s love for humanity by offering His Son for our salvation. The Statue of Liberty represents America exalting Christ and recognizing that He alone is the way to God and the source of true liberation in all areas of life.
THE GOLD SEVEN-SPIKED CROWN demonstrates God’s benefits for man when he receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Each spike reflects one of the seven redemptive names of God. These names reveal His character. 1) God is our Provider. 2) God is our Healer. 3) God is our Peace. 4) God is our Victory. 5) God is always Present. 6) God is our Righteousness. 7) God is our Sanctifier.
THE TABLETS OF STONE represents the Ten Commandments and the importance of God’s laws in society to establish morality and values. Scripture says that if we reject God’s laws, then He will reject us.
THE TEAR [Ed Note: They’ve added a tear to the statue’s right eye.] represents Lady Liberation’s despair over America’s rapid decline from its Judeo-Christian values. She weeps for our nation’s self-destruction as the protective hand of God is removed. Yet, she realizes that there is still hope for America if we return to God through Jesus Christ.
The Robe - GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
THE PEDESTAL holds the tomb of Christ.
THE BROKEN CHAIN is wrapped around her left ankle and hangs over the left edge of the pedestal. It symbolizes freedom of any and all bondage. It is God’s desire to see mankind liberated in every area of life.
THE DOVE symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Word of God says that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).
So what’s the point of all this, other than to spend an obscene amount of money on what is arguably a violation of the commandment prohibiting idol worship, you might ask? They’ve kindly spelled it out right on the main page of their website. THE MEANING OF THE STATUE OF LIBERATION THROUGH CHRIST: Reconnecting Patriotism with Christianity.
Like I said, the tradition of usurping other’s symbols to promote their mythology continues.
Posted on 07/06/2006 at 10:00 AM 
This is worse than burning a flag. But if it weren’t for this, they’d be buying airtime to bilk more grannies out of their pensions.
The original statue only cost $250 grand to build. Wonder how that adjusts for inflation from 1880 to now?