WHEN Stephen ‘Stay a Virgin, Marry a Virgin’ Green demanded the destruction of gay artist Terence Koh’s Jesus-with-wood figurine (see the original Freethinker report here) we could not find a photograph of the ‘offensive’ piece.
But now, at last, a picture of the foot-high piece has come to light – thanks to the diligence of the anti-censorship website Mediawatchwatch.
And Christian Voice supremo Green can now congratulate himself that this particular 12-incher will get considerably more exposure than the artist could ever have hoped for.
Meanwhile, Green has issued a press release in which he reveals that a top Jewish lawyer has supported his call for the destruction of the statue. Leading criminal law barrister Jonathan Goldberg QC made his plea in a letter to the Jewish Chronicle in which he said:
It is unpardonable to show such disrespect and cause such gratuitous offence to our Christian friends and supporters of Israel, above all in these troubled times.
Mr and Mrs Poju Zabludowicz [the owners of the statue] should now demonstrate the qualities of Jewish communal leadership to which they aspire, no doubt worthily, by consigning this artefact to the depths.
Blathered Green:
Those of us who honour the Jewish roots of our Christian faith and the place of Israel in God’s purpose will be dismayed to see such disrespect of our faith from such prominent members of the Jewish community. Back in 2005, the Chief Rabbi lectured on ‘How to build a culture of respect’. He spoke of the Christian and Jewish communities feeling ‘on the defensive’ and ‘bruised’ in the face of onslaughts from secularists and Islamists. In February 2006, he asked on the BBC: ‘Can we learn to respect what others hold holy?’
If these are to be more than just words, such a disrespectful piece of plaster, insulting the One whom Christians hold most holy of all, can find no place amongst the possessions of a prominent Jewish couple who know the Chief Rabbi personally.
The thought of Mr & Mrs Zabludowicz owning or profiting from a statue humiliating and blaspheming the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua Meshiach, brings up thoughts that I really do not want to entertain. That is why I am very grateful to Jonathan Goldberg QC for his gracious support. Whatever that disgraceful statue is worth, good relations between Christian and Jews are worth far, far more.
UPDATE: Oct 19, 2008: The Jesus-with-Wood statue is now at the centre of a private prosecution launched by an outraged Christian. See this report.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
February 21st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
It’s not very good, is it? The appendage doesn’t even seem to be in the right place.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Not very good? It’s bloody awful! I reckon it would have sunk without trace if the fool Green hadn’t opened his fatuous gob.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 am
Once again, proof that no matter how much something sucks, controversy will make it famous.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:25 am
I feel that the disposition of this piece is entirely up to the owners. Whether opinion is pro or con,decisions regarding are the right of the owners.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:56 am
But, this work is nothing more than a xianized herme. A traditional ancient Greek herme carried the bust of the god on a pillar from which protruded an erect phallus.
An erect phallus, on a herme, or painted, or incised on an oven to keep the bread rising — was an apotropaic symbol (an image to ward off bad luck, or the evil eye, or bad bread).
The Romans would have laughed at the stupid outrage. A male god without a complete and well-functioning set of genitals — why that would be just another wingeing xian.