Man Says Depictions Of Jesus In Met Artworks Are Racist, Sues To Have Them Taken Down

[Suzanimal]

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Manhattan author is suing the Metropolitan Museum of Art, claiming some century-old paintings hanging in the museum are racist because they depict Jesus as white.

CBS2’s Brian Conybeare talked exclusively Thursday with Justin Joseph, who filed a federal lawsuit over the matter.

“I think this is a very serious issue,” Joseph said.

Joseph hopes the museum will take down some classic oil paintings that depict images of Jesus as a white man.

“I’m calling it ‘whites only’ art. That shouldn’t be in a museum, just like ‘whites only’ seating shouldn’t be in a restaurant,” Joseph said.

The paintings, some 500 years old, show images of a blond, fair-skinned Jesus – as a child, with his disciples, and on the cross.

In response, officials at the Met said in such classic paintings, artists often depicted their subjects in the image of their audience – and in this case, the subject was Jesus.

Museum officials declined to go on camera, but art lovers outside the Met Thursday night had plenty to say.

“Nonsense – it’s horrible,” said museum patron Terry Moore. “What a shame that he can’t be a little more open-minded with everything going on in our world that we’re all going through.”

“We could stand to have more art that is historically accurate, but I think, to take this down? We’d miss it,” added museum patron Stel Duncan.

“I’m sure that Jesus wasn’t white,” said museum patron Jackie Choi, “but I don’t think that, there’s no need to have a lawsuit over it either.”

But Joseph called the art “racist propaganda,” and dismissed accusations that his lawsuit was frivolous. He cited millions in taxpayer funds that support the Met.

“They’re paying for this art through tax dollars — that makes it government speech. The government can’t engage in racist speech,” Joseph said. “If the Met doesn’t want to take down this art, then the government should stop funding it.”

A judge may have to decide whether the works constitute art or racism.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/10/met-museum-art-racism-lawsuit/

 

[tod evans]

A Manhattan author is suing the Metropolitan Museum of Art, claiming some century-old paintings hanging in the museum are racist because they depict Jesus as white.

Fucking whiner!

How's this?

 

[Steve-in-NY]

A Manhattan author

What books has he had published?

 

[Christian Liberty]

All such blasphemous pretend images of "Jesus" should be torn down wherever found.

I hope the guy running the lawsuit wins. Not because the suit itself makes any sense (it does not.) But because imaging Christ for any reason is wicked and those who do it are under God's judgment.

 

[luctor-et-emergo]

All such blasphemous pretend images of "Jesus" should be torn down wherever found.

I hope the guy running the lawsuit wins. Not because the suit itself makes any sense (it does not.) But because imaging Christ for any reason is wicked and those who do it are under God's judgment.

While I firmly hold no opinion whatsoever on the matter, I am curious why. If those people are under God's judgement then why would you let human government intervene in that ?

 

[givemeliberty2010]

While I firmly hold no opinion whatsoever on the matter, I am curious why. If those people are under God's judgement then why would you let human government intervene in that ?

I think CL is one of those people who want violence if you have pictures of a prophet.

 

[asurfaholic]

All such blasphemous pretend images of "Jesus" should be torn down wherever found.

I hope the guy running the lawsuit wins. Not because the suit itself makes any sense (it does not.) But because imaging Christ for any reason is wicked and those who do it are under God's judgment.

are we nominating posts for the "most ridiculous" of the year yet? Because I found the winner.



Edit. Oh and while I have you, can you please point me to where I can find authentic images of Jesus? And where in the bible it says that making a piece of art representing Jesus is blasphemy?

 

[Suzanimal]

All such blasphemous pretend images of "Jesus" should be torn down wherever found.

I hope the guy running the lawsuit wins. Not because the suit itself makes any sense (it does not.) But because imaging Christ for any reason is wicked and those who do it are under God's judgment.

What wold the proper punishment be? Stoning?

 

[tod evans]

What wold the proper punishment be? Stoning?

 

[Tywysog Cymru]

“I think this is a very serious issue,” Joseph said.

 

[givemeliberty2010]

Time for some Piss Christ.

 

[Cabal]

I have only disdain for anyone who wants to censor art, or supports censorship of art.

 

[Christian Liberty]

I have only disdain for anyone who wants to censor art, or supports censorship of art.

Hello

While I firmly hold no opinion whatsoever on the matter, I am curious why. If those people are under God's judgement then why would you let human government intervene in that ?

Because when the righteous rule it brings blessing on a nation.

I think CL is one of those people who want violence if you have pictures of a prophet.

No, only of God

What wold the proper punishment be? Stoning?

I think that's disproportionate. I think the magistrate is obligated to destroy the images but I'm not sure there needs to be another penalty. Maybe for repetative defiance another penalty could be given, but otherwise I'd just say smash the idol.

 

[Christian Liberty]

Mind, I'd have no qualms about stoning if the blasphemy was deliberate. But if the person is not trying to be disrespectful but simply does not know or does not agree that trying to image God is blasphemous I think death is dispropotionate for that offense.

 

[asurfaholic]

Mind, I'd have no qualms about stoning if the blasphemy was deliberate. But if the person is not trying to be disrespectful but simply does not know or does not agree that trying to image God is blasphemous I think death is dispropotionate for that offense.

Whew, close one...

 

[Danke]

They should be replaced with images of Obama.

 

[Christian Liberty]

Whew, close one...

Don't worry, if I cared how the forum would take things that I say I wouldn't say them

 

[fisharmor]

I think CL is one of those people who want violence if you have pictures of a prophet.

Christianity had no concept of anything CL writes on this subject until AFTER it had been struggling against Islam for a century.
Fact.

 

[Christian Liberty]

Christianity had no concept of anything CL writes on this subject until AFTER it had been struggling against Islam for a century.
Fact.

Excluding the apostles themselves, of course.

That said, props for giving an objection OTHER than "he's so mean"

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Excluding the apostles themselves, of course.

That said, props for giving an objection OTHER than "he's so mean"

That wasn't true the last time you said it, and it's still not true. *hugs*