Obama As Jesus Painting Sparks Controversy

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Obama as Jesus painting named 'The Truth' is being criticized by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. The painting depicts President Obama as Jesus Christ with a crown of thorns on his head, crucified against the presidential seal, is currently on display at the Bunker Hill Community College art gallery in Boston. The artist Michael D’Antuono defends the Obama as Jesus painting, arguing that his “First Amendment rights should override someone’s hurt feelings.”

The Obama as Jesus painting “The Truth” has triggered quite a backlash among Christians. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, posted a statement on the Catholic League website on Tuesday, saying Michael D’Antuono is a “left-wing artist known for exploiting racial tensions” and claimed his Obama as Jesus painting was evidence the artist had “succumbed to a new low.”

“What makes this display so interesting is the flat denial of truth by so many artists and academicians, as well as their irrepressible hostility to Christianity,” the statement continues. “Yet when it comes to their savior, President Obama, they not only pivot, they proselytize.”

The artist claims his intent with the Obama as Jesus painting was to not compare Obama to Jesus, but instead that the painting should be viewed metaphorically. The Obama as Jesus painting is more about the viewers themselves and how they perceive the world.

“[I] was inspired by watching conflicting reports on the same issues on the different cable newscasts and the effect on their viewers.” D’Antuno said. “Peoples’ perceptions of the issues seem to get distorted though their political lenses. People have had drastically different interpretations from this painting. What you see in this painting will be a reflection of your own partisan view and that is precisely the point.”