Town ready to welcome 'Hug Me Jesus' statue

Right now Jesus is in pieces — seven of them — in a small factory about 70 miles north of Cincinnati.

But sometime in late September, he'll rise again, looming about 63 feet above Interstate 75 at Solid Rock Church in Monroe.

This statue is replacing the iconic sculpture nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus" — a waist-up, butter-cream-colored replica with arms raised high — that burned to the ground after a lightning strike in June 2010.

The new piece will represent a full-length Jesus with arms outstretched as if beckoning people to him.

It already has a nickname, too, according to sculptor Tom Tsuchiya, although its official title is LuxMundi, which is Latin for "Light of the World."

"It's 'Hug Me Jesus,' " Tsuchiya said Thursday. "Some blogger called it that, and I loved it. That's what it's all about — a let's-all-be-friends message. Love one another."

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http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com/ The Watchman

I can see the FFRF and the ACLU chomping at the bit when the "Hug Me Jesus" statue is erected. Every Atheist in the country will be cringing and demanding that it be removed. I pray that the "Solid Rock Church in Monroe are ready, willing and able to stand up for Jesus. There is no doubt they will in the near future, be required to do so!
- Evermyrtle
  
  It is already beginning to sound like a false god. We must be careful that this statue does not take JESUS place in the heart of those looking on at it!!!
  - http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VBBCYNZUJPMNVGYK45HXRD7ZJ4 A Real American
    
    Amen. Placing belief in idols is a part of apostasy and the great falling away. Displaced faith is having little to no faith at all.
  - Mary Wood
    
    I'll say
- Mary Wood
  
  Please. Let me ask you Watchman: Does this not tell you something ominous: "…
  they will in the near future, be required to do so!" about your own practices?
  - The Watchman
    
    Absolutely Mary. I am more than prepared to stand up for Christ, and by the same token lay my life down for Christ. I have been living under the "ominous" for a number of years now. It is only with Gods mercy that I am here today. In my opinion, demonic activity is more prevalent today than ever has been since the day Lucifer fell. All Christians will be required to make a choice soon, unless they are fortunate enough to be called home early.
fliteking

Excellent.
millergroup2

All I can say is thumbs up! Let's see if this town stands their ground!
far2right

Iconic of modern mindless christendom.

For the easily duped, Hug-Me-Jesus will turn out to be the "I never knew you" Jesus at the judgment.

America turned its back on Christ long ago.

Christian nation?

Christ-hating nation.
- Evermyrtle
  
  We are a Christian nation, however hard the anti-CHRIST works against this fact. GOD is still MASTER here in the hearts of every Christian in this nation and we had better not forget it and slide in with the anti-CHRIST dictatorship sect
  - far2right
    
    The preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Scriptures is more scarce than hen's teeth in this so-called christian nation.
    
    From Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Campbellites, Baptists and every other stripe of "free-will" idolatrous religion that names the name of Jesus Christ, none preach Christ as He is.
    
    Like the silly idol statue of this article, everyone makes up their idol jesus from their own imagination and bow down to their idol.
    
    The pope and Billy Graham are leading the multitudes on that broad way that leads to destruction.
    - Evermyrtle
      
      I am a Christian, I have a Christian family. Of course I know that just because you say you are a Christian does not makes a Christian, you must walk the walk by working for GOD, and I do believe that Billy Graham is a Christinan, a sinner yes but a repentant one.. The pope? I don't know.
      
      Have you done an extensive study of the WORD OF GOD to lead you to your belief? I do know one thing,
      
      "I am glad that you will not be called on to judge me, because I am a sinner, and you may not believe in repentance. I have a distinctive feeling that you are a sinner, too, I hope a repentant one. I hope that you will put aside your judging because if you do not GOD will judge you withe the kind of judgment that you pass out. .
      
      christians
      - far2right
        
        "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Mat 7:15-23).
        
        You MUST judge, not the sinner, but his/her fruit. If you allow yourself to be deceived by a false prophet, that is your responsibility. In this sense you will be your own judge.
        
        Billy Graham's gospel declares another jesus (2 Cor 11:4). It is another gospel (Gal 1:6-9).
        
        It is a gospel of self-righteous salvation by the popular false notion of the so-called "free-will" of man.
        
        God saved all His chosen ones at and by the cross of Christ.
        
        No sinner has a say in his own personal salvation.
        
        God's salvation is a sovereign one.
        
        This is precisely the Gospel preached by the apostle Paul in his most plain and clear letter to the Romans that revealed the righteousness of God.
        
        To not understand this and repent of all other false gospels is to be a pretend christian.
      - Everjayse
        
        Where is it found in Scripture that sinners have no choice in salvation? I don't believe I've read that. It does say in John 3 that Jesus died to bring salvation and in verse 15 it says "That whosoever 'believeth' in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
        I always took that verse to mean that people have a choice whether to believe or not. There are many verses that say salvation is only for those who believe (John 3:16, John 7:37-38, Revelation 3:20-21. Those are just a few.) I guess that would be considered "free will" choosing whether or not to believe.
      - far2right
        
        I pointed out to you some very clear verses that plainly declare God as choosing who will be saved (John 1:13; John 3:8; Rom 9:15, 18; Eph 1:4; 2 Ths 2:13; Jas 1:18).
        
        There is only one way to harmonize these verses with those you suppose teach that man has a choice in his own salvation. God gives us brains which we are accountable to use.
        
        I say that you are guilty of cutting the more important verses out of your bible and disregarding them or worse, denying them.
        
        When one looks honestly at all the Scriptures he begins to see that verses such as John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Rev 3:20, etc. were intended to be statements of assurance and for the comfort of the elect saint, especially those who have been newly given faith by God to see their lost and undone state.
        
        You will never be an undone biblical sinner unless and until you are brought by God to see that "free-will" is a myth devised by false prophets.
        
        And acknowledge that if God has not chosen you to salvation and you are not of the elect of Christ whom He saved (and only them) at His cross, you will be forever undone.
        
        Otherwise you will continue to cling to your false, self-righteous hope of the "free-will" of man. (Of which no man has a truly free-will.)
      - Evermyrtle
        
        John 1: 12-13
        12. But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name. This is saying that if we accept "receive" HIM, we have the power to become "sons of GOD." This is the only way we can become the 'CHILDREN OF GOD. "
        
        13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD. Exactly what it says, it is all in the hands of GOD, not man.
        
        We only receive salvation by accepting JESUS CHRIST as the SON OF GOD AND OUR SAVIOR!"
        
        Salvation: Redemption, divine in it's course,being saved, safety, rescue,
      - far2right
        
        Wow, really? You got that from v13? Unbelievable.
        
        Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh (Job 2:10).
        
        How will you receive Christ if you are not first born again?
        
        Fool-headed woman.
        
        You put the cart before the horse.
        
        But this is exactly what anti-christ, false, free-will religion does.
        
        It tries to put man in control of his own salvation.
        
        You are simply another duped religious fool on the broad road that leads to destruction.
        
        Even now there are many anti-christs (1 Jn 2:18).
        
        You make God to out to be a failure.
        
        But it is you who have failed miserably.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        When you point out the meaning of Biblical scriptures, to others, it is very important that you know what you are doing.You apparently do not have a clue about, THE WORD OF GOD. But on the other hand, the anti-CHRIST, which is Satan does know what each scripture means and is very adept at pointing out the opposite of the true meaning and making it sound true. Try not to be sucked in by him as is his goal. He is working harder now than ever because time is short
      - Everjayse
        
        too- to right–You are talking about self righteousness, while you write one of the most self righteousness comments that I have read. You are right HE did save us but HE did not say, I will save you and you and you, but you over there I will not save you, you are lost because I say you are not saved, absolutely not. We get to choose if we will strive to live for HIM or not.. He said in John 3:16:
        For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life.
        
        John 3: 12. But as many as receive HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name.
      - far2right
        
        John 3:16 is the most abused verse of all the Scriptures by Arminian "free-will" false religionists. This view is pure pablum to the uninstructed and is completely predictable.
        
        This verse is the pre-eminent verse abused by free-willists to bolster their idol jesus. You made up your jesus and attempt to use this verse to attempt it exists.
        
        If you care to look more closely and honestly at the context you would see the Lord telling Nicodemus that except a man be born again he cannot see and enter the kingdom of God (vv 3-4).
        Nicodemus was beside himself knowing that there was not one thing he could do to make himself born again.
        You have as much choice to make yourself born again just as much as you had a choice to be born the first time.
        The Lord did not coddle Nicodemus but instead forcefully brought home the truth of the sovereignty of God in salvation by declaring to Nicodemus that just as the wind blows where it wills and man can do nothing to direct it, so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
        This is precisely how men abuse John 3:16. Not only does John 3:16 NOT convey salvation available to all, the immediate context shuts out any possibility of man's choice to be saved.
        What good is your appeal to John 3:16 if God the Spirit is not pleased to grant you the new birth?
        You only show yourself to be of the multitude that is fooling themselves.
        You meant to cite John 1:12. But again you lifted this verse out of its immediate context. The immediate verse following explains who it is that truly receives Christ.
        "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). What part of this clear and plain verse can you not understand?
        Elsewhere the apostle Paul wrote concerning God's sovereign election to salvation. "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" (Rom 9:16). Election to salvation has nothing to do with man's choice. It was God's choice to save whom He will from before time ever was (Eph 1:4; 2 Ths 2:13).
        James also declared the true nature of the new birth. "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures" (Jas 1:18). You have absolutely zero choice in the matter of your new birth.
        The truth is that all free-will Arminian's hate and despise the very notion of the sovereign God of the Scriptures who has mercy and saves whom He will and hardens and damns whom He will (Rom 9:18).
        If you would follow after and worship the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ of the bible then repent of the demonic delusion of self-righteous free-will religion.
        There is the sovereign salvation of the Scriptures. And there is the self-righteous salvation by man's so-called free-will. The first is salvation by the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17). It utterly denies any work or thought of man. The latter is salvation by man's so-called choice.
        Are you an idiot? How is it you cannot see that salvation by God alone denies any form of self-righteousness.
        For you to "choose" Jesus and others not, this makes you self-righteous. You saved your own self by some inherent "goodness" in you. That is the very essence of self-righteousness. And you are blind to it.
        Leave your pretend church and go and find one that declares Christ as He is according to the Scriptures. All the Scriptures, all the time.
        If not, then continue to heap to yourself teachers having itching ears for a fairy tale jesus.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Your Arminian "freewill" False Religions" is by an anti-Christ. The anti-CHRIST'S master Satan has a meaning of every Scripture in GOD'S WORD and his meaning is from the master Anti-CHRIST. I believe from your comments that you are also and anti-CHRIST. I do not believe I have ever heard a better screwing up of GOD'S WORD.
        
        I know for a fact that what ererjayse stated is what all Christians preach.
    - mallen11
      
      I agree with you. This country was founded on Christian Judeao principles but we cannot call this Nation Christian because most peope no longer believe in the God of the Bible but have turned to humanism, and all the other religions including the isms of the orient. People talk about being spiritual but it pertains to religions other than Christianity. Our Nation should be known as a Client Nation:
      A CN to God is defined as a national entity under the patronage of God. A CN is
      assigned the responsibility for the formation, preservation, communication and
      fulfillment of the Canon of Scripture. There were OT Client Nations (Israel) and NT Client nations with born again believers as their citizens with a spiritual responsibility to their nation and to God which is the most important.
      A Client Nation is:
      1. National freedom to represent God on earth
      
      2. Freedom to evangelize without reservation
      
      3. Freedom to teach Bible Doctrine without suppression
      ·
      4. Freedom to send missionaries to other countries – the Great Commission
      
      5. Providing a haven for the Jews who are being persecuted all over the world
      
      ·
      - Evermyrtle
        
        How many is the most? Read the story of Gideon in Judges 6, 7, and 8.
Evermyrtle

Let us be careful that we do not make this statue an idol. I think maybe it could be an honor but there is the danger of making into an idol or a false god, while it is only a statuewhich the WORD OF GOD warns us severely about. We do not even have clue what JESUS even looked like, so what did they use as an model to make this thing. The cross is a far better thing for us to look at and realize what JESUS did for us, he died there on a cross, in agony just that we might be saved, HIS BLOOD washed our sins away if only we believe and accept HIM.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VBBCYNZUJPMNVGYK45HXRD7ZJ4 A Real American

Jesus is NOT in a statue and the scriptures warn believers about placing faith in an idol…that means ANY idol.
- Evermyrtle
  
  You sound just like my opinion of a real American, and you sound like a true Christian, also, one who knows that a idol is not Christian. The WORD OF GOD has many, many scriptures condemning idols and false gods.
- mallen11
  
  That includes things in our everyday life that keeps us from staying focused on our Lord Jesus Christ.
aceituna

Do you believe that God the Son was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and became man? Do you believe that Jesus is TRUE GOD and TRUE MAN? Paul tells us that in Philippians and elsewhere the Bible confirms that. If Jesus is true man what is wrong with a statue as long as those who believe know that it represents his presence, but the stone is not him? It is an aid to faith same as the brazen serpent that was raised on a pole for the Israelites as they wondered in the desert and were bitten by serpents as a chastisement from God. God commanded that the serpent be made and that when the people looked on it they would be healed. Later in the New Testament Jesus pointed out that it was a sign of how He was to redeem them, that He was to be raised upon a cross just a few days before his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem which ended in His crucificion and resurrection.
- mallen11
  
  I do not believe you would ever consider the statue an idol but there are those without enough Bible knowledge who will. It is best not to have statues but focus on the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Not enough Bible knowledge? That is where we get the facts from that GOD from. The making of them is even described in there. The absolute refusal of GOD to accept them is there. I do not know what you read, that you consider the Bible but this is what my Bible says.
    - mallen11
      
      Excuse me, myrtle, but I think you need to read my comment again because your comment is totally wrong concerning what I said. People WITHOUT enough Bible knowledge are the ones who will make the statue an idol.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        I do apologize, I did for sure misread, your comment.and you are, and were correct. A statue, supposedly of JESUS is inappropriate, at best.
      - mallen11
        
        Thank you and I agree with most of your comments too.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Thanks, I do try and fail often. but GOD forgives me if I earnestly repent and I do.
      - mallen11
        
        We all fail because we still have the sin nature that we have to constantly fight against by using His Word and prayer. What does "earnestly repent" mean?
        
        Greek
        “metanoeo” (met-an-o-eh’-o) – “to change one’s mind” (mental).
        
        Greek
        “metamelomai” (met-am-el’-lom-ahee) – “to feel sorry for something you’ve done”
        (emotional). Matt 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that
        he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of
        silver to the chief priests and elders,
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Oh yes, I have studied the WORD OF GOD for about 50 years maybe a tad longer. Even through this, I still have my human nature, I still sin, I ask GOD every day to forgive me my sins like in "HIS LORD'S PRAYER" (forgive me my debts as I forgive my debtors) and to continue to show me where I have failed, and to give me wisdom that I can witness for HIM. I fail time and time again but continue to struggle, with HIM beside me, through it all..
        
        I awaken in the mornings and ask HIM to guide me through the day in all I do and say and all that I do. At night I ask HIS for forgiveness, of the sins, and thank HIM for all of the blessings HE has given me through the day and for the precious right to strive to serve HIM. HE knows all that I think, say and do and the reasons for them all.
        
        I still do a bible study every day and still am forced to acknowledge the fact that I can only see darkly as through a cloudy glass. Still, there is much I have learned to be the truth from that perfect source and have no doubts about I think it is the truth, that I will never doubt.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        mallen11, Repent is to regret and to be sorry and ashamed that I can sin against GOD and the rules He has laid down for us. These rules are for our own good. It also means that I will try to do better, in the future than I have done in the past, that I will be able to grow in my service and love for HIM.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        massen11, The LORDS PRAYER, IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT is for the Millennium age????. That is funny! Few Christians realize that.
        
        For us it is just as real for us today, a it was the day that JESUS CHRIST spoke it. If we are going to throw HIS WORDS out, what is there left? We may as well throw HIM out, too. But I must tell you, WE WILL NOT THROW OUT ONE WORD AND WE WILL KEEP HIM, AS OUR SAVIOR, EVERY ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS, IN THIS WORLD!!! Every WORD that HE has spoken is very precious to us. HIS WORD tells us that we will come to this point of view concerning of JESUS and HIS WORD in the end days.
        
        GLORIFYING JESUS is correct as you spoke in your last sentence, but you must live, not just mouth the words, like when you refuse to accept HIS WORD, that is not how you GLORIFY JESUS. You must accept HIM just as HE is, and HIS WORD.
        
        If that is the way you feel about my JESUS AND HIS WORD, I am glad you have spoken, because I honored you with the title, Christian. I hope that you will become a Christian, accepting the entire WORD OF GOD not select passages, according to what may appeal to you. Your life as a Christian if that is what you profess, while doing away with HIS WORD, is totally wasted, as a Christian because this is something that is completely alien to GOD.
        
        PLEASE BEFORE YOU FURTHER, TRY TO EXPLAIN HIS WORD, ACCEPT ALL OF IT.
        
        To hear you try to explain some of your select passages just floors me, just to think you are willing to throw any of HIS WORD out, is incomprehensible…
      - mallen11
        
        I am sad for you that you do not understand dispensationalism or the "meat" of the Word of God. Then you would understand why the so called "Lord's Prayer" is not for our day. The Catholics started that. You say you don't understand my comments or the scriptures I use because you may still be drinking the "milk" of the Word and not solid Bible teaching. For example: My pastor who teaches from the original languages and takes five years teaching 2 times on Sunday and M-F the book of Ephesians is indepth Bible teaching. He does this with every book he teaches and taught for 53 years. All the books did not take 5 years but they were thourough and my notes are many. BTW you comment in circles many times and don't make sense most of the time. I am not the only one who comments on this here either.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        I can tell you one thing that I understand very well and I sincerely hope you can understand the following very simple scriptures!
        
        Rev. 22:18-20
        18. For I testify unto every man that hear the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto hi the plagues that are written in this book:
        19.And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,k GOD shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
        20. He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly .Amen. Even so, come, LORD JESU
        
        You do need to be careful whose "wisdom" you follow, if you don't it can lead you badly astray.
      - mallen11
        
        Apparently, you have been led astray. I have studied under many Bible teachers, including in college and the one I now study under explains the Bible in such a way that there is no doubt that it is correct. Word by word, verse by verse from the original languages using the acronym ICE…
        
        I=isagogics, the interpretation of scripture with its framework of historical
        setting or prophetical environment.
        
        C=categorical, communication of scripture – comparing scripture with scripture
        which results in Biblical systematic theology. Theological nomenclature must be
        assigned to give retention of categories.
        
        E=exegesis, the expository approach to scriptures and based on the analysis of
        the grammar, etymology, syntax of the scripture. Every verse must be correctly
        translated so it can be accurately interpreted. Must be interpreted in the time
        of writing. This is to determine under the ministry of God the Holy Spirit the
        exact thought of any given writer under any given context.
        
        II Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
        
        One must always confess or acknowledge one's sins before hearing or studying God's Word and one will learn through the power of the Holy Spirit otherwise it is only academic and cannot be applied to one's life to live it.
      - Jason
        
        Evermyrtle, do not answer this lost soul again, you cannot help her. She is stuck on what she considers her own wisdom. It is really time to give up on her
      - mallen11
        
        So now you are my judge and jury playing God? I do not claim to have my own wisdom. I only learn what the Bible teaches for wisdom. Those who do not know the truth are bitter and judgmental towards those who do. It does not matter to me what you and Evermyrtle want to believe except one thing: That you have believed in The Lord Jesus Christ as your savior.
        
        John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
        
        Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.
      - mallen11
        
        The Lord's Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount is for the Millennium age. If you have studied as long as you have you must be a very mature spiritual person or you don't apply what the Bible says to your daily life. When we learn His Word He guides us with that knowledge through the power of the Holy Spirit. The more we know of the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) the more clearly we see Him. God will use prepared people to do His will; that means we are to know what the Bible says before we try to do divine good or good works. Yes, we fail everyday but we have an advocate with the Father who speaks for us — 1 John 2:1.
        When we confess or acknowledge our sins to God the Father He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) So we rebound and keep moving — learning His Word and applying it daily.
        It is not about me, me, me but about Jesus Christ and glorifying Him in the way we live through the study of His Word.
- Evermyrtle
  
  There is nothing wrong with the statue, in itself. It is what we can make it into, a few chunks of stone put to together to resemble a human and being made into an idol or a false god. In the first place nobody knows what JESUS looked like, this will be made into something for some to worship.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/ keyboardshark

"
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:"

Deuteronomy 5:8
- Mary Wood
  
  HI Key: I can see you have a grip on this. Let me take this opportunity to say: it is the reason there is no cross on the Mormon church. Tell me, who is making graven images, but typical Christians?
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Is the JESUS CHRIST of the Mormons, "The Only Begotten SON OF GOD or is HE only one of GOD'S children? My Son, my grandson, my brothers are also sons of GOD but not part GOD, they are only human children of GOD. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD, ONE OF THE GODS THAT MAKE UP THE TRINITY.
    - Mary Wood
      
      I do follow the Nicene Creed.
    - Mary Wood
      
      Myrtle: "…only human children of God?" Do you see your knowledge or your quest for knowledge of God coming to an end any time soon or any time at all? Mormons believe the quest for knowledge never ends.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        I believe the quest of knowledge will come to an end very soon. When this world does not exist the same as it does today because JESUS CHRIST will come soon to collect HIS own, when the dead in CHRIST shall first rise first to meet HIM in the air and then we who are still living. JESUS then prepares the earth for us to live on forever. When we are all living physically together with GOD and JESUS CHRIST there will be no longer a need for a quest for knowledge.
      - Mary Wood
        
        Myrtle said: "… there will be no longer a need for a quest for knowledge." Is this biblical Myrtle? The Mormons diverge drastically from this position.
  - http://www.answersingenesis.org/ keyboardshark
    
    I wouldn't consider a cross a graven image unless it has the corpus (body) depicted on it as well, as is often the case in the Catholic Church. The cross itself is only a symbol, not something to be worshiped nor a depiction of God.
    - Mary Wood
      
      I don't know. It seems arbtrary. Who decides where to draw the line. I think Christians don't always know where to find safety. There are religions that do everything they can to distance themselves from Cathocism
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-B-Severy/557985964 David B Severy

I'm sorry but statues just don't get me excited. Jesus wants people to see Him, His Glory and image.. >>>—> when they see me and you, christian people!!!! Statutes distract from the power of the presence of God IN us! Or is there so little to no power in us that we are hiding behind statues?

At least Ten Commandments plaques and monuments say what God says. And crosses remind us of why Jesus was born in the flesh! But all of these monuments, crosses and plaques are not nearly as powerful as one person who will share the Gospel of the Kingdom IN LOVE with an unbeliever.
Mary Wood

Anyone one recalls this one: "Thou shalt have no false Gods before me." So why are we erecting these stoney statues of Jesus Christ. Stoney statues of Christ are not Christ. It seems blasphemous to me. I am really on the precipice of becoming atheist over these kinds of overtures. There is a period in art called "mannerism" following the short-lived perfection of the classic Greek period. Similar periods in Egyptian and HIltler's Germany, as well. Christianity is entering mannerist period. It's a fact.
- Evermyrtle
  
  Don't ever become an non believer because of people's false ideas of what is wrong. They in one respect are right They really think they are honoring CHRIST and are going about 100% in the wrong way. They are doing exactly what GOD says not to do, so many times about worshiping false idols. I am so glad that so many people realize the problem of this chunk of marble and what it really represents.