JesUSAves

On the cover of the book The Christian Culture Survival Guide, I saw this play of words. Instant favorite of course. And what do you know, they're all kinds of banners, buttons, bumper stickers and what not of it!

Ronald Reagan's 1981 Christmas Speech

It fills me with joy to know that yesterday's post certainly did seem to stimulate the stomach with some readers. Some believe that erst kommt das Fressen, dan kommt die Moral, and since we seem to have das Fressen out of the way, let us now seek some moral inspiration for these the Christmas holidays. And where else to turn than to that president of presidents Mr. Ronald Reagan? Perhaps the climatic blend of theater, politics and religion - a mingling that according to for example R. Laurence Moore might date as far back as George Whitefield in the eighteenth century - Mr. Reagan was at the very least a fascinating figure. A fascist perhaps, yes, but still quite a fascinating one. Fascistinating if you will. Be your heart's feelings about the man as they may, let them all melt in this warm Christmas message that Mr. Reagan wishes to share with you!

Christian Art: Ron DiCianni

The work of DiCianni is very dramatic. Moreover, it's very nationalist, and perhaps even slightly militant. It certainly does seem to take pride in violence somehow. I am always skeptical when it comes to the idea of "glorifying violence" that about every cultural product is being accused of by some committee of housewives devoid of fantasy, but in this case it seems very hard to deny. I feature this mainly for it's nationalism. I love the pieces of the soldier, Bush and the one of George Clinton. Quite like in the art of McNaughton, it's hard to see where religion ends and where nationalism begins. The one of the soldier (?) being shadowed by a Templar knight is eerie in view of recent Norwegian developments.

There is a website, http://www.rondicianni.com/, however it looks very suspicious and it doesn't seem like an official website. If you are stuck with poker and porn popups for the next couple of months because of opening it, I'm not to be held responsible, that's all I'm saying. ;)

The Cross at Ground Zero

When the twin towers had come tumbling down after the plane attacks, after the smoke cleared there appeared... a cross! Some of the foundation of the twin towers came down in one piece, planting a piece of it shaped like a cross in the ground. Now it doesn't take much to make for a religious symbol. Give people a dog's ass and lo and behold! It's an apparition of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! In the case of Ground Zero however, even if the good Lord decided to plant a symbol there, what could that mean? That God suffered together with His people? That God endorsed the attacks?  Perhaps it was a tag, telling you "I Am was here!" I don't know, it's not very clear to me what it would be supposed to mean, but I do know that the Americans in their best of traditions made sure to sentimentalize the hell out of it right away.

Christian Art: Kathy Fincher

 A Princess and a Prayer

 Jesus Loves Me

 Etched into Our Hearts

 Communion Girl 1

 Communion Boy 1

 Communion Boy 2

 Communion Girl 2
  

God Has a Plan for You
 

The Dream Keepers

Website: http://www.kathyfincher.com

One Nation Under God

So, this post deals more with nationalism explicitly, not only in the context of one artist. Religion and nationalism seem to have buddied up in the United States. Not only do Christians there seem to make use of nationalism but also nationalists seem to make use of Christianity. This myth is created that if you are a "true" US citizen, then you are also a Christian. At the same time though, Christianity is interpreted in such a way that it seems to only emphasize the values associated with the American Way of Life. Think for example of capitalism and democracy that might be supported with Biblical passages. Sometimes the support sought isn't even textual but just visual, juxtaposing the cross or the Bible next to the hawk and the star-spangled banner for example, associating the two symbolic systems with one another. The fruits of this fusion are nothing short of sweet.

Christian Art: Jon McNaughton

Before I feature the work of Jon McNaughton, I feel like I have to talk about nationalism. I always try to keep politics at bay, but politics are subtle. For instance, I label the work of Jon McNaughton under nationalism, next to Christianity. That is already a statement. I am not sure if many people would consider his work nationalist. I'm not even sure if he himself would consider it that. Patriotic at best perhaps. To me though, these works with American political figures so prominently featured seem explicitly nationalist where it in fact aims to link national myths and symbols with the broader Christian narrative. Moreover, in line with the definition of religion I choose to use for the context of this blog, I'd consider nationalism a form of it. Nationalism on an abstract level as a religious phenomenon is interesting in its own right but American nationalism specifically and the way it is interwoven with religious ideas is especially of interest to me. The work of Jon McNaughton illustrates very well the fusion of nationalism and Christianity, where George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are being portrayed almost as prophets and Christ could be also interpreted as a political founder. I can see ideas of Will Herberg also being illustrated here, where he supposes that respect for the American Way of Life is something that religions in the United States have in common. There is much more to be said about all of this, American nationalism is quite something, but first let us marvel at the works of McNaughton!

 "One Nation Under God"

"Peace Is Coming"

"The Forgotten Man"

"Via Dolorosa"

Website: http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/