There’s been a bit of commotion going on in the town of Loveland, Colorado lately: an art exhibition at the Loveland Museum/Gallery included a controversial art piece titled, “The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals,” by artist and Stanford Professor Enrique Chagoya. The piece, which consists of 12 comic-book like panels that incorporate religious imagery, is concluded with a panel that shows a Christ-ish figure enjoying a bout of oral sex. This last image has sparked a wave of indignation amongst so-called Christians that it insults their religion.
Well, one of them took it upon herself to end the controversy (via the Loveland Reporter-Herald):
A woman wielding a crowbar smashed a display case Wednesday at the Loveland Museum/Gallery, ripped out a piece of artwork that has been the center of growing controversy and shredded it into small pieces, witnesses said.
Kathleen Folden, 56, of Kalispell, Mont., was arrested shortly after the 4 p.m. incident and charged with felony criminal mischief.
I hardly need to explain where I stand on this, do I? Folden is an awful, disturbed person whose religious views are on par with the Taliban’s. (Remember when they shelled Buddhist statues? I do.)
It is a source of constant amazement to me how so-called Christians think that violent acts are a natural response to a non-violent “provocation”. It is also amazing to me how poorly they have learned from their Lord and savior:
Folden was wearing a T-shirt printed with the Christian slogan, “My Savior Is Tougher Than Nails.”
Let me speak directly to Folden for a moment: If you’d actually read the New Testament, Folden, you’d know that even when nailed to a cross, Christ is said to have forgiven his persecutors. He didn’t fight back or act out when ridiculed, tortured, and murdered. However, you think he can’t handle somebody drawing a naughty picture of him? Have you ever heard the phrase, “turn the other cheek”?
Kathleen Folden, I’m no longer really a Christian, but I have to say that you’re a piss-poor example of one.
Unfortunately for you, there’s a thing called the “internet” now, where images are preserved and can be seen by any and all who care to do so. Your attempt at artistic censorship, though violent and inhumane, will only make people more interested in seeing Chagoya’s work.
With that in mind, I present “The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals,” in sarcastic honor of Folden’s stupid achievement:
If I find a better resolution image of it on the internet, I will post that, as well. To Hell with you, Folden — literally.
Skulls in the Stars 
I have questions. What would be the response if the image of Christ would have been that of Muhammad instead? Do you believe the Muslim community would have been quietly picketing outside of the Art museum? Do you believe this artist and museum would be afraid to display an image of Muhammad having sex with Christ? It is interesting to me how we can be so critical of a disturbed Christian who destroys a piece of private property and so understanding of a poor misunderstood Muslim who is willing to kill for their religion.
Does it matter? If everything you said is true, would that make Folden’s actions okay? Bringing up Islam and Muhammad is simply a distraction from the ugly reality that a depressing number of self-professed Christians (and I strongly note, by no means even a majority) have based their religion on fear and intolerance.
First of all, bravo! I’ve come to expect this sort of story from some of the other blogs I read, but it’s always nice to find out someone else shares my views.
Anthony, you ask some interesting questions. I do think the museum would have been more hesitant to display a picture of Muhammad, but only because there is a history of well-publicized violent response, even though most Muslims would do nothing about it. That doesn’t make it wrong to be critical of Muslims at all! Also, it seems to me as though you mistake Mr. Gbur’s attack on Mrs. Folden as a condonation of violent Muslims! It was nothing of the sort! Any radical Muslim who reacts violently to a cartoon of Muhammad should receive the same treatment.
Also, I’m no longer religious, but I feel like you might be confused. It almost seems like you assume that Muslims are the only violent ones. Most Muslim are not violent, and there are definitely violent Christians (Mrs. Folden as a case in point)!
That’s a very bad point, all it does is prove how, for the most part, the religious community is simply a bunch of hipocrits who don’t follow anything their ‘savior’ ever said.
This woman who thinks that she is religious is another ‘blinded by the reality light’ person, another tea bagging racist, I guarantee. Just from reading the article, I can tell you almost all you need to know about this sexually frustrated angry racist person. don’t believe me? Prove me wrong! She is not religious, she is a robot who can not think over the complex issues of life, so she takes to a violent act on some art (kinda dumb to me, but, hey, he is allowed, and I am an atheist) which is better than her shooting the artist, but she sets in motions the “idiot response” of more or her ilk trying to do the same thing. She is a TERRORIST!
Horray for Kathleen Folden! Idiots bash Christianity non-stop & think it’s okay to spew their hate. I think it’s hilarious that someone bashed the porno cartoon that was specifically targeted to offend a large swath of the population. Enrique Chagoya is a jerk.
Yay for violence and suppression of ideas that others may find disagreeable! I hope you’ll be cheering just as loudly the next time someone decides to burn a church to the ground. I mean, if violence is okay to shut up those who seemingly criticize Christianity, then surely it’s okay the other way around? Or are you just an ignorant hypocrite?
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You realize your comment proves that you are not a true Christian. YOU don’t even believe the lies you feed others.
Although I am personally offended by this piece, I find Kathleen Folden’s response to be fairly idiotic. First of all, this piece was not receiving much coverage before this incident, and by destroying it, she merely brought it more attention, clearly showing a lack of though on her part.
Another point to bring up is if the museum that showed the work even had the right to do so. It is a public gallery, funded by taxpayer dollars, and as such must follow constitutional guidelines. Under the first amendment, the government cannot favor or denounce a particular religion. By displaying this art on public property, I would argue that they are doing just that (also the statements by the Loveland museum’s curator supports this point)
Steve P saying the “there are not many violent Muslims, but there are plenty of violent Christians” is a fairly stupid statement. If you look at the majority of the violence in the world today, it is the result of Islamic extremists and their agenda. It seems everytime I read the news, there is news of a suicide bombing, or attacks by the Taliban or Al Qaeda. Although I would agree that this a small percentage of Muslims, look at the damage that this vocal minority has caused. Again I am not saying that this is all Muslims at all, but point out a recent act of violence on the part of a Christian group that is anywhere near the level of a recent terrorist attack.
I suppose I misspoke. I did not intend to suggest there were more violent Christians than Muslims, but to suggest that Muslims have a monopoly on violence is ridiculous. Also, you seem to have understood my point that the small percentage of violent Muslims is not representative of the average Muslim. It is impossible to discount the vocal minority of violent Christians. Consider the religious terrorism that occurs relatively often in Ireland.
Also: “there are not many violent Muslims, but there are plenty of violent Christians.” I didn’t write that. Quotes are wrong.
Stupid move lady. Now all the artsy pansies will use this to equate the mass waves of muslim violence with your one stupid gesture.
It is quite relevant if we are going to discuss defending free speech: I bet this museum would be afraid to put up an image of Mohammed smoking a doobie and jerking off. Because then the museum curator would have his head cut off, or at least threatened to be cut off for his “free speech manliness.”
Simply admit that the so-called modern art world are a bunch of pansies who are afraid of Muslims, but not afraid of Christians because Christians are civil.
There’s a reason for this, which is not politically correct.
When a museum is willing to defile Mohammed, then you can chirp all you want about your free speech street cred. Right now you’re all just playing ring and run.
“When a museum is willing to defile Mohammed, then you can chirp all you want about your free speech street cred. Right now you’re all just playing ring and run.”
Wow, if you say so, it must be right, anonymous angry internet commenter!
You seem to have a misunderstanding of the idea of free speech, which isn’t that hard of a concept to grasp. You see, free speech is about people being free to say what *they* want to say, not to say what *you* think they should be saying. If you feel so strongly about defiling Mohammed publicly, then go right ahead — don’t whine because of fears you *imagine* other people have.
“Simply admit that the so-called modern art world are a bunch of pansies who are afraid of Muslims, but not afraid of Christians because Christians are civil. ”
See, I always thought that it was much more risky to challenge the status quo, which in this country happens to be an overwhelmingly majority Christian country. Maybe you should consider the fact that criticism of Christianity appears in art more often than criticism of Islam simply because most Americans don’t have any interaction with Islam at all in their lives. Saying that it’s brave to pick on a minority in the United States is like saying it’s brave to pick on the weak, unpopular kid in high school.
You really think Christians are “civil”? If you are a Christian yourself, your comment has disproved your own belief.
Just a note from a guy who has been following this story and has seen the ‘muslim’ thing thrown about … there was a depiction of Muhammad in the series praying next to a bed while two women in lingerie and pig heads danced atop the mattress. And two panels away from Jesus.
Kathleen Folden is a radical and I am glad my mother-in-law was there protesting the protesters! Free-Speech is thrown about a lot only when someone is being smug. When something offensive to that person shows up … well, Free Speech is out the window. Or smashed with a crowbar.
Thanks for the comment! I hadn’t even noticed the clearly Islamic figure two panels over.
Thank your mother-in-law, too, for standing up for freedom of expression!
All social/political/religious issues aside, the art is question is crap. Little better than junior high school scribbles. Chagoya is a hack of questionable talent whose only qualifications seem to be a Latino heritage and an angry, anti-American, anti-religion message.
Loveland is generally known for promoting and displaying true works of fine art. IMHO, This falls short of that. Chagoya’s drivel is vulgar and crass.
Anyone who is aware knows that Enrique Chagoya is a contemporary master. Those who don’t understand art should really stay out of the conversation. After all, we don’t comment on your “monster monster truck rallies” nor your guns and ammo shows.
Enrique Chagoya is a contemporary master of crap. My 5 year old niece can draw better than that with her crayon soaps. To call him a contemporary master is like calling the Grand Canyon a ditch.
I would like to find a way to send this lady money to help her defense fund or loss of work, Bravo for her being strong willed enough to take action on her beliefs. The painting was done with the intention of offending, guess what it worked! What do you expect?
I suppose you cheer on middle eastern terrorists for being strong enough to take action on their beliefs? How about Nazis? Do you like Nazis? #moron
I’d like to take a crow bar to Kathleen’s face which, I might add is far from a work of art. What’s ruining Christianity? Christians.
Thanks for making an actual well thought out blog on a very important subject. I personally find the lack of any Christian ideals in Christians quite funny and sad.