FOR COMMENTARY ON ART CLICK ON PAINTING, TO RETURN CLICK ON "ARTWORK>"
Deity Withholding Affection
Oil on Panel
12" x 16"
2018

The image is of the Judeo-Christian God of Love coming to drag you off to Hell. Jesus is depicted in his Christmas incarnation as supporter of Consumer Capitalism, plus there's a crown-of-thorns for those more attracted to martyrdom. The Holy Ghost appears as a modified secretary bird while the moon leers lewdly and the sun rolls it's eyes at the silliness and incipient violence of anthropomorphizing God, (Spinoza).
Growing up both Catholic and Gay I was moved to question why the God of Love hated Gay people. I read many books and devoted much thought to the subject over the years. Two books were especially helpful, "The Darkening Age" by Catherine Nixey, and "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer. According to Catherine Nixey's research hatred of others and book burning were present from the very beginning of Christianity. Eric Hoffer talks about how hate can unify a mass movement and give meaning and purpose to an empty life. The Abrahamic religions, besides introducing Fanaticism to Western Civilization, were always obsessed about the sex other people were having. Remember: "If you're happy and you know it, it's a sin."