You just can’t make this stuff up.
72 feet tall. Cross instead of a torch. 10 Commandments in her arm. Total cost: $260,000. It’s not quite Lady Liberty; it’s the Statue of Liberation Through Christ, a monument erected by World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church in Memphis, Tenn.
“[It’s] a creative means of just really letting people know that God is the foundation of our nation,” said the church’s pastor, Alton R. Williams. According to the New York Times, Williams has also bought full page ads in a Memphis paper condemning homosexuality, lists “legalized abortion, a lack of prayer in schools and the country’s ‘promotion of expressions of New Age, Wicca, secularism and humanism,'” among the nation’s ills, and claimed Hurricane Katrina was punishment for the sins of New Orleans.
Just add it to the other religious monuments, including ‘touchdown’ Jesus and the 99-foot eyesore.
Doug
July 6, 2006
How does one fundraise $260,000 for something like this?
CHURCH-GOER: “And what will my donation be going to? Missions? Child care?”
CHURCH: “No, a Statue of Liberty.”
CHURCH-GOER: “But don’t we already have one of those, welcoming the huddled masses of all creeds and backgrounds to our country of religious freedom?”
CHURCH: “Yes, but it’s not creepy enough.”
CHURCH-GOER: “Well, I’m sold.” *gets out wallet*
Brandon Meek
July 6, 2006
Give me your tired, your poor, and your quarter million.
RC of strangeculture
July 6, 2006
ugh…i’m not overly patriotic but this is sick…sort of like the abercrobie-esque t-shirts that read “a bread crumb and fish.”
Jennifer
July 6, 2006
Oh good grief!
Scott
July 7, 2006
Sadly, it is easier to build a statue and let that speak Truth to the people of the community than to get out and speak Truth yourself.
A.B. Dada
July 7, 2006
Ridiculous and just one more mistake that will likely chase away people seeking God.
Williams is the anti-thesis of what we should be doing as Christians. Christianity has nothing to do with the foundation of the U.S., and has even less to do with it today — we Christians are not to be “of this world” and we definitely shouldn’t be pulling stunts like this.
I think of how bad my own congregation is doing in terms of meeting the needs of our community — to see money wasted on worldly junk and ego boosting amazes me.
kristiapplesauce
July 9, 2006
Stop the maddness.
Paul
July 10, 2006
*ugh* . . . *cough* . . . *hack* . . . *gag* . . .
Of course, all of this has been said here already.
LOL at Doug and Brandon’s posts.
RH
July 11, 2006
This just makes me sick. Literaly I am sick to my stomach just reading about this abomination. I feel sorry for those who must live in the area. I hope those who want to can get out.
What a terible backwards thing to do. On top of that… what an amazing ignorance of history.
The people who do things like this scare me.
Kevin D. Hendricks
July 11, 2006
This made me laugh:
“A church in Memphis has erected a five-story Statue of Liberty, but instead of holding her torch, she’s got a crucifix. That doesn’t make any sense, but if a five-story vampire comes at these peple, they are so covered.” -Bill Mahr, as quoted in Time, July 17, 2006
Gene Mason
July 11, 2006
Well, since the original was a gift, perhaps the French would like to comment?
There is a bright spot though.. somehow going $800 over budget on my message series promotion last month doesn’t seem quite the stewardship mishap I thought it was.
Thanks for the perspective. If I went to this church I would seriously want my quarter million back.
Eric
July 12, 2006
I guess this qualifies for a change of motto, the new one being:
“In pursuit of liberty, equality, and stupidity”
Paul
July 12, 2006
Just thought I should add to the list of religious monuments the “Christ of the Ozarks.”
evelyn
July 12, 2006
let God arise and His enemies be scattered. psalms 68a
Adam K
July 12, 2006
Retro-viral drugs, which are extremely effective against the strain of the AIDS virus currently ravaging the African continent, cost $1 per person per day. $260,000 would provide one year of treatment to approximately 712 people. If this church had given $260,000 to battle the AIDS pandemic in Africa, the media would have noticed, and the world would have “seen their good works and [taken seriously] the Father in Heaven.” Instead they squandered $260,000 of God’s money, the media noticed, the world laughed and justifiably continued to dismiss the message of Christ because of the stupidity of the message bearers.
Ibrat
July 15, 2006
Rev. Williams suggests that ‘God is the foundation of the nation’… If God has been Americanized! What comes next?
If he is searching for other creative ideas, how about a statue of ‘a crucified liberty’ then?!?
Nicholas
July 15, 2006
I go to this church and we are not money-wasters, nor stupid. Our leader erected this statue as a symbol to be free in Christ. it is a reminder that because Jesus died on the cross, we are free from the attacks of the enemy and sin. For the matter of money, our church has donated a myriad of dollars to the local community. And what have you all done? I don’t see people pulling out their wallets to give money to the poor, but what I do see is people going to the liquor store and local gas station to give their money to the lotto in HOPE of winning. Since the new statue has been erected many have come to know Christ, which makes it all worth it-no matter how much.
Ibrat
July 17, 2006
It does seem to me that those (incl. me) who watch Rev. Williams’ action, namely setting up the statute, are not happy and critical of his action… therefore, we post all these comments.
I have also posted a comment (15/07), which I do not regret of what I said, however what I later got convinced of is this: there must be little effect (if there is at all) in that sort of response to the whole thing! It also seems to be a kind of huffing and puffing behind this gentleman’s back which in a sense indignifies the man.
How about write an open letter to him and suggest why his action seems to be wrong?!? Or maybe somebody has more effective ideas…
jreynolds
July 18, 2006
something is very wrong with this conversation and to tell you the truth I am unable to decide if it those who put the statue up or those who are slandering them for doing something that seem “just not right”. We laugh, because it may seem silly to us. On the other hand, has anyone read Ezekiel?
we all do our best at proclaiming the gospel, and being a witness. we are not always right in the way we go about it. our G-d does not always do things that we think is “cool”.
wondering…
Paul
July 21, 2006
I’ve posted part I of a response to the statue on my blog: http://www.TheAestheticElevator.com/blog.
I do give the thing a fair shake, although my first impression (as stated above in this article) was still my first impression. Part II is still in the works . . .
ben
July 23, 2006
THE MEANING OF THE STATUE OF LIBERATION THROUGH CHRIST: Reconnecting Patriotism with Christianity(Knowledge base).
Tiffany
July 30, 2006
I think that Statue is awesome. America has turned their backs on God. Someone had to take a stand for God in America. This church took a bold step and instead of criticizing it maybe you should do a little research for yourself. First, America was founded on biblical principles. I do not believe that any nationality can honestly say that they were welcomed with opened arms when they came to America(which that’s what the Statue of Liberty stands for). Christ represents all and he gave his life for ALL of us. I believe that what most people are disgusted about is the cross (which probably brings conviction to your hearts). I think it was a great idea that God gave this pastor the vision because it stirring up news. If it weren’t so, I’d probably would have never came to this website to express my views. When I pass by the statue, it reminds me of how much Jesus sacrificed for me and that he loves me. On the day of the unveiling of the statue, the church gave away FREE food, drinks, rides, and I believe that is apart of charity. The church has given millions to charites all around. The church is paid for. I did my research before I typed all of this. Also, there is a HUGE Buddha that sits on a street in Memphis. I wonder why their isn’t a lot of controversy there. The blood of Jesus makes people tremble and I pray that you give God a try. If you don’t understand the statue ask God to open up your hearts to understand.
I have really enjoyed this and may God bless all of you. Oh, by the way, I am a PROUD member of World Overcomers and I stand right beside my awesome man of God 200%. Good Day.~
Ben Hart
July 31, 2016
America was not founded on Christian principles. Read the treaty of Tripili,article 11.
The United States was in no way founded on the Christian religion. 1797
Kevin Bay
October 27, 2006
“If you don’t understand the statue ask God to open up your hearts to understand.”
I’m not sure even God understands this one.
dave
December 19, 2006
“Jesus freaking crist”, this is it folks this is that oh so fragile line that has been so unabashedly smeered .If they get Lady Liberty to do with as they please then I call the virgin mary. Thats right people, a five story spandex clad statue of her rocking out to I use to love her but I had to kill her . aaawsome!!!
Ken
August 16, 2007
As I have taken the time to read a lot of your blogs, I see that a lot of you that say you beleive in God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ try to fit him inside one small box. One thing I’ve learned is, God is much larger than the little area that our mind can expand. Basically saying God goes far beyond man’s simple thought pattern. God gave Apostle A.R. Williams a vision. Who are we to determine if he was given this vision by God? In no way is this statue geared towards defacing the U.S. How many of you would acknowledge a cross that is in front of a church and think about your lifestyle. A lot of people read about Africa being overwhelmed with AIDS. Not True. Everything that is based on statistics is not true. If everyone in Africa had the ability to go to a private doctor, records would not be as visible as those that go to clinics. So you really cannot say Africa needs all that money. What about the other countries? Even if the money was sent would it save the lives of these that are infected. No, there is no cure but one. The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who heals all that ask and believe by faith. The savior is needed more than money. What better way to teach the word to those that will not enter into the house of the Lord or even want to hear someone speak on Christ. Last the statue was not created to welcome people into the united states. Do your research. It was created and given as a gift for the release of slaves. No one knows so change the meaning. Also, the reason why she is holding the cross. She symbolizes Liberation(Freedom) Through Jesus Christ who died on the CROSS. Its time we get out of the box and tradition and live by the word of god and the revelation of the God sent comforter-the spirit of GOD. Ohh yeah you can’t seperate the U.S. from the BIBLE if the country was founded on the BIBLE. Sinners want to remove the word so hell will have its place on earth. The bible speaks on everything to come. Jesus is returning soon if your ready or not. God bless this man of God for following the vision of God.
coolio
October 1, 2007
why did they put the statue of liberty in New York?????
gallo
April 25, 2011
I SEE MANY STATUES IN THE WORLD THAT REPRESENT THEIR CULTURE AND RELIGION MANY OF THOSE MAKES ME SICK SUCH AS THE SHIVA OR BUDDAH BUT WHO AM I TO JUDGE ? THEY BELIEVE IN THOSE GODS AND THEY BUILT THESE HUGE STATUE TO EXPRESS THEIR BELIEFS.
SO WHEN IT COME TO JESUS CHRIST ANYTHING WE DO, BUILT OR SAY IF YOU’RE DOING IN THE LOVE FOR HIM WILL BE BLESS AND REWARD. BECAUSE HE KNOWS YOUR HEART AND YOUR PURPOSE OF EVERY ACTION YOU MAKE.
Jitterbitten
June 30, 2013
Coolio~
Why would you be “made sick” by the statues of other religions? If someone told you that this statue or one of Jesus “made them sick” , wouldn’t that bother you? The arguments which are normally presented are about separation of church and state, the argument here, which is about both the cost and the historical accuracy presented, and sometimes about aesthetics, but I have yet to see a non-Christian say that any of these statues “make them sick”.
You guys constantly bleat about persecution, despite comprising the vast majority of the population as well as government representation, but the truth is, for the most part, non-Christians are far, far more tolerant of Christians than Christians are of non-believers. Many times I’ve heard Christians express shock that someone who is not a Christian is acting in love or humility or kindness. What sort of rotting prejudices lurk beneath the skin in so many Christians? I guess if you think about it, your bigotry is natural. After all, you believe everyone else is hell-bound sinner. Meanwhile, your leaders who are found with prostitutes and drugs rank higher in your estimation than atheists who harbor neither malice nor negativity.
It is my sincere wish that you “Christians” who harbor so much resentment towards those of different or no faith learn not only to examine your own heart, but your own religion and, this is really important, your American history. Everything you know is propaganda, spread by people who often don’t even follow their own dictates. I know, because I was raised as one of you, and my day of liberation from the shackles of blind faith was a day I will never regret; it was the day my eyes were opened to reality.
The worst thing about this statue is that it absolutely corrupts the original intent of the original. She stands for acceptance of all, and this abomination makes it quite clear that “only Christians need apply”. The perversion of what she represents is abhorrent and bigoted. Anyone supporting it should carefully consider this. It’s too important to ignore.
KEVIN
April 25, 2011
I AGREE !!!! at least this pastor did something for HIM
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR HIM LATELY???????????