(OPINION) CBN – A university is promoting the display of a student’s art project depicting a desecrated Bible, and that has Christians asking “why?” Riley Harris, a student at The University of Southern Maine, created the display for a class assignment. The purported intent was to transform a book into something new.
Conservative radio commentator Todd Starnes told CBN News that the art display includes a desecrated Bible and satanic images. He explains that the piece is called “Unholy Bible: Very Revised Standard Edition.” It reflects the head of Christ covered with a satanic image and includes torn pages from the Bible.
“He actually ripped pages out of the Bible and painted them to look like flames from the lake of fire. Then he took portraits and paintings and Christ and in place of the face of Jesus he placed a satanic image. You can actually see the nativity scene with Mary cradling the Christ child and there is an evil satanic face on the Christ child,” Starnes said.
Harris, who considers himself an atheist, said the purpose of his exhibit was to question authority. “I was thinking a lot about questioning authority in general,” Harris said. “People question different types of authority, but for some reason, religious authority seems too taboo to question, so I thought I would give it a shot.”
CentralMaine.com reports the exhibit is on display in a building on campus where community groups and church members meet. “I think it’s very inappropriate and repugnant,” Casco Bay Church of Christ member Charlie Flynn said. “This is someone’s sacred text being desecrated destroyed and displayed in a public place.” READ MORE
