There are bad ideas, really bad ideas, and then there’s this…
Yup. It’s a picture of Judas hanging himself and the coins dropping out of his hand are turning into flowers. Why? I’m not really sure.
The Church Times reports that the window had been turned down in years past because “church authorities at the time deemed the subject of suicide unfitting.”
No!!!!?
Two years ago, the Rector, the Revd Jacqueline Birdseye, and her parishioners re-examined the issue. She said on Tuesday: “It seemed that everybody wanted it to go ahead; we had a PCC meeting, and the vote was unanimous. We spent a long time just making sure that we got the procedure right.
“Back then, many people regarded suicide as an unforgivable sin; but people’s attitudes have changed. I have known several families who have been touched by suicide, and we felt that it was the right thing to have in church. Churches are not just about angels and Easter happiness.”
Yes, let’s put Jesus’ crucifixion and Judas’ suicide on the same plane. That sounds like a brilliant idea. Never mind that Jesus said it would’ve been better if he had not been born.
May 5, 2014 at 3:33 pm
"Back then, many people regarded suicide as an unforgivable sin; but people's attitudes have changed." AND???? Why would changing attitudes toward suicide make Judas hanging by his neck something you would want to see in a church???
May 5, 2014 at 3:36 pm
The story is weirder. The window is only visible from outside the church and was donated by the artist, who decided that Judas was forgiven (personal interpretation being okay in Anglicanism). http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/2-may/news/uk/judas-window-allowed-into-church
May 5, 2014 at 4:58 pm
According to this article, the window cannot be seen from inside the church, and from the outside the image can only be seen from certain angles: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/2-may/news/uk/judas-window-allowed-into-church
May 5, 2014 at 6:23 pm
PCC? Are they the Presbyterians?
May 5, 2014 at 7:04 pm
Female clergy = No moral leadership. Focus on voting and procedure rather than right and wrong. I guess they must not have any children attending this gathering space — where were the parental protests, 'cause I sure as Hell is Hot would not be taking my child to view this travesty. Sigh ….
May 5, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Parochial Church Council = local representative body for parishioners in the Church of England. Not to be confused with the parish council, which is the lowest tier of elected local government in England.
May 5, 2014 at 7:34 pm
The Thirty Pieces of Silver falling as roses from a corpse – a blending of the sappiest sort of greeting cards and Satanism.
May 5, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Woe, woe, woe!
Of all thing images to be articulated, exalted and praised in glass!
Not the "best" call. No doubt, the day will come, sooner than later, when it will be removed.
Better to show the Holy Legion of the Little Army of the Unborn!
If looking for effect, meditate on that.
May 6, 2014 at 12:56 am
I have a friend who has a brother committing suicide and a shadow picture of suicide in a religious magazine unsettled her. Such images won't ease the pain and trauma of their experience.
May 6, 2014 at 1:02 am
Did Judas wear khakis?
May 6, 2014 at 1:13 am
Because liberalism is a disease of the mind.
Everyone should read the (now online) book, Liberalism is a Sin (http://liberalismisasin.com/), first published in English in 1899. It will blow you away and give you a solid understanding of where modern liberalism came from.
May 6, 2014 at 2:41 am
Is this a Catholic Church? The idiot running blog is so vague on details it's hawed to tell but it looks Methodist or another offshoot of Church of England. Unless it's another islami cult that bought or murdered their way into a real church
May 6, 2014 at 3:35 am
Well, Proteios, the rector is a woman, so that should tell you something about what denomination it isn't…
May 6, 2014 at 2:01 pm
"Churches are not just about angels and Easter happiness."
Hm. Why do I, despite her comment, doubt that "Rev. Jacqueline" would be open to putting an actual crucifix in her place of worship?
May 6, 2014 at 2:37 pm
How could the attitude change? So people are 'cool' worth hanging yourself now? Unlikely. Besides it can only be a ticket to hell. There's no repentance after your dead and there is no opportunity to repent after you kill yourself…and it's a mortal sin. Logistically if not obviously, there is no opportunity a person has to confess after the deed is done. Besides. Who says suicide isn't as bad as it used to be?
May 6, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Hummmm Doesn't sound like that window glorifies God.
May 6, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Proteios-
your statement is not accurate. For one thing we do not or understand the depth of God's mercy. If a person is in the throws of severe mental illness, it is probable that they are not acting freely. Severe depression, bipolar disorder, and other diseases ravish your ability to make decisions clearly and with complete knowledge and free will. Second, depending on the method, the person taking their own life could be conscience for minutes to days after the act. we also do not know what happens in the heart beat between life and death. Yes suicide is a mortal sin, but we should not assume anyone to hell because of it. We should pray for their souls. most people who take their lives don't want to die, they want to pain to end. Compassion and hope are not bad things.