The Christian churches don’t have it easy these days either. Too dark, too male, too imperialistic, too criminal – that’s how the accusations can perhaps be summarized. And how can an institution that is thousands of years old still be heard when everyone just stares at their cell phones, goes to the psychotherapist or wants to talk about their pets?
In Seville, the new poster for “Semana Santa”, Holy Week, famous for its religious parades, is currently stirring up a bit of excitement. The poster shows a Jesus who would probably have achieved a certain level of fame on Instagram or Onlyfans. “A very pretty boy”, that’s what you might say in Bavaria, and in fact the son of God is here in front of a lipstick-red background with a beguilingly gentle look, a manly bearded Conchita sausage chin, long hair and a sporty, muscular, possibly even laser-treated one Upper body something extremely sensual. The Savior is so sensual that some people are now grumbling that the poster is more appropriate for “Gay Pride” than for the procession of Catholic brotherhoods in southern Andalusia. Only Seville’s mayor, José Luis Sanz, is delighted with the artistic work commissioned by the local council of brotherhoods. But of course, the mayor of Munich doesn’t necessarily criticize the annual motif on the official Oktoberfest beer mug.
Anyone who sees something sexual in the poster needs help
The question is: Are eroticism and religion even a contradiction? The publicly attacked, internationally known poster painter Salustiano could have simply pointed to Saint Sebastian by Guido Reni, who is also very pretty, to the bare-breasted “Rapture of Saint Mary Magdalene” by Francesco Cairo or to the one by street artist Jorit Agoch house wall painted, incredibly beautiful San Gennaro in Naples. Why shouldn’t the pious eye occasionally be able to enjoy it? But Salustiano preferred to present his son Horacio (also handsome) to the complaining public and explained that he had modeled Jesus for him. Anyone who sees something sexual in their poster is sick and needs help.
The Andalusian psychotherapists are likely to have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks.