Worshippers say plan for new bronze Amazonian love god statue is 'offensive to ... trends now
Christians have slammed a plan to erect a statue of an Amazonian love god near a cathedral as ‘offensive’ and an ‘insult.’
The bizarre-looking 6ft 2in bronze figure is being paid for by taxpayers as part of a £1million trail of five sculptures through the centre of Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
According to its creator, artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, the sculpture was inspired by a painting of local Victorian conservationist Charles Waterton capturing a caiman or alligator-type creature, the love story of his parents and his own connections with Wakefield.
But a planning application to site the ‘pagan statue’ on Cathedral Walk, close to the historic Anglican cathedral’s main entrance, has prompted more than 60 complaints from members of the public.
Christians have slammed a plan to erect a statue of an Amazonian love god near a cathedral as ‘offensive’ and an ‘insult'. The statue is pictured
The bizarre-looking 6ft 2in bronze figure is being paid for by taxpayers as part of a £1million trail of five sculptures through the centre of Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Complaining about the insensitive location, one objector commented: ‘How can you possibly think that the erection of a Sun God opposite the central place of Christian worship in the city and district, could be acceptable?
‘It is at best insensitive and at worst a deliberate attempt to mock Christianity, the cathedral and all it stands for. Is this a precedent?
‘Should we expect the council to place such offensive statues outside other local centres of worship, Christian and otherwise?’
Another resident said: ‘Having a statue like this outside Wakefield Cathedral would completely mock the Christian faith in every way. Very wrong in my opinion and needs to be put elsewhere, if anywhere.’
A third said ‘to