(Holy cow... MONROE — Charred remnants remained this morning, June 15, of the large Jesus statue iconic to Interstate 75 that was destroyed following an apparent lightning strike during a thunderstorm late Monday night. The Lawrence Bishop Music Theater at Solid Rock Church on Union Road endured smoke damage, according to officials. Damages to the King of Kings statue and the theater were estimated to be around $700,000, said Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu. No one was injured in the blaze. The smell of smoke surrounded the area of the statue’s charred frame, and the pond in front of it appeared murky, witnesses said. Keith Lewis of Middletown showed up at the church just after 7 a.m. with a camera in hand to take some shots of the remains. His wife, Stephanie, sent him. “It has been a landmark in this area for a long time,” Lewis said. “She said she wanted picture of what was left.” A guitarist, Lewis said he has learned to play comedian Heywood Banks’ song about the statue, “Big Butter Jesus,” and has also had his picture taking in front with his hands in the air. Was the statue an oddity or inspiration to Lewis? “Really a little of both,” he said, noting he doesn’t believe the nicknames were meant with any disrespect. “Kind of do hope they rebuild it.” Neu has called a news conference for 10 a.m. today at the church. He and Police Lt. Brian Curlis said officials have been swamped with calls from media across the Tri-State this morning about the blaze. Neu said indications are lightning struck the right hand of the statue. 911 calls received by Monroe and Warren County dispatchers confirm witnesses saw the hand on fire first. “It was fully involved when our guys got there,” Neu said. Firefighters were dispatched at 11:16 p.m. and were on the scene at 11:22 p.m. The church was not damaged, but audio equipment housed Jesus statue fire damages estimated at $700,000
I'm not sure how much God cares about this mess that we make down here - Or what he thinks of the American Super Mega McChurch - but if is this is him making a statement - He sure picked an hysterical way to do it! Right On!
Is it just me or does it look like a wine bottle opener now? ok...so picture it with the "arms" up and open.... I know I know....Hell, party of 1, your table is ready.
Not touching this thread with a 20" fiberglass insulated high voltage pole. This is just a little too "uncanny"...
LOL it does look like a cork screw! Excellent call, CRC! All joking aside, the poor people who have invested so much into that church and their Jesus must be absolutely devastated. Makes me wonder if they had crematoriums present back in the time of the crucifixion that their figurehead savior would never had been...or that it would have made for an even greater fantastical story to write about. Christ rising like a phoenix from the ashes would have been quite remarkable, even more so than the current zombie tale. Perhaps they can rebuild it in the likeness of "buddy christ" from Dogma.
Brokor, I can understand where you are coming from, the cinicism and such, heck it even piques my darkly jaded sense of humor...... But ya gotta know, you are going to Hell..... Not to worry - I'll likely be your neighbor.......
The solid rock church had it coming the pastor owns a horse farm and in the 70s and 80s used to smuggle cocaine in along with the horses which is what funded the solid rock church... also 1 more Fact about the solid rock church is to become a member you must present your W2s for evaluation and if you are willing to give the amount in tidings each week that they assign you only then can u become a member.
As one who is jaded and cynical ... and also a Christian - just want to drop a note that you don't have to go to hell. After 22 years of practicing the faith, I'm pretty much fed up with Christians and the corporate church. Too much hypocrisy, money and general BS. I've also found through my own experiences that much of what they teach is either wrong or doesn't apply to today. IMO God is silent in these days - and we deserve it. But, I still hang on to the notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we can have eternal life. Accept that, live like a decent human being (and I think that anyone posting on this board is conscientious enough to qualify) and that's all the fire insurance you need Regards
There really is a Facebook page for everything......I am sooooooo going to hell...but this made me laugh...out loud. R.I.P. Touchdown Jesus 2004-2010 R.I.P. Touchdown Jesus 2004-2010 | Facebook AND they're selling pieces of it in ebay...of course. Good grief...the world really has gone crazy.... http://cgi.ebay.com/Piece-burned-to...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c13620233
**snort** Coffee on the keyboard again...I'm going to need a new one any day now at this rate... Now I want to watch "Cool Hand Luke" again, and sing about my plastic Jesus... YouTube- Paul Newman - Cool Hand Luke - "Plastic Jesus"
Due to the economy, they will not be rebuilding this amazing statue,Yet they will cover the framework with a very large sheet and rename it "The Holy Ghost". LOL
If even 1/2 of what Quigs had to say about this church (and I use the term church loosely)is true. The paster is lucky that he and his church building were not destroyed by lightning. As to the fools who submit their w-2s to this church, .... well lets just say they deserve to be skinned, fleeced, bent over and boned. Anyone that stupid is wasting air. And people wonder what upsets me about organized religion.....
Love it: heathen humor: I'll be standing next to you when "judgement day" comes and Morgan walks over to our line points and and says": Son! You, yes...you; come over here; and the rest of you listen up so I won't have to repeat myself: Son you screwed up..."What am I supposed to do with you"?
Bob&Tom Almost got me fired for singing "cameltoe"and " captain "dill-dough"at work, in the shop. Neither of which is "safe for work"...
