London 2012: Primrose Hill ‘Jesus statue’ upsets residents
The BBC reports that:
Primrose Hill offers one of the most beautiful views in London but some residents are concerned it could be ruined by plans for a temporary statue of Jesus.
The statue marks the end of the London 2012 Games and the handover to 2016 host city Rio de Janeiro.
What on earth has Jesus Christ got to do with the Olympics which were started by the Greeks who worshipped a whole pantheon of gods? Honestly, the very lest we can do is stay in context!! How about a lovely big sculpture of a laurel wreath instead?
The statue of Jesus standing over Rio de Janeiro is the most famous landmark and icon of Rio, who are next to host the games. It is quite a fitting statue to indicate where the Olympics will be next and would be instantly recognisable to most people. In this context it is an icon of a city, rather than a religion.
JC has nothing to do with the laudably multi-cultural Olympics and little to do these days with the predominantly secular 2012 host nation. The baton-changing landmarks is quite a powerful idea but building a ‘temporary’ edifice on Primrose Hill, hardly comparable to Sugar Loaf Mountain is just ridiculous. Why not hologram the event in the closing show, perhaps an exchange from Big Ben to the Rio JC but very brief and assuredly temporary.