MONROE, Ohio - The famous King of Kings statue at the Solid Rock Church in Monroe has been destroyed

[LaurenG]

by a fire.
The 62-foot tall statue of Jesus constructed out of styrofoam, wood and fiberglass resin caught on fire during the severe thunderstorms around 11:15 p.m. Monday evening.

The only thing left of the 16,000 pound statue is the metal frame.

Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu said in a news release the statue fully involved in fire when crews arrived.

Chief Neu says they believe the fire started after a lightning strike. Crews were able to use water from the pond in front of the statue, however, the fire burned very quickly, according to police.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/monroe/king-of-kings-statue-destroyed-by-fire


:D :wow:

Big butter Jesus was struck by lightning.

edit typo

[Hannah Bell]

1. god *hated* that monstrosity. no graven images, y'all.

[LaurenG]

2. It was fun to shock visitors to the area after picking them up

from the Dayton airport.

[Hannah Bell]

3. god will not be mocked.

[Divine Discontent]

4. I couldn't imagine constructing that outside of my church. It does look like a big butter statue.

I would have to say, this seems like a graven image if I ever saw one, seriously! It's creation obviously encourages strange responses, and mocking.

You know they'll take up donations yet again and build another one. Don't they understand God smote it once? I appreciate a beautiful peaceful place of worship as much as the next, but this just seems disruptive.

[regnaD kciN]

10. That has to be the tackiest religious art I've ever seen...

...and, from a look at that church's website, they seem to tread the party line of fundamentalism (the "vicarious atonement" variety that teaches, essentially, that God needed to kick the crap out of Jesus in order to "get it out of his system" so that he could forgive humans for Adam and Eve :eyes: ) that, IMHO, is about as anti-Christian as it gets. And, for what it's worth, I'm a Christian cleric myself.)

[HarveyDarkey]

22. Big Butter Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq01UYiMyHg

[Trajan]

5. Which was the Act of God ?

The building of it ? ... or the destruction of it ?

[pinboy3niner]

6. Self-delete

Wrong county.

[JesterCS]

8. No Monroe County here

Its Butler, Warren county.

[pinboy3niner]

12. Thanks for the correction

Edited--and brushing up on my Ohio geography. :)

[JesterCS]

23. Quite alright lol

Its weird everytime I travel. I end up in a Monroe somehow. Bloomington, IN is Monroe County. Key West, Florida. also Monroe County lol

[pinboy3niner]

28. Monroe COUNTY, Ohio, is on the Ohio River

It's South, a BIT of a hike from Cincy. :)

[JesterCS]

7. Yeah heard about it...

last night around 1am.. i live just a few miles away. Storms were pretty exciting here.

All thats left is a metal framework, looks kinda alien. =p

[LaurenG]

9. Yeah it's always nice to be woken up by tornado sirens

I heard them before the thunder.

I never felt comfortable with touch down Jesus, he was just over the top. I think it's ironic that it was struck by lighting.

[DemReadingDU]

17. We always referred to this as touchdown Jesus too

[KharmaTrain]

11. Now Heywood Banks Needs To Write An Update...

Big Butter Jesus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0OxLXe5YnQ&NR=1

[mikeytherat]

13. Was that the "Touchdown Jesus" monstrosity?

Styrofoam, wood and fiberglass resin? Who'd a thunk that would burn?

mikey_the_rat

[treestar]

14. Clearly Allah was displeased!

:nuke:

[Fumesucker]

15. This thread is useless without pictures..

It does sorta look like He's calling down the lightning..

[Champion Jack]

16. Yeah, pleading for anything that will get him the hell outta there

[AngryOldDem]

26. Picture a giant stick figure...like a statue made of twigs.

That's what's left.

I wish I could post a pic, but it's on the Dayton Daily News home page: http://www.daytondailynews.com/

As a former Ohioan who used to pass by that monstrosity every now and then, I am damn glad it's gone. "Eyesore" doesn't even begin to describe that thing. It took tacky to a whole new meaning.

What is it they say? God will not be mocked? I think it could also be a commentary on the state of Warren County politics too.

[rucky]

18. Maybe they'll build an even bigger, butterier Jesus now?

bummer. I love driving past the Big Jeez.

[DemReadingDU]

19. video - Jesus is on fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUZ3d1tTbWg

[yellowcanine]

32. Someone on another site wondered if it will rise again in 3 days.

[DemReadingDU]

38. lol!

[n2doc]

20. Zozobra n/t

[callous taoboy]

21. snicker

[MilesColtrane]

24. God to fundies:

"Second Commandment....get ta know it!"

[ozymandius]

25. What? No roasting marshmallows?

I suppose it could be divinely inspired art criticism. :hide:

[BR_Parkway]

27. It's been a tough week for lightning and churches - 2 in NC on Sunday

had problems - one got the steeple knocked off with lightning and a fire, the other the ceiling caved in during Sunday services

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8554023

[Tailormyst]

29. awesome. just awesome.

[DemReadingDU]

30. Picture

6/15/10
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.

more...
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/jesus-statue-fire-damages-estimated-at-700-000jesus-statue-fire-damages-estimated-at-700-000-762245.html

[Arugula Latte]

34. Here's a photo of Big Jebus pre-flameout:

[DemReadingDU]

37. Oh yeh, I've driven by this many times!

[yellowcanine]

31. Hopefully they had Jesus insurance.

[Arugula Latte]

33. The only thing I don't like about this is the toxic fumes coming off burning styrofoam.

Other than that, this made my day. :rofl:

[Ian David]

35. What will replace the Giant Butter Jesus? (aka Touchdown Jesus, aka Quicksand Jesus) Dial-up Warning

What will replace the Giant Butter Jesus? (aka Touchdown Jesus, aka Quicksand Jesus) Dial-up Warning
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=214&topic_id=250723&mesg_id=250723

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. Yayyyyyyyy! Woo Hoo!!!

Meanwhile, the oil volcano continues unabated and the gulf dies...

But but but, some meaningless monument was destroyed! Yaaaay!