by Trent Greguhn

Created on: April 21, 2009

A political cartoonist uses satire and exaggeration to depict their point of view. Whether it be defaming the new president or praising him, bad mouthing Republicans or slamming Democrats, bringing up faults in conservative thinking or pointing out flaws in liberal ideas. This is generally accepted by everyone, and almost never thought to be slander. As it is with most topics out there, people write about it, they draw about it, and they paint about it, but no one says a word. However, the moment faith is written or discussed a maelstrom of anger and resentment is sent out amongst the artists. Why is faith a taboo not to be questioned or brought up?

Faith is a sensitive subject. Not only are it's general precepts not clearly understood by any particular denomination, the context of the faith also brings about another problem. For example, whether you are Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or Jewish, your belief system is going to differ from the next person who also follows the same faith. One Christian might believe and follow a suggestion given by their church while the person sitting next to them might disregard it completely. Secondly, a depiction of Jesus Christ upon a crucifix might be harmless enough to a Christian, but if it were to be painted from a Jewish artist there would be uproar amongst the Jewish community. The book, 'My Name is Asher Lev' comes to mind.

Defining slander in the context of faith also becomes a problem because slander means a representation of something false. When dealing with faith, what is true and what is false? The concept of faith precludes these things. Faith is belief in truth, but a belief nonetheless, unfalsifiable and improvable. So what are we to say is slander when speaking of faith, especially of faith in the arts? A painting that a Muslim might find offense, the next Muslim might not mind, and a person of a different belief system would disregard entirely.

Thinking art that mocks faith is slander seems outside of reality. When our faith is brought into question we tend to go into lockdown and fire off our defense mechanisms to fight off the person who might question us. This is a dangerous way to live. We need to open our heart and our mind to compassion, compassion to the thoughts and feelings of others that most certainly won't be in agreement with ours. Once we achieve this I think we'll find that the people we're opening up to will start opening up to us, and we'll all start understanding each other a lot better.

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