Artists famously never refer to history, politics, or religion in their paintings (Google "Guernica"). Especially when *checks notes* they directly paint imagery of past religious figures and gulag-style imprisonment/watch towers. This picture is 💯 saying something about Christian religion (why show Jesus?) and political (armed guards/imprisonment/gulag tower) and it's *not* even subtle. Trying to bury one's head in the sand about an artistic message doesn't make anyone look savvy, it just comes across as willfully ignorant and pitiful. Taking it out on people discussing the artistic intent because one doesn't like possible messages of the artist doesn't mean other people are wrong in their interpretations. Maybe you don't like the message of the artist himself. What do you know about that artist? Are they a Christian? Are they pro or anti Imperialism? Plenty of people draw irreverent political cartoons that often touch on political, ideological, or religious figures and history. Part of being a savvy consumer of visual media is realizing when an artist may not be depicting your ideology & heroes in a favorable way. Aka. If you were a big fan of a certain President and a cartoonist drew him looking foolish, it wouldn't do any good to argue with the people who see it and say "this artist shows that President looking silly." Here the artist drew some a religious figure in a suspicious (even subversive) way, enough to make a lot many people question what Jesus represents or is doing in this picture. Why did the artist do that? What is the artist trying to say? How would an informed believer feel about it? How will informed non-believers see it? How would the general public view it? This is called critical thinking and analysis. Being a believer doesn't mean having to stick heads in the sand to everything. In fact, being more aware of artists' intent will better help you communicate with others, know when media may not be on the side of your beliefs, and spread your own message with better results. After all, Christians are supposed to be winning over converts to save souls-- not wagging their fingers like bitter old Pharisees. I suspect the artist isn't showing Christianity in a favorable light in this picture, TBQH. As such, it doesn't matter what the commenters' personal beliefs are, the painting itself holds a message. You will look a lot smarter critically engaging with the artistic message rather than belittling other commenters. You could use it as an opportunity to teach the goodness of the religious message you believe in. I don't know why I feel the need to help here, but I felt a little sad to see you ignore/unaware(?) of how subversive the art is and trying to hold commenters accountable for the artistic intent. (The artist could have painted an image that was 100%, unambiguously Pro-Christian, but that's not what this painting is. This picture is subversive, quirky, but thought provoking-- not faithful). Here's an example to consider: If I painted an Arch Angel smoking weed, you wouldn't blame commenters seeing it for thinking the angel was intoxicated in that painting. Rather, a wise person would hold me, the artist, accountable for that impression. Consider that when you see your heroes & icons in art & media.

This was my Good Samaritan deed for the week. May you be safe and truly blessed, Candace.