Let them laugh

When the Top Ten for this year's Artprize contest were announced (Artprize is a massive public art showing in downtown Grand Rapids MI that last 3 weeks, has public voting, and sizable prizes) there was considerable criticism from art critics about the peoples' choices.  That ordinary people and art critics differ on what they like should be no surprise, we're used to seeing movies, TV shows, and songs win awards that have nothing to do with popularity.
One of the critics working for the Grand Rapids Press wrote about one piece in particular, Mia Tavonatti's "Crucifixion" (a large glass mosaic of Christ on the Cross), that if this particular piece were to win the top prize, that Grand Rapids would become a "laughingstock" in the art world.  Evidently, religious art isn't meant to be taken seriously.
When the final results were revealed, "Crucifixion" won the top prize, and I can't help but wonder how many additional votes were cast for Mia's piece precisely because plenty of those neophytes who don't know anything about art didn't really appreciate being told that their Christianity should be publicly scorned.  We all remember how loudly critics came to the defense of "art" funded by the NEA that depicted the cross in a jar of urine.  It seems a bit odd that mocking Christianity in America gets you critical applause, but creating a beautiful piece of art that celebrates Western Civilization's most iconic image is somehow to be laughed at.
My wife and I were at the announcement of the winners in downtown GR and I certainly know that I cheered and clapped louder when "Crucifixion" won the contest.  In the end, the world is going to mock Jesus.  They always have, they rejected him when he came to this world to offer salvation, it is no surprise that those who have not found his grace continue to mock him still.  Are we a "laughingstock" now?  Let them laugh, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.