Paganism

Earth Goddess statue in Cornwall deemed ‘offensive to God’ by Christian leaders

Liz Williams By |

Coat of arms of the Duchy of Cornwall

ST. AUSTELL, Cornwall – A vivid and colourful statue in the middle of the Cornish town of St. Austell representing an ‘Earth goddess’ has angered some local church leaders, according to reports in August.

Seven Christian leaders in the town have written an open letter to the town council, raising issues with artist Sandy Brown’s creation, which is the height of two double-decker buses and is the tallest ceramic sculpture in the U.K.

The letter said:

“The choice to erect a statue of an ‘earth goddess’ means that as the leaders of the town you are actively, though likely unknowingly, choosing to reject God and instead to bring the town under the spiritual influence of an ‘earth goddess’. We understand this may sound strange and may not be language that you are comfortable with.

However, as Christians we believe there is a spiritual reality to our world and so this is not an insignificant choice and has the potential to impact on the town in negative ways. We would ask that you consider either making significant changes to the statue … or at the very least the name is changed so that it is an abstract piece of art with no spiritual element. Or that you consider removing or relocating the statue.”

Rev. Pete Godfrey of the Light and Life Church added that the statue is, according to some Christian beliefs, technically idolatrous. Councillors have, however, hit back, with former Mayor Richard Pears remarking that he was “absolutely bowled over” by the letter.

“Everyone has their own opinion about art but to suggest it was offensive to God, I was absolutely flabbergasted…Probably not since the Reformation has a group of churches written to a local authority demanding the destruction of public art on the grounds that it offends the Almighty… It all feels rather medieval.”

He has written back quoting Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: “The thoughts of God no one knows, except the spirit of God.” He added that there are no plans either to remove the statue or change its title. The council appears to be taking a firm stand in the face of religious criticisms.

The statue is supposed to celebrate the area’s strong historical connections to the china clay industry as well as a love of the Earth.

The creator of the piece, sculptor Sandy Brown, said she was “saddened and baffled” by the comments from the church, “When I was making her it never occurred to me for one second. She is not religious, she is celebrating Mother Earth and is made of clay to celebrate the area’s heritage.”

Local opinion has been divided, with one local woman telling the BBC that it was a ‘monstrosity’ but others expressing the view that the statue has ‘livened up’ St. Austell town centre.

The Wild Hunt canvassed opinion from the UK’s Pagan community:

Jan Edwards, who identifies as Pagan offered, “If the objectors really are playing the false idol card, it veers dangerously into religious intolerance territory.” 

From Kerry, a Pagan, “Sandy Brown is an artist from my part of the world. To me the Earth Goddess looks more like a broad sword, and improves St Austell town centre 100%! If people are going to object to it on religious grounds, does that mean I am allowed to object to crucifixes outside of churches?” 

“’Church leaders’ in this context usually means a bunch of random fundamentalist representatives of small Evangelical churches with long names, not the C of E hierarchy or the Catholics. It must be annoying, especially for the Church of England, when these rather American style sects sound off like this and everyone thinks it’s what “the Church” thinks,” esotericist, James North told TWH.

Gaby Lyons, a Pagan, highlighted how both the size and how others have perceived the sculpture have coloured her impression, “I like the idea of an Earth goddess sculpture but this is really quite large and I might not welcome it where I live, but not for religious reasons. Also, someone said ‘kebab’ and now that’s all I can see.” 

“The very idea, that a religious sect should have any say in what constitutes appropriate art (especially in a secular setting) is beyond absurd,” Pagan, Esmée Ayres said.

“What the church fails to acknowledge is that the ‘Earth Goddess’ name is in homage to the china clay industry that brought employment, wealth and prosperity to this area. The very things that the English churches wanted to cash in on. The statue is not to my taste but the thought process was a considered one by the artist and local government, and art is a subjective matter for the eye of the beholder.

“In my opinion, the churches that are complaining are pushing their own beliefs in a less than Christian way, by bullying and chastising those of other beliefs. Subtle antisemitism by way of the press is no way to preach. (And in response to the comment that St. Austell is full of drug users/drunks/homeless people etc, the Church of England is one of the richest ‘companies’ in the UK so perhaps they could contribute and assist in helping their lost flock),” Jake Blight, a Pagan, told TWH.

Druid and writer, Mark Fitzpatrick said, “Might be interesting to tie this into the several uproars in the last few years in Ireland over “Pagan Idols”. A statue of Manannán Mac Lír was vandalised, and a lovely statue of a Pouka, I think it was, caused a lot of controversy and was eventually moved from the town centre where it had been put up…” 

And finally, Mike Stygal, a Pagan, had this to say, “A few thoughts – Pagan traditions account for the second largest faith community in Cornwall, the petition against the sculpture has less than 500 signatures from a local population of about 20,000, the statue is placed in a business/retail area…..hardly the most spiritual, while the piece is not to my taste, it is art and art is often created to promote a response and open conversation, which it has clearly done. The media response really is a storm in a tea cup.” 

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