Protest Poster

Artist Statement

Supreme Court Justice, Dallin H. Oaks, in February of 1992 gave a discourse on how the constitution of the United States is divinely inspired.  It is a base of organization, order, and balance which with time, is added to or adjusted with new revelation as are the scriptures.  This is an idea that is not initially common throughout most of America, however.   Whether one believes it is inspired or not, there always seems to be a reverence for its greatness nonetheless.  Even so that a politician would never straightly say that he is against it and when governing, he is always held in check by it.  New laws and old laws are constantly contrasted with the writings of the constitution and, if not congruent, are dismissed without further opinion sharing of man.  Likewise, many can argue that holy scriptures play a similar role in the life of the religious individual and family. 

Now, outside of the pattern of the two inspired texts being displayed as guides and bounds for government and its constituents, there is another demonstration of how church IS state in this poster as well, which is actually the greater part of the issue I wish to engage.  It is that of the juxtaposition in the images of the government and the family.  Many articles have been written about the family unit being basic unit of government.  An English writer, Charles Caleb Colton in fact states, “The family is the most basic unit of government.  As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family establishes society’s most basic values.”  Likewise, in an blog essay by Dr. Clark Jensen he further addresses that “no matter what the teacher does, no matter what the school system does, no matter what the state and federal government, if the family is weak, the child will struggle to a much greater degree than if the family support system is solid” showing that the family unit, in the end, has a greater effect on the nation than a couple politicians do.  Should the definition of America be placed in the few politicians that represent it or the millions of families that comprise its populace?  Now, considering that most of those families are God-fearing, is there really separation of church and state.

This poster ends up being a display that 1-God is guiding America through the inspired texts upon which it is based 2-No ruling will necessarily rule out that America has actual separation of church and state and 3-families should realize their potential still be God fearing though it may be against the words of a small number of government officials.