Ewww, gross.  It’s bad enough that they would put the name “Jehovah” on the statue (which means absolutely nothing--it’s a misreading of the Hebrew YHWH with the vowels for Adonai), but to represent “America belonging to God through Jesus Christ” is ludicrous and unbiblical.  Surely they have wonderful intentions, but that Kingdom of the cross (represented by Jesus ‘power-under’ self-sacrificial Calvary love) should never be fused with any version of the kingdom of the world (he who lives by the sword dies by the sword).  God’s people on Earth is not America, it is the new Israel in Christ--his body.  And his Body transcends nationalistic allegiances, and civil boundaries.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding the point… but the last thing I want to hear on this fourth of July week-end is some sort of pseudo-Christian state religion where the Almighty Creator of the universe cares only about America.  God cares for all people, regardless of geographic considerations.
My two cents.

I guess I only see this as an outreach to the Statue of Liberty Lovers of America who think that the Pledge of Allegiance is actually in the Bible.  Seems like a waste of money to me, with more potential negative reaction than positive.

I think that the pastor should focus more on getting the word in the hearts of man than shoving it down there throats. God does want liberty and truth, and yes he has rules for us to live by, but until a man in his own heart determine that he will change or respect himself enough to allow God to change him outside idolism is just that. Outside. God changes us on the inside out not the outside in. And if man will not accept the word of God as truth there is no symbol that will do it. The bible said “If I be lifted up from the earth, I’ll draw all men unto me” he does not need us to lift anything or anyone up, just him, and the only way we can truly do that is live the life. We have to be careful not to offend any brother or become the very thing we say is contrary to the word and the will of God. we must remember that “there is a way that seemth right to a man but the end there of is the way of death” My brother pastor, please be careful for nothing and don’t let your good be evil spoken of. And it does matter what people think, and to me it is paganistic and i feel that it might as well have been the virgin mary or some other saint if you are going to do it like that. God bless you and i pray that we all make it in. Don’t forget if meat offend my brother, then what will we do about that. Brother, you know, and please don’t get well my people believe in what i am doing. They believe in you and you persuade them, God hold you accountable. What does that statue have to do with salvation and saving lives when it is surely making people not want to even pass by, and if you don’t care then what type of cult are you starting.

I absolutely adore the “Statue of Liberation”.  Since the Statue of Liberty is suppose to represent freedom, most nationalities can honestly say that they were not welcomed into this country.  The Statue of Liberation lets me know that God loves and accepts me for who I am.  What Americans are forgetting is that this country was founded on Christian values and someone had to take a stand before America has turned his back away from God.

World Overcomers Church had donated millions to different charities, the poor, single mothers, elderly, and the list goes on. On the day of the unveiling of the statue, the church had FREE food, drinks, rides all day. You could go back as many times as you like.  To me, that’s giving to the poor and feeding the hungry. God wants America to come back to him and Pastor Williams did not build the statue for people to idolize it, but it is there to remind people of the cross that Jesus beared for all mankind.  The tear is for the lost souls that God is crying for the lost souls to surrender all to him. Go to http://www.worldovercomers.org for the rest of the information because it is self-explainatory. For over a year, it is a HUGE Buddha that sits on a street in Memphis, why did I not see a write up about that? I truly believe that the fuss is not truly the statue alone, but it is the CROSS because it bring conviction. Thank you.

Another important note, Pastor Williams had a 12 million dollar debt on the mega-church and the church paid the debt off in 5 years.  That should be something you should consider writing about. Good day.~

Really, it was more than just the members of the church celebrating the fourth of July. This event was opened up to anyone who wanted to come. Were you there to see if the poor and mothers on welfare stand in the lines to receive food? The church was paid off, because the pastor and his congregation was being obedient to God. I believe that paying off a 12 million dollar church, while helping those in need, and doing many things for the community is a very big accomplishment. That is a blessing. I am supporting Apostle Williams 150% . So, say what you want to say. The statue will stay regardless of the negative comments that are being made.

Tiffany, I can’t answer for Jeff, but my guess is that he and the other posters here have not made a comment about the Buddha statue, because Buddhists are pagans, and constructing idols, either in their hearts, or in this case physically, is something that pagans do.  That is why we call them pagans.  They are making no pretense about being Christians, who are not supposed to have idols.  It’s interesting to me that you are the one making the connection between the Buddha statue and your statue.  “The statue also brings conviction to me when I’ve sinned and immediately I ask for forgiveness” This statement here makes me uncomfortable, Tiffany, because that statue is nothing but a lifeless sculpture, and yet you’re attributing to it properties of the Holy Spirit.  I’m sure, or at least I hope, that your church is not actually worshiping the statue, but Jesus did say “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.  There’s some serious treasure in that statue.  The other issue is that the message of the statue seems to intertwine the USA & Jesus.  The two are not the same; nor are their fates tied together.  God Bless, Nora

The statue is not to be worshipped and it is not.  We are not idolizing the statue. Nora when I said that when I look at the cross it made me want to repent, you took it way out of context.  When I look at the statue, the cross reminds me of all of the sacrifices Jesus made for me.  So that’s why I made that statement. Nora, this country was founded on biblical principles and that’s why Jesus is part of the USA and they do mix. Jeff let me correct you on the price of the statue it wasn’t $250 million it was $260,000.  That let’s me know that you haven’t been getting all of the details correctly.  I would encourage you and others to visit the website about the statue and I assure you that we aren’t worshipping anything or anybody but God at our church.  Like I said before, I pray that you ask God to open up your heart to what our church has done.  Their are so many ungodly things that happen every minute in the USA, but when a church takes a bold step and do something out of the norm it makes people a little uncomfortable.  I hope that I have helped to enlighten you about our statue and encourage you again to go to the website and get all the information then I will respond back to you.  Have a wonderful and blessed day.~