This piece of visual art was hand crafted by Shari Brown. After being inspired by god, Shari came up with the idea of Pure Heart Soaps to spread a “pure heart and a steadfast spirit.” These soaps are all natural, made of vegetable glycerin and natural colors- even the 3 layers of art underneath. Pure Heart Soaps even last longer than most bar soaps; one bar lasts about two months. Shari currently sells her soaps on her website www.pureheartsoaps.com, and a regular bar averages between 7-10$ each.
The thing that stood out to me the most about this bar of soap is that it is more or less directed towards children. Of course, a small child could not order the bar of soap itself online; it would recieve it as a present from a religous aunt or grandmother. As I’ve mentioned before, it still really irks me that the Noah’s Ark story is told as a children’s story. Really, none of the stories in Genesis seem like stories that innocent little Christian and Jewish children should read so mainstream. I mean, this is such a widely known story now, that it has even made it’s way on to a bar of enviormentally friendly soap. I think the artist wanted a way to display her love and gratitude towards god through something kind of innovative, something unique that could both represent her ove for god and make her money. Of course, since it’s a bar of soap, she can’t go into great detail on the pictures; she has to get her message across through cute, simple images made of glycerin that will appeal to both children and adults. (A lot of her other soaps feature ponies and flowers and autumn leaves.)
It seems that the image of the dove coming back to Noah in the ark is the most widely used because it is the part of the rather grotesque story that symbolizes new life and hope. I don’t think that Shari would ever put drowned bodies in a massive flood of the earth on a cutesy little bar of soap.
I think it is awesome that you found a bar of soap that depicted a story of Genesis! I tend to disagree however that the story of Noah should not be told to children. Although it is a story of destruction, it is also a story of God's grace toward a sinful people. He could have destroyed everyone, however he preserved the human race as well as all species. It is not until we are older that we grasp the more morbid side of the story. For children however it serves as a cute story with animals and a rainbow, which the image on the bar of soap perfectly displays.
ReplyDeleteThe bar of soap was hilarious. I appreciated that you opened this prompt to a different media other than a regular picture. I disagree though that children should not hear this story. They have a right to know that God does not like when we sin and that sinning has consequences. The thought that they made a good cutsey story out of that really irks me. thanks for the image and i might go buy some soap now :)
ReplyDeleteThe Genesis stories really can be so streamlined and watered-down for children. However, I think the lessons they teach are true and applicable to any age and so prompt religious to continue telling these stories at Sunday schools, despite their more gruesome details. Once children get the fundamental teachings from these stories, then they can further appreciate God's mercy and grace when they learn the more morbid circumstances surrounding their beloved childhood Bible stories...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anneliese. The stories of Genesis are many times a guideline for a way of life that applies to all of humanity. Obviously, children should not be scarred by the grisly details of the stories, but the main lessons can still be taught to them. The soap works the same way, like you said, displaying the hope and new promise of God not to wipe out humanity again. It shows the forgiveness of the story rather than the punishment. But the Noah story also teaches the importance of not doing wrong, all wrapped up in a little, cutesy story with animals that is sure to keep the kiddies interested.
ReplyDeleteI loved the soap bar! I somewhat agree with you idea that children shouldn't be reading Noah's Ark. It's a pretty terrifying story and is only told to children to emphasize God's love through rainbows and animals. I never really wondered what happened to the people until i was in middle school. I wouldn't force my own future child to read Noah's Ark, but I would encourage any interest in Christianity and its teachings to him/her.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am amazed that they have Noah soap.Haha. However, I understand what you mean by the world constantly downplaying the true stories of the book of genesis. I truly feel as if it was not until college, when i read Crumb's version, that i heared the whole story. Sadly, i think much of that has to do with everyone not telling the whole full original story of the book of genesis. Mainly, because they're scared. Maybe? Nonetheless, how can a parent teach their children the true horrific stories of the book of genesis? Should children be told the cleaner versions at an early age and then told the rest when they are older? Or, will that only leave them more confused with their faith?
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