Thanks to EllaFun for sending this one my way - a statue at the Calgary zoo's elephant exhibit has caused a big poo-storm now that a local Christian group claims they're offended by its presence. See, the statue in question isn't just of any ol' elephant. It's of Ganesh -- the Hindu god -- and so Concerned Christians Canada is accusing the Calgary Zoo of displaying an "inappropriate religious icon." In fact, they've been asking for two years to get the statue removed, because they say a statue of a Hindu god has no place in a publicly funded zoo.
The zoo's response? Director of Corporates Services Grahame Newton says "the Ganesh statue isn't a religious icon, rather a cultural symbol that shows the tie between the elephants and Asian culture... It was actually chosen more (as) a symbol of how animals and cultures tie closely together." Funding for the statue was provided by an anonymous donor, in memory of her late father, who had spent years travelling in Asia.
Meanwhile, the folks at Concerned Christians think if the statue is going to stay, maybe the zoo should add a Noah's Ark display.
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The zoo's response? Director of Corporates Services Grahame Newton says "the Ganesh statue isn't a religious icon, rather a cultural symbol that shows the tie between the elephants and Asian culture... It was actually chosen more (as) a symbol of how animals and cultures tie closely together." Funding for the statue was provided by an anonymous donor, in memory of her late father, who had spent years travelling in Asia.
Meanwhile, the folks at Concerned Christians think if the statue is going to stay, maybe the zoo should add a Noah's Ark display.
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I think its both a religious AND cultural icon. But in this context, it is about the culture. They wouldn’t care if there were a picture of Jesus on a donkey at the petting zoo I betcha.
This is a good question. In San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, we have a japanese tea-house and garden which features a pagoda and a meditating Buddha statue. We also have a big white cross on a hill, and a huge statue of Father Junipero Serra at a freeway rest stop. Nobody seems to be all that bent about such things…. but…. How does the Ganesh statue vary all that much from a stone edifice with the 10 commandments on the courthouse steps? It’s a bit of a gray area.
BTW, check out the Concerned Christian’s website for further insite into their character.
Because a zoo is a public place, as well as the park. I’m assuming the others are privatly owned.They are not a goverment building. The whole ten commandment at a court house thing is dealing with the speration of church and state.
At least they aren’t asking for an exhibit showing people and dinosaurs romping together.
AFAIK the examples I listed are on public lands. The tea garden is part of golden gate park. The other key distinction to keep in mind is this is happening in Canada, and I have no idea what laws or rights apply there. Canadians as a whole seem pretty darn accomodating.
I’m pretty sure the zoo would display a Noahs Ark exhibit, as long as the Concerned Christians are going to pay for it. This statue is a work of art honering a cultural, religious, and personal tie. It also honors a magnificent animal. In a Zoo! Can you think of a better place.
The issue I see here is that these groups usually want things taken down, but when other groups fight to have Christian symbols taken down they defend it to the very end. There’s absolutely no sense of equality in cases like this, usually.
It’s scary but I have to agree with the Xians!
Yes, the statue of Lord Ganesh is a cultural icon just as the statue of Christ overlooking Rio de Janero is a cultural icon. BUT both of them are also statues of gods worshipped by millions. I for one believe the religious image is more important than the cultural imagery.
One the otherhand it might be interesting seeing a image of Christ in a sheep pen!
Sometimes I think Christians are their own worst enemies.
Oh give me a break! Do these people have nothing else better to do than pick on a zoo? Pull your heads out of your bibles and get a life!
I live in Calgary and I just wanted to comment on the statue. The statue is a dancing elephant with an Indian fashion sense…NOT a replica of Ganesh (ie: the extra arms). It’s a playful statue that is only vaguely reminiscent of Ganesh. I didn’t even think of Ganesh until the Christians came up with the complaint. It would be hard to compare to the Ten Commandment tablets since a “statue” of them couldn’t be anything else and is a clear representation of the Christian faith. I think Christians should go find something better to do with their time like promote world peace instead of religious intolerance.
I’ve seen this statue and it’s breathtakingly beautiful. I was delighted to see it in the zoo adjacent to the elephant enclosure. It would be a real shame for our city to lose this lovely sculptural attraction. And, what of the Bill Reed’s Haida whale icon in Stanley Park?
I live in Red Deer Alberta, which is an hour away from Calgary, I’ve been to they Zoo on occation, and it is a beautiful, magical place to visit, my kids love it, part of they experianice is they art and culture aspects.
If anyone has been to Calgary like anyother major city in Canada, it’s a cultural experiance just walking down the street, some people (unfortunatly) have a fear, whether they will admit it or not, of being open to other cultures and I think that it is a very sad thing that the world is still as close minded as it is.
Therefor, if this is the intent, I make a proposal that a display be erected including the cross of Jesus Christ, the ten commandments (as seen in the old testament of the Bible – Exodus 20) Noah’s Ark, and a display sharing the Biblical Creation view of nature’s origins which reflects our Christian beliefs and the beliefs of our nations forefathers. That is an excerpt from Concerned Christian’s website. All that is in the zoo is a single statue of Ganish, and to me it seems They want an entire church erected. Silliness. Honestly they need to get over themselves and let this Christian need to control every aspect of others lives go. And friends wonder why I choose a different path.
I wonder if these same “concerned Christians” boycott Asian restaurants that have statues of Buddha and the like displayed out front.
As a Calgarian-born Wiccan I must say I’m embarrassed by the way this region seems to treat anything different with such suspicion. Forward thinking and self-education would be a great way to obliterate these ’suspicions’ and bring all of us into the ‘Light’ when it comes to each other and the many different faiths practiced! This is the 21st century and it’s time for some modernization in the way we think and treat each other!
I’d also like to add that nobody complains about the Christian representations at the Zoo during the holiday season (which lasts from November to January at the Zoo every year)…light displays of Christian concepts, Nativity scenes, singing of Christmas carols, etc. I guess its yet another example of the Christian hypocrisy.
When you ask a Christian what God looks like, every single one will tell you, “He looks like you, me, the trees, the rocks, the birds, He is everywhere!” I think God likes diversity, otherwise, we would all be one color, one race, one sex that loves to eat one food, smell one flower, drink one drink, and so on. I truly believe that Christians need to stop helping God across the road like a little old lady -
Christians never have a problem when the Nativity Scene is erected on public property, and as mentioned by someone earlier, they will fight to the bitter end to keep their icons (nativity, cross, 10 commandments, etc) firmly grounded wherever they please. I don’t know why they don’t see their own hypocrisy.
Someone else mentioned a Noah’s Ark display at a zoo. I think that would be cute. Yes, it comes from a religious text (Old Testament, prior to Christianity, but still a Xtian & Hebrew story). But it is also quite possible that Noah’s Art – or someone’s ark – is still perched high upon the Erarat mountainside in Eastern Turkey. So there is some secular historical significance attached. If, indeed, there is a ship of some kind on the mountain.
Nonetheless, Xtians appear to be the religious group who takes the cake for imposition of self upon another. And I think that’s sad.
It has taken me years to develop a ‘tolerance’ for Christians and their ‘views’. Why do they have to pick absolutely EVERYTHING apart and turn it into a religious battle?? Surely, there are more important issues in the world to attend to than a statue at a zoo!!!!!!
Oh, NOW they don’t want religious icons in publicly funded places, LOL! The shoe doesn’t fit the other foot, huh?
I think this is ridiculous…. To claim to have such a strong Christian faith and to cast stones at others faith, be it presented here or anywhere else. Weather this statue represents Asian elephants or it be to represent Ganesh… Why is it that some of those of a Christian faith have to be so close minded and to be the first to find offense in an others belief. So maybe we should take offense in a cross with a man nailed to it. Ohhh wait… this man being Jesus… a man of “God” the “Son of God” nailed to a cross… beaten and impaled. I give great respect to those who “respect” their “own” faith, belief, religion…. and dont cast judgment on others. We have icons for everything and people tweak them into Christmas decorations, Thanks giving, valentines day…. St. Patricks day…we turn scooby doo into santa…etc… So because there is an elephant presented in a certain way there are offended?? Dont go there anymore then!! “Change the channel”… I dont think Im going to call the city or the church that has a statue of Jesus sitting outside at an empty table (hmmm) and tell them I am offended because it doesnt fit with-in my beliefs.
Leave the elephant!! Its an elephant, dressed up. Geez
(wow guess I vented a bit)
Who cares? Are we, or are not free men to nake our own choices? What makes one religeon better than another? Are we not all children of the earth, from where we came and to where we shall return?
Sorry, just had to say that.
t’Pan
Is there really such a thing as an inappropriate religious icon?
@nitedove
hee! based on what that brings to mind… that would be an interesting one to see.
If they want a Jesus statue then they should donate it just like Ganesh was donated.
Wow, cover the cloths or strip it naked and call it an elephant, a happy elephant and forget about culture or religion for goodness sake arleady!! It’s a cute elephant that happens to be dressed in a religiously suggestive way right?
If it were in USA, and supported by the gov. then it would have to go (the religious parts any way). Don’t want little kids to have to look at a dead guy on a cross being executed by romans. Seperation of state and religion, that sort of thing you know.
Peace
Unfortunately I have to agree, that the statue is very religious in nature. But I don’t believe that taking it down will solve anything and since there is no sign posted about religion nor propaganda of any faith…
How long has it been there? The story doesn’t say. If you want to balance out all cultures within the zoo, for every animal, some cultures will be upset to see what others do to goats for example! Just saying… It’s a dangerous slope, I find it very sad but think that it is unfair to have just the one culture represented.
I agree that the Xtians need to get their heads out of their man writtien bibles and get a life! I dont ask crosses that people have erected on the shoulders of public highwas to be removed. I would be called every name of a bad person if I did!
just my very most humble opinion but the statue doesn’t even look like Ganesh to me… I think that’s pushing it a bit… It just looks like an elephant…
I hope they do not propose the slippery slope that just came in to my mind… the extermination of elephants because they ARE the ACTUAL Ganesh… yikes… ok back to reality… lol
But seriously… I would love to see Noah’s ark there as long as they include Gilgamesh…
Oh brother! Just another reason why I’m proud to be a pagan. Ignorance is not attractive.
I think it would be rather cute to havae a Noah’s Ark at the zoo, even from a Pagan point of view, so let them go ahead.
Well, it is sad to see people who have religious control imposing their opinion on a cultural icon. Noah’s ark is not a cultural icon, it would be a religious artifact. Christianity is not a culture but a belief system. Ganesh, from my understanding was not only a religious symbol but also a cultural symbol as well. Unlike Noah’s Ark. It sounds more like a fear of a door opening up to their children and having their eyes opened that other cultures and belief systems exist in this world. Wouldn’t want questions directed towards this or any similiar issues. If questions were answered. Truth is in closed fundamentalist groups we know that prejudice is their protection. Ignorance in some opinions is a bliss. Sad
The statue is located near to the Asian elephant section. The zoo has removed any explanations for the statue, it’s just “there”. I believe it was part of the opening exhibit for the “Elephants Crossing” in 2006.
Perhaps to cement the cultural aspects, the zoo could include a plaque explaining the statue was donated to honor the deceased parent? Otherwise, it sounds as if the zoo is holding it’s own.
Even local churches are up in arms about it. I’ve had several people attempt to explain why it’s just “wrong” that a “pagan statue” is offensive.
Quote: Joy; “Christians never have a problem when the Nativity Scene is erected on public property, and as mentioned by someone earlier, they will fight to the bitter end to keep their icons (nativity, cross, 10 commandments, etc) firmly grounded wherever they please. I don’t know why they don’t see their own hypocrisy.
Someone else mentioned a Noah’s Ark display at a zoo. I think that would be cute. Yes, it comes from a religious text (Old Testament, prior to Christianity, but still a Xtian & Hebrew story). But it is also quite possible that Noah’s Art – or someone’s ark – is still perched high upon the Erarat mountainside in Eastern Turkey. So there is some secular historical significance attached. If, indeed, there is a ship of some kind on the mountain.
Nonetheless, Xtians appear to be the religious group who takes the cake for imposition of self upon another. And I think that’s sad.”
There is also similarities in Greek myth, see here:
“Noah is also often compared to Deucalion, the son of Prometheus and Pronoia in Greek mythology. Like Noah, Deucalion is a wine maker or wine seller; he is forewarned of the flood (this time by Zeus); he builds an ark and staffs it with creatures – and when he completes his voyage, gives thanks and takes advice from the gods on how to repopulate the Earth. Deucalion also sends a pigeon to find out about the situation of the world and the bird return with an olive branch. This and some other examples of apparent comparison between Greek myths and the “key characters” in the Old Testament/Torah have led recent Biblical scholars to suggest a Hellenistic influence in the composition of the earlier portions of the Hebrew Bible.”
Just something to think about. How ‘Noah’s Ark’ might not really be true xTian. Again…just something to think about…
Shoal…
well christainity is the only religion that stands alone in the world every other religion were tie together just with one belief ‘rencarnation;so they dont want side by side existence with other ones,if not what is wrong by displaying a religious symbole in a public place what about the crucifix that you can find every were in the cities.
… and remove the stupid bones from the heads of the Hare Christion lot.
Just remember that Canadia isn’t the USA. They don’t have the same perspectives about freedom of religion that we do, and they most certainly don’t have an establishment clause.
I have been to the Calgary Zoo many times and was delighted to see the statue of an asian elephant dressed in indian clothing. I did not see Ganesh in that statue at all. This once again is the Christian’s showing their true colors. There is no religious connotation to that statue what so ever. My husband and I had just gotten married when we too his parents to the zoo (they are from India, my husband grew up in India) and my father in-law said “that elephant is wearing Indian costume”… they are Hindu and they didn’t even see Ganesh within that statue. So please see it for what it is… a wonderful piece of art representing the continent these elephants came from. Would they be offended if they were African elephants instead, and this statue was dressed in traditional African clothing?? I think not
They obviously have way to much free time on their hands going around and being offended by works of art. Give me a break?
Redsix,
I’m not sure I understand your comment about how us Canadians don’t have the same perspectives about freedom of religion. Care to elaborate??
Kudos times three to Christians who find it in thier hearts to defend their religion. I do not expect any less of their love for their GOD… I would also expect christians to realize that I CAN and WILL with ALL OF MY LOVE AND DEVOITION defend my religion just as vehemently as well as the right to worship MY GOD(s). I can tell you that I have not seen the statue in question in person and I can assure you that I am not currently worshiping ANY “statue” at ANY ZOO… I prefer to do my worship at home or with fellow worshipers… but should there be a “gathering” at said zoo to worship said statue I welcome an invitation… >;} ( SMILES )