POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Do images show statue of Jesus holding 2 Uzis?
The Claim Viral images circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Reddit have sparked widespread attention and controversy, purportedly depicting a sculpture of Jesus Christ...
The Claim
Viral images circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Reddit have sparked widespread attention and controversy, purportedly depicting a sculpture of Jesus Christ holding two Uzi submachine guns in each hand. The images, which appeared in late September 2026, were accompanied by headlines and captions describing the artwork as an act of blasphemy. One Facebook post, archived by Snopes, read: "BLASPHEMY: Statue of Christ crucified holding machine guns triggers uproar from Catholics."
The claim gained traction due to the shocking nature of the imagery and the perceived sacrilege of portraying Jesus with weapons. The visual elements—Christ depicted in red paint, arms extended with Uzis—were enough to provoke strong reactions, particularly from religious communities. The original source of the claim was not immediately clear, but the images were widely shared across multiple platforms, leading to public debate about the artistic intent, religious sensitivity, and the authenticity of the artwork.
The Details & Investigation
Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the images are authentic and depict a real sculpture created by French artist James Colomina. Colomina, based in Toulouse, installed the artwork at L’Aérosol, a hip-hop and street art space in Marseille, France, in September 2026. He confirmed to Snopes via email that the photographs showing the sculpture were taken by him and that the piece was indeed displayed at the venue.
The sculpture, titled "Tu ne tueras point" (French for "Thou shalt not kill"), was described by Colomina as a commentary on the contradiction between religious teachings and human violence. The artist stated that the work was intended to provoke reflection on how societies create laws and principles only to later break them. The Uzis in Christ’s hands symbolize this paradox, representing the use of religious justification for acts of violence throughout history.
Colomina also provided details about the installation timeline. He installed the sculpture outside L’Aérosol on the morning of September 7, 2026, where it remained visible to the public until approximately 11 p.m. that evening, when it was moved indoors. According to Colomina, the decision was precautionary, driven by concerns from staff and organizers about potential backlash rather than any specific threat or protest. This move was later reported by local French media outlets, including La Dépêche du Midi and Toulouse7, which documented the artwork and its context.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
Several verified news sources, including Toulouse7 and La Dépêche du Midi, confirmed the authenticity of the artwork and attributed the photographs to Colomina. Additionally, Colomina shared the images directly on his Instagram account, further validating their origin. No evidence of fabrication, AI-generated content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns was found in the investigation. The claim appears to be based on a real artwork, though its presentation on social media may have been amplified by sensationalist framing.
While the artwork itself is real and not a fabricated image, the way it was shared online may have contributed to misinterpretation. Some posts framed the sculpture as an explicit act of blasphemy, without contextualizing the artist’s intent. This could be considered a form of misleading context, potentially falling under the category of MISINFORMATION rather than DISINFORMATION, as there is no evidence of deliberate deception or coordination to spread false narratives.
The Verdict
The viral claim that a statue of Jesus is holding two Uzis is based on a real artwork created by French artist James Colomina. The images circulating online are authentic and depict a sculpture installed in Marseille in September 2026. The artwork, titled "Tu ne tueras point", is a commentary on the contradiction between religious teachings and human violence, with the Uzis symbolizing the misuse of religious principles to justify violence.
While the artwork is real, the way it was presented on social media may have contributed to misunderstanding. Some posts emphasized the provocative nature of the imagery without explaining the artist’s intent, which could be seen as misleading context. However, there is no evidence of deliberate disinformation or coordinated manipulation. Therefore, the claim is best categorized as MISLEADING, as it contains accurate information but may have been presented in a way that exaggerates its controversial nature.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
