Judge — May 13, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical illustration critiques American churches for prioritizing wealth over spiritual devotion. The central image shows a large dollar sign ($) elevated on a pedestal like a religious idol, surrounded by burning candles and worshippers in supplicant poses—literally bowing before money rather than God. The composition inverts religious imagery: instead of congregants praying in a church, they kneel before monetary wealth. The title sarcastically labels this "devotion," suggesting that modern churches have abandoned spiritual values in favor of materialism and financial gain. The satire targets institutional hypocrisy—churches preaching moral virtue while functioning as money-focused institutions. This reflects early-20th-century criticisms of organized religion's accumulation of wealth and perceived distance from genuine faith and charity.