St Matthew's gives up on it's "offensive" billboard

[Mully]

After three attacks in two days:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10616487

An Auckland Anglican church decided last night to take down its controversial Christmas billboard after an elderly woman slashed it with a knife - the third attack in two days

Not a very Christian response, is it?

I thought they were big on "do not steal" and "turn the other cheek" and whatnot.

[Delerium]

sorta like the rugby heads burning down buildings and making death threats to those that opposed the tour.

[Ronin]

After three attacks in two days:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10616487



Not a very Christian response, is it?

I thought they were big on "do not steal" and "turn the other cheek" and whatnot.

Who said religious fanatics were logical?

[Tink]

Ah well, its made its point, everyone seems to be talking about it... as in papers etc.

Go the church for changing their boring status!!!

[Mully]

Who said religious fanatics were logical?

"Islam, violent? We'll kill you for saying that" sort of thing?

Good point.

[CookMySock]

Who said religious fanatics were logical?

Exactly.. Take Katman for example.

Seriously though, thats a surprisingly offensive sign.

Steve

[Ronin]

"Islam, violent? We'll kill you for saying that" sort of thing?

Good point.

linky cos embed isnt working

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gZ6-6RbSEg

[Ronin]

Exactly.. Take Katman for example.

Seriously though, thats a surprisingly offensive sign.

Steve

Depends on your level of fanatasism

I can see how it might be offensive to a believer but mully has a good point about forgivness. All very well to preach it until it applies to you lol.

[rainman]

Seriously though, thats a surprisingly offensive sign.

Aw, c'mon, it's quite funny. Good to see the church having a bit of a larf.

[CookMySock]

I can see how it might be offensive to a believer but mully has a good point about forgivness. All very well to preach it until it applies to you lol.

The whole point of their sign was not to celebrate the season, but to insinuate that a thing someone else believes is wrong. If they really wanted to say it was wrong then why not just come out and say it?

I find the visual shocking, but amusing, but I think many would be disgusted.

I don't find the "forgiveness" ethic missing. Sometimes you do have to fight, and when provoked to extremes, I think you will find many people you just never thought had it in them, will just up and fucking sock you one.

Steve

[Ronin]

The whole point of their sign was not to celebrate the season, but to insinuate that a thing someone else believes is wrong. If they really wanted to say it was wrong then why not just come out and say it?

I find the visual shocking, but amusing, but I think many would be disgusted.

I don't find the "forgiveness" ethic missing. Sometimes you do have to fight, and when provoked to extremes, I think you will find many people you just never thought had it in them, will just up and fucking sock you one.

Steve

Horses for courses, I doubt the people complaining about this would make a fuss if if was a picture of Buddha in a clown suit. What they really need is some perspective in their lives.

Must make them nervous basing their lives and values on a myth.

[The Pastor]

Horses for courses, I doubt the people complaining about this would make a fuss if if was a picture of Buddha in a clown suit. What they really need is some perspective in their lives.

Must make them nervous basing their lives and values on a myth.

well as far as i can tell the Buddhist's aren't complaining about it now - so whats your point? that its ok to offend someone if not everyone is offended?

[Ronin]

well as far as i can tell the Buddhist's aren't complaining about it now - so whats your point? that its ok to offend someone if not everyone is offended?

I shall type slowly.

I am suggesting that the little old lady who is so offended by the concept of The "virgin" mary getting her end away would not raise an eyebrow if it was another religion being poked fun at.

Instead of Buddha use "insert Deity of choice here"

[slofox]

I thought it was funny as hell meself - but then, I have been told my sense of humour is warped before today...

[Max Headroom]

Horses for courses, I doubt the people complaining about this would make a fuss if if was a picture of Buddha in a clown suit. What they really need is some perspective in their lives.

Must make them nervous basing their lives and values on a myth.

You're welcome to call Christianity a myth if you choose to, and no doubt you've studied religions extensively in order to arrive at that conclusion. What anyone believes is their own concern, and to those who fervently believe in the Great Pumpkin, all power to ya . . .

This billboard is disappointing to believers for a few reasons. Firstly Glynn Cardy, the minister in charge of St Matthews is contradicting one of the cornerstones of the faith he's supposed to believe himself, based on the Bible he's supposed to teach from. Secondly, while it's a witty billboard it's inappropriate and in poor taste in this context. The billboard doesn't reflect the church mocking itself - it is mocking the very reason it exists. In that light, the billboard is no longer funny, it's now a tragic statement of a church losing its way and converting to humanism.

St Matthews isn't alone in contradicting it's own stated beliefs - another central Auckland church recently had a sign prominently displayed in front of the main building calling attention to the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's death. A sad lesson in irony here too . . .

Away from the Brian Tamaki's and Glyn Cardy's of this world, there are believers making a worthwhile contribution to society in a quiet way, doing their best for their families & friends and staying out of the spotlight.
Those who chose to deface the billboard did so out of a righteous indignation, which they will presumably face the legal consequences for.

This billboard and the actions of those who have defaced it have received far more attention from the media than it deserved IMHO.