Crosses and Flags for Profit
My good friend Tree wrote a great post yesterday, primarily about living in a "southern" state. But towards the end, she hit upon a topic that makes me (insert Southern accent) madder'n shit: using religion to push your business.
I make no bones about the fact that I am not religious. So part of me understands that I don't have a close, personal relationship with God like so many Christians do and maybe he *has* suggested they incorporate Jesus on the cross into the "T" of their logo. Seeing as I wasn't there at their last con-fab with the big man, and all.
But I rather doubt it.
No, I rather think that God is disgusted by it.
Because what it really says is one of two things.
That you either want to use your religion to push your products and pad your profit margin by invoking the name of Jesus - something the Catholic church has been doing since the dawn of time - so why not?
OR, you want to mark a clear line in the sand, telling people who YOU are and that OTHERS are NOT WELCOME.
That is NOT a beautiful celebration of their relationship with their God. What THAT is, my friends, is absolutely disgusting.
And then of course, there are those who put the American flag on their business cards and banners. Maybe they think I forgot what country I live in? Ohhhhh. Wait, I get it. You want me to buy more of your shit because now I know what a gas-guzzling, spit-chewing redneck you are! Thanks for the warning, dude. I'll pass.
Because, you're just as bad as the religious freaks. Trying to cow me into shopping with you because otherwise I am a bad American. Fuck you!
See? I told you this shit pisses me off!
Obviously I need to talk to my therapist about why this bothers me so much.
I make no bones about the fact that I am not religious. So part of me understands that I don't have a close, personal relationship with God like so many Christians do and maybe he *has* suggested they incorporate Jesus on the cross into the "T" of their logo. Seeing as I wasn't there at their last con-fab with the big man, and all.
But I rather doubt it.
No, I rather think that God is disgusted by it.
Because what it really says is one of two things.
That you either want to use your religion to push your products and pad your profit margin by invoking the name of Jesus - something the Catholic church has been doing since the dawn of time - so why not?
OR, you want to mark a clear line in the sand, telling people who YOU are and that OTHERS are NOT WELCOME.
That is NOT a beautiful celebration of their relationship with their God. What THAT is, my friends, is absolutely disgusting.
And then of course, there are those who put the American flag on their business cards and banners. Maybe they think I forgot what country I live in? Ohhhhh. Wait, I get it. You want me to buy more of your shit because now I know what a gas-guzzling, spit-chewing redneck you are! Thanks for the warning, dude. I'll pass.
Because, you're just as bad as the religious freaks. Trying to cow me into shopping with you because otherwise I am a bad American. Fuck you!
See? I told you this shit pisses me off!
Obviously I need to talk to my therapist about why this bothers me so much.
posted by Aimee Greeblemonkey at 7:01 AM
32 Comments:
oh, dude, that crap makes me so mad too.
It doesn't bother me personally, but that was a funny post.
not mention that, they are usually really ugly too.
AY-mee-in! (That's my WV accent "amen".)
These are also both creepy annoying examples of herd mentality, which turns me off quicker'n sausage in my country gravy.
Do you have any idea how much I feel like an alien being a liberal, Unitarian Universalist, bisexual, vegetarian, toddler breastfeeding, artist living in this holler?
I just have to jump up and down cheering about this post. Go, you:)
Matthew 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
I AM devout, but I never take bids from contractors who invoke the cross. Always a red flag for a cheat in my book.
i love when you get feisty!
Oooo... I SO agree with you. (No surprise there, huh?)
ITA Aimee, ITA.
that bible quote makes it even more revolting. TFS.
You are so right. My sweet friend, a single mom of three boys, chose a lawyer because he wore his religion like a badge of honor. He took her retainer and never called her again. Nice. Wanker.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one this annoys. I consciously avoid businesses that do it.
I am right there with you.. it pisses me off too.
Amen! ooops, I mean yay! you said it! I just got a credit card in the mail that has a flag on it - I was like WTF? Granted it came from an organization for veterans - but still, I would have chosen a different logo. maybe I'll use it less and save some money.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/74380
i think i just got wood.
Hurray! Some sanity. People tell me all the time how progressive Oregon is...maybe Portland. The town I love in is all about God all mighty and being a white American.
Sometimes I feel my bitty brain turning to mush.
Sorry, it should read "the town I live in" although I do, do all my lovin' here too!
I think I love you.
It pisses me off too. Right up there with the annoying emails people keep sending me about "god." I guess someone wants to save the heathen in me. I say leave her alone, she's quite happy.
And I love you guys too. Thanks for the support. :)
OHH! Greeblemonkey is fired up! What about presidential candidates who jump on the holy band wagon to earn votes in the Bible belt in spite of their sinful and blasphemous behavior and people in the Bible belt who subsequently VOTE YOU INTO OFFICE!?
I'm signing anonymous just to see how well you know me. Any guesses?
Sing it, sister!
Hey Aimee, I have a little thing for you over on my blog. :) Your blog has become my daily addiction!
Wow...I guess I should take the big ol' Virgin Mary image off of my blog then, eh? I kid...
But seriously, should I rethink my American and Proud header?
I kid again ;)
wow, this really does piss you off, huh?
Once again, you've got me seething. I'm clearly in a weird part of the country because NO ONE uses religion to promote their business. I'm serious.
I just love TX though - THANK YOU for not doing business with folks who "use" their faith for profit. You are truly principled. It is these folks who claim to be religious but then don't do anything about wrong-doings around them that just get me so mad.
OK, my first guess for Anonymous was wrong! There are so many friends that could sound like. Maybe Jen in NY?
And Autumn, thank you so much!
And Luna, I snorted.
Yowza! Amen sistah!!! :P
You go, girl! Er. . .that's probably not the cool thing to say anymore, is it? Well anyway, I agree with you absolutely.
How right you are, lady.
Your pain is my pain. I hear ya, sister. Hopefully unloading on your therapist helps...I know it helps me. :)
xo
OK, if Jen isn't right for Mr or Ms Anonymous, will the real Anonymous stand up? That was a clever rouse. ;)
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