I used to wear some shirts like them. I thought I was standing up for my faith, identifying myself, not being ashamed.
I still think that's why most folks wear them.
Are they really that terrible given the things going on in the world? Child molesting makes me want to vomit.
These t-shirts make me sigh and shake my head. But they're still worn by people who by wearing them try to show they aren't embarrassed by their faith, even if they're tacky in doing so. There are worse things.
Bloodwiser? Are you kidding me? Yucky. Anyway Tony, I trust the thoughts you put into our Summer, the motivation behind, and the Christ in it all. Can't wait to see a staff ready to be a part of the revolution (fist or no fist)
To clarify (since I left a quick comment in a hurry), I really don't have a problem with the folks who wear a shirt like that. I have a problem with those who make and, more importantly, those who sell these shirts. Because it's exactly as mj said; typically the people who wear a shirt like this are good natured people. What bothers me (no, its not child molestation, but lets be reasonable and acknowledge that we can still be bothered by something even if something else bothers us more) is that there is a whole market made up of people wanting to make an easy buck off of a sappy Christian.
Add to that the fact that the message of the shirts is the worst kind of commodifying of Jesus, reducing Him to a really neat guy who's a perfect friend and just the thing you need to keep a smile on your face or, perhaps, a mood-altering buzz? Not to mention we can make our shirts small, pink and breast-hugging like the rest of them.
We are sold a line that these sorts of Christian kitsch will win people to Christ, but what they really do is sell the hearts and minds of a young generation of Jesus' followers at a cut rate, asking them to be bold in their bloodwiser shirt rather than to grow into the full stature of Him. To me it reeks of cheap spirituality.
Spirituality for a profit was what made Jesus turn over the tables.
This has nothing to do with the stuff in the conversation, but thanks, Tony, for the kind words about Juana's dad. We appreciated them.
I'm with the guy who liked the revolution shirt at first but now I'm not so sure. I think it'd be great for me in my life, but could give the wrong message to people on the street.
The "Know" Shirt from '04 was a great one because strangers still ask me about it and then I can tell them about what I was supposed to Know about. Camp shirts are not the ideal outreach tool, but there are people out there who want to know the story behind your interesting shirt. Maybe it's an idea to consider.
I agree with Sean's take. That's a very good reason to think poorly of these shirts and the business angle was one I hadn't considered.
My reaction was based mainly off the impression I get that much of the negativity associated with these shirts is because they embarrass "us", the sophisticated Christians, rather than insult God's honor somehow. But I agree they are a form of cheap, peddled spirituality and that's a legit cause for concern.
Why do people try to make ads for Christianity (and ask people to pay money to wear them) by imitating product logos from the world? This puzzles me...
13 comments:
They may not offend me but they certainly are tacky.
they offend me
The watered down gospel, it's depressing...
No wonder people don't take it seriously.
Want. To. Vomit.
Really?
I used to wear some shirts like them. I thought I was standing up for my faith, identifying myself, not being ashamed.
I still think that's why most folks wear them.
Are they really that terrible given the things going on in the world? Child molesting makes me want to vomit.
These t-shirts make me sigh and shake my head. But they're still worn by people who by wearing them try to show they aren't embarrassed by their faith, even if they're tacky in doing so. There are worse things.
Bloodwiser? Are you kidding me? Yucky.
Anyway Tony, I trust the thoughts you put into our Summer, the motivation behind, and the Christ in it all. Can't wait to see a staff ready to be a part of the revolution (fist or no fist)
...what does it say that in response to eric's comment i want to raise my fist in agreement?
thank you for the quote from Eldridg Cleaver.
To clarify (since I left a quick comment in a hurry), I really don't have a problem with the folks who wear a shirt like that. I have a problem with those who make and, more importantly, those who sell these shirts. Because it's exactly as mj said; typically the people who wear a shirt like this are good natured people. What bothers me (no, its not child molestation, but lets be reasonable and acknowledge that we can still be bothered by something even if something else bothers us more) is that there is a whole market made up of people wanting to make an easy buck off of a sappy Christian.
Add to that the fact that the message of the shirts is the worst kind of commodifying of Jesus, reducing Him to a really neat guy who's a perfect friend and just the thing you need to keep a smile on your face or, perhaps, a mood-altering buzz? Not to mention we can make our shirts small, pink and breast-hugging like the rest of them.
We are sold a line that these sorts of Christian kitsch will win people to Christ, but what they really do is sell the hearts and minds of a young generation of Jesus' followers at a cut rate, asking them to be bold in their bloodwiser shirt rather than to grow into the full stature of Him. To me it reeks of cheap spirituality.
Spirituality for a profit was what made Jesus turn over the tables.
This has nothing to do with the stuff in the conversation, but thanks, Tony, for the kind words about Juana's dad. We appreciated them.
I'm with the guy who liked the revolution shirt at first but now I'm not so sure. I think it'd be great for me in my life, but could give the wrong message to people on the street.
The "Know" Shirt from '04 was a great one because strangers still ask me about it and then I can tell them about what I was supposed to Know about. Camp shirts are not the ideal outreach tool, but there are people out there who want to know the story behind your interesting shirt. Maybe it's an idea to consider.
I agree with Sean's take. That's a very good reason to think poorly of these shirts and the business angle was one I hadn't considered.
My reaction was based mainly off the impression I get that much of the negativity associated with these shirts is because they embarrass "us", the sophisticated Christians, rather than insult God's honor somehow. But I agree they are a form of cheap, peddled spirituality and that's a legit cause for concern.
Sean said what I meant by the vomit. I'm just not that articulate. My bad. ;-)
And sometimes we are taught to be offended...
And sometimes we think this is a quicky short-cut to being a Savior confessing people... afterall sometimes there's barely enough time to breathe.
Why do people try to make ads for Christianity (and ask people to pay money to wear them) by imitating product logos from the world? This puzzles me...
and I wish it were easier to be new and creative.
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