I went to Six Flags recently, (or Seis Banderas for all my Latino readers). True... this might not seem like the most reverent topic for a Good Friday when you look at it on the surface. But that's only because you didn't know that it is Christian Youth Weekend! So you see, it is a VERY holy way to spend a day. I mean, come one, Audio Adrenaline performed today! I'm sure they were great! (Translation: When they started playing, the lines all got a lot shorter for the rides. Hence, they were great!)
I must admit though, for all of its holiness, I noticed a few disturbing trends while there. Apparently being a Christian does not mean you will act more politely in line, be more courteous of those around you, refrain from cutting in line, or let your teenagers dress any less slutty. Any gathering of Christians that large also meant... that's right... A huge parade of embarrassingly crappy t-shirts! *Sigh...* Well, rather than get mad and go all Temple-clearing on them, (No, I'm not comparing myself to Jesus, it's just a turn of phrase...sheesh), we decided to make a game of it. We searched high and low for the worst Christian t-shirt, bumper sticker, or other piece of crap. The competition was steep. Here are your winners:
I must admit though, for all of its holiness, I noticed a few disturbing trends while there. Apparently being a Christian does not mean you will act more politely in line, be more courteous of those around you, refrain from cutting in line, or let your teenagers dress any less slutty. Any gathering of Christians that large also meant... that's right... A huge parade of embarrassingly crappy t-shirts! *Sigh...* Well, rather than get mad and go all Temple-clearing on them, (No, I'm not comparing myself to Jesus, it's just a turn of phrase...sheesh), we decided to make a game of it. We searched high and low for the worst Christian t-shirt, bumper sticker, or other piece of crap. The competition was steep. Here are your winners:
Third Place
Second Place
First Place
While there were many noteworthy entrants, (Reece's Pieces Jesus, Coca-Cola Jesus, Harley Jesus, etc.), these three had a certain... je ne sais quoi about them. (We very badly wanted to point out to the winner that it is not illegal to pray in school, and she didn't even go to school that day.) Now, I confess that I had an "Air Jesus" t-shirt in high school and a good number of friends had "God's Gym" t-shirts. But there's something more to the crap we're seeing today. At least the crap I saw as a teenager was original. Bad, but original. What we are seeing today is nothing short of intellectual theft. Ripping off someone's corporate logo and tagging Jesus on it is theft, it is crass, and disgusting profiteering. Do you know anyone who has ever been saved thanks to one of these embarrassments? How can we reduce Christ to a t-shirt? He's not our product to peddle. He's not our mascot to promote. He's not even our CEO to support. And it is not bold to 'proclaim' our Christianity on our bumper stickers and t-shirts. It is self-serving pride. It is misguided and has dangerous consequences. I'm not saying a Christian should never be offensive, quite the contrary, but our offense should stem from our message not our medium. These shirts and bumper stickers aren't cute, aren't funny, aren't 'bold', and they amount to nothing more than theft, pride, abuse, and exploitation.
In response, we here at Cachinnation Central will begin highlighting an awful piece of 'Christian' crap per week in a segment we'll call, obviously enough, Christian Crap of the Week. Enjoy!
8 Cachinnations
The Temple song from Jesus Christ Superstar immediately springs to mind.
Posted on 4/15/2006
Happy Easter, Cachinnator and Beeki!
Posted on 4/16/2006
It may be their era, with modern teenagers reacting to self-serving logomania peddled by the corporations. So in response to that, Christian symbols are being used in the same vein. There’s also a sense among this age group of “logos belong to the people” (which of course they do not, at least not in the eyes of the law), but I fear that these kids see it differently.
However, I share your concern of politeness among teens—it doesn’t matter which era one was born into, courtesy should always be present. Despite the rudeness you confronted, I hope y’all have a great Easter Day there.
Posted on 4/16/2006
Its just good ole fashioned capitalism mixed with ole time religion. A big seller every time. The thing that bums me about what you said in this post is the rudeness of the young Xians. I really hate that. I hate the fact that the worst day for waiters to work is on Sunday because people are the most Rude after they leave church.
When Christians group together and become their own little cult then they can become some of the meanest people in the world. I have not completely figured this out yet. mmm. meditate more upon this...i wil. yeessss.
It is so strange. I don't remember being like this in High School. My youth group was fantastic. Some of the best times of my whole life. I don't remember being a little twerp to people but I know that I was, and still am sometimes.
anyway, good post.
cheers
Posted on 4/16/2006
Great post, Cach. Is it alright if I call you cach? I understand the meaning of the word is dampened a bit. =-)
"And it is not bold to 'proclaim' our Christianity on our bumper stickers and t-shirts. It is self-serving pride. It is misguided and has dangerous consequences."
I agree with this, but still, I have to keep in mind the mentality of a 7th grader, or a 9th grader. It's different than that of an adult. Dealing with the daily struggle and temptation to "fit in" and give in to peer pressures of all degrees. I'm not sure the intent is prideful, just wanting to follow Jesus in their school when everything around them tells them not to. Not realizing that it could have negative effects on non-believers. Maybe?
As I say this, I realize that perhaps they should be taught that following Jesus isn't about stamping him on your shirt. It's about something more substantial, and even harder to put into practice than wearing a shirt.
BTW, the "Jesus is my homeboy" shirts. I really am offended by those.
Posted on 4/17/2006
Absolutely agree with you, Fancy. Sadly, the three winning shirts were worn by people ages approximately 17+. In fact, most of the awfulness was displayed by adults. It is never fair to hold kids to the same standard as adults in situations like this.
Which is why I agree with what you touched on: the leaders of these kids are the responsible parties. We have got to lead our children (and adults) better than this. Wearing a 'Christian' shirt is not living for Christ. The living is day by day, action by action, grace by grace, and step by step. It is not about gaining a reputation; it is about becoming a new creation.
Great thoughtful responses, people! What a good discussion! Jack Yan, what a fantastic post there. The adoption and use of corporate logos by young people is an unexpected by-product of aggressive branding pushes that most companies are only now catching wind of. In reality, this adoption trend began in the early-mid 90's and possibly earlier. These businesses only wanted something that was recognizable, but they got a whole lot more! People self-identified with any number of aspects of the logos.
Once again, Christianity tries to reconcile itself with culture - about 15 years too late and in a bad cheap-imitation sort of way. It's the same thing in music, sermon presentation, church building aesthetics, and on and on. I suppose the reason I harp on this one is that I don't hear other voices with the same concerns. I've heard other people think the 'Christian' clothing industry is cheap and out of touch in presentation, but I don't hear enough examination of the effects. It is dishonest, distasteful, disrespectful, and it accomplishes the exact opposite of its supposed intent.
Rest assured though, that despite all of this, we had a blast!
Posted on 4/17/2006
By the way, I don't mind Cach at all. (But do know that it is pronounced Cack, not Catch.)
And I also hate the "Jesus is My Homeboy" t-shirts. He's just ever-so-slightly more than that.
Posted on 4/17/2006
Good to know, Cack. Because in fact, I was, in my head, pronouncing it Catch.
Yeah, when I see that shirt I think...Jesus, my homeboy, hangin' out, gettin' stoned. I'm not sure that when Jesus said I call you my friend, he meant THAT.
Posted on 4/17/2006