for fear of offending christians

[ecuworrier]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/phone-firm-rapped-jesus-thumbs-ad-054513045.html

this feels bemusingly trivial... let's see now my sensibilities as a Christian have become protected ....i should be pleased.?.. but somehow i'd rather folks address Jesus on this  i presume they gave Him a free phone for his efforts so it should be easy enough

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[Jan]

seems to be 'on a parr' with the Jesus t shirts thing. I understand though that it could cause offense to Christians if they felt that Jesus was being mocked by this - but then again I believe that Jesus has a sense of humour (though would he agree to being used as a marketing tool for phones is another point).

[AndyHB]

Can't say that I ever saw the advert at the time but the tying of a mobile phone brand to a religious figure does seem a tad far-fetched.  I suspect that it might have offended as many non-believers as it did believers.  For instance, I've known Muslims up in arms about inappropriate uses of pictures of Jesus.  There is someone on a different board I frequent who would probably have been up in arms that anything like a phone brand would apparently kow-tow to the power frocks, as she calls them!!

[EliB]

I don't PERSONALLY find it overly offensive - but I can understand if some people do - and that is their right to feel that way!

What I AM pleased with is that an official body has finally used some common sense and realised that, shock horror!!!, Christians can be offended too!!!! For FAR too many years it's been "oh the Muslims might be offended" or whatever religion - but with things like Local Authorities calling Christmas "Winter wonderland holidays" or the like, nobody was giving a monkeys if Christians were offended - and any who spoke out were "over reacting" and "being ridiculous" (by all the people who are intelligent enough to be voluntarily celebrating a religious festival that they don't believe in!!! WHO is being ridiculous!?!?!)

I don't really care about the ad - but I DO care about the decision!!!

[ecuworrier]

.. i guess well

describing Jesus as a religious figure is more insulting ....

the use of a mock up in the ad is kind of perverse and it's kind of like Jesus well did anyone ask Him? that bothers me ... and it would be really  nice if those concerned they at least tried....i mean GOD the great communicator does He need mobile phones? i suspect not that is until everyone is too busy txting to notice GOD is speaking to you...  then i guess well GOD IS GOD

i don't want to encourage the apprent tongue in the cheek mocking attitudes towards Jesus but seemingly inappropriate mention does bring Him into discussion.....  anything that brings GOD into discussion somehow has GOD at the bottom of it.... and it helps us to think about how to respond.... this is very different from the various  commentaries on religious offence that have hit our news ... seems to me the legalisms that come into play are a mixmatch of genuine nastiness against people and communities that is covered by some laws against the person and fear of what is said against people and communities attracting acts of violence and public disorder... this is not my GOD and that GOD is big enough as does not need us to defend GOD and acts with Grace and Beauty

i like that GOD is creative and can use all opportunities for all things  .. it's like do i really want to be tarred with the same brush for me my faith being tested is as much about my response as it is me claiming to have a faith it becomesan opportunity for prayer and hopefully some Spiritual Growth and development.... i would hate it if folks stopped getting stuff off of their chest for fear of the consequences of being seen to offend my faith ...  my faith cannot be offended cos it is not of me it is born of GOD  i believe GOD wants us to be real and will at times propel folks into uncompromising situations at times with no self discipline at times beyond one's own sense of self censorship... do i want those folks flung into jail or community service? and have defensive beliefs based on fear of punishment or what religious folks may feel?   my faith is not based on a legalistic statusquo but on a very live in the flesh experience that is concerned with all things in the honest truth of 'i come not to condemn the world but to save it' if the world cannot be seen to condemn or be or feel condemned - how can it be saved?

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[AndrewF]

describing Jesus as a religious figure is more insulting ....

What??? Are you suggesting He isn't??

[ecuworrier]

describing Jesus as a religious figure is more insulting ....

What??? Are you suggesting He isn't??

whattt??? are you suggesting He is ??? or are you refering to all those pictures and statues and all that?


GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[AndrewF]

I can't see how Jesus was not a religious figure when He was alive. He was an itinerant rabbi - i e a religious teacher. If that is not being a religious figure then what is?

[ecuworrier]

[AndrewF]

I know the passage perfectly well - both from the Gospel and Isaiah. 
What I can't see is why you think this does not make him a religious figure.
I suspect we are understanding that phrase differently. What do you think is meant by 'religious figure'? I think it means someone who is trying to bring us and God back together again. There are a huge range of people who have tried /are trying to do this in very many different ways, some of which have been more effective than others!.