FreedomAtStake's Blog

This is not a joke

By FreedomAtStake | View all Posts
Posted Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:01 AM   31 comments
A few months ago, I got myself signed up on the mailing list of the American Family Association.

As they are one of the more ardent opponents to online gambling, I thought it would be a good idea to keep tabs on what they were up to. You know, keep your enemies close, yada yada yada.

However, after several months of receiving weekly emails urging me to boycott [insert company name here] due to the fact that they give same sex benefits, I finally managed to get unsubscribed. It was a waste of time.

But all things considered, I have to admit that they managed to truly offend my sensibilities only a couple of times, which was a lot less than I suspected.

Until now.

Take a look at this, and ask yourself if this is not the most culturally offensive thing you have seen in a while.

I am at a loss for words. They are actually serious about selling burning crosses.

31 comments
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rick3117 says:
11/18/08 10:11AM
wow, kind of twisted did you see this?

 

 

BetToWin says:
11/18/08 10:18AM
Nothing says "Christmas" like a burning cross.


That's a special gift for all of those homos coming to your town, Rick!

Holy crap. Those folks are loopy.

But at least hatred isn't recession proof, check out what's happening at Focus on the Family.

vanzack says:
11/18/08 10:52AM
Its so comforting to know these groups are out there protecting me and paving the way for me to go to heaven without any speed bumps.

 

Fucking nutjobs.

LeRinkRat says:
11/18/08 11:42AM
wow, kind of twisted did you see this?

 

so the good people of Eureka Springs are suprised that many people that work in the entertainment industry, esp those that do live stage shows, are homosexual?

 

the old  "I'm shocked SHOCKED to find there is GAMBLING going on here" would seem to apply.

AJLightning says:
11/18/08 02:06PM
I don't think it's a "burning" cross, it's just a cross with lights attached to it.
kingme says:
11/18/08 02:11PM
I don't understand how you or anybody sees that as offensive... seriously. Its a cross that lights up. Oh the shame!!! Christians have every right to express themselves this way. What is offensive about it? BTW I'm far from a bible thumper before everybody decides I am to be hated. Its a cross - that lights up. Jewish households have similar with the Star of David. To each his own.
MasterLockLine says:
11/18/08 02:19PM
The sign of a true idealogue is what they make an issue when any objective mind can see there is none.

A bigot is somebody who manufactures a reason to be "culturally offended".

Congrats Freedom on a Stake, you pass both with flying colors.

I'm guessing you will be on an island by yourself. I can fathom even a anti-Christian zealot like a Bill Mahar would grasp for straws that desperately.

Your post is disturbing frankly.

FreedomAtStake says:
11/18/08 02:35PM
Really? You guys see nothing wrong with burning crosses? Maybe that wasn't the planned image - yeah right - but like it or not, that's what they look like.

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but to me putting a burning cross on your front lawn is the equivalent of mowing your lawn in a swastika pattern. But maybe you guys are OK with that too. Hey, it IS a unique pattern. Why should anybody get offended?

I guess it is just me. I'm the racist.

I apologize for offending you.

royalsfan123 says:
11/18/08 02:45PM
not offensive? thats sick
MasterLockLine says:
11/18/08 02:50PM
Is this a joke? It is NOT a burning cross. Where do you see a burning cross?

It is a cross that is lit up---with lights!

This a like saying the kid who carries a flashlight when he walks home at night is carrying a torch.

If Michelle Obama wears a towel around her head when she gets out of the shower, does that make her Muslim?

This is just plane weird.

FreedomAtStake says:
11/18/08 03:01PM
OK. If you want to be literal, then - yes - I agree that it isn't burning.

But it sure looks like it is.

Megamaniak says:
11/18/08 03:05PM
Yea... now if they were selling burning spears for Kwanzaa... then I'd be upset.

Looks like another crappy attempt take money out my wallet... $90 for what? A stick with Christmas lights draped around it. Wow.

People in my neighborhood put up Halloween decorations in September... call me the Grinch... but this over-celebration of hollidays makes me sick. WTF is Valentines Day anyway? Originally, it was an attempt by the Catholic church to be more appealing to pagans and basically a tool for proselytizing. Now, corporate America wants me to feel bad if don't buy hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise to appease the wife, shameless and annoying.

jthalheimer says:
11/18/08 03:07PM
Hahahahahahahahahaha, a burning cross where is the lawn jockey?????
kingme says:
11/18/08 03:25PM
I didn't notice that its $90 - now that IS offensive. If I saw that product, and liked it, I would buy a 2x4, saw it into 2 pieces, and nail it together and wrap a string of christmas lights around it. My own hand made lighted cross. Anybody that pays $90 for that needs a reality check.
kingme says:
11/18/08 03:29PM
Freedom no need to apologize - I don't think YOU offended anybody here. I just think you look at that advertisement and made a big jump to a very wrong conclusion. It's not burning, its lighted up. It's an innocent Christmas display. If you really cannot see that then you really do have an agenda - my opinion.
FreedomAtStake says:
11/18/08 03:34PM
Dude, I knew it wasn't burning.

I also know they are selling a product that LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE A BURNING CROSS!

That is what I find scary.

kingme says:
11/18/08 03:34PM
Guys it is not a burning cross... Freedom made a mistake I assume.  It's a lighted cross - a Christmas display.

 

If that is really offensive to anybody, I don't understand where you are coming from.

solomonster says:
11/18/08 03:44PM
It's not offensive, but the placement by the front door is aesthetically poor, though I'm sure the reason was for marketing.

Anybody with basic skills and rudimentary tools can make their own "burning" cross and not have to buy this one anyway.

Oh, and Focus on the Family is the furthest thing from hate in the same-sex marriage debate...

FreedomAtStake says:
11/18/08 03:45PM
Kingme, I knew it wasn't really burning. Why would somebody pay $90 for firewood?

It is a product that, when used exactly as intended, looks very much like a burning cross.

It is a very poorly designed product. If they had no idea that it looked like a burning cross, then I'll allow them that. But coming from the source, I think they very much know what it looks like.

'Nuff said.
Ap1Bfreetorun says:
11/18/08 03:49PM
Eureka Springs has always been the home of religious crackpots that know what is good for YOU.  I guess the chickens have come home to roost.  They were all screwed up in the late forties, as I remember.  It gives them something to discuss and bitch about. RADICAL "CHRISTIANS" THAT FLAUNT THEIR RELIGION CAN NEVER BE SATISFIED, in my opinion.
solomonster says:
11/18/08 03:58PM
Flaunt? Can never be satisfied?

The only flaunting done is by the homosexuals who seem to never be satisfied. And I don't live in Arkansas. I live in NY where there is plenty of flaunting. But you're certainly entitled to your opinion...

jennado says:
11/18/08 04:43PM
This is ridiculuous....Everyone is quick to attack the Christian view, and our expressions of freedom, but as soon as some homo or anti-Christian person makes an attack, it is FREE Speech.

In case you guys have forgotten, the USA was formed & founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and that is what America should be. And, all the non-Christians will be quick to attack, and "quote" the only two Bible positions they know: 1) Dont judge others; 2) Love one another; but, they are quite opposed to God's clear direction & disdain for the homo lifestyle. Furthermore, it is always the Christians who "lack tolerance" when dealing with other opinions, but it is okay for the non-Christian seculars to attack Christian expressions.

Christians are partly to blame for being so tolerant against the views on which this country was founded. So, I am thankful for groups like AFA who point out these items, and provide an opportunity for Christian Americans to rally. As our courts continue to strip away the very tenants of the Constitution, and remove God from America, it is our right and responsibility to express our right and remind everyone of what the Founding Fathers put together for our country.

In God We Trust.....God Bless America!!

BetToWin says:
11/18/08 04:48PM
jennado, what does that have to do with burning crosses?

Are you saying that burning a cross on your lawn is an expression of your religious beliefs?

I can't wait to hear how you treat the flag to show your patriotism.

jennado says:
11/18/08 06:57PM
No one is burning a cross......it's a cross with lights on it. The original post asked the question, "if this is not the most culturally offensive thing you have seen in a whiles" The answer is NO - this is not culturally offensive. It is a CROSS that is lit up so that others can see it. If it didnt have lights on it, then when it was dark, you wouldnt be able to see it.

Then, through the other posts, the conversation was broadened from a burning cross to "crackpots" flaunting their religion, and then homos became part of the conversation. I was then making a point that whenever Christians express their religion, others are quick to criticize and condemn. But, when a secular (anti-religion) point of view is expressed, others are quick to defend it.

Sorry if that wasnt articulated clearly. I am just tired of all the Christian bashing that occurs in our society!

God Bless America

MasterLockLine says:
11/18/08 07:31PM
Jennado, I have found bigots see whatever they want to see.

Some look at Barack Obama and see Curious George. The are bigots.

Some see an illuminated cross and see a burning one. They are bigots.

That about "Covers" it.

solomonster says:
11/18/08 07:39PM
Amen jennado...
FreedomAtStake says:
11/18/08 10:05PM
I see. I, a white man, am a bigot because I find burning crosses and things that look exactly like burning crosses to be offensive.

Very well.

esplanade says:
11/18/08 10:05PM
Oh no, heaven forbid, a cross with lights. I'm an atheist and not offended. Lighten up!
Joehawk says:
11/19/08 01:56AM
it does look like its on fire, I'm Christian and I wouldn't buy that -it doesn't look good and it commercializes the message. btw I'm absolutely against any organization that wants to abuse the power of government to outlaw online gaming. If parents would be responsible and teach their kids how to properly manage their money they wouldn't have to rely on the govt to "protect" their kids-- the fedgov has no business protecting its citizens from anything except foreign invaders
tampa85 says:
11/19/08 08:56AM
God is made up - Ignorance of humans thousands of years ago. As far as Christianity is concerned its completely copied from the Egyptian pagan mystery religions.

Jesus = Osiris-Dionysus.

As far as the AFA is concerned they are enemies of the few of us who like to wager on a game or two or who like to play some online poker. It should be NONE of their business what i do in my home. They are part of the Christian movement who want to regulate Morals

craig63 says:
11/19/08 09:55PM
Tampa85,

I completely disagree with your post.

"God is made up"

Um, no bro, He wasn't made up. How do you explain your existance, a big bang? Look in the mirror. Are you the result of some explosion? I find that harder to believe than God being made up. How do you explain the miracles of Christ that was witnessed by thousands, were they all on drugs? I find that hard to believe. Why were the twelve diciples all murdered, do you think all twelve all died for a lie that wasn't true? Would you die for something that wasn't true? Not one of the twelve came out and said "Woa, wait, I take it back, it was all made up" before having his head chopped off. Don't you find that it's something that you should look into with an open mind. I know I did. I did the research and found that God does exist, He sent His Son Jesus Christ as sacrafice for our shortcomings because all mankind fell short of the glory of God. He took our place and defeated death on the cross, again, witnessed by thousands. Not one person came forward and said "Wait, it didn't happen". Not one.

"Jesus=Osiris-Dionysus"

Never heard that one, however, if that is what they called Him back in the day and they believed He was the Messiah, then they live in glory today, amen.

I could on but I don't want to be bible thumpin, I know how people get offended at that. I just wanted the truth to be known, because the truth shall set you free. Praise God!

Hope you read into it brother. God bless you.

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