Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I found this amusing, but could appreciate the offence it could cause. Overall, thumbs up. Your thoughts? <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8417963.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wor...7963.stm</a>
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan If the true aim is to get people to focus on what Christmas is all about (as those responsible for this billboard claim), this is a pretty off-target way to do that. It seems intentionally offensive. The message that seems to come through is a mocking of one of the basic tenants of Christianity. I don't understand the need by some to intentionally offend others in this way, but it seems to be happening more and more.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I do wonder if the fact there is more choice out there - Tv Channels, the internet etc. If it makes people move even more into shock tactic territory to get attention? It is like I did not like the People are gay, get over it campaign that was running in the UK this summer (bearing in mind I now have responsibility for HIV prevention for the city of London) for similar reasons (found it to be bating for little reason), others loved it. I do think society is starting to polarise and trying to shock in politics and religion. Or is it simply art? Some may argue that art is not what you do, but the way that you do it? Or the intention is as important as the product. But I was keen to explore the debate on this. It is pretty gutsy (maybe stupid), but thoroughly facinating.
Originally Posted By utahjosh Morally, I find it somewhat offensive. Sex to me, should be a sacred thing between and man and wife, and not publicly paraded around. Respect also should be shown to the mother of Jesus, so it's somewhat offensve in that way, too. Doctrinally, I don't have much of an argument with it. Comically, I think it's really funny. But the kind of funny where I laugh then think "that's a dirty joke I don't want to be laughing at."
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I guess my problem here is that if the idea is truly about getting people to think about the true meaning of Christmas, is a message about sex between God and Mary the way to address that? I don't know that a lot of Christians ever spend a lot of time thinking about that in the first place. Most, I would think, would accept that Mary became pregnant by some other means than traditional intercourse. And beyond that, not a lot of thought is given to it at all. Maybe in the clutter of advertising images, they're trying for shock to get noticed at all. It'll get them the attention, but if the best answer they have is "we're just trying to get people to think about the true meaning of Christmas" it was a weak, wasted effort IMHO.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Being Athiest it doesn't offend me but I can see how it would offend some people. It is funny in a "South Park" kind of way. But not sure what message they want to get across. Certainly it will spur debate!!!!
Originally Posted By mawnck <------ thought it was funny. I must be going to Hell. This was in New Zealand, BTW ... their humor is somewhat "rowdier" than we may be accustomed to.
Originally Posted By ecdc Unsurprisingly, I thought it was funny. I don't think it's fair to label it intentionally offensive. A lot of the best humor challenges social boundaries. Today's comic heroes were yesterday's offenders, even criminals.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 " Most, I would think, would accept that Mary became pregnant by some other means than traditional intercourse" Well, since a major part of Christianity was the fact that Mary was a Virgin and God gave her Jesus through immaculate conception I would have to say you are right. As far as the billboard goes, I do think it is really funny but I really do not get how it is supposed send a message as to the true meaning of Christmas and I am willing to bet that, unless they are really naive, the people that put this up knew exactly what the response would be and who would take offense at it.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Actually, the "Immaculate Conception" refers to Mary's conception, not Jesus'. I didn't understand this either for a long time.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Actually, the "Immaculate Conception" refers to Mary's conception, not Jesus'.<< Whoa ... now that, I did not know. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm now .5% smarter, which this week is a particularly good thing.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Actually, the "Immaculate Conception" refers to Mary's conception, not Jesus'. I didn't understand this either for a long time.>> Correct. It is the doctrine that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin in order to be a worthy "vessel" for Jesus.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Good to know...according to a site I just saw, I should have referred to it as the Annunciation or virginal conception.
