WARNING: I’m about to go off.
I am sick of the “Christian” subculture (in reality it is certain manifestations of it which will become clear shortly, and yes, I did put Christian in quotation marks for a reason). I received a flyer in my church mailbox recently promoting a new Christian coffee shop. I think because I work with twenty-somethings I am pegged as wanting to do anything that involves coffee (which is close to true). Here’s the things from the flyer that set me off on this topic.
Number one, because I think it’s sinful, not just something that annoys me, is using Jesus to sell things—coffee in this instance. This shop used both the initials JC and crosses in their logo to promote their coffee. We should be irate that the instrument that was used to inflict torture on our Savior and secure our salvation through his death is being used to sell coffee! That must border on blasphemy and is certainly worse than the moneychangers Jesus kicked out of the temple when he was on earth. This kind of stuff should conjure vomit.
Number two, why do “Christian” stores and products have to be hopelessly cheesy? The catchphrase on this flyer is “The best coffee, pastries, soups and sandwiches this side of heaven.” I don’t know who that’s supposed to attract other than people who are completely desensitized to the “Christian” subculture. Any normal business that used a slogan like that would be out of business in a month. This also serves to further trivialize the cross and the name of Jesus.
Finally, in the letter accompanying the flyer, one of the things they use to market the place is that you can go downtown to a safe place where you can listen to worship music and be with other Christians. This is like creating another zoo and promoting it by saying, “Come to the Christian zoo where you can see all the same animals without those pesky unbelievers!”
I’m so sick of it if you couldn’t tell.
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8 comments:
This kind of stuff should conjure vomit.
Nice.
Any normal business that used a slogan like that would be out of business in a month.
This applies to a lot of the Christian subculture, don't you think? Books, movies, music ... if it's Christian, it's probably poorly done. Tell me again why we settle for overused metaphors and cheesy catchphrases instead of striving for excellence and creativity.
...you can go downtown to a safe place where you can listen to worship music and be with other Christians
And the bubble expands ...
If I didn't know better I'd say some day you were going to start your own church, where everybody did things right. :)
So which is more disturbing--that Christian retail stores put profits ahead of quality, both in what they sell and in how they sell it or that it actually works among Christian consumers? (I opt for the latter. . .)
Good call Trev
I figured this one might bring some comments. Craig, I think the way Christian retailers market and that it works with consumers bother me equally. It just seems to make Christianity so trite.
And the church may come someday, but for now the ministry I'm a part of does everything right. :)
After processing this more last night I will say that I know I can't judge motivation. The people running this, and many other Christian stores, may have great intentions and just not think through what they are doing.
First of all, thanks for the warning that "I'm about to go off."
I think your rants are right on target, but I also like this:
The people running this, and many other Christian stores, may have great intentions and just not think through what they are doing.
If you would meet them, I'd guess they're great people that love the Lord and are probably doing some incredible things for the kingdom, but obviously have just been in the church too much and too long.
It's a good thing to remember as we age, I guess.
Amen brother! One thing I hate and dread about coming back to the States! Our "Starbucks" is called "Coffee Heaven" but that is becuase the coffee is above anything else. Not true in my opniion, but I love what you say. I really think that somewhere satan is rejoicing in the fact that he no longer has to work hard to get us to stop telling people about Jesus. We do it ourselves. Who wants to go some place where you may have to talk to a non-believer? That is not safe nor cool! Have we all gone insane???? Who are we living for? What are we doing? Why am I ranting?????? :)
dude - I miss having this conversation with you in the office - 'cause I know we would have had it! I am with you in striving to live in a real culture but be a true, messy Christ-follower at the same time (no cheesy stuff!)
We talked about this entry over dinner last week (V family home). I was trying to explain to my MIL how much I hate Christian bookstores, and that I won't go in one unless forced. She was shocked and appalled, I think. Just one more reason Kasia's the nice daughter-in-law. . .
Anyway, preach it. I can't stand insular, silo'd, subculture-ingrown Christians and christian things. They make me, too, want to vomit.
Testamint, anyone?
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