PETREA BURCHARD and Boz Books are now at petreaburchard.com
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Zen Tuesday: #4
On Zen Monday (or in this case, Tuesday) you experience the photo and tell us what you think, rather than me telling you what to experience from viewing it.
There's no right or wrong. If the photo evokes something in you, that's all it is.
If only they would let Jesus judge, instead of them doing the judging...(oops, sorry, getting off soapbox.) Then again: throwing paint balls at the billboards is judging. Too much judgment all around. I'm guilty of it too...
The lower right of the billboard is kinda like a countdown to Armageddon: 10:9:8:7...
Like Dina said, it's good that you included a plea to "STOP" in the photo's composition.
A private & personal religion? Well, then what's the point? It's supposed to make a positive contribution our lives so we can then be better people to contribute to a better society
But i agree, if some hide behind it, using it for a negative impact (eg, terrorizm) then those are redefining religion for their own selfish purpose.
For some reason, I picture a teenage delinquent Wayne Gretzky in an old pickup with a bunch of friends driving around, playing their version of mailbox baseball. Except this time it's hockey with paint balloons instead of a puck.
(you know, the old joke: Jesus saves, but Gretzky gets the rebound... he shoots... HE SCORES!)
But over all, I see a plea to just stop - a statement against all facets of modern society.
Wouldn't that be interesting? If we could all just pull back and untangle the rats nest of modern ideology? Each of us keeping what WE find important, discarding the rest, unencumbered by the expectations of our neighbors and peers and without the need to impose what we hold dear upon others?
JC is coming SPLAT! You'll be saved SPLAT! SPLAT! It's a rough crowd in billboard- & blog-land. (And to think I almost MISSED Zen Monday on Tuesday :o)
Isn't it interesting the types of things that are felt when religion is mentioned? Even when on a billboard? I may not agree with how the billboard is so blunt, I prefer to live quietly yet in such a way that others know that I am different. It is personal, but also there for anyone to see. Thank you, Petrea, for such a thought and comment provoking post!
A couple of you made me laugh, C.O. and Tash especially!
Miss Havisham, why isn't the Flickr Color Selectr called the Flickr Colr Selectr? It isn't right.
Lindsey, first time commenter, on a Zen day, no less! Welcome.
I thought someone would say something about the horrors of vandalism. I guess that would be me. You know, the old "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" speech? I figure whoever bought this billboard has as much right to advertise their message as anyone else. I don't see Spearmint Rhino strip club's creepy, smarmy sign all splattered with paint.
Therese, thanks for your comment. I wouldn't qualify the sign as a Zen sign either. The idea of Zen day is based on the Zen tradition of teaching through experience or thought as opposed to through words. In this case I walk a fine line because there are words in the photo! But it is the *photo* I hoped for you to experience, and not just the *sign.* If that makes any sense.
… and He's starting with yellow.
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ is no more real than Santa Claus is real.
ReplyDelete"RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – Complaints have led to the removal of an atheist group's "Imagine No Religion" billboard in this San Bernardino County city."
ReplyDelete"Billboards Gone Wild: 4,000 Illegal Billboards Choke L.A.'s Neighborhoods"
But probably more real than "anonymous."
ReplyDeleteTogether with "Healing body acupuncture" this is a piercing message. (ouch)
ReplyDeleteI like most the juxtaposition with STOP.
What would Scooby do?
ReplyDeleteginab: I'm with cafe observer on this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat's this about Santa Claus?
ReplyDeleteA message I've heard for the past seven decades. Waiting for Godot......
ReplyDeleteImo, religion is like sex: it should be private and personal.
ReplyDeleteIf only they would let Jesus judge, instead of them doing the judging...(oops, sorry, getting off soapbox.) Then again: throwing paint balls at the billboards is judging. Too much judgment all around. I'm guilty of it too...
ReplyDeleteThe lower right of the billboard is kinda like a countdown to Armageddon: 10:9:8:7...
Like Dina said, it's good that you included a plea to "STOP" in the photo's composition.
I believe December 23, 2012 may be the second coming of Christ (or something involving Mel Gibson)...one of the two.
ReplyDeleteA private & personal religion? Well, then what's the point? It's supposed to make a positive contribution our lives so we can then be better people to contribute to a better society
ReplyDeleteBut i agree, if some hide behind it, using it for a negative impact (eg, terrorizm) then those are redefining religion for their own selfish purpose.
GinaB: how's the home internet coming along?
For some reason, I picture a teenage delinquent Wayne Gretzky in an old pickup with a bunch of friends driving around, playing their version of mailbox baseball. Except this time it's hockey with paint balloons instead of a puck.
ReplyDelete(you know, the old joke:
Jesus saves, but Gretzky gets the rebound... he shoots... HE SCORES!)
By private and personal I mean, don't push it on others. Nobody wants to see a billboard promising salvation in S&M and bondage.
ReplyDeleteA target for the paint ball crowd.
ReplyDeleteLove Elizabeth's comment about visualizing young Gretzky... gave me a good laugh. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteWell this one caused quite a debate!
ReplyDeleteI just think the state the world is in we have already been judged and this is our punishment, not that I believe in God!
Well, I mean, when exactly is He coming? My diary's filling up. I do, however, have a window around March...?
ReplyDeleteThis is what your photo made me think of...
ReplyDeleteYellow by Coldplay
lyrics are quite apt I think.
ReplyDeleteJesus saves, Moses invests.
ReplyDeleteOk, nuff of that
Hmm, Stop White Altadena came to my eyes...
But over all, I see a plea to just stop - a statement against all facets of modern society.
Wouldn't that be interesting? If we could all just pull back and untangle the rats nest of modern ideology? Each of us keeping what WE find important, discarding the rest, unencumbered by the expectations of our neighbors and peers and without the need to impose what we hold dear upon others?
JC is coming SPLAT! You'll be saved SPLAT! SPLAT! It's a rough crowd in billboard- & blog-land.
ReplyDelete(And to think I almost MISSED Zen Monday on Tuesday :o)
Isn't it interesting the types of things that are felt when religion is mentioned? Even when on a billboard? I may not agree with how the billboard is so blunt, I prefer to live quietly yet in such a way that others know that I am different. It is personal, but also there for anyone to see. Thank you, Petrea, for such a thought and comment provoking post!
ReplyDeleteThank you all. Another interesting discussion.
ReplyDeleteA couple of you made me laugh, C.O. and Tash especially!
Miss Havisham, why isn't the Flickr Color Selectr called the Flickr Colr Selectr? It isn't right.
Lindsey, first time commenter, on a Zen day, no less! Welcome.
I thought someone would say something about the horrors of vandalism. I guess that would be me. You know, the old "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" speech? I figure whoever bought this billboard has as much right to advertise their message as anyone else. I don't see Spearmint Rhino strip club's creepy, smarmy sign all splattered with paint.
Now there's an idea.
Right below the religious sign is another: "Body Healing, Acupuncture".
ReplyDeleteAlong with "Stop", it makes for an interesting juxtaposition...
But now I see Dina has already noted that! And I like her "ouch"
One could argue that the installation of billboards is a kind of vandalism. Screaming eyesores jabbing at your brain.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Actually I'm an old friend returned. I've just been in financial fiascos.
ReplyDeleteYou know, near the restrooms today at Mervyn's (closing soon, after 60 years...) amongst the graffiti, I saw this carved into the stall:
"Jesus loves you - John 3:16"
That has to be the last thing I'd expect in a restroom, but it can't be as bad as the men's restroom *shudder*
Vandalism did occur to me but I thought surely not. I decided this was an expression of some kind.
ReplyDeleteJesus is coming?! Why am I always the last one to find these things out?!
ReplyDeleteI would not qualify this sign as a Zen sign.
ReplyDeleteTherese, thanks for your comment. I wouldn't qualify the sign as a Zen sign either. The idea of Zen day is based on the Zen tradition of teaching through experience or thought as opposed to through words. In this case I walk a fine line because there are words in the photo! But it is the *photo* I hoped for you to experience, and not just the *sign.* If that makes any sense.
ReplyDelete