Where was I?
My family and I headed south this weekend, and ended up at Opry Mills, a huge outlet mall in Nashville. My husband, daughter and I decided to do a little Christmas shopping and look at the lights. Big mistake, it was so packed that just to get into the parking lot took nearly half an hour!
But we persevered. We made it to the mall, actually found a place to park and started walking around. We were focusing more on window shopping than actually going in and checking it all out (easier to keep our five year old from wanting every toy in sight that way). As we walked, I glanced over at the store front of a t-shirt shop. There were the usual team t-shirts, football jerseys and message t’s. Then I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks…
A t-shirt with a cross on it, with the internationally known “circle slash” through it.
I couldn’t believe it. Surely, I thought, here in the midst of the Bible belt I was not looking at something so blatantly sacrilegious. But I was.
I looked around. There must be a Christian protest going on somewhere. No way this mall, with huge “mega” churches all around it, could have something like this on display without some sort of outcry.
Well, yes they could, they did, and not one person in sight seemed even slightly phased.
I kept walking, stunned by what I had seen. I was too stunned to even mention it to my husband.
I was angry. Where was the public disgust? Where was the crowd of Christians, lined up with picket signs, demanding that the offending t-shirt be taken down? Oh yes, I know all about free speech. I am a journalist by degree and trade. But free speech also covers those who disagree, and surely at this most holy time for the Christian church there would be some sort of righteous indignation.
Nope.
I stewed the rest of the night. I growled through dinner, grumbled on the drive home, and lay in bed shocked and amazed. I thought about it at church on Sunday, prayed about it. Prayed that the Christians in Nashville would rise up and address this evil.
I guess, beyond the obvious message on the shirt, what bothered me most was that no one seem to care. How could all those people let this go? If this shirt had a message ridiculing Allah, people of the Muslim faith would rise up to get the t-shirt off the racks. If the message had been racist or anti-semitic, people of color or from the Jewish faith would have been protesting with letters to the editor and lawsuits. Where were the Christians? Where were those that should have been standing up for the faith?
Then it hit me… where was I?
I was at the store. I was right there, and I did nothing. Not a peep. I was upset and angry. But I did nothing. I didn’t ask the store manager why such a shirt was allowed to be displayed. I didn’t call the newspaper or local churches to see if they were aware. I didn’t ask my attorney friend what I could legally do to stop it. Heck, why didn’t I go in the store, buy up every single one of those repulsive shirts, take them home and burn them, making sure that no one would ever wear them?
I did nothing.
I am ashamed.
I didn’t stand up for my Lord.
I am so ready to let others fight the battle while I sit in my corner of the world, safe in church and at home. I am angry when other Christians don’t fight the good fight, yet when an opportunity to do “battle” presented itself I rode away on my “high horse.”
I’m not there now. It’s too late for me to recapture that moment. But I have learned a lesson, and it’s a lesson that I hope I can pass on. Be ready, folks. The battle ground is everywhere. It is open season on our faith. If we don’t defend it, if we stand by meekly and let our freedom of religion be taken from us, it will be. We each have to fight the fight.
Don’t be like me, don’t wait for someone else to take the battle to Satan. He is knocking on every Christian’s door. Don’t be afraid to answer the door…
And punch his lights out!
After a brief internet search, I found a picture of the offending logo. I considered running it, but chose not to.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Hey there…
I just wanted to first off tell you that I really enjoy your blog!!! I just recently found it, and look foward to reading more from you!!
Secondly, I was just wondering if you would consider posting the name of the store you saw the shirt in?
Thanks!
December 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I don’t think that it is too late for you to do anything, or for any of us. I already e-mailed Hot Topic telling them that I wouldn’t be shopping there until the shirt and any other items with this logo on them are removed. I am writing in my own blog for all other Christians to do the same. Let’s flood their mail box with complaints and let them know it’s not okay!
January 4th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
This is too funny. I’m not even going to bother to refute anything because I am really having a tough time taking any of this seriously.
Anyway, your little post made it onto The Bad Religion Page. Here is the URL you might want to check out the comments. http://thebrpage.net/news/?newsID=1621
Also, I don’t know any self-respecting Bad Religion fans that shop in Hot Topic so no need to worry about them making money off of this.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
What is great is the shirt is doing exactly what it is meant to do. Show how Christian’s are ready to create violence, uproar ect all over a simple logo in name of the church or an organized religion.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
lady stop bitchin your in the majority get a life and realize there is no one right way to live
January 5th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Your indignation about seeing no response to something you found so intolerable is exactly what Bad Religion laments, but for different injustices than you cite. You and the band are more similar than different. Maybe you should listen to a few tracks.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
ah… the legendary crossbuster symbol. it’s been around for a long time. But ask yourself this: How can christians live without the recognition of evil or what they consider blasphemous to their religion. They depend on one another. That is why the band Bad religion that carries the symbol is more meaningful than u think. In addition, their songs state a very prudent genuine outlook in life to what Christians lack: liberation
January 6th, 2009 at 2:14 am
By far one of the funniest things i’ve read in a long time. Oh no someone dislikes Christianity, DOWN WITH THE HEATHENS!!
January 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
First off, I’ll say that we’re on totally different ends of the spectrum of dispositions toward the crossbuster and Bad Religion. Their music and words have probably been as meaningful in my life as your belief in Jesus/Yahweh has been in yours. But having said that, I have to confess that I understand your crisis of conscience. I disagree with your religion and what you happen to be upset about. But, I know what it feels like to watch something happen that offends every ethical fiber in your body - and then later to regret not raising your voice about it when you had the chance.
You’re right, we SHOULD stand up for what we believe in. I just don’t think that belief without evidential basis is healthy or just. I hope you keep the lesson you learned from this experience at hand, but also that as you grow you make free, critical inquiry more central to your spiritual life. If you do, I’m sure you’ll be richer and happier for it in the long run. Best of luck to you, and happy new year!
-A Happy Atheist
January 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I’ve been both a devout christian and fan of the band Bad Religion for over 10 years. My faith in Christ and my love of the band are not mutually exclusive, as most newly-exposed to the crossbuster logo believe. A symbol can any number of meanings. My familiarity with the band Bad Religion allows me to see their crossbuster logo through more informed eyes. Bad Religion is a band that encourages listeners to ask questions, challenge dogma, as all good christians should. The crossbuster is a stick to the ritualism and mob mentality that religion tends provoke in people. The Christian cross was chosen, rather than a star of david or other religious symbol, because Christianity is the prevailing religion in this part of the world. The band knew that choosing the crossbuster logo meant they would influence the most people possible. As Christians we should smile upon the flock questioning their beliefs from time to time. It makes for stronger Christians, Christians who are more prepared to face the world. It certainly has made my faith in Christ stronger.
Fear and doubt can be strong enemies of organized religion, but are natural and necessary to endure to make the faith as a whole stronger.
I love God
I love Jesus
I love Bad Religion
All three have done their part to make me a stronger Christian, a better son, a better man.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I guess I just don’t understand, how does one person’s t-shirt prevent another person from worshipping God?
January 7th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I have a poster with that same logo on my bedroom wall and I have a few Christian friends who didn’t even bat an eyelid when they saw it. Bad Religion don’t really have an anti-religion stance: they’re more pro-thinking for yourself. And if that means you believing in God, then that’s fine.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I have to say that it is times like this that I am so proud to be a bad religion fan. Surely the person who wrote this blog must see how thoughtful and considerate the average fan is. No one has said anything ignorant or hurtful and from any group with differing views I think we all agree that it is a rarity. Bad religion is not some evil group who want to spread hatred. There message has always been to think for yourself and ask questions. That is a healthy way to conduct your life. If someone questions religion and still believes in it then all power to them. The great thing about bad religion for christians and athiests is that they don’t say things like “this is the right way , do what we say”, they just give information and question theories both for and against views on religion. They are the most important band to me lyrically and always will be, and im not saying this as a 14 year old, i am saying this as 26 year old who has grown up surrounded by music of all kinds, bad religion has done more for me lyrically than dylan!!!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Also , not to have an argument or anything but it would be nice to hear back from the lady who wrote this. discussion and debate is healthy and productive:)
January 12th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I LOVE BAD RELIGION
I ALSO LOVE MY FELLOW MAN :O
January 26th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I grew up in a crappy Bible Belt town in northeastern Oklahoma, chock full of people like this woman who think that if you’re not a Christian you’re basically dirt. In high school they pulled me out in the hall and tried to make me take off my hoodie with the crossbuster logo on it. I told the administration that if they were going to do that then all the kids wearing church shirts needed to take those off, too; I mean, I was in a PUBLIC SCHOOL and I had to deal with this crap. I gotta get out of this part of the country…
March 13th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
After reading the other comments I came to a conclusion that I can’t really say anything new on the topic - all the arguments I read were clever, well-thought and tolerant. So I just wanted to say that I’m more and more proud and happy to be a BR fan, because while I’ve seen many things, heard many bands that presented opinions that I agreed with, none of them had such self-conscious, tolerant fans, that were willing to discuss even with people who offend them without bothering to even get to know them. People, you’re truly amazing for not flaming this blog. Myself, I was no more than amused to read the blog, but I haven’t thought about arguing over the BR topic for a second. People are different, and have different opinions, and that’s the way it should be. I find all sorts of ideologies worthy of believing in as long, as your belief is conscious, and you’re not doing anything “just cause everybody else does”. So, dear lady, if you really DO believe truly in what you’re writing here (and I hope you do, as I’ve learned that it’s one of the best things in life), then I wish you all the best, even though I don’t agree with you at all.
~~an atheist with a nickname taken right from a pagan mythology~