What's with the Jesus skywriting?

[MIDisFan]

Then you need to spread that word to some of your friends.

We don't need to go there. Let's not get this thread locked as well. I see things that are offensive to me every day just about, what can you do? Lock yourself in a room and never come out? Disney can't control offensive behavior in their own parks so do you think they can do anything about the Skywriter. We need to stop finding things to complain about. I don't see how words or pictures in the sky can ruin anyones Disney Vacation.

 

[BamaFan121s]

There was someone doing this LAST T'giving when I was there.

 

[bgirldeb]

On a previous vacation we saw him write "DON'T REFILL OLD MUGS!" over some of the Disney Resorts.


Here is the proof!

He must have been at it again!

 

[Metallicat]

I have to admit I was really shocked at the anger some people have against the Christian religion in the other thread. I was very saddened that some folks have such negative views on Christianity.

If I looked up in the sky and saw "Jesus Loves You" I would smile. I never thought that such a message would cause the opposite affect in so many people. I guess I live a sheltered life, most people I know are Christians (the ones who are not are not offended by my choice in religion), you kind of take it for granted. I would never want my actions as a Christian to cause pain or invoke anger. Christ's life was about serving and loving others, and not about harrasing or being intrusive in the lives of non-believers.

I totally agree.

there is a Bible verse that comes to mind when I read some of these negative posts about the skywriter and his or her message.

I believe it is in the book of Luke. Jesus said "If the world hates you, remember it hated me first."

it is to be expected. it's always been that way. some people will always hate any mention of Jesus. it only confirms my faith that much more.

 

[Metallicat]

There's lots of things that are legal that are offensive. It would be perfectly legal for someone to skywrite "Hitler was a cool dude" or "drunk driving is fun" above WDW, too - freedom of speech gives pretty wide limits. Naturally, most people who agree with the message will like it, and those who don't agree will ignore or dislike it. Certainly, no one is going to be changed by it.

I'm somewhat offended by it - I know WDW skews Christian but outside of the Candlelight Processional, it's generally pretty secular, which is the way I like it. I'll just file the skywriting evangelists next to the love bugs and the people using flash on PotC and the "don't like my driving? dial 1-800-eat-****" bumper stickers in the "annoying but can't do anything about so not worth getting worked up about" category.

Actually, I'm kind of surprised that Univeral Studios doesn't hire a skywriter to write "Mickey sucks" above WDW.

Universal Studios has a "Gardens of allah". I'm a Christian. it doesn't offend me one bit and I PAY to go into Universal.
any mention of Jesus and people get all worked up. again, its to be expected.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I have to admit I was really shocked at the anger some people have against the Christian religion in the other thread. I was very saddened that some folks have such negative views on Christianity.

If I looked up in the sky and saw "Jesus Loves You" I would smile. I never thought that such a message would cause the opposite affect in so many people. I guess I live a sheltered life, most people I know are Christians (the ones who are not are not offended by my choice in religion), you kind of take it for granted. I would never want my actions as a Christian to cause pain or invoke anger. Christ's life was about serving and loving others, and not about harrasing or being intrusive in the lives of non-believers.

Well, guess what evangelizing does for some of us? We consider it to be harrangueing us for our choice of religion. Our religions are ALSO about service and loving others in peace and harmony, but because we're not Christians, we're considered to be wrong, and harassable by Christians, "for our own good". Christians may consider telling others about Jesus' life and death The Good Word that should be shared, but I'm going to give you (and any other Christian who reads this) a little tip: we all know how to locate a church if we want to hear it. People walking up to you on the street, knocking on your door, giving you flyers, handing you Bibles, and intruding on your daily lives in places like Walt Disney World trying to convince us that our faiths are evil or misplaced or hurtful to ourselves and/or our families not only gets old, but it's painful and depressing. We're as strong in our faiths and our deities love and guidance as you are, so why do Christians INSIST that they are right in doing things like this????

If "Goddess Bless" was floating in pictures that you took in Disney World, would you hang it happily on the wall and say "now there's a message of peace and love that should be shared with everyone"? I highly doubt it, though many folks here would understand that was exactly what it was saying, the same way Christians see "Trust Jesus" as the same. It's intrusive, potentially offensive to people not of that faith, and it's not needed.

 

[Groucho]

Universal Studios has a "Gardens of allah". I'm a Christian. it doesn't offend me one bit and I PAY to go into Universal.

In proper theming and/or context, nearly anything is fine. I wouldn't mind that (it's been a number of years since I've been to Universal Florida so I don't remember such a thing) and I don't mind Disney's Candlelight Celebration - I even watched a little a few years ago (while walking by.) All that is context - tossing graffiti in the sky has no context, it's just THERE.

any mention of Jesus and people get all worked up. again, its to be expected.

That's not really fair. Evangelists love to play up the image of being persecuted, but the opposite is true (read the recent four-part series at New York Times for some examples.) Any skywritten message would generate some controversy, whether it's some guy writing messages about Jesus, or some messages about Allah, or a message about the Torah - or how about if that nutty family from "godhatesfa--.com" did some skywriting! Or what if one said "Vote so-and-so for President"? All are things that intrude upon the WDW "magic" that Walt so desperately tried to cultivate - all things that he felt were a serious problem at Disneyland.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

BT

I understand completely, I was in the other thread. My post here was to state that I was caught off guard by people's reaction to the skywriting.

I have learned that even though I may view something as harmless, it may still be harmful or hurtful to others.

 

[disney kid at heart]

IMO I think the skywriting of love is something we could all use a little more of in this world!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

IMO I think the skywriting of love is something we could all use a little more of in this world!

Add to that patience , tolerance , and a little kindness and Hey...we just might not blow this world apart!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Does the tag fairy take requests? Because I think this would be a great tag !

LOL though I doubt a tag fairy would grab one from this thread, "Unless it's a Mickey Mouse head I find it offensive." is something I wouldn't mind being branded with.

On topic... I am Catholic, and I believe whole heartedly in Jesus, & free speech too - however, I don't think I'm too much of an enigma .

Personally, (just my own feeling) I am never offended when I see public love for God (as Jesus, Allah, Divine Being, Higher Power... whatever your word for God may be).

But let's concentrate on our common ground, we all love Disney & enjoy these boards because we can discuss something we all love together. While it's okay to disagree, I hope we can still be respectful of the feelings on BOTH sides of all issues. Nothing says "lock this thread" faster than intolerance. And intolerance is very ugly (not to mention un-Disney...Small World people......Small World).

I think this is where I am confused; don't see this as a "tolerance" issue at all. It has nothing to do with my agreement or disagreement with people that believe in Jesus.

I would be just as offended if someone wrote "GO MIAMI DOLPHINS" as graffiti in the sky. Now, I'm sure some Miami Dolphins (they are a team, right? sorry, not into sports here) fans would find it cool, but if you agree with graffiti or not, it's still graffiti. In much of the country skywriting is illegal for these very reasons. When at WDW, I don't want to see ANYTHING written on the sky, again, unless it's got a Mickey Head on it, LOL. It completely wrecks the illusion that WDW tries to preserve of being seperate from the outside world.

The person who is doing this is not a WDW guest. It would be far, far different to me if a guest were expressing their views. If someone wanted to walk around WDW wearing a "JESUS LOVES ME!" t-shirt, carrying a bible, and reading aloud scripture, I wouldn't complain. I'd walk away, but I wouldn't complain (unless my family and I were specifically targeted, followed around, etc., just as with ANYONE who did such things). It's their right to wear and say what they want. But when you write it across the sky, OBVIOUSLY only to upset people or intrude on WDW, it becomes offensive.

I guess that's also what irritates me about this (different from offensiveness). The motovation for this person doing this (and yes, I saw the website) is not altruistic. It's simply to cause a stir and get people upset. Those of you who are pleased by it are the by-product; it's not being done for you.

This guy is spending thousands and thousands of dollars to put this message in the sky. Why? Is he afraid people who believe are going to suddenly forget their faith and need a reminder (and would Jesus want you to need such a crass reminder)? No, he's doing it to upset the people who are not of that faith. Some people can't handle that others don't believe the same as they do and the "others" must be wrong (just look at his site...), and need to over-compensate by doing something like this.

What bothers me the most is the waste of money. It costs thousands and thousands of bucks to maintain licenses, a plane, fuel (you think it costs a lot to fill up your SUV? LOL), etc. How many hundreds of meals for hungry people, or how much good could that money do a church that needs repair or to help a Make A Wish family get to WDW one last time. Think of the joy that money could REALLY bring.

But what does it do? Gives some people who already believe a smile, and just irritates everyone else. Seems like such a massive waste of money and effort when that same money could be used to promote the true principles of Christianity (love, caring, helping our fellow man) instead of writing crass graffiti.

So it has nothing to do with religion, again. I'd say the same thing about people who said "GO MIAMI DOLPHINS". Spend your time and money on something other than an act that is not going to win you followers. It's just incredibly selfish of him to do this, in my eyes.

NED

 

[kvogel11202]

Well, guess what evangelizing does for some of us? We consider it to be harrangueing us for our choice of religion. Our religions are ALSO about service and loving others in peace and harmony, but because we're not Christians, we're considered to be wrong, and harassable by Christians, "for our own good". Christians may consider telling others about Jesus' life and death The Good Word that should be shared, but I'm going to give you (and any other Christian who reads this) a little tip: we all know how to locate a church if we want to hear it. People walking up to you on the street, knocking on your door, giving you flyers, handing you Bibles, and intruding on your daily lives in places like Walt Disney World trying to convince us that our faiths are evil or misplaced or hurtful to ourselves and/or our families not only gets old, but it's painful and depressing. We're as strong in our faiths and our deities love and guidance as you are, so why do Christians INSIST that they are right in doing things like this????

If "Goddess Bless" was floating in pictures that you took in Disney World, would you hang it happily on the wall and say "now there's a message of peace and love that should be shared with everyone"? I highly doubt it, though many folks here would understand that was exactly what it was saying, the same way Christians see "Trust Jesus" as the same. It's intrusive, potentially offensive to people not of that faith, and it's not needed.

It's a world of laughter a world of tears,...... a world of hopes and a world of fears....It's a small , small , world.....

 

[orljustin]

It would be far, far different to me if a guest were expressing their views. If someone wanted to walk around WDW wearing a "JESUS LOVES ME!" t-shirt, carrying a bible, and reading aloud scripture, I wouldn't complain. I'd walk away, but I wouldn't complain (unless my family and I were specifically targeted, followed around, etc., just as with ANYONE who did such things). It's their right to wear and say what they want.

No it isn't. At least on private property, it isn't, which is what WDW is.

 

[robinb]

To be honest, it's just tacky. It serves no purpose. I think both people who believe and those who don't could find it equally offensive : someone who truly believes shouldn't need such a crass reminder, and those that don't believe don't want it to intrude on their vacation.

But again, I guess the people in the latter category can just look down at the ground the whole vacation.

Between a bunch people looking up in rapt awe of God's word and the rest of us with our eyes glued to the ground so we're not offended ... it's really just a horrible accident waiting to happen!

Scoot over, Uncle Remus and pass me a cool one .

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

No it isn't. At least on private property, it isn't, which is what WDW is.

Uh, yes, Disney could stop someone from wearing a "Jesus Loves Me" T-shirt or carrying a Bible and speaking in scripture, but I don't think it would happen.

Regardless, thanks for the correction. Allow me to rephrase : "It would be far, far different to me if a guest were expressing their views. If someone wanted to walk around WDW wearing a "JESUS LOVES ME!" t-shirt, carrying a bible, and reading aloud scripture, I wouldn't complain. I'd walk away, but I wouldn't complain (unless my family and I were specifically targeted, followed around, etc., just as with ANYONE who did such things). It's their perogative in my eyes to wear and say what they want."

Just like I'd expect them to tolerate me when I hold another guys hand in line (like any other couple at WDW) I'd tolerate their Jesus-lovin'. The street goes both ways : we've heard the word "tolerance" many times in this thread in regards to religion, so let's hope the tolerance towards things we disagree about goes both ways.

Now, I'd expect them to be offended if I had "MAN LOVE" skywritten over WDW, just as I am by seeing "Jesus", or "MIAMI DOLPHINS". There is a difference between personal expression and ridiculous grandstanding in the sky over a religion-neutral resort complex.

NED

 

[hopelea]

So where is this discussion getting anyone??? NO WHERE!

DROP IT...............

This is a board to help fellow DISers with DISNEY related questions.

We can not control the skies.........I do not go to Disney to see what is in the sky..........

Onto the next Disney question PLEASE..............

 

[Uncle Remus]

Between a bunch people looking up in rapt awe of God's word and the rest of us with our eyes glued to the ground so we're not offended ... it's really just a horrible accident waiting to happen!

Scoot over, Uncle Remus and pass me a cool one .

Hope they don't mind,
I have to look up to do this

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Remus,

I know this is sooooo off topic, but what happened to your fabulous cartoon?

 

[Metallicat]

I'm surprised more people are not pitching a big ole fit because Disney puts on a Christian music festival every year. (Night of Joy)
Imagine Disney having a special event for us Christians. GASP!

I wear my Jesus shirts to WDW all the time and you know what? the only coments I get are from cast members who say they love my shirts and even ask where I got them.

 

[Uncle Remus]

So where is this discussion getting anyone??? NO WHERE!

DROP IT...............

This is a board to help fellow DISers with DISNEY related questions.

We can not control the skies.........I do not go to Disney to see what is in the sky..........

Onto the next Disney question PLEASE..............

Maybe you should look away
Sorry, couldn't help myself, I'm a heathen!