What's with the Jesus skywriting?

[Lorelai]

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.




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.

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.

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

Hi Ned,

I hear what you are saying. I may disagree with you, but I hear you.

It's a touchy subject because people view things in such vastly different ways. I would never have pinned this "Holy Smoke" man to be trying to purposefully upset others with his message. I would have thought just the opposite. So I checked out the site and I think it would be impossible for either you or I to know his true motivation. Heck, you might be totally right. Or you could be completely wrong.

I was just trying to say that as a Christian, and as an American, I personally am not offended. Yet I can see that others who feel equally as passionate about their beliefs have a right to speak their mind as well. I'd just like to see these topics not get too ugly.

But I do still love your quote, and I think the Tag Fairy would be tickled to see something so pro-Mickey..Which we all are.

Take Care.....

 

[Uncle Remus]

Here's what I wanna see
in the sky at Disney

 

[Lorelai]

So it's a pay-for-salvation thing, I've got ya. So someone can spend their whole life "sinning", but if they spend money getting out the "Jesus" message, they will be remembered and rewarded.

Wow, I never realized the Bible advocated such selfish behavior. I thought Jesus suffered for our sins, not that he wanted to be doused in smelly perfume and for money to be wasted in His name.

You learn something new every day.

NED

Ned.....Simmer down, simmer down now.

The point was that Holy Smoke man may just be trying to do something nice, reminding folks that they are loved. No one knows what his motive is, or if he's a good guy or not. Just a random act of kindness perhaps. Who knows.

I don't think the poster ever said that the bible condones purchasing your salvation with perfume. Its not a pay to play thing. Unless you read ulterior motive into everyones acts of kindness. And I'm not saying I think you do that.

I do think the intolerance around here is getting lock worthy. Man, it's getting ugly. No one should be bashing another person's faith.

I wish we had a peace pipe right now.
Or at least a smilie of a dude passing a peace pipe.

Hmmmm. okay a hug.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Ned.....Simmer down, simmer down now.

The point was that Holy Smoke man may just be trying to do something nice, reminding folks that they are loved. Just a random act of kindness perhaps.

I don't think the poster ever said that the bible condones purchasing your salvation with perfume. Its not a pay to play thing. Unless you read ulterior motive into everyones acts of kindness. And I'm not saying I think you do that.

I do think the intolerance around here is getting lock worthy. Man, it's getting ugly. No one should be bashing another person's faith.

I wish we had a peace pipe right now.
Or at least a smilie of a dude passing a peace pipe.

Hmmmm. okay a hug.

Just a li'l note here:
Not ALL of us view that skywriter as you do.

 

[Lorelai]

Just a li'l note here:
Not ALL of us view that skywriter as you do.

I don't view him as anything. I like his message. But I don't know him from a ham sandwich, Remus. I'm not offended, but I'm also not going to make him mayor.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Here's what I wanna see
in the sky at Disney

Me Too!

 

[Uncle Remus]

I don't view him as anything. I like his message. But I don't know him from a ham sandwich, Remus. I'm not offended, but I'm also not going to make him mayor.

And some of us don't like his message and
we are offended by having it pollute the skies.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

And some of us don't like his message and
we are offended by having it pollute the skies.

Well...there you have it...finally a responsible reply. It's pollution.

 

[elphie]

We just returned today from a week at WDW. On Monday and Tuesday of last week we saw a skywriter over the parks and resorts. We were at Epcot when at first, he just made a a cute smilely face in the sky and we took a picture of it. Then the skywriter continued for hours writing messages about Jesus. It was very odd. It happened at least two days maybe more but we did not see it. We couldn't help wondering if anyone knows who this skywriter is or who is sending him over WDW with these messages. My first thought was that something wasn't right about this because I thought the FAA has a no-fly zone over all of WDW because of security. Anybody know the scoop on this?

We saw that when we were at wdw for a short visit in Feb! They did it for hours! It was pretty kool! lol

 

[KatheeME]

I didn't see the first thread on this topic. In spite of what I am sure is coming, I have to say HOW CAN YOU IMPOSE YOUR RELIGION ON INNOCENT BYSTANDERS????

Donning my flame suit and retreating fast! lol

 

[KatheeME]

From THE worst speaker ever in history Here goes...

I...Um...humbly....with a rumbly in my tumbly...come before you to...uh...um...say that...um... I ah...don't think that...um...I have... the um right...:::gulp:::...to pass judgement...um...on anyone.

BUT I SURE DO HAVE FUN READING IT!!!!

Me too, I totally agree! I had to say something though in my first post, the atheist in me couldn't have slept otherwise!

 

[KatheeME]

Great post Pam!

I missed the last thread, at least the opportunity to comment. I always mis the big debates. Doggone it. Anyway, we saw the skywriter on our last trip. I am a Spiritual person, I believe in God, and I still don't think it's appropriate as it could offend people of other faiths. I am not of the mindset that my faith is the "only way" or the "right way." There are many paths to righteousnes.

That said, I think the skywriting is kind of neat - it's amazing how they do that. I took a pic of the smiley face. At first it kind of gave me the hibby jibbys. Couldn't understand why some nut was interrupting my magical vacation.

In the end, I didn't care - I kept on having fun. Shoot...someone could write "I worship cats" in the sky over Disney and I'd still have a good time.

PamNC

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Ned.....Simmer down, simmer down now.

The point was that Holy Smoke man may just be trying to do something nice, reminding folks that they are loved. No one knows what his motive is, or if he's a good guy or not. Just a random act of kindness perhaps. Who knows.

LOL, I do appriciate the effort and the sentiment, Loralei. It's just that I wish you would see that what you see "JESUS" as, may not be what others do, and that's what makes it intolerant of those whom see it as something else.

Many people use "Jesus" as an excuse to hate and judge. I know that's not you, and hopefully not anyone in this thread or on this board, but it's unquestionably true. So when I'm at WDW, to see a bilboard of "JESUS" offends me, and takes me out of the WDW magic.

So my question remains : what is the point? If you are secure in your beliefs, you shouldn't need to see it written in the sky; if you don't share those beliefs, it's not going to make you suddenly go out and be born-again.

The only possible motive is to create a stir. It may not for you, because the word "Jesus" means love for you. It means very different things to people who have been on the recieving end of hatred, ridicule, or worse in the name of "Jesus".

It's not about bashing anyone - like I said, if someone wants to wear a JESUS LOVES YOU t-shirt and talk in scripture around WDW as a paying guest, I don't care. But this is nothing but "posturing" on the part of the skywriter; I still think God/Jesus/whomever would be much more pleased if this person directed their efforts to true Christan values, not just advertising.

Does Jesus really need advertising?

NED

 

[KatheeME]

Ned, you are right and what you say is true, and many here defending the "christian" sky writing would feel very differently about it saying that.

It's pretty offensive.

It's sad that someone thinks their belief is worth intruding on the vacations of thousands of people.

Something tells me if it said "Praise Allah" people would riot, and they'd end up having a special hearing at the state house within an hour to pass some emergency law against skywriting, and it would never happen again.

Food for thought.

NED

 

[Lorelai]

And some of us don't like his message and
we are offended by having it pollute the skies.

I understand. And I think it's fine for us to agree to disagree.

I'd never smear you for disagreeing with me. And I'd sure never belittle your beliefs.

I personally believe that intolerence is a slippery slope.

 

[mom22boys]

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????

Out of curiousity, do you mean "Born again Christians" or some type of radical Christians? I have spent my whole life surrounded by Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, and so on, the term Christian covers a lot of different faiths, and have never found this description to apply to anyone other than the gentlemen from the Church of Latter Day Saints. We always call them the Mormons. I do not even know if this is the correct label.

Anyway, what surprises me the most about this thread and the other is what a specific stereotype people have for such a broad group of people. The term Christian is such an all encompassing term for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Obviously everyone on the DIS boards could be labeled "A Lover of Disney World," again another very broad label, but could we all be labeled as "thrill ride junkies" or "commandos" or "LOTW"? Obviously not.

Me personally, I would rather not see the Jesus skywriting, but oh well such is life. I will choose to focus on all of the magic around me instead.

 

[Lorelai]

LOL, I do appriciate the effort and the sentiment, Loralei. It's just that I wish you would see that what you see "JESUS" as, may not be what others do, and that's what makes it intolerant of those whom see it as something else.


NED

I hear you Ned. Thanks for your thoughtful responses. I share your valid concern, as I too have seen, and felt, the sting of others using Jesus' name to judge, ridicule and spread the complete opposite of what, to me, Jesus is. It's ugly with a capital U. People using Jesus as a veil to shroud their hate is not Christian. It turns people away from the true meaning of being Christ like.

So I do understand where you are coming from. And like I said, this guy could have a completely simple purpose to spread some love. Or he could be boiling bunnies a la' Fatal Attraction. I don't know. I just don't know. I like his message.

And I like the way we agree to disagree, while still being respectful of each others beliefs.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I don't think anyone has bashed Christians in this thread at all.

For discussions sake, let's pretend it said, "GO MIAMI DOLPHINS" instead of "JESUS".

So people in a thread are complaining about someone skywriting "GO MIAMI DOLPHINS" over WDW.

What would you say to the Miami Dolphins fans that came in and said, "You're bashing my team because you don't want to see it's advertising written over the sky at Disney!"

Now, if people had said, "Man, the Dolphins suck!" or something else, that may have been one thing. But no one has said that about Christians in this thread. People have simply acknowledged that 1) it is unwanted advertising, and 2) not everyone uses "Jesus" as a synonym for "love"; as Mom22Boys points out, there are lots of types of Christans. Many of them use it to hate, and it's a reminder to those who have been on the recieving end of that hate.

I would think that Christians that believe that God created everything would be able to look at the grass, the trees, etc. for affirmation, and not need it sprayed across the sky. That's not me bashing Christianity, but expressing what I believe the true teachings are.

Again, does Jesus really need advertising?

NED

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

And I like the way we agree to disagree, while still being respectful of each others beliefs.

Well that's one down, for each of us.

Now we just have to work on the other couple of billion people in the world.

NED

 

[Uncle Remus]

Well that's one down, for each of us.

Now we just have to work on the other couple of billion people in the world.

NED

Crazy Yankees
just kiddin'