With regard to the "appropriate" issue, I find myself going against the majority of commenters in the articles, news reports, and blogs that I have read so far. There are an overwhelming number of comments utilizing words such as, poor taste, degrading, gross, deplorable, sacrilegious, and blasphemy.
Ironically, 99.9% of these negative comments fall back on standard rhetoric. It appears that they blurt out the first thing that comes to their mind, and cannot even give a logical explanation for their alleged belief. And if anyone puts down their comment, or adds an opposing view, both parties begin a kindergarten-style yelling match with various bouts of name calling.
Such activity is self-defeating: especially from a Christian standpoint. They claim to be defending God, but they do so in an ungodly manner.
The non-Christian, taking part in the squabble of just viewing the proceedings, uses the un-Christ-like actions of the professed Christian to solidify their choice in not becoming a Christian; even though their actions may be just as infantile.
All of this relates to one of the primary reasons I began this blog. What good is claiming an opinion or belief in something if you cannot explain why you believe it, or how you arrived at that opinion?
Personally, I found the majority of comments more deplorable than the billboard depicting Joseph and Mary. After all, they were both human, therefore subject to human emotions, thoughts, and frailties. And we know from God's word that Joseph originally thought Mary had been unfaithful, until he was visited by the heavenly host, and told otherwise. So wouldn't it be just as human for him to consider all the possible ramifications once he became convinced of the uniqueness of Mary's pregnancy?
Furthermore, Joseph and Mary were married, and eventually had additional children: since God's word tells us Jesus had brothers and sisters. So why is it unimaginable to consider the God-ordained position of a husband and wife sleeping together?
For those that are married, don't you and your spouse sleep together?
The artwork on the billboard is extremely benign: there is no nudity, and, in fact, Joseph and Mary are not even touching. Thus, there is nothing outright dirty or gross about it; unless it is assumed as such by the viewer.
With regard to the caption, "Poor Joseph, God is a hard act to follow," why should we disagree?
We modern-day Christians have the luxury of God's word readily available. We know that Jesus was the only sinless human who ever lived; and, though we know we are to aspire to be Christ-like, we also know we will never reach that ideal in our human form.
Is it then so hard to believe Joseph must have had similar thoughts and beliefs with regard to God?
In the church representative's own admission, they just hope the ad gets people talking about the Christmas story. Is that a bad thing? --- Of course not.
So why all the controversy and hoopla? --- Simple; the secular media spun the story in such a way to push more buttons, and people jumped on the bandwagon, as usual, without taking time to think anything through.
Would Christ be upset at the billboard? I honestly do not think he would, and here is one of the reasons I have come to that belief:
But Jesus said, Forbid them not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. --- Mark 9: 39-40
Anything can be used for the glory of God if it is utilized with a righteous intent. Just as any Christian can tarnish the truth in the eyes of unbelievers if they act un-Christ-like.
With that in mind, I encourage you all to think before you speak, and consider the ramifications before you act.
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