Clothing that Persecutes?

Cheap Monday jeans are selling like hotcakes in various countries, like Sweden.

In a recent article, Cheap Monday's logo designer Bjorn Atldax says he's not just trying for an antiestablishment vibe.

"It is an active statement against Christianity," Atldax told The Associated Press. "I'm not a Satanist myself, but I have a great dislike for organized religion."

The label's makers say it's more of a joke, but Atldax insists his graphic designs have a purpose beyond selling denim: to make young people question Christianity, a "force of evil" that he blames for sparking wars throughout history.

It seems that by making such broad, sweeping statements, Atlax has a lot of angst - not just against the institutional forms of Christianity, but against the Christian faith in general.  Anti-Christian sentiments are certainly nothing new, but do you think that we'll continue to see such philosophical activism increase throughout the consumer marketplace?  If not, why not?  But if so, what do you envision for the future in this regard?

And finally, how should the Christian community respond to all of this?  And what SHOULDN'T we do?

.

photo credit: (from Google images)

Comments

[Patmos]

First I heard of the Jeans...but what I think we should do is make our own line of Christian Jeans and say how judgemental we are and then market them to sexy teens in youth groups across the world...this comment is of course not to be taken seriously....

[DLE]

Ignore, ignore , ignore. Teenagers hate the idea that no one cares. If we stopped giving this so much press in Christian circles, it would just go away on its own.

Instead, we're doing just the opposite. Oh well.

[Pastor Art]

Jeans that promote something anti - establishment??? I guess???? I don’t know???? Could it work???

Advertising in modernity uses images and slogans - repetitive ditties “you deserve a break today” and of course we all know where that break is. In a lot of ways this foundational question exposes evangelism as “Christianized” advertising. Can “we” compete - counter this with a slogan or marketing scheme of our own? Is this the power of the Gospel? Are the tactics of Christ’s Body a kin to a fencing match, point to point - pun intended? Many of the fads over the years have become comic fodder “WWJD” as I have heard the students in schools I sub in say - “We Want Jack Daniels”, and some other un repeatable sayings. What’s that!!?? Does the slogan response reflect shallow reactionary emotions? The material this rebel call is written upon will become rags and dust. However where is the message of the Kingdom written, if on our hearts, when the rags turn to dust and blow away in the wind our hearts and the life we live as result of changed hearts will still be strong in the winds of “ad” - versity (pun intended). When the protesters and deceived wearers of these jeans are standing “naked” in their whirlwind of ant - establishment deception we will still be standing on the unchanging stable “old ways” Jeremiah 6:16 and will be able to speak about the foundations of our stability Psm.11:3.

Rearranging our activities as if some emergency has appeared on the horizon promotes confusion diverting energy away from the long term task of speaking the Gospel to every nation, and who’s goal is that?
Pastor Art

[Pastor Art]

I forgot after Psm.11:3, clothed in the robes of righteousness given us by Christ.

[Wanderer]

What can be done about it? Probably nothing. Still, I can understand the thought processes that spark things like this. I would suggest that some of the aspects of how such reactions are invited could be worked on, but it would require way too many people to listen that aren't interested in doing so.

When we have a scenario where more people are willing to waive signs and say that people are going to hell than they are to reach out and try and touch the hearts of the people they are condemning, where even the Jehovah's witnesses aren't interested in speaking to people anymore, when a Pagan can walk into these forums requesting that someone help them reach an understanding of who and what Christ is/was/will be and he gets blasted or told his points are invalid because he is damned....

Look at these small issues even before you look to the wars that have been fought on religious basis and tell me that you don't understand the growing antagonism against the church. I watch even those who are interested getting chased away by the self righteous and it is clear. You can't make this go away. You would first have to write the myriad wrongs done in Jesus' name, and stop them from being repeated. You can't do that, so the antagonism from more and more outsiders is inevitable.

[Chris]

DLE, you may be right in advising to "ignore, ignore, ignore". I'm not so sure these things will go away on their own, however.

[Seraphim]

I think we should ignore it. Why are Christians constantly surprized when the 'World' acts like the World?

ah, if only the Church acted like the Church!

LOL

LYB

Seraphim

[Carlos]

I remember the first time "Jesus" jeans came out ... italian, about 20 years ago. Do you remember those? I think they're still on the market, but, *who cares* and *who wears them*? I agree with DLE, ignore. And with Seraphim, act like a church ... and smile.

[Wanderer]

"DLE, you may be right in advising to 'ignore, ignore, ignore'. I'm not so sure these things will go away on their own, however."

Is that what is being done here? While not quite what you were saying, I must counter that in fact many of us are going away on our own. Every day more of the sheep are being lost, or chased away by the wolves that were hired to watch them. Ignoring the problem has never fixed anything. Sure you ignore the petty attempts at instigation. That is smart, but ignoring the root of the problem isn't.

[Carlos Ferrer]

Wanderer wrote:

Every day more of the sheep are being lost, or chased away by the wolves that were hired to watch them.

I must admit to having a hard time how a pair of jeans can be a sheepdevouring wolf ... I'm more afraid of predators posing as sheep or shepherds. Those we have plenty of, some using Christianity as an umbrella, their faith as a cover to do harmful things.

[jim]

Wanderer certainly had a good start on this topic! If we start with Constantine and go forward in time, we find that the more that religion and government get intertwined, the more damage is done in the name of Christ. The Crusades and the Inquisition stand out, but the repeated overt acts of hatred committed by governments against non-Christians stand for me as the loudest, clearest call for a GULF between religion and government.

[Wanderer]

"I must admit to having a hard time how a pair of jeans can be a sheepdevouring wolf ... "

I wasn't referring to the jeans. I was referring to that which I pointed them out as symptomatic of, the comment that the post you quoted suggested was ignored. To reiterate that which I actually said, as opposed to the words you put in my mouth, the jeans are one more example of a reactionary measure, as reaction to the actions of the wolves that divide the church and send many of us out in search of truth elsewhere.

[Carlos]

Sorry about that, Wanderer, misunderstanding rather than deliberation on my part. When thinking of wolves in the church, abuseful and misleading church leaders come to my mind.

[Wanderer]

"When thinking of wolves in the church, abuseful and misleading church leaders come to my mind."

While not the only grouping, that was what was coming to mind for me as well.

[The Reverend Morbid]

a world with a wealth of real trouble and the keepers of the faith denounce pants... how consistent.

[Seraphim]

a world with a wealth of real trouble and the keepers of the faith denounce pants... how consistent.

If you call asking opinions and talking about something that has the potential maybe be a controversy 'douncement' I'd love to hear one of your sermons......

mr fakie@fake org... give me a break

[The Reverend Morbid]

it is only a controversy if you make it one... otherwise, it's just pants.

we call critizing pants douncement. we call asking opinions and talking about something that has the potential maybe be a controversy in the fashion industry a waste of time.

in our sermons we make clear that all pants are created equal. put aside your pants prejudice, look past the denim, and concede your pants are no better, my child.

[Seraphim]

we call critizing pants douncement. we call asking opinions and talking about something that has the potential maybe be a controversy in the fashion industry a waste of time.

It must not be too much a waste of time then, for you to chime in rev fake.

Tis not prejudice but preference, and we are all free.. I Cor 6:12

However, just remember, that not all choices are profitable

I'shalom

Seraphim

[The Reverend Morbid]

It must not be too much a waste of time then, for you to chime in rev fake.

Good one? Our comment was merely to serve as a reality reminder for a little perspective. Show some respect, we are no more a fake than you are feathered.

If your preference then is to hold a high regard for the pants others wear then that is entirely your choice, but it profits no one.

[Wanderer]

"Show some respect, we are no more a fake than you are feathered."

Let me help you a little, oh plural one. Your apparent e-mail address claims you to be fake: Fake@fakefakie.org. (Very clever, by the way.) Don't whine because we pay enough attention to your creativity, and even call attention to it. I don't think it was disrespectful, but more likely bred of jealousy of your superiority.

[Chris]

Dear Morbid --
Please post with a valid email address/domain/URL. Up to this point, I have avoided making it mandatory for commentors to sign up through TypePad before they are allowed to post here. I'm sure that you and many others would like it to remain that way.

Thank you.

- Chris

[joeturner]

If we claim to follow the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Justice, then we should be produce clothes that build rather than destroy our Kingdom values.

A tee that speaks truly of the truth that is within us is as bad as the one which stands against us *if it is made in a sweatshop or in a way that oppresses people*

These people can do anything they like. We are going to do it better.

[The Reverend Morbid]

You have our most sincere appy polly loggies Chris. The purpose of an anonymous e-mail was merely a precaution. Simply put, we do not wish to be sent a virus from your friends.

Oh Wanderer, shed your jealousy and continue on course. We are not the topic, no need for snide remarks at us personally. Feel free to show your distaste for us by attacking our opinion, but keep the rest of your contempt to yourself.

What Joe Turner said is by far the most enlightening comment in regards to this discussion. Losing sight of reality is unfortunate, but reminders such as those need to be made. There are real problems with real suffering... the cut of a pair of slacks is insignificant in comparison.

[Ray]

My generation tends to be sarcastic and sound-byte seeking rather than truly discerning or introspective. My guess is that the designer is no history guru, nor is he particularly well-read. The first indication that someone is manifesting pop ideology rather than well-thought critique is that they're entirely without nuance. I know very few truly intelligent people who would blanketly condemn billions of people's faith in the lump sum of "bad".

Besides that, the designer's nation isn't exactly known as a hot bed of faith in the modern day, at least as a % of the population, so I find it interesting that he's so faux-passionate about it.

When faced with such foolishness it's better to get about our business living and preaching the Gospel as best we can and just ignore the snide remarks and ill-informed half baked commentary from antagonistic worldly folk.

[Seraphim]

ya'll lay off my friend wanderer. he's a better 'christian' than some who claim the title. (i know that he doesn't).

Seraphim