Crosses and Flags for Profit

My good friend Tree wrote a great post yesterday, primarily about living in a “southern” state. But towards the end, she hit upon a topic that makes me (insert Southern accent) madder’n shit: using religion to push your business.

I make no bones about the fact that I am not religious. So part of me understands that I don’t have a close, personal relationship with God like so many Christians do and maybe he *has* suggested they incorporate Jesus on the cross into the “T” of their logo. Seeing as I wasn’t there at their last con-fab with the big man, and all.

But I rather doubt it.

No, I rather think that God is disgusted by it.

Because what it really says is one of two things.

That you either want to use your religion to push your products and pad your profit margin by invoking the name of Jesus – something the Catholic church has been doing since the dawn of time – so why not?

OR, you want to mark a clear line in the sand, telling people who YOU are and that OTHERS are NOT WELCOME.

That is NOT a beautiful celebration of their relationship with their God. What THAT is, my friends, is absolutely disgusting.

And then of course, there are those who put the American flag on their business cards and banners. Maybe they think I forgot what country I live in? Ohhhhh. Wait, I get it. You want me to buy more of your shit because now I know what a gas-guzzling, spit-chewing redneck you are! Thanks for the warning, dude. I’ll pass.

Because, you’re just as bad as the religious freaks. Trying to cow me into shopping with you because otherwise I am a bad American. Fuck you!

See? I told you this shit pisses me off!

Obviously I need to talk to my therapist about why this bothers me so much.

This article has 32 comments

  1. zipper

    oh, dude, that crap makes me so mad too.

  2. Anonymous

    It doesn’t bother me personally, but that was a funny post.

  3. Anonymous

    not mention that, they are usually really ugly too.

  4. daisybones

    AY-mee-in! (That’s my WV accent “amen”.)

    These are also both creepy annoying examples of herd mentality, which turns me off quicker’n sausage in my country gravy.

    Do you have any idea how much I feel like an alien being a liberal, Unitarian Universalist, bisexual, vegetarian, toddler breastfeeding, artist living in this holler?

    I just have to jump up and down cheering about this post. Go, you:)

  5. TX Poppet

    Matthew 6:5
    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

    I AM devout, but I never take bids from contractors who invoke the cross. Always a red flag for a cheat in my book.

  6. Sizzle

    i love when you get feisty!

  7. sue

    Oooo… I SO agree with you. (No surprise there, huh?)

  8. monstergirlee

    ITA Aimee, ITA.

  9. Anonymous

    that bible quote makes it even more revolting. TFS.

  10. Cobwebs

    I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one this annoys. I consciously avoid businesses that do it.

  11. Autumn

    I am right there with you.. it pisses me off too.

  12. Flower Child

    Amen! ooops, I mean yay! you said it! I just got a credit card in the mail that has a flag on it – I was like WTF? Granted it came from an organization for veterans – but still, I would have chosen a different logo. maybe I’ll use it less and save some money.

  13. Alida

    Hurray! Some sanity. People tell me all the time how progressive Oregon is…maybe Portland. The town I love in is all about God all mighty and being a white American.

    Sometimes I feel my bitty brain turning to mush.

  14. Alida

    Sorry, it should read “the town I live in” although I do, do all my lovin’ here too!

  15. saucygrrl

    I think I love you.

  16. Aimee Greeblemonkey

    And I love you guys too. Thanks for the support. 🙂

  17. Anonymous

    OHH! Greeblemonkey is fired up! What about presidential candidates who jump on the holy band wagon to earn votes in the Bible belt in spite of their sinful and blasphemous behavior and people in the Bible belt who subsequently VOTE YOU INTO OFFICE!?

    I’m signing anonymous just to see how well you know me. Any guesses?

  18. Melissa

    You are so right. My sweet friend, a single mom of three boys, chose a lawyer because he wore his religion like a badge of honor. He took her retainer and never called her again. Nice. Wanker.

  19. flutter

    Sing it, sister!

  20. Autumn

    Hey Aimee, I have a little thing for you over on my blog. 🙂 Your blog has become my daily addiction!

  21. Stacey

    wow, this really does piss you off, huh?

  22. Mitch McDad

    i think i just got wood.

  23. Aimee Greeblemonkey

    OK, my first guess for Anonymous was wrong! There are so many friends that could sound like. Maybe Jen in NY?

    And Autumn, thank you so much!

    And Luna, I snorted.

  24. carrie

    It pisses me off too. Right up there with the annoying emails people keep sending me about “god.” I guess someone wants to save the heathen in me. I say leave her alone, she’s quite happy.

  25. LunaNik

    Wow…I guess I should take the big ol’ Virgin Mary image off of my blog then, eh? I kid…

    But seriously, should I rethink my American and Proud header?

    I kid again 😉

  26. soccer mom in denial

    Once again, you’ve got me seething. I’m clearly in a weird part of the country because NO ONE uses religion to promote their business. I’m serious.

    I just love TX though – THANK YOU for not doing business with folks who “use” their faith for profit. You are truly principled. It is these folks who claim to be religious but then don’t do anything about wrong-doings around them that just get me so mad.

  27. Lisa

    Yowza! Amen sistah!!! 😛

  28. Anonymous

    How right you are, lady.

  29. Jerseygirl89

    You go, girl! Er. . .that’s probably not the cool thing to say anymore, is it? Well anyway, I agree with you absolutely.

  30. Aimee Greeblemonkey

    OK, if Jen isn’t right for Mr or Ms Anonymous, will the real Anonymous stand up? That was a clever rouse. 😉

  31. Salty Miss Jill

    Your pain is my pain. I hear ya, sister. Hopefully unloading on your therapist helps…I know it helps me. 🙂

    xo

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