Stop in to fill up

[CrystalStart]

This morning I passed a church on my way to work and I was amazed, tell me if rightfully though, sign said:

Running low on faith?
Stop in to fill it up!

I am still shocked!

 

[SantaMufasa]

Crystal,

Maybe I'm missing something, but what is shocking about that? Looks like a standard Protestant/Evangelical "Come-on-in-and-see-us"-style invitation.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)

http://www.dasages.com

@ 16:08 (28Feb05) UTC (aka "GMT" and "Zulu"),
@ 09:08 (28Feb05) Mountain Time
Do you use Oracle and live or work in Utah, USA? Then click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips.

 

[CrystalStart]

All right then...I found this highly disrespectful but it is probably me, nevermind

 

[RCorrigan]

Over the last few years in the UK, there has been an upsurge of these kinds of messages on churches etc .... it seems a deliberate effort to "dumb down" (for want of a better phrase) religion and get Joe Public more involved.

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[Thadeus]

I've seen these type signs my entire life in suburban and rural areas outside Philadelphia, PA. Given that it's the churches themselves that post such messages, I don't see it as either shocking or disrespectful.

I do see it as "dumbing down" the intended audience, but then I figure if you advertise to a certain trait, then you gets what you pay for.

Of course the various sites that allow you to insert your own church sign wording into a photo can make for hilarious, if irreverent, fun.

~Thadeus

 

[SantaMufasa]

Crystal,

No question about it...it's tacky. And I agree with RCorrigan, it's a trend to "popularise" religion. Frankly, I don't believe religion needs that kind of help.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)

http://www.dasages.com

@ 17:03 (28Feb05) UTC (aka "GMT" and "Zulu"),
@ 10:03 (28Feb05) Mountain Time
Do you use Oracle and live or work in Utah, USA? Then click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips.

 

[edfair]

I don't see it as "dumbing down", but more as using icons of popular culture to catch your eye, as in advertising.
And it may make you think.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[CajunCenturion]

I think arrogant is the first adjective that came to my mind. I think the other comments and characterizations have equal merit as well.

I appreciate the analogy in the sense that faith ebbs and flows and that it's easy for one to be 'low on faith', and in need of rejuvination at various points in their life. But for a church to think that one can just walk in, attend services, or whatnot, and as simple as that, be 'filled up' as it were, shows a complete lack of understanding.

Good Luck
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[edfair]

I would agree if it said "instant" fill up.

If "truth in advertising" held for signs like this there would be so many disclaimers on the bottom that nobody would be amused enough to think they were cute, or funny, or attention getting.


Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[SkipVought]

But for a church to think that one can just walk in, attend services, or whatnot, and as simple as that, be 'filled up' as it were, shows a complete lack of understanding.

I'd assert that you cannot judge the validity of the statement, until it can be tested. I personally would be skeptical of that claim in general, but it is not necessarily an incorrect statement. Agreed, as well, that "fixes" in faith et al are not quick n' easy. And maybe the implication that it is, quick n' easy, demonstrates a symptom of our society.

It might have been better to imply that this may be the place to begin your journey toward increasing your faith.


Skip,

_{[red]Be advised:[/red] The dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac, lays awake all night wondering...
"Is there really a DOG?"}

 

[CajunCenturion]

edfair - That's a good point about 'instant' not being there, but as I read the analogy, it's implied. I read it as similar to being low on gas, stopping as this 'station', and getting filled up.

SkipVought - That's exactly why I agree with those who have characterized it as a dumbing down. With faith, it's not that simple.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Dimandja]

>Running low on faith?
Stop in to fill it up!

Why dispute it? They could be telling it like it is.

__________________________________________
Try forum1391 for lively discussions

 

[CrystalStart]

How can anyone "run low on faith"?
Is this something that wears off with times?
How can CHURCH represent faith as a fuel and offer to add to the tank...it seemed to me as they should of been called and told.

 

[CajunCenturion]

CrystalStart - Those are excellent questions, and I would be more than happy to discuss them with you in another forum in which we both participate. One that is more suited to religion rather than language.

==> it seemed to me as they should of been called and told.
Others have pointed out that as being one of their pet peeves. The sentence should read, "... should have been called ...".

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[edfair]

Crystal,
Easily if you become despondent over life's rougher times, as I suppose some would as survivors of genocide. Or victims of other religious persecutions.
Suspect that with many it is more like immunizations, you need to get a booster shot periodically.
Don't really think they were equating it with fuel, it was a play on words to catch your eye.

 

[jsteph]

Crystal,
I think you're overreacting. If you think that was out-of-line, here are some others in the same, somewhat humorous vein:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/signs/charley.asp

I'd be interested to know how you view some of these. None seem offensive at all (to me), but some people may feel they're too 'folksy'.
--Jim

 

[SkipVought]

Crystal,

FAITH is defined in different ways according to your perspective.

In this case, it seems to me that the author might be referring to faith in terms of trust.

For instance I may have a great deal of faith (trust) that a particular chair might hold my weight when I sit on it. My faith is in the chair's ability to hold my weight.

However, if in the past, I experienced an instance or two where I fully expected the chair to do its part, but rather, I ended up on the floor, either due to the chair's inability to hold me, or my inability to sit squarely on its main asset, I just might have LOST my FAITH in chairs in general.

So my faith in chairs might need a little "Filling up!"

Skip,

_{[red]Be advised:[/red] The dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac, lays awake all night wondering...
"Is there really a DOG?"}

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I find many of those church signs very witty ... but then I'm a Heathen ... thank God! Also I don't overanalyze everything I see or read.

If those signs makes a person remember the message, then they have done their job!

http://www.midohiovalleychurches.com/articles/sign.html

& all the best.

 

[SkipVought]

oops...

got excited and hit the [SUBMIT] too soon.

So, the implication of the sign is, if your faith in God has weakened or diminished or you never had any to begin with, stop in to fill it up.




Skip,

_{[red]Be advised:[/red] The dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac, lays awake all night wondering...
"Is there really a DOG?"}

 

[CrystalStart]

OK, my feelings about

"Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game" — God
--No feelings

"C'mon Over And Bring The Kids" — God
--Awfull, dark humor

"What Part of 'Thou Shalt Not . . .' Didn't You Understand?" — God
--FUNNY!

"We Need To Talk" — God
--Very FUNNY!

"Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer" — God --FUNNY!

"Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage" — God --Didn't get it

"That 'Love Thy Neighbor' Thing, I Meant It." — God
--GOOD!

"I Love You . . . I Love You . . . I Love You . . ." — God
--Didn't get it

"Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place?" — God
--Confused

"Follow Me." — God
--OK!

"Big Bang Theory, You've Got To Be Kidding." — God
--Did not get it

"My Way Is The Highway." — God
--No feelings

"Need Directions?" — God GOOD!

"You Think It's Hot Here?" — God --No comments

"Tell The Kids I Love Them." — God --No comments

"Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available." — God --No comments

"Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test." — God
--No comments