View Full Version : merry xmas
tank girl
12/10/04, 04:53am
hows this for social satire :lloyd:
DECEMBER 2004
David and Victoria Beckham have taken centre stage this year as Madame Tussauds approaches the Christmas story with a twist of its own. The popular museum, world-renowned for its waxworks of famous people, has decided to give Posh and Becks the leading roles as Joseph and Mary in their nativity scene.
The life-size replicas of the couple, dressed up in ancient robes, appear alongside a host of other famous replicas which have been re-garbed for the occasion. Bringing the infant Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh this Christmas are the Three 'Wise' Men from the west rather than the east: George Bush, Tony Blair and Prince Philip.
The three shepherds who complete the scene are non other than the bible-quoting gangster from Pulp Fiction, Samuel L Jackson; Hugh Grant - complete with a lamb in hand; and comedian Graham Norton. Meanwhile the sultry angel Kylie Minogue strikes a seductive pose above the manger
unclehobart
12/10/04, 07:24am
I had no idea Joseph sported an earring. I shall alert the vatican posthaste.
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 07:28am
[laced with sarcasm] Who say's the true meaning of Crimbo has been lost and its all gone comercial!?[/sarcasm]
:rolleyes:
However it is an excellent satirical comment... Goeorge Bush.. "wiseman"... Hah!
Saw it on the news the other day. Loved it! Heard the pope wasn't too pleased though.. *lol*
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 08:29am
Yep. Another predictable attack on religion in general, and Christianity in particular. Here's a thought...Don't like a religion, IGNORE IT!
Naaaahhh...That would be tolerance...and we can't have that for any religion, now can we?
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 08:36am
Yep. Another predictable attack on religion in general, and Christianity in particular. Here's a thought...Don't like a religion, IGNORE IT!
Naaaahhh...That would be tolerance...and we can't have that for any religion, now can we?
TBH Gato... there's probably far less practicing or "give a shit" Christian's in Blighty than America... and rather than taking the piss I see it as a satirical comment on the down fall / decline in popularity of the Christian faith...
Suggesting that Mary and Joseph... prominant biblical pillars to be reveered modern equivalent... is Posh and Bex. :shrug:
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 08:39am
TBH Gato... there's probably far less practicing or "give a shit" Christian's in Blighty than America... and rather than taking the piss I see it as a satirical comment on the down fall / decline in popularity of the Christian faith...
Suggesting that Mary and Joseph... prominant biblical pillars to be reveered modern equivalent... is Posh and Bex. :shrug:
It is funny, but I also see it as an on-going theme in tankgirl's posts. :shrug:
BTW...How come it's called satire when it's meant to be offensive to the majority, and intolerance when it's aimed at the minority?
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 08:46am
BTW...How come it's called satire when it's meant to be offensive to the majority, and intolerance when it's aimed at the minority?
Thats the wrong way round or summit... :confused:
Satire is satire when its controversial but inoffensive to the majority... satire is social commentory... presenting an image of what is happening usually when its wrong for us to reflect upon.
Intolerance is derision or descriomination against another party, which is very offensive, whether aimed at a majority or minority.
I think... :confused:
Don't see the problem. Neither did the old folks that were at the museum, they seemed rather amused. As one elderly man said: "Oh I don't think the Lord is bothered with such small things" (quoting by memory)
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 08:57am
Don't see the problem. Neither did the old folks that were at the museum, they seemed rather amused. As one elderly man said: "Oh I don't think the Lord is bothered with such small things" (quoting by memory)
I don't either, but, as I've said, there seems to be an on-going commentary in tankgirl's posts....
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 09:05am
I don't either, but, as I've said, there seems to be an on-going commentary in tankgirl's posts....
Yup...
ok...so as a christian i don't get it. we are upset because of who is playing the roles in the nativity? well shit folks. if you want to be technical, no one is worthy. cease all nativity scenes because humans are sinfull! geez folks, it's just a nativity scene. christians should be happy anyone gives a toot anymore and beckman and his songbird could be dressed as mr. and mrs. claus.
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 10:27am
ok...so as a christian i don't get it. we are upset because of who is playing the roles in the nativity? well shit folks. if you want to be technical, no one is worthy. cease all nativity scenes because humans are sinfull! geez folks, it's just a nativity scene. christians should be happy anyone gives a toot anymore and beckman and his songbird could be dressed as mr. and mrs. claus.
Bush as wise (from the left's point of view, that's false), and the slutty Posh Spice as Mary. Hilarity ensues, and Christmas, which tankgirl reduced to x-mas is, once more, ridiculed. It makes them feel superior for not having a belief...
Bush as wise (from the left's point of view, that's false), and the slutty Posh Spice as Mary. Hilarity ensues, and Christmas, which tankgirl reduced to x-mas is, once more, ridiculed. It makes them feel superior for not having a belief...
why is it ridiculed? when you go to see your church's nativity they got bob smith from the kroger deli, who drinks like a fish and has language to make a sailor blush, playing joseph. mary would be a two time divorcee with a liking for valium. you see the point is is that no one is without sin so anyone playing any of these characters is a stretch. we do it because it helps us to remember and to celebrate the real meaning behind christmas.
Professur
12/10/04, 10:36am
Actually, Tonks, neither of them would be tolerated in my church.
Actually, Tonks, neither of them would be tolerated in my church.
why not? those are the people you should be, forgive the phrase, marketing to. church is for sinners. everyone sins. jesus knew this.
Professur
12/10/04, 10:39am
Repenting sinners, perhaps.
Repenting sinners, perhaps.
well sure. and do you know that george bush doesn't repent in prayer for his stupidity? and do you know that trashy spice or whatever her name is really carries on like her image? all i mean is that i rather like that a nativity was created out of what is usually just a worthless wax collection of pop media icons. maybe the collection is bigger than the sum of it's parts....you know?
Professur
12/10/04, 10:44am
I was referring to your Bob Smith, and the two-time divorcee with a liking for depressants.
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 10:48am
why is it ridiculed? when you go to see your church's nativity they got bob smith from the kroger deli, who drinks like a fish and has language to make a sailor blush, playing joseph. mary would be a two time divorcee with a liking for valium. you see the point is is that no one is without sin so anyone playing any of these characters is a stretch. we do it because it helps us to remember and to celebrate the real meaning behind christmas.
Wouldn't be tolerated in my home church, either. We never did live nativity scenes. :shrug: The point is that, according to the left, Bush is stupid, so let's make him a wise man...What fun. Posh Spice is/was a slut, so let's make her 'virgin' Mary. How entertaining. There's a 'stretch', and then there's a break...and as long as it's Christians they poke fun of, nobody seems to care.
As a side note...what happened to the last guy who poked fun at the Muslim religion? Theo van Gogh? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3974179.stm) Perhaps they pick on Christianity because they're cowards...:shrug:
people pick on christians because they lack faith and understanding.
allow me to get a little biblical for a second. all sins are equal in the eyes of the lord so the pill popping divorcee is in just as good a sitting with god as the baptist minister who occasionally swears in traffic. it's all about your faith and you repentance. i am an almost twice divorcee with a taste for dope. i pray several times a day and try my best to do whatever i can for my fellow man. am i a sinner? you bet. am i worthy to play the virgin mary. hell no. would i do it if asked? you're darn tooting. you see, the problem with christianity is the christians. they expect so much more from their fellow man then they do themselves.
Professur
12/10/04, 11:01am
I expect nothing more than effort from anyone. Personally, I respect more a hardened addict than a casual drug user. The addict no longer has the choice to stop. He can't. The casual user could, but choses not to. IMHO, he's the greater sinner. All sin might be equal in God's eyes. but I never professed to be God.
I never professed to be God.
file this in the things you are suprised to read file :p
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 11:06am
People "pick on Christians" because they don't give a shit... :shrug: Unlike he members of other faiths.
"OooooH Look at all the fundamentalist Christians going to bomb Madame Tousauds now"... Like who? They gonna get a 70 year old blue rinsed Granny who hasn't missed a Sunday cept when she was busy giving birth all seven times to smuggle it in in her handbag... I'd like to see that... What they do get is the Pope (someone just retire the poor man! For Christ sake you'd shoot a damn dog!) "tut-tutting" and the coffee morning has a new topic to try and nibble choccie biscuits with ill fitting dentures over... :rolleyes:
Christianity is seemingly now a minority religion... if you're going to count minority as lack of participation and actually following to the letter... :shrug:
Gato_Solo
12/10/04, 11:15am
people pick on christians because they lack faith and understanding.
allow me to get a little biblical for a second. all sins are equal in the eyes of the lord so the pill popping divorcee is in just as good a sitting with god as the baptist minister who occasionally swears in traffic. it's all about your faith and you repentance. i am an almost twice divorcee with a taste for dope. i pray several times a day and try my best to do whatever i can for my fellow man. am i a sinner? you bet. am i worthy to play the virgin mary. hell no. would i do it if asked? you're darn tooting. you see, the problem with christianity is the christians. they expect so much more from their fellow man then they do themselves.
The problem with Christianity is some Christians. Are all followers of Islam bomb-toting terrorists? Are all Jews greedy, and self-serving? I've met people of a great many faiths, and never had a problem with any of them. Truth be told, every religion has a fanatic fringe, just as every religion has a silent majority. Do you think most Christians sit around, condemning other religions, and sending money to Billy Graham? Remember your days in the Navy? How many 'Atta boys' can get wiped out with one 'Oh, shit'?
The problem with Christianity is some Christians. Are all followers of Islam bomb-toting terrorists? Are all Jews greedy, and self-serving? I've met people of a great many faiths, and never had a problem with any of them. Truth be told, every religion has a fanatic fringe, just as every religion has a silent majority. Do you think most Christians sit around, condemning other religions, and sending money to Billy Graham? Remember your days in the Navy? How many 'Atta boys' can get wiped out with one 'Oh, shit'?
of course you are right.
Professur
12/10/04, 11:43am
file this in the things you are suprised to read file :p
Now Tonks. Everyone knows that I'm no higher than cherubim
Crap I am an atheist and even I can see what is being done here Sheesh!
Talk about derision and descriomination against religion.
Hey CB it's (discrimination) you should really look into a green card and come here quick and get a job as a 'pubic' schoolteacher. The little girl that grew up two doors down from me (she was two when we moved in) recently graduated University and started immediately as a first grade teacher with an annual salary of thirty thousand USD a year!
ClaireBear
12/10/04, 12:46pm
Hey CB it's (discrimination) you should really look into a green card and come here quick and get a job as a 'pubic' schoolteacher. The little girl that grew up two doors down from me (she was two when we moved in) recently graduated University and started immediately as a first grade teacher with an annual salary of thirty thousand USD a year!
Typo! plus Dyslexia....
If you're gonna insult make sure its an on topic insult and will actually hurt... :rolleyes:
Where's Leslie with the no personal attacks please ? :shrug:
"If you're gonna insult make sure its an on topic insult and will actually hurt..."
It wasn't my intent to 'hurt' either on topic or not.
I apologize!
but yer kinda cute
mebbe I could "personally attack" you heh heh
ClaireBear
12/13/04, 04:14am
"If you're gonna insult make sure its an on topic insult and will actually hurt..."
It wasn't my intent to 'hurt' either on topic or not.
I apologize!
Apology accepted... :hug: just don't let it happen again! :D
On a side note:
Xmas
This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.
unclehobart
12/13/04, 08:34am
Looks like they got mugged.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6705647/
MrBishop
12/13/04, 03:33pm
Social satire - saying something about how society is, by making fun of certain parts of it...hopefully drawing attention to the weak points so they can be fixed.
In this case...it's not only poking fun at the commericalisation of Christmas to the point where it's no longer a Holy Day, but a holiday ... but also poking fun at what people consider admirable or praiseable...like movie stars, sports icons, and politicians.
Frankly...it works. People get upset about their holy icons being defamed and then start thinking a bit more about the real reason for the Holy Days. Also, people start realizing that they've been placing mere mortals far above their real stature.
tank girl
12/14/04, 03:37am
Social satire - saying something about how society is, by making fun of certain parts of it...hopefully drawing attention to the weak points so they can be fixed.
In this case...it's not only poking fun at the commericalisation of Christmas to the point where it's no longer a Holy Day, but a holiday ... but also poking fun at what people consider admirable or praiseable...like movie stars, sports icons, and politicians.
Frankly...it works. People get upset about their holy icons being defamed and then start thinking a bit more about the real reason for the Holy Days. Also,
people start realizing that they've been placing mere mortals far above their real stature.
I completely agree, and thats my basic point- but I don't think its something that can ever be 'fixed' - I just think this kind of display makes a rather succint comment on the way our society and culture hasn't changed much by any means - as the adage goes "the more things change - the more they stay the same"..... we now revere personalities the same way as we once did 'gods' (or god) - and those gods were merely created by humankind in the first place. However even our so-called "Holy days" were pre-dated by pagan festivals.
Satire
A composition, generally poetical, holding up vice or folly to reprobation; a keen or severe exposure of what in public or private morals deserves rebuke; an invective poem; as, the Satires of Juvenal.
Here the "folly" is a comparison between religious icons and contemporary icons - and a direct questioning of the way distinctions are made between society's understanding of the "moral" and the "immoral"
I think that this is a really neat thing to see today, in a time of rampant conservitism and tochy political correctness. and its absurd that people are so offended by that comment where it is vital to be self-critical and able to laugh at ourselves - its been done since the ancient greeks were commenting on their own social faults - that bit hasn't changed either.
there is also the interesting consideration that they are made out of wax - and that also adds a further dimension to it, i feel.
Perhaps it comments also on the fact that we have an innate need to reconstruct individuals like ourselves as idols to look up to - as models to be fascinated by and in awe of.
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