God’s Billboards – An Example Of Un-Love
I don’t typically enjoy those “God Quotes” billboards that you often see (probably more in the midwest than here in the NW) They usually carry with them the condescension that a lot of Christians tend to have built into their attitude and treatment of others. Agreement with the implied theology is beside the point. Putting words in God’s mouth is more what concerns me, even when those words are claimed to be [debatably] inspired of scripture. Maybe what I don’t like about these “quotes” from God is the method by which they are delivered.
Think of the whole commercialism, advertising, and marketing mindset of Americans in particular. Does it not perfectly fit into the mold of “One slogan to catch your interest” – a marketing tool? Does it not sound like the same abstract one sentence sales pitches of drive-by evangelists? And how ironic is it that people are catching a view of these banners as they drive by. Does anyone else see the hints of self-righteousness, arrogance, and presumption all over these billboards?
Sure its good to keep ideas simple. Sure its good to remind people of God’s presence and love. But at some point the use of these billboards only supports and illustrates the weak points of American Christianity. Yes, I called it American Christianity, summed up by the billboard that says “One nation, under Me. – God”. The messages are delivered in a way invented by America and illustrate a culture-influenced Christianity.
What better way to not personally engage people than to just slap up a billboard so that all the sinners will see it and repent and we won’t have to worry about actually talking to people. “Lets throw some vague Christian concepts at them and watch the attendance at our local church go through the roof.” Cause thats what its all about, right? Getting people to come to church (lowercase c) on Sundays? Cynical, I know.
Here’s a few pages I’ve found online with some examples of the billboards I’m talking about:
- This one even plays “God’s music” and scrolls for you. How miraculous.
- Oh, and this one has thunder and lightning sound effects on it. You know? Kind of like Zeus. As if God himself is putting the images on the screen? I know I always hear thunder when God speaks to me.
- It might be a good idea to think about how non-Christians feel about the billboards. Just because the campy Christians think they’re so clever and will put those damned sinners in their place, isn’t the point of a billboard the connection with its viewers?
- Speaking of “Godvertising“. Those clever Christians…
In summary, God’s Billboards fall into my category of not truly loving your neighbor. Disagree?
Personally I don’t care for the billboards, and find myself getting cynical real fast when I see one. I suppose I can’t say that I’ve scoffed at every single one, some were clever enough to get me past the connection to American Christianity. Here’s a few of the more humorous billboards:
UPDATE 7.9.08
Bush replied via email saying:
i don’t see anything wrong with point at the shit…but if all we do is point…where does that get us?
if it only makes us more jaded & bitter & more cynical what good is that? we wind up loosing the very passion for the thing we are supposed to love most.
My response was as follows:
Right, which is all understood. Thats a good illustration of what it is about life that I’m trying to figure out right now, how to do more and what it means to do more than just point at the shit.
I’m not sure I can justify, either way, not pointing at shit when I see it. The challenge of life, I think comes in figuring out what to do about it. In my opinion, the pointing itself is a forgone conclusion.
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I so totally agree with you. The billboards are revoltingly condescending. God as a billboard…nope…doesn’t work for me. Love your blog by the way.
you know sometimes the billboards bug me, but sometimes they get me thinking. I would say on average there lame, to some degree i wish they weren’t up but they may reach some one at some point.
you never know…
i see that sign and my first thought is “gee, someone put that up to teach me the rules and regs of christianity? what happened to the grace of the cross.” it’s a bull horner on a sign as far as i’m concerned.
how about one that says, “i love you.” -God. too many people in america already believe God is a big bad wolf in the sky waiting to punish you if you don’t go to confession or if you skip church or if you have a thought that isn’t literal in the bible. you cannot learn a healthy fear of God until you learn the love of God…
just my opinion
i think oftentimes Christians show their inability to co exist with secular culture on billboards.
i’m not a fan
I remember the first time I saw them a couple of years ago, I thought an anti-christian group had put them up to show how high-minded and pithy christians thought they were.
@ randy:
I have a friend (an intern pastor… a term I still have trouble saying) who talks about ‘church’ the same way. To me, that kind of thinking starts tiliting into a slippery slope. ‘If it saves one person, then it’s worth it’ is a mentality that justifies a lot of crap that covers up the true message of Christ. Like Amos mentions, it is yet another way to avoid touching the outside world.
@randy — i guess maybe it comes down to cost/benefit analysis? As in, whats the estimated benefit verses its estimated cost (not just speaking monetarily). Sorry, just had to throw in another way it goes back to marketing thinking. either way, maybe some people estimate its beneficial value a lot higher than i do.
@ash — they do have the “i love you – god” billboards. Still pretty impersonal. And I might add, not quite as good as the “God Listens… to slayer!” billboard. I laugh every time i think about it.
@tyler — Thats very true. And it also throws into the mix that “we also don’t want to have to deal with you, so we’ll just put up a billboard and our concience will be clear.”
@bush — The thing about it is, they seem to me to be a perfect illustrator of the attitude of the American Church. Marketing? check. Drive-by (impersonal)? check. Condescending? check. And the list goes on. I have a hard time not talking about stuff like this. Do you consider this cynicism? If you see shit, you have to point at it, right?
@subversivechuch — kind of sad that its the Christians themselves who tell us how high minded they are huh? i agree. and as you said, you can justify anything as though “if it saves one person then its worth it. Maybe the one part of this that goes against the efficiency doctrine of capitalism. I think if that be the case, its due to a willingness to drop the proclaimed principles and go for something more comfortable (from a distance) than something thats actually engaging and effective.
yes yes, that would also be hilarious to see on a billboard, but i think you see my point in it all. wink.
maybe there should be one in graffitti paint on the side of a brick wall that says, “this is artistic- god” that’d be awesome!
just sayin’….
i can understand where you are coming from. as a Christian they are somewhat laughable…however…SOMEONE is paying to put up a billboard to try and reach anyone they can…as a Christian trying to promote Christ’s love…i would think encouragement would be the better avenue here on our part instead of criticism. i mean…honestly…i know i’m going door to door to reach non-Christians and show them the love of Christ…so who am i to judge how another may feel led to reach anyone and everyone…it’s a tad bit judgemental…which just also happens to NOT be Christ-like. just a thought.
correction…i meant to say…”i know i’m NOT going to door to door…”. Sorry. :)
@Jen — the point is to point out the negative effect and ignorance that is so widely found in American Christian communities. Sure it should be left to anyone to determine what they think is effective. Am I not free to point out the negative impact and ignorance in certain practices? The point of a post like this is not to complain and start throwing crap, its to bring to people’s attention ideas that they may not have thought of. To encourage the questioning of the blurry lines between culture and Christianity. Is it judgmental? Yes. Does that bother me? No. Its not a judgement of people but of practice and of the “system” of American Christianity. And what is more condescending and presumptive (the definition of human judgement) than a banner that says “What part of thou shalt not didn’t you understand”?
@ash — thats actually a cool idea
yes. i can understand THAT particular banner being conveyed as condescending. however…i do not think using a billboard to grab attention is in any way inefficient or in your words…
“Marketing? check. Drive-by (impersonal)? check. Condescending? check.”
when you driving down the road…you see a bazillion billboards, nightclubs, cigarettes, alcohol…and all of these things are bombarding you…placing images in your mind. i mean honestly…as a Christian…it really is kind of a drag, you can’t help but go there sometimes. so in the midst of that junk, you see a billboard with no advertisement…just a “message” from God. i myself have been driving down the road and seen a billboard that said, “i miss you – God”. and it really shook me. like God had actually put it there to tell me that…yes i know that’s probably the cheesiest thing you’ve heard all year..BUT seriously…how did that billboard know that i had been slipping away in my relationship with God!!! :) ok seriously…my only point…the method…CAN be effective…the banner…could be a little more tactful.
sorry…that was long winded.
Jen,
I’ve seen the ‘I miss you’ sign before and yes it grabbed my attention. I travel a lot so I go through periods of being lonely and yes it got me thinking. But as followers of Christ, we see that sign in an entirely diffent light. Connotation. However, how would it make someone who doesn’t try to follow the way of Christ feel? Where do they turn? The yellow pages? Maybe a friend who ‘goes to church’? Or does it send them deeper into mistrust of God because of a marketing idea?
I have to respectfully disagree. The method will never be effective. For every person ‘turned from their evil, wicked ways’, how many more turn in disgust? From a purely marketing standpoint, those billboards have not place for the ‘consumer’ to turn to ‘buy the product’. No church to send them to. If a ‘brand’ had been established along with those signs, then maybe you could argue that it was more subtle marketing. As it stands however, there are too many steps for a ‘consumer’ to try and find a place to buy the ‘product’.
Considering how many different churches there are out there, how would anyone know where to go in the first place?
Also, I’m curious your thoughts about Jesus calling the religious leaders unmarked graves and other such judgmental terms?
Calling out wrong behavior is not being judgmental. I wrote about this in a little more detail the other day.
http://subversivechurch.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/protesting-in-front-of-the-church/
@Jen – What I’m getting at with this post is two things. 1: The effect on non believers should be more important than the effect on believers. Therefore the perception non-believers have of the idea is very important, and as usual, is a perception that is misjudged by the well-intentioned Christians who take the initiative. 2: The attitude reflected by and encouraged by the billboards represents a lot of the things that are wrong about American Christianity. Un-love. Drive-by evangelism. Self-righteousness. etc.
honestly…i don’t think it matters whether it’s reaching a Christian or a non-Christian. i choose to believe that the maker of the sign felt led by the Lord to “reach out” on a larger scale than standing in the park handing out tracks or sitting “on a barstool writing a blog”. that being said…i also believe that God can use ANYTHING he can and also He can and WILL work through anything!! (including tracks and blogs).
subversive church: i hear alot of anger and maybe ill feelings toward “the church” today in your blogs. i have taken some time and gone back to read some of your other posts. i do TOTALLY agree with your feelings on the “megachurch” syndrome…it does SEEM to feel so good and be more a “get butts in the seats” type organization other than let’s tell the people america how it really is whether it feels good or not. i have been in both church settings. the “feel-good” mega church and the “make you wince inside every sunday” kinda of truth. while i agree with you on the method, i have a hard time accepting the concept of picketing in front of the church because you feel that the effect is not acceptable. i have seen alot of changes in people at my work, family members, ect from going to mega churches and really plugging in. they are learning about serving, getting outside of themselves and learning how to love and reach other people. so it seems hard to say the church isn’t working. perhaps its a different purpose than YOUR’S! not necessarily wrong. not necessarily right. different. while i do understand and see COMPLETELY the “American Christianity” phenomenon/un-love/”feel-good” mentality of many Christians…i do NOT understand any circumstances think ALLLLLL of these people are not clearly following exactly what they have felt the Lord has impressed them to do. If they are not…God will judge them for that…it will be made light of…because that’s how God works…He will shed light on darkness. and it’s about trusting that God has maybe got a bigger agenda than what we can see. believe me…i spent years being angry at church. how is fair that i can barely afford ramen, and my pastor shows up to church in a corvette every sunday? it started making me feel like…why should i tithe then?? obviously, the church is doing fine if the pastor’s salary is that nice. voicing my concerns to my grandfather (who is also a pastor of a small church in east texas), he rebuttled, and i have never ever ever forgotten his words. “who are you to question God’s command. The Bible doesn’t say, tithe IF the pastor is being responsible with the money….the Bible says tithe. PERIOD.” the point (getting there…sorry) it’s not up to me to say whether or not the “church is wrong”. it is MY job to do MY JOB as a believer. if i feel so differently about the way it needs to be done…i can start my own church and do it the say i think is right. however…how can i question what God IS doing in many churches around the nation…around the world because i can see the full picture that God is putting into place. i know tithe is not “a marketing tool”. it’s just about letting God be God. the billboard to me represents the ability to GO INTO the culture and try and get attention to pull people out. where do they turn? who do they call? i don’t know…but AT LEAST THEY ARE LOOKING!! it’s a seed…its a thought…it’s an interest…and i believe God can work from that. subversive…don’t you think if God got their attention with the billboard, He could most definitely lead them to the EXACT church in the yellow pages? think outside the box!!! think about what God CAN do…not what the billboard CAN’T do. you both are basically stating that we shouldn’t use tools (like billboards…and internet i might add) and promote “American Christianity” because God can’t use it….
again…i’m sorry this is so long…
amos…side note…this is really fun…i have been chatting with whit about you possibly making a little journey down here to tx. i told her…we should all sit and chat over coffee when you ever get here. ANYWAY…back to the fun…billboards…i think it’s just as easy for a non-Christian to stumble on this blog and be turned off by Christians as to drive by a billboard…or a church…or a specific person…or a cup of coffee…i don’t know. i think the devil can use alot of things to turn someone off…just like God will use anything to call them. i truly believe in the deepest part of my heart…that God inspects the heart of the “well-intentioned” Christian and will take their mission and use it to be a powerful message for many. Christians and non. yes…i do believe God reaches out to already believers JUST as much as the non. and if that’s who God touches through it (a believer) then his purpose was fulfilled.
ps. i’m still standing by the fact that many of the billboards could be more tactful and “loving”. HOWEVER…i think many people (christians and non) will scrutinize it and tear it apart…instead of promoting the true character of God which is not only LOVING, accepting, aching for you… yes…but also, just, and jealous, and at many times very angry and hurt. i think the people that get turned off by it…WANT to find a reason to be turned off…that’s honestly what i think. and no matter how you tried to reach them…they will still try to find a reason to be turned off.
shpew.
another typo “because i can see the full picture that God is putting into place”…
correction…because i CAN’T….
sorry. thanks.
subversive…i’ll comment on the link you sent me…ON that blog…not this one. :)
Jen,
Just a couple of things. I was wondering if you could answer my question from my last comment here? “Also, I’m curious your thoughts about Jesus calling the religious leaders unmarked graves and other such judgmental terms?”
Second, in regards to what your grandfater had to day, “who are you to question God’s command. The Bible doesn’t say, tithe IF the pastor is being responsible with the money….the Bible says tithe. PERIOD.” Where is that in the scriptures?
-Mike
Jen,
LOL! Speaking of typos… that should read what your grandfather had to say…not day.
-Mike
subversive…i’m switching over to your blog so we don’t have to take up amos’ blog anymore:)
my returns will be on your “protesting in front of the church” blog. give me a little while…i’m at work ;)
ps to amos….
you should TOTALLY plan your visit to tx around…oh i donno…october 18th…then you can shoot my wedding!!!! :)
Yes, it is the attributing a quote to God that is not from that is a problem. You just can’t do that. And by “You” I mean America. Otherwise you can make billboards that say:
“I don’t like democrats.” – God
Or “The Red Sox or better then the Yankees.” – Jesus
Or “I think The Empire Strikes Back was a better film then Return Of The Jedi” The Holy Spirit.
And so on. However, I must say that where so much of Christian marketing is just bland and uninteresting this ad campaign is at least engaging and controversial. I mean look at all the comments here alone.
The Emprie Strikes back was better…
@rob — thanks for the feedback. I really think that if God could write his own billboards, he’s say “make sure you read Rob Stennett’s book!” haha… Or maybe, “I feel like mac ‘n cheese tonight — God”
And speaking of Star Wars, don’t you know that the Holy Spirit is in those movies? Its the Force! For that reason, I don’t think the HS would have a preference.
[...] is a response to a lively conversation that today was taking place in the comments of my post about God’s Billboards. I thought I’d post my latest response in a post all to itself, especially for those of you [...]
@Jen — in response to your long post up above — I think there are some things that you might not be aware of in the discussion. I’m not trying to sound condescending or anything like that, so just hear me out. Sometimes its not easy to explain some things to people who come from different backgrounds. I went ahead and posted some of it (because its a topic all its own) here.
[...] church service, rethinking church | In light of the recent discussions here and over at movement, movement, I decided to make this post a scratch pad and pencil, chalk and a clean sidewalk, crayon and [...]
[...] call it Un-Love. Wake up, Christians. Tagged with: america, americanism, diplomacy, military strength, pax [...]
Where is your sense of humor, people? These billboards make me laugh outright because they point directly to me, and I need the reminders. They are so “In your face” – my life is busy and it’s gotta be good to catch my attention.
The whole point is to look at yourself in relation to God’s love for you. Everybody has to walk their own journey when it comes to faith in God.
For some of us it takes a black and white billboard to get our attention; for others it’s hardtimes, illness, separation, whatever. I’m glad for now, for me, it’s the billboards – I’ve experienced enough of the other for awhile.
Lighten up, be kind to others, and smile, smile , smile – you’ll be amazed how much easier it all is.
Thanks for the comments, but I think you’re incorrectly addressing what it is we’re talking about here as well as our general demeaner in discussion. I speak for myself and several of my frequent commenters when I say that we are not pessimists nor pure cynics, especially not for the sake of cynicism.
You mention a sense of humor, but I ask why it is that you find the billboards to be funny? I need not outline my list of reasons why I find them to be pretentious, self-righteous, and presumptive, but I’d like to know if you understand the harm done by the actions of Christians and the actions of the church as a whole. If we Christians consider our “marketable” traits of goodness and love to be solely for the sake of salvation of lost souls, then we are ourselves are our own worst enemy.
If thats an idea you flat-out disagree with or don’t understand, I fear I may be quite presumptuous myself, but I would guess that you haven’t spent much time among non-Christians.
I don’t mean to sound harsh or even negative, only asking to hear your perspective, whether that be wide or narrow, because obviously the issue of love is a serious one for Christianity’s truth.
Thanks again for the comment.
Don’t you atheists get it? These billboards are achieving precisely what they are intended to do!!! getting you talking —
Incidentally, I’ll pass a boring atheist sign anyday. You don’t believe? That’s fine — well get on with your sad life!
I thought they were funny
GOD LISTENS TO SLAYER
HELL YEAH!!!!!