If you don't mind being a bit shocked, take a look at these pictures from the Folsom Street Fair. (Warning: they are graphic.) This is an annual event in San Francisco, held again on Sunday, September 30, in which some of the city's outstanding citizens turned out to display their style and have a little fun. I wonder what the Islamic radicals would make of these picturesque displays. What a great recruiting tool this would be for them! Here is what they term the decadence of the West on full display.
I don't think this is typical of America, and even many Americans would find such scenes revolting. I am quite sure that even the liberal Democratic presidential candidates wouldn't be seen in a place like this. But I also recognize that when you have freedom there is going to be some excess. Even so, freedom does not excuse anyone from moral and social accountability. To criticize the abuses of freedom is not "censorship"; rather, is to exercise one's own freedom to dissent.
So take a look at this advertisement for the Folsom Street Fair. It shows gay activists in a mock reenactment of Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper. To me this ad reflects anti-Christian bigotry pure and simple. Yet when the Catholic League protested the ad, Miller Brewing Company took its name off the poster but refused to withdraw its sponsorship of the fair. This, I suppose, reflects the growing financial clout of the gay community.
But imagine if a city fair mocked the sensitivities of blacks or Jews or, yes, gays in this way. There would be a national outcry! There would be front page articles. You would have heard about it on the evening news. Miller Brewing Company would run in the opposite direction and issue a strong condemnation. Is this the first you're hearing about the Folsom Street Fair's bigotry against Christians? That's because the slogans of "tolerance" and "sensitivity" don't seem to apply to religious believers.
Outraged? Go ahead and comment, and I'll forward all the reaction to the public relations office at Miller Brewing Company.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 12)
46. clud,
First thanks for replying in a civil manner. Your point would almost would be correct, but the reason it isn't is because (ill use Fred Phelps again) is he is not in a repentance state. In other words his hate and bigotry is not seen wrong in his eyes. He is not repenting from the things he does. No one is perfect. But you will still be able to clearly see a differeance. While you are correct we can't see every aspect of somone's life. But even then there is still even bigger difference than that of Mr Phelp vs. Billy Graham.
livinxsacrifice at 11:10AM on Oct 1st 2007
47. Dinesh,
Obviously none of these posters understood your point. And OBVIOUSLY no one would dare dress Moses up in drag and poke fun at him giving the Torah to the Jewish people. OBVIOUSLY no one would dare so defecate black Americans or any other minority group. Everyone's angry at Christianity and likes to blame Christianity for all of their problems, and that's okay. I'm also not horribly offended by any of this, even though I consider myself a follower of Christ (I don't even like to use the term "Christian" because it does carry negative religious overtones and we all know that true change in the heart only comes about from a bible rich relationship with God and not from the set dogmas of religion.). He basically said, "You are not of the world, they will hate you as they hated Me." I don't know what the heck we Christians expect. It's annoying, for sure! But, like I said, not at all surprising.
Kathy Canuel at 11:18AM on Oct 1st 2007
48. When my ancestors colonized North America and then wrote the USA constitution and started a new form of liberty and justice, they never envisioned the sort of depravity seen at this "Festival". They were Christians as am I. In trying to be good people we have allowed degenerates to misuse the freedoms earned by my ancestors. My Choctaw and Cherokee ggGrandmothers were Christians and would have been shocked and repelled by the homosexual activity taking place in public.Puritans and Hugenots would not have accepted this awful behavior and neither should we.
Lynn Larson at 11:24AM on Oct 1st 2007
49. Dinesh, where is your invitation to the Folsom street fair? I didn't realize this celebration was for you. I won't let self flagellating catholics offend me if you will let some leather freaks have their day.
bolsonsd at 11:27AM on Oct 1st 2007
50. Those pictures look like masturbation material for priests.
Captain Negative at 11:55AM on Oct 1st 2007
51. Well, Dinesh, I'd have to agree. This is definitely a rape of every conceivable moral standard, theologically-based like yours or secularly-driven like mine. This should be afforded the highest possible level of rdicule and revulsion for sure. Youa almost had a rock solid case going for me for once.
But to summon up the sensibilities of radical Islam to substantiate your claims? You gotta be fucking kidding me. You don't attack the extremes of sexual expression by conjuring the extremes of sexual repression, unless you want all those, admittedly disgusting and clearly self-loathing fools, to be stoned to death.
azandi at 12:03PM on Oct 1st 2007
52. What most people are offended by in those pictures is not the homosexuality. It is the sexual playfulness.....the costumes, bondage, domination, sadism, etc.
Those behaviors are not limited to the homosexual population. I'm straight, but I'm kinkier than just about every gay person I know. I just don't go parading my and my husband's fetishes up and down the street.
Go Kink! at 12:18PM on Oct 1st 2007
53. QUOTE from above "imagine if a city fair mocked the sensitivities of blacks or Jews or, yes, gays in this way. There would be a national outcry!
ANIMAL FARM (in more ways than one, unfortunately) where the initial principles of equality for all animals became "Some... are more equal than others" and those who rule can (like Animal Farm) indulge in their excesses...and enslave others.
(I note that the second site had a passing comment about "boy rape" Is this the coming MARKETING of attack of the underage as "acceptable"
However, there is hope...
Frm what I heard of ancient Rome, those in power indulged themselves with whomever they wished...men or women.
And yet...maybe they had their "fill" of such orgies.
Because many in Rome walked AWAY from their sexual orgies (with men or women) and came to the Jewish carpenter who could rebuild them from their shattered insides...out!
I don't care how hard you've partied...GOD is there and has heard it all..and will take you in as His dear child if you ...ask.
vikingmother at 12:19PM on Oct 1st 2007
54. I recently watch Mind of Mencia and he lamented that white people were no longer allowed to engage in racial or religious comedy; only minorities are allowed to do that. As you can see, the same holds true for conservative thought. Political activism is allowed by "persecuted minority groups" but mainstream political thought is shouted down as bigotry. The irony is that American conservative libertarianism is what allows this activity to take place at all.
Bonded at 12:22PM on Oct 1st 2007
55. #36, CLUD...that is funny...wasn't it Jerry Falwell who said 9/11 was caused by gays? Does he fall into your category of "true Christians?"
David S. at 12:44PM on Oct 1st 2007
56. The photo is offensive and the behavior at the parade is offensive as well. It is amazing that gays want to be accepted in general society and then do things that alienate the vast majority of Americans. If people want to be considered just like everyone else, they should behave just like everyone else, with decorum and respect. The mocking of The Last Supper shows no respect at all.
As for the Miller Brewing Company, I will never use their products again.
Joe at 6:40PM on Oct 1st 2007
57. I wish for just one moment people would stop and realize what the impetus of this entire event is.
CHARITY.
The catholic persuasion certainly remembers that right? I mean it was the Catholics who were demanding our tax dollars so they could serve their charities "without prejudice", correct?
This event raises tens of thousands of dollars that go to non-profit charity organizations that help everything from arts programs to AIDs programs. And they do it without asking who your God is or questioning your soul. After all, that's what the Catholics tell us charity is about, right?
The Sisters literally raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and they use and distribute it to help people. Some of those dollars have even been distributed to Catholic Charities without question or condemnation.
They don't horde the money they raise in some pretty building we can use once a week to talk to God. They don't send it off to some man they treat as King in Italy. They don't cloth their church leaders in expensive materials sewn by expensive designers.
They give their money back to the community and that which they keep is used to make more money for the community.
If you think that's what terrorists are going to attack us for - our charity - then we are right in fighting the terrorists.
Kacey at 1:00PM on Oct 1st 2007
58. THANK YOU DINESH for bringing things like this to our attention. As I read through the responses in this blog, however, IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT YOU DON'T GET MORE SUPPORT.
Then I realized that there are millions who appreciate you bringing these events to our attention, but we're too busy working and contributing to society to have time to respond viciously to you.
I personally am an elementary school teacher, and give my heart and soul to this nation's future every day. I happen to be off today for a doctor's appt, and decided to take a minute to support your efforts.
It is tragic that there is such a double-standard in regards to respect for religions. And people are unfortunately unwilling to honestly look at the violence, suppression, and oppression that runs rampant in Muslim dominated countries. Put any Christian country beside a Muslim country, and HONESTLY LOOK AT THE STATE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN LIVING WITHIN IT-and then you will acknowledge that Christianity deserves respect too.
edjackson413 at 1:02PM on Oct 1st 2007
59. There you go again DD. A month or so ago your tolling the Red Light District in Amsterdam now your at the Gay Parade in San Fransico. What is it with you RepubliCons and kinky sex? Most normal people just ignore the kinky side of life. You RepubliCons seem to always be in the middle of it.
Larry at 1:00PM on Oct 1st 2007
60. #40 RITA
If the rapture occurs, can I have your stuff?
Tim at 1:21PM on Oct 1st 2007