What could be more festive than a cross covered in fuzzy Christmas lights?

[gurujulp]

@FinnAgain

Oh, I agree that the intent was almost without a doubt purely innocent. The thought process probably went something like: Crosses are symbolic of Christianity, Jesus and the cross are intimately connected in fact and symbolism, Christmas is a festival of lights, what could be better than a cross full of lights to celebrate Christmas?

I’ll admit, the first time I saw the picture (I was just forwarded a pic without the text), I wasn’t wearing my glasses and the first thing I thought was “A burning cross!” Even with my glasses on, that’s still what it looks like to me since I first saw it that way.

Evidently, while I may be crazy, I’m not alone in my craziness on this topic.

Seeing it on my screen up close I could see the lights- getting up to show a coworker who was looking across the room, it really looks like it is fire! The coworker wasn’t even aware it was lights until I mentioned it…

[Shirley_Ujest]

@Tuckerfan

I’m just going to go on record here as saying I never want to see a manifestation of Jesus in some guy’s nuts. :eek: (Though it certainly would provide a boost for the pro-gay marriage folks.)

The wrongness of the last line is making me giggle with a host of inappropriate thoughts.

[Cat_Whisperer]

I almost choked on my laughter when I opened that link - if you aren’t seeing it as a burning cross, good for you. You are pure of thought and deed, I’m sure. The rest of us sinners are seeing a burning cross.

(Maybe the owners of that site need a burning fruitcake decoration.)

[FinnAgain]

For what it’s worth, someone at the retail site must have realized what was going on, because the picture that they show is now a closeup in which the individual lights are plainly visible. They’ve also photoshopped in a package and a bush.
Compare with the original, here.

I’d also add my apologies. I thought I was ripping off lunarnoodle when I wrote the title of this thread, but it seems that she got it from Boing Boing. Oops.

[Tuckerfan]

That’s a pretty shitty Photoshop job.

[I_Love_Me_Vol.I]

@CalMeacham

Forget the resemblance to KKK crosses — who the HELL puts up a crross at Christmas time? You’re supposed to be celebrating Christ’s borth. Putting up reminder of his death is a big Downer.

The whole cross thing always reminds me of a great Bill Hicks bit. The link is to an interview Hicks did on British telly. The whole clip is funny (including the presenter and his dry BritWit) but the pertinent part starts around 3:40 or so and runs until about 4:30.

[FinnAgain]

Excellent, thanks. I love Bill Hicks and hadn’t even seen that clip.

[Jaglavak]

@FriarTed

Just a mention- to a Christian, the Sign of the Cross is not a downer nor a reminder of Jesus’ death. Why? Because of a little thing called THE FREAKIN’ RESURRECTION! OH! OH! ARRRRRRGH!*
*Is it possible to do a written approximation of the Sam Kinison Scream?

Actually, Kinison’s Jesus routine went something like this:
“You know why Jesus was cool? Because he was the only 3 day old corpse who ever came back to life that didn’t make people go, “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!! Zombie! RUUUUNNNN! AAAAHHHHHH!!””

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

@Santo_Rugger

coughshoehorncough

So where’s the butterhorse?

[Daffyd]

@Santo_Rugger

coughshoehorncough

You really need to use something else for that cough other than a shoehorn… Try a lozenge…

[Terrifel]

One is prompted to wonder, just in passing, whether the marketers of the product were entirely ignorant of their product’s unfortunate visual connotation. Honestly, there have to be other ways to arrange the same basic components in a manner that DOESN’T resemble a burning cross.

Colored lights, as has been previously mentioned. Hell, they don’t even have to be DIFFERENT colors-- just make them all blue! Blue is a perfectly religious color.

Or simply arrange the lights so that the cross is outlined by them instead. Presto, instant non-burning yet equally tacky electric cross. Plus it would appear larger, so Jesus would love it even more.

Though I don’t think the effect was intended in the initial concept… I also suspect that the American Family Association probably isn’t particularly troubled about whether their pro-Christian family message is compromised by sales to people who just dig flaming crosses.

“Man… it turns out that some people buy our lawn decoration specificially because it resembles a big flaming cross! This could seriously undermine our efforts to sell DVDs warning of the imminent homosexual anti-Christian takeover of America!”

[Tuckerfan]

Acording to The Daily Show tonight, if you act now, they’ll throw in a set of all cotton hooded white choir robes with every illuminated cross order.