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[Jamila Bey]

Hey folks,

I just got a strong but politely worded e-mail from someone who finds my avatar "in poor taste" and "offensive."

I understand that I have a warped sense of humor that not everyone appreciates. And I am a guest at this forum, so I really don't want to be unpleasant here. (But I DO think it's funny.)

If anyone else is willing to let me know that they don't like my choice of pics, I'll gladly change it. But I also have the feeling that nobody cares and it's one lone individual who is being overly sensitive.

What say ye?

[Allen Yeh]

I say nay! (to caring that is)

[Mike ODonnell]

I find it offensive that it's only a PS2! Why cant I get a PS3!!.....I say it's up to you, doesn't bother me as this is a fitness site...unlike others that like to discuss religion and politics.

Considering the amount of preachers amd ministers stealing people's money and the ones getting caught on nightline for going to underage kid's homes....I say there are bigger issues to worry about.

[Robert Allison]

I had noticed your avatar before, but had actually given it relatively little thought. But since you asked, here goes...

I think there are (at least) two ways or interpreting the image. One is as a straight up slam on Christianity. While I affirm freedom of speech and the right to hold different views on religion, I personally try to avoid anything that might be perceived as an unnecessary attack on someone else's belief system. But again, that's just me.

A second way of viewing the image is as satirical commentary on the way Christianity is marketed by the contemporary institutional church, which, I believe would an accurate, insightful (not to mention very funny) observation.

In either case, I guess you've caused at least one person to think about some of these things.

As a friend of mine used to say "big bubbles, little troubles."

[Jonathan Reik]

It cracked me up the first time I saw it. No problems from me.

[Ken Urakawa]

reminds me of "Buddy Christ" from Dogma (which is a positive thing)

[Dave Van Skike]

Originally Posted by Jamila Bey

Hey folks,

I just got a strong but politely worded e-mail from someone who finds my avatar "in poor taste" and "offensive."

I understand that I have a warped sense of humor that not everyone appreciates. And I am a guest at this forum, so I really don't want to be unpleasant here. (But I DO think it's funny.)

If anyone else is willing to let me know that they don't like my choice of pics, I'll gladly change it. But I also have the feeling that nobody cares and it's one lone individual who is being overly sensitive.

What say ye?

I love it.

Inability to take a joke is right up there with excessive cat owenership (more than 2)---

prime indicators of mental illness.

[Scott Kustes]

I could care less about the avatar as I'm non-religious. I can see how someone would take offense though and perhaps that is enough of a reason to change it. I think within reason, we should try to steer away from religion and politics around here, unless it is an outgrowth of normal discussion. There are so many other ways we can offend each other without going to those two.

Just remember: There's no such thing as a victimless joke.

[Ron Nelson]

It's no worse than mine. Really, I could go on about the oversensitivity of certain religions (and I ain't just talking about the Christians), but I won't because I'm a caring, sensitive individual, damnit!

Of course, if you really want to know how I feel on that subject, here you go:
http://www.theartofdansilver.com/rononchristians.html

Don't follow the link if you're easily offended by bad language and horrible writing.

[Billy_Brummel]

I don’t have a problem with your avatar. As a Christian, it saddens me that the link between rampant consumerism and Jesus Christ is so strong, but blame for that cannot be placed anywhere other than on the shoulders of Christians, who, in their zeal to live a holy life got the message of Jesus mixed up with the messages of our modern culture (that is ruled by consumeristic notions).