[Newsbot]

Title: Christian group condemns zoo's elephant sculpture
Category: Misc CDN
Posted By: snookums
Date: 2009-09-25 05:50:04
Canadian

[gonavy47]

Jim Blake, un-pucker a little. You're far too tense dude!

[MAC1767]

i can respect what Blake is saying, but on the other hand, ITS JUST A ELEPHANT, i am sure the kids love it, and have no idea, as well as many adults, that it "LOOKS" like a Hindu god. i am sure there are bigger things he could be speaking out about, he is just sounding like a wanker.

[canuckns]

r u fracking kidding me. this is what the 'concerned christians' are concerned about. jeebus help us.

[gigs]

It's not a big deal however I wonder what the outcome would be if the tables were turned. Like the word God in O'Canada was so offensive to some the anthem was pulled from schools.

[Choban]

Over blown reaction? How long has this thing been at the zoo already, the religious symbology was removed prior to placing the statue, it's just an elephant for crying out loud, so much for christian acceptance.
I would think given the state of the world these days that they could find an issue more worthy of attention.

[leewgrant]

Let me see if I have this right. They have accused the library of ""selective religious partiality" because it looks "like Ganesh, a Hindu god worshipped as a remover of obstacles". So, their resolve is that "the facility also erect the cross of Jesus Christ, the Ten Commandments and Noah's Ark".

And what does the zoo do when Muslims, Buddhists and Taoists want their symbols erected too?

No wonder the religious right is such a fucking joke.

[Lemmy]

gigs gigs:

It's not a big deal however I wonder what the outcome would be if the tables were turned. Like the word God in O'Canada was so offensive to some the anthem was pulled from schools.

The word "God" is also in the Constitution and the Charter of Rights. But you don't see people so pissed about that that they're lining up for the next fucking plane departure to Whereeverthehell. Hypocrites. The word "God", in the 21st century, has become a pretty loosely defined notion that can be interpreted by all...all religions, all denominations and athiests alike.

[Strutz]

$1:

If the zoo wants to keep the statue and "[embark] on teaching the public about world religions, Blake suggested that the facility also erect the cross of Jesus Christ, the Ten Commandments and Noah's Ark

Why don't we just simplify things and create sculpture/memorial/statue parks that every religion/culture/segment of society can contribute to and then ban said sculptures/memorials/statues from everywhere else. That way no one can get their panties in a knot by having to view anything that might offend their beliefs unless they go somewhere knowing these items will be on display. I'm getting sick and tired of these "news" stories. No matter what gets erected where there always seems to be a "group" that says "But, that's so offensive".

[stratos]

IT'S A FREAKING ELEPHANT AT THE ZOO

Speaking as a Chirstian if this passes then the letter t should be taken out of the alphabet do to it looking like the cross. Good lord get a grip on whats important.

[Benn]

canuckns canuckns:

r u fracking kidding me. this is what the 'concerned christians' are concerned about. jeebus help us.

Not this Christian! Yes it's obviously inspired by a Hindu god. Anyhow, big deal! Maybe if they were encouraging people to worship it I might raise and eyebrow but even then. Rather than bitch about it Christians should inform about it in a respectful manner and leave people to make up their own minds. People just want to enjoy the blooming Zoo!

Alas there are still some people this type of things gets to. We were given a traveling Buddha statue before we went overseas. He was a cute little bugger so we displayed him on a shelf next to beer mugs. We had a friend who refused to come back to our place because it was there. So he never came back. Funny thing is I am sure some Buddists would also refuse to come back since it was next to Beer mugs. Point being there was no religious significance to us so we treated it like any other nick nack. Just like this elephant statue should be treated like any other statue. IMO at least.

[EyeBrock]

Apparently they are going to also ban the ostrich exhibit because in a certain light the birds resemble the Zorastrian god Zurvun.

[Choban]

Strutz Strutz:

$1:

If the zoo wants to keep the statue and "[embark] on teaching the public about world religions, Blake suggested that the facility also erect the cross of Jesus Christ, the Ten Commandments and Noah's Ark

Why don't we just simplify things and create sculpture/memorial/statue parks that every religion/culture/segment of society can contribute to and then ban said sculptures/memorials/statues from everywhere else. That way no one can get their panties in a knot by having to view anything that might offend their beliefs unless they go somewhere knowing these items will be on display. I'm getting sick and tired of these "news" stories. No matter what gets erected where there always seems to be a "group" that says "But, that's so offensive".

I can see it now, a crucified elephant wering a turban and a burka rubbing it's budda belly holding a book that states God doesn't exist but claims at the same time that god is on earth while smoking a joint, ect ect... That would be one messed up diety.

[ridenrain]

I agree that it's no big dea but..

$1:

But Laurie Herron, a Calgary Zoo spokeswoman, said all religious symbolism on the statue was omitted before it was allowed to be displayed.

It's a big freak'n statue of Ganesh. Symbols or not, you can't mistake it for anything else.

That said, unless the church wants to pass around a plate and pay for an alternative, I think they should just shut up. No one's bitching that the fish at the aquarium look like their fish logo.

[GreenTiger]

This is another example of religiou fundamentalism going off the deep end. It reminds me of the Taliban destroying Buddist statues thousands of years old.

At times I wonder if we are going beck to the Dark Ages.