News-Record.com

As is often the case, it depends. First, I assume that the city isn't paying its money for the ads. Second, I may be wrong, but I thought for sure I've seen other religion-based ads in the Subway. If all religious groups are free to buy ad space there, then there should be no problem.

The article said that the city guidelines on these ads prohibit anything that is inappropriate for children. Personally, I think religion is inappropriate for kids, but I wouldn't expect my opinion to sway anyone.

Other than that, I don't think there's a legal issue. Is it in bad taste? Well, that's a line crossed in America far too often as it is...

And in case buz is interested. I posted this at lunch today. I think I'm safe again... for the time being at least.

eric,
maybe you misconstrued my question "don't you work ? " it was tongue in cheek for it seems you are always posting. if you are employed and posting on your employers time that is none of my business - that's between you and your conscience.
your comment "I think religion is inappropriate for kids" is a little puzzling to me. you are part of the free thought association yet you object to kids being exposed to religion, that sound oxymoronish to me, i.e i'm for free thought but against kids exposure to religion. of all people i would expect you to champion all free thought, not just your free thought ? !
and i was wondering if free thought is also independent thought, if so then you faux pas'd (i know i probably misspelled it eric, but i think you get the drift). !

Reading the article, a Jewish leader said even if one Jew is converted it would be tragic. It is more than free speech, it is the Gospel of Christ.

Buz is puzzled about my statement. Odd... I thought it should be easy to see why I would consider religion a dangerous thing to present to children. Oh well. I'm sure if he thinks it through enough, he'll come to understand.

eric,
i figured it out !! ....you DO believe in free thought, as long as it's your !
do you consdider yourself a "fair" representation of this free thought society ?
i don't see exposing kids to religion any more dangerous that exposing them to the theory that they had monkeys as relatives.well i'll be a monkey's uncle, ain't i just too funny !!

Some may wonder why I don't elaborate more of my statements for buz. The answer for the curious is simple: I figured out a long time back that buz isn't interested in actually holding a civil discussion with those who aren't bound for heaven. The boy is the ultimate elitist and has no use for understanding those who disagree with him, nor for treating them in a decent manner. Goodness knows I tried to discuss things with him once. But there's no talking to such a religion based snob.

eric,
just yesterday nikos posted this following intelligent and articulate blog in response to a comment you made...............

"Wow, Eric has now descended to class-ism! Are goat herders any less persons of worth than contemporary intellectuals? In my mind, a smart goat herder, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, is far more reliable than an irreligious modern intellectual. And maybe there’s even a hint of anti-Semitism here as well. Who’s to say that the ancient Jews were merely herders of animals and nothing more? Better be careful.

It seems to me that Mr. Kindley was merely saying that homosexuality is no more normal than pedophilia, not that they were totally equal. It could be reasonably argued that same sex pedophilia is a more insidious form of homosexuality. The connection is obvious. But, on the other hand, it would be erroneous to infer that all homosexuals are afflicted with pedophilic predilections; and that gays do not contribute many positive things to human society; but then, so have schizophrenics, kleptomaniacs and drug addicts. Jim Bakker was justly prosecuted for his abuses, even though a popular “religious” figure. And the list goes on.

The truth is that human beings are very complex creatures and have multiple facets to their personalities and intellects; some good and some evil. A great artist who steals would be persecuted along with anyone else who sins in this manner. Likewise, because a person is a great composer, actor or mathematician does not justify his or her homosexuality. Gays seem intent on convincing us that because we reject their sexual practice we hate and condemn them as human beings. Jesus condemned the sin of the woman caught in adultery, but loved her enough to send her forth with the caveat of not sinning again. Christians, as redeemed sinners themselves, can never accept the sin of homosexuality, but can say with Jesus, “Go and sin no more.”

Homosexuality is totally antithetical to the obvious norm of Scripture, therefore, it must be classified as sin; which, along with all the other sinful practices noted in scripture, brings ultimate discord and ruin to human society. We prosecute white collar thieves at Enron and imprison notorious inside traders because we agree with the Bible that law breakers and thieves are corruptors of society.

While I am not advocating or agreeing with all that Mr. Kindley does or says, the furor over his statement is simply a good example of the ferocity of the gay lobby’s response to anything that even hints of opposition or critique of its position, which has been successfully transmogrified by them from free speech critique to hate speech. Here we come thought Gestapo."

Posted by: Nikos at July 12, 2006 05:27 PM

eric,
to which you responded (in typical fashion) "I would guess that Nikos believes his mind is enlightened by this "Holy" invisible thingy".........................

and you have the audacity to say to me "buz isn't interested in actually holding a civil discussion ......... ". please mr. free thought enlightened guy explain to all of us here how you rise above this criticism of others?
you are a walking talking contradiction ! on the subject of spiritual issues you have nothing in the way of understanding to offer me. when i hear you ramble on, i am reminded of this "thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth". been called a lot of things but never snob ! what you don't like eric is someone who has an opinion that is as strong as yours and is not afraid to stand firm on their convictions and this probably stems from the fact that you could not stand firm on your prevous convictions.

Now brother Buz, Let's not be too hard on our friend, Eric. Blogs can get a little feisty, and ad hominem barbs abound - from all of us at times. You are right, however, in saying that issues seem to get swallowed up at times in emotional reaction and useless put-down.

The problem is that the usual participants in this blog seem to have sorted themselves out on opposite sides of the most crucial issue of our day: the authenticity of the Gospel of grace and the authority of the Bible in all of life. That sparks would fly is unavoidable. Actually, I'm pleased that things are as civil as they are, considering the intensitiy of the larger religious debate these days.

The great challenge here is to avoid egregious ad hominem assaults and to stick to the subject, rather than merely emptying one's spleen of offense.

On the other hand, it would be summarily boring if we could't get a bit edgy at times or throw a little cooling humor on the flames. I've seen and heard some really intense and substantive debates on religious controversies. If St Paul considered it worth while to engage the philosopers on Mars Hill in lively debate concerning the Gospel, so should contemporary Christians as we "fight the good fight of faith."

The ads run in NYC, probably the most metro of our country's metropolitan areas. With 8-ish million people, they've got a very big melting pot (or the new term, "salad bowl"). The ads are distasteful to me but like Barry Feinstein, I have no problem with their legality. And like one of the interviewees, I'd much rather disregard the ads than have to deal with somebody bothering me on the street.

Judaism isn't a missionary religion. Jews, in general, aren't comfortable with prosletyzing (didn't have time to look up the spelling). But by and large, Jews aren't bothered by adherence to the free speech law of the land - it's what makes America great.

Ignore the media you don't like. Advertise back if you want to. But bad taste? That's on you (the advertisers).

Personally, I could think of better ways of entering into dialog with our Jewish friends. We wouldn't agree on everything, of course, but there are more substantive and nuanced ways of talking together than billboard evangelism. which is not a hot medium at all, but partakes more of sound byte communication.

Authentic NT evangelism was real-life sharing of the Good News of Yeshua, where you could also see the life that the sharer was living and be provoked to ask about "the hope that lies within" him/her.

Sharing the wonder of the perfect atonement of Messiah and His call (and example) to love to the death is a flesh and blood truth encounter. It's hard to feel love from a billboard, or observe a Spirit-filled, righteous life, which is the salt that makes people thrist for Yeshua's living water.

But, thank God, those who choose the billboard route are free to do it in America still. Even though Christians often choose somewhat quirky ways to share the truth that set them free, at least it shows they have something that burns within to give to those who do not know the liberating power of the Gospel.

Jews have to come to terms with Yeshua in their own way and in God's good time. But as St. Paul said, "the love of Christ constraineth me" which means that God's love cannot passively rest until others share the joy. There are no short cuts to a living, observable faith.

"Even though Christians often choose somewhat quirky ways to share the truth that set them free, at least it shows they have something that burns within to give to those who do not know the liberating power of the Gospel."............

this was the basic message that a fill in pastor had for us last week at our church. what we have should burn within us and ought to cause us to share the power of His blood to the glory of God !!

nikos you have stated well your thoughts once again.

What if the signs said, "Baptists for B'hai"?

Or "Pentecostals for the Pope"?

Why is it the Jews alone are targeted publicly as being "inferior" in their religion? A sort of "almost, but not quite good enough" belief system?