Anyone else upset over the "insertion" of the new testiment in Sunday's Pittsburgh Post Gazette?

[MrMickeysMom]

I am. It came in our Sunday Sept 7th paper this morning.

The sponsor's web site is http://www.ourcity-godsword.org/pittsburgh

"A Gift For You!" said the insert, sponsored by various religious based local organizations. On this same insert was a photo of last years Steelers on their knees in prayer during the play-offs. Next to it, a big glossy picture of Pittsburgh. They want subscribers of the Post Gazette to find answers to our questions about God, Jesus, the Bible and more...

What I want to know is, "Who's God are they talking about?" and, "Who decides?"

I wonder what everyone would do if any non-Christian entity approached the PPG with their "sample" to be included. I mean, we all eat the cereal boxes, why not a shot at Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shinto, Confuscianism, Taoism, Judaism, or, ever talked about Islam?

I'm seriously thinking of pulling the subscription now. I can think of better ways to spend our money.

The Post Gazette is willing to advertise to all, but I wonder about the response.

[corporatemedia]

1. Yeah, I was hoping for more of that cinnamon flavored cereal they gave out..

last month.

But seriously, my only problem is: Why don't they give out the complete set?

Some Christians spend so much time quoting the "old" testament for their own purposes. Why not give out that part of the story? What's the problem - too much sex and violence (and totally silly shit - talking snakes and stuff)?

Other than that, the P-G is a business - they have to make money.

I will have a serious problem though, if they refuse to distribute another religion's "book". If they accept one they have to accept all.

And I did use it to re-read "Revelations" just to refresh my memory. Unfortunately, we may soon have a VP who actually believes that stuff.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. I had an interesting follow up to that today with the director of

PG's advertising (he returned the call and spent a great deal of time with me). Basically...

No other world religious (national organization, as was this one) had ever approached the Post Gazette to talk up Brahma, Mohammad's Qur'an. Of course, they would distribute it, based on what were arguably first amendment rights, according to the news dept. He said that there were not many actual phone calls from the time the readership learned about it (apparently, I missed the May article announcing that these bibles were going to be shipped and my husband thought the article was a joke). Certainly there weren't many calls outside of mine during the week end. I told him the real litmus test on how readers really felt would be when they did an insert of the Qur'an.

I appreciated the time and explanation I got with the newspaper's news and advertising dept., Meanwhile, I'm waiting for someone who is as well organized as the national Christian group who did this marketing insert.... within 2 months of the election.

So... Caribou Barbie thinks the pipeline going through Alaska and the war were God's will as she prayed and thumped in tongues.

I think Mike Malloy is right when he wonders how many more thousands of years it will take for religious dogma to cause people to act like this.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. I also like your idea of -

"giving out a complete set".

You know, that would have cost far less to do in laminated form. See...

http://www.dynamohouse.com.au/digiSHOP/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=532

http://www.dynamoh.com.au

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Why are you so offended by being presented a viewpoint differnt than your own?

:shrug:

[MrMickeysMom]

4. You're not paying attention, Freddie...

Were that the case, you'd understand my calling the PG had nothing to do with my own upbringing in religious dogma, which IS Christianity. Christianity and the new testament's viewpoint is no "different than my own".

My rant here has more to do with a religious viewpoint which does not seem to represent a significant number of Post Gazette subscribers. I also realize that it's difficult to statistically test sensitivity as to how those of other faith (or perhaps no faith) feel. So, in follow up dialog with the PG, the head of advertising and several major journalists agreed with me - the real litmus test of religious acceptance (not just Christianity) would be to open up the paper and find a sample of alternative religious dogma...

Imagine what would follow,"Hey, honey, what's this copy of Scientology by L Ron Hubbard doing in the paper?" How about an insert of the Qu'ran? How about the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism and a some heavy duty text on ... "Hey, honey, this religious insert wants us to consider what what our next reincarnation will be?"

I would bet that when THAT day arrived, the PG would then hear a great deal more of negative phone calls and letters to the editor.

You know, the biggest part of my religion that irks me is that more Christians practice less of what Jesus said these days in the name of kicking the shit out of other religions. No good comes from this, and that does offend me because it's more of a failure of my religion having spread "the word" than it is of marketing "the word".

[dropkickpa]

6. I cancelled my subscription

After several go-arounds with PG staff viz email and phone. If I wanted religion on Sunday, I'd go to a church. I can read the news for free online!