Church and ice cream
9 August 2006 by Cassandra
A few weeks ago, we decided to go to Friendly’s for lunch. Boy, was I floored when we walked through the front door and were slapped in the face with this display!!
Here is what is printed on the framed piece of paper below the poorly drawn cross:
We would like to recognize your Church. Decorate our bulletin board with pictures and information about your church, your missions statement, activities and service times. Be creative!! The information will be featured here for 2 weeks and on our marquee. See manager for details.
Your head pastor/minister will receive Friendly’s gift certificates for himself and a guest.
Emphasis on “himself” mine. Just wanted to point that little gem out.
So I just got off of the phone with the friendly Friendly’s hostess. Unfortunately the manager wasn’t available to speak to me (it is breakfast time), but I asked her if this “Church of the Week” board was open to all faiths. She told me that she “thought” so, and that it’s purpose is to drive up attendance at your congregation.
Needless to say, I haven’t been back. I’m guessing this is a franchise owner thing. Does anyone know if Friendly’s is owned by fundies?? Where do I go for the list of companys to avoid for their crazy beliefs and practices?
9 August 2006, on 10:41 am
[...] Cross-posted at God is for Suckers [...]
9 August 2006, on 11:03 am
If I’m not mistaken, Friendly’s is owned by Hersheys. I don’t know about any fundie agenda from the chocolate folks so it’s probably just a franchisee thing. We had a Friendly’s here in Fairfield growing up but all I can remember about it is doing whippet hits off the empty whipped cream canisters and passing out in the store room. Perhaps a “brand new” church is in order for Friendly’s recognition. You’d have to be subtle, no Satanic Daycare Centers or High Church of NAMBLA but you could get free dinner out of the deal and take pictures of your “bulletin board”.
9 August 2006, on 11:32 am
Paying off the local priests and nuns. Didn’t they used to call this “fire insurance?”
9 August 2006, on 11:34 am
Oh, and moist definitely stay away from “Hobby Lobby”- a fucktard corporation that closes on Sundays so it’s employees can
go to churchsleep off their rubber cement hangovers.9 August 2006, on 12:23 pm
What if the pastor and guest want to bring along jezass?
Will he have to pay?
9 August 2006, on 12:30 pm
What if the priest wants to bring along a choir boy?
9 August 2006, on 1:44 pm
Cassandra – I found this link for Friendly’s…I read throught the “Friendly’s History” link and looked through the website and they talk about community involvement but no mention of churches or gawd or anything religious. They mention “non-profit organizations” like schools, sports teams and band…but nothing “churchie”…here is the link:
http://www.friendlys.com/about/
9 August 2006, on 2:52 pm
Welcome on board, Cassandra!
9 August 2006, on 3:01 pm
Raindogzilla — Is the fact that Hobby Lobby closes on Sunday because it’s employees may want to attend church on Sunday THAT offensive to you?
9 August 2006, on 4:36 pm
Solution: Tell the manager that you’re a minister of the Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster, for your free gift certificate.
9 August 2006, on 4:54 pm
Add Chik-Fil-A to the fundi list. They close on gawds day too.
And Frank, I also boycott these dumb-shit businesses because they are closed on Sundays and make it a point to let me know it is so their employees can worship on schedule, and why not? I’ve known fundies to boycott a place because it WAS open on Sundays! My money, my choice.
9 August 2006, on 4:58 pm
Stardust, thanks for the link. I don’t know exactly how franchises work, but I wonder if the owner of the franchise can do this type of thing without Friendly’s being able to do anything.
Eve, thanks for the welcome!
Frank, I no longer go to Hobby Lobby or Chick-fil-A. It’s not about being closed on Sundays, it’s about this type of thing –
Here’s the link to the quote above, and here’s they’re explanation for why they are closed on Sundays.
9 August 2006, on 4:59 pm
Island57, great minds think alike…
9 August 2006, on 5:01 pm
Also, if you’ve ever seen the women’s store Forever 21, stop in and see if you take a look at their bags. If you look on the bottom you’ll see “John 3:16″ printed there. UGH. Makes me sick.
9 August 2006, on 5:16 pm
Island57, Cassandra — I don’t disagree one bit with the idea that you should be able to spend your money however you see fit. It just seems a bit irrational to boycott a business simply because the management/ownership believes something different from yourself. But that’s just me.
9 August 2006, on 5:21 pm
Frank, is it irrational of me to boycott Coors because the owner donates a bunch of money to causes that I find repugnant?
9 August 2006, on 5:58 pm
What about when xtians boycotted all the businesses that wanted to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Xmas”. Was that irrational? Or does it matter who’s doing the boycotting?
Or the xtian groups that boycotted Walden Books and K-Mart for selling what they considered “indecent” material? Walden had Playboys and such behind the counter, I don’t remember what K-Mart had.
9 August 2006, on 5:58 pm
Cassandra,
“Also, if you’ve ever seen the women’s store Forever 21, stop in and see if you take a look at their bags. If you look on the bottom you’ll see “John 3:16″ printed there.”
Where I live, there’s something like this in almost every establishment that isn’t a non-franchise nationwide chain.
9 August 2006, on 7:27 pm
I think it’s annoying that my favorite grocery store, Fareway, is closed on Sundays. It’s close enough to walk to, and they have the best meat. I still shop there, because they don’t seem to rub it in your face as to why they are closed.
However, I am not sure why all these places are closed on Sunday. Saturday is actually the Sabbath.
9 August 2006, on 7:44 pm
But what if they were closed to celebrate the Sabbath- and it was Black Sabbath circa 1973 playing live in Hobby Lobby? I know that Domino’s- at least while nutjob Tom Monaghan owned it, was in so deep with Operation Rescue that they probably had aborted fetus as an available topping. I haven’t ordered from them in almost 20 years.
One positive about Chik-fil-A is that their (religious)CEO pays himself a pittance and makes sure all his employees are paid a decent wage and health insured, which means he’s at least trying to live by those pesky teachings of Jeebus.
A lot of local businesses have taken to putting that ubiquitous xian fish on their circulars, business cards, etc. They go in the round file. Fuck ‘em all and let Gawd pass out the orgasms.
9 August 2006, on 10:17 pm
Male pronouns can be used as gender neutral pronouns.
I actually learned to speak like this (I’m a 30 year old British columbia). Here is an unauthoritive source to support my argument -> http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/genpr.htm
However, you could probably ask any English tutor who was educated at least 20 years ago, and he {ha!} could confirm this. You could also consult most of the literature of the 20th century, which probably would use he as a non-gender specific pronoun and not use modern turns of phrase like he/she or they.
So you’re not correct to assume sexism or cluelessness in the author of this poster. He could simply have been educated before it became common practice to avoid ‘gender loaded’ words, or wasn’t taught to think in a way that assumes a word must be ‘gender loaded’, as you and probably many people now, do.
9 August 2006, on 11:28 pm
A couple of additions to the “Fundie List”…I believe Marriot hotels are owned by the Mormons, along with several cheaper rate hotels like Fairfield Inns and Super 8’s. Hobby Lobby is also a closed on Sunday business with a heavy religious overtone. For those who are sfety conscious, Best Lock used to be run by Seventh Day Adventists until it was purchased by Stanley Tools…Don’t forget Cracker Barrel Restraunts…Those are a few that I can think of…
9 August 2006, on 11:36 pm
Cassandra Says:
Also, if you’ve ever seen the women’s store Forever 21, stop in and see if you take a look at their bags. If you look on the bottom you’ll see “John 3:16″ printed there. UGH. Makes me sick.
I did not know this. My little cousin shops there in L.A. I will have to let her know immediately or no more birthday prezzies from Cousin Sean!
crf Says:
He could simply have been educated before it became common practice to avoid ‘gender loaded’ words, or wasn’t taught to think in a way that assumes a word must be ‘gender loaded’, as you and probably many people now, do.
Or… He could just be a fundie asshole?
Frank Says:
Island57, Cassandra — I don’t disagree one bit with the idea that you should be able to spend your money however you see fit. It just seems a bit irrational to boycott a business simply because the management/ownership believes something different from yourself. But that’s just me.
No, Frank, that’s completely irrational. What if the management believes sex with children is okay?
We as a society filter and weed out our undesirable elements exactly as Cassandra is suggesting. What’s irrational is to commit a pogrom in the name of a belief. But to choose where you do business? Absolutely a rational and justifiable personal choice.
9 August 2006, on 11:47 pm
Sounds like a prime time to start advertising for your local Temple of Set congregation. Or Imam. Or anything not christian. See how long it lasts….
10 August 2006, on 8:38 am
I began to suspect something odd at my local Hobby Lobby … I began to hum “I’ll Fly Away” as I was browsing and couldn’t figure out why. And then I started to pay attention to the muzak piped in … Hokey rendition of “I’ll Fly Away”! Holy shit! (Those of you raised in the baptist / church o’ christ mold will immediately recognize the hymn reference. Maybe methodists, too. I dunno.) It was creepy. I just don’t see why any of that has a place outside of someone’s church. Keep your fundie stupid music out of my head (and away from my crafty type stuff), dammit!
10 August 2006, on 10:02 am
“Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
I’ll fly away;
To a home on God’s celestial shore,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).”
If it’s any consolation, Sharona, I play this song probably three or four times a week when I get together with friends for an impromptu bluegrass session. In an eerie, mountain tenor, accompanied by banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar, it’s less a song of heavenly reward than the lament of the earthbound. Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch make it almost sexy on the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack, also. But fuck Hobby Lobby all the same.
10 August 2006, on 10:37 am
From Wikipedia: “Hobby Lobby has been criticized for its business practices. The majority of goods carried in the stores are imported and carry a high markup. The company originally brought in most of its management from the religious denomination of its majority owner. Some critics claim that newer employees, who have not come from the same religious background of the founder, have been relegated to lower-level positions. A program called “Character First” has been introduced to develop the character of employees (the program comes from Institute in Basic Life Principles, the organization headed by Bill Gothard).”
10 August 2006, on 10:40 am
Sharona – about the muzak in Hobby Lobby:
“One way that Hobby Lobby can maintain continuity among stores is by controlling the music, which is delivered via satellite from headquarters with carefully chosen music. This music blends light jazz, classical, bluegrass, and Contemporary music styles (a large percentage of the chosen tunes are instrumental adaptations of traditional Christian hymns) into one single playlist which loops continuously (as an interesting sidenote, alongside the many religious hymns is an adaptation of George Harrison’s “Within You Without You”).”
10 August 2006, on 10:47 am
Abra – No, it is not irrational for you to boycott Coors because the owner donates money to causes you find repugnant. In that case you are making sure your money does not fund things with which you disagree. That is completely rational and understandable.
Brodie – Christians boycotting businesses that said “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” was a bit irrational. Their patronage at such businesses is not necessarily contributing to things with which they disagree. That was hyper-sensitivity akin to the kind I see in boycotting Hobby Lobby merely because of an unshared belief.
Sean – you said “What if the management believes sex with children is okay?” This is a different circumstance altogether. Pedophilia is a crime and violates the rights of children. It is not irrational to avoid contact with people who believe such behavior is acceptable. But this example hardly compares to Hobby Lobby where no criminal activity is endorsed and no rights are violated.
Society does weed out undesirable elements, no question. This is particularly true where the rights of others are violated. And certainly we have every right to choose where we do business (for any reason). Choosing NOT to do business with a party because our patronage contributes to something with which we disagree (as I mentioned in my response to Abra) or because we want to avoid association with criminals are rational decisions. But, getting all in a twist because a business closes on Sunday because the management recognizes it’s employees may want to attend church is another matter. It may not be an irrational decision to not do business with them, but it sure is hyper-sensitive.
“Why, that business respects the desires of its employees and allows them to have Sunday off in case they would like to attend church — the BASTARDS!”
That doesn’t strike you as a bit over-the-top?
There’s a business in my neighborhood run by Catholics. I do not share their beliefs but I don’t avoid their business as a result. While I do not consider their beliefs as valid or as valuable as my own I do respect their right to believe what they do and think they have every right to hold to those beliefs. That’s tolerance.
10 August 2006, on 10:48 am
Would someone please notify the estate of the late George Harrison and inform them of this travesty? I don’t think George went to India to end up on a Hobby Lobby soundtrack.
10 August 2006, on 10:54 am
Frank (is this our old beloved Frank, by the way?): I don’t accept your logic. It still comes down to the simple idea of taking your business where you choose. If there is more than one bakery in town, why would you frequent the one that goes against your beliefs? Making such choices is one of the basic freedoms we have, isn’t it?
10 August 2006, on 11:00 am
Sean,
If it really is our Frank lurker, than he hasn’t answered a contention I put forward about ID “science” a looooooooong time ago.
10 August 2006, on 11:21 am
That was hyper-sensitivity akin to the kind I see in boycotting Hobby Lobby merely because of an unshared belief.
I am going to be boycotting Hobby Lobby now because of their subtle attempts at infiltrating my subconscious with their fundie xian bullshit muzak.
10 August 2006, on 11:49 am
Sean — It is one of the basic freedoms we have, I completely agree. I also agree that we can take oure business wherever we want for whatever reason. It just seemed a little — I don’t know, silly — that THE reason to not go to Hobby Lobby was simply because they didn’t open on Sunday. But, again, I certainly support your right to not go to Hobby Lobby for silly reasons. By all means, boycott Hobby Lobby.
And, yes, this is your old beloved Frank.
Marcus — I did answer your contention about ID “science” a looooooooooong time ago.
Stardust — boycotting Hobby Lobby because of their subtle attempts at infiltrating your subconscious with muzak is a much better reason, I think, than boycotting because you resent a benefit they provide their employees. But as I said, boycott for whatever reason you choose.
10 August 2006, on 11:56 am
boycotting Hobby Lobby because of their subtle attempts at infiltrating your subconscious with muzak is a much better reason, I think, than boycotting because you resent a benefit they provide their employees.
I resent their unfair treatment of employees who do not share their beliefs. The “benefit” is only for the brainwashed and that really sucks.
10 August 2006, on 12:18 pm
Frank,
“Marcus — I did answer your contention about ID “science” a looooooooooong time ago.”
About how an ID “science” fits the seven criteria for valid scientific theory and the four Daubert criteria? No you didn’t- I would have remebered that.
10 August 2006, on 12:35 pm
In 2001, I worked for a company called AtHome America (formerly Country Peddlars and Company of America) as a propaganda/media writer and website designer/editor. (I lasted less than a year.)
( I helped to design their new website when the company changed names)
http://www.athome.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE
When I applied there I didn’t have a clue of what this company was about…I simply answered an ad in the paper that said “writer/website designer-editor needed for corporate correspondence and various company materials, and to design and write content for corporate and public website.” When I was hired I was not told they were an ultra-xian fundie company.
I soon found out that they had “prayers” and their meetings were “accented” with gawd and jeebus. The little “sales associates” who went out and had home shows were mostly fundie xian homemakers looking for wealth and riches via this pyramid-scheme company. They were totally unaware of the propaganda machine behind the scenes and how they were being manipulated by the home office.
I was asked to write some of the biggest lies and bullshit you ever heard just to keep the little peddlars “motivated”. Like “Gawd wants you to succeed!” and “Gawd wants you to have the best!” and various other motivational materials about getting rich, and “being blessed” with yachts, money, cars, etc.
When they found out I did not believe in their gawd bullshit, they started treating me like crap. They would not like anything I had written, making me rewrite things over and over and then right before press time they would use the FIRST thing I wrote which would piss me off to no end! They were trying to make me quit…then one day I flipped out on them and out the door I went. I know they “won” by me leaving, but I couldn’t stand it anymore.
Now I recommend really checking out the history of a company and it’s “mission statement” BEFORE taking a job. If I had read the jeebus mission statement during the interview process,I would not have taken a job where religion was such a big part of it.
10 August 2006, on 12:43 pm
Stardust — how is it unfair for all employees to have Sunday off? Sure, the reason they give is so people can attend church but all of the employees (whether they attend church or not) benefit. Why do you resent that?
Marcus — Yes I did, check the archives. You didn’t like my response but I did respond.
10 August 2006, on 12:51 pm
how is it unfair for all employees to have Sunday off?
I know several working moms in my neighborhood who rely on weekend pay. My own mother, who is 68 and needs to work, works at Target and works every single Sunday and since she is not a churchie, doesn’t mind.
10 August 2006, on 1:00 pm
It’s a company’s choice to be closed on Sundays and it is our choice to shop somewhere else that is more “accomodating”. Most working people shop on weekends and if businesses choose to close on Sunday for their stupid superstitious beliefs, it’s their loss. I never go to Hobby Lobby anyway…it seems sort of “tacky” compared to places like Michael’s and some others. IMO, it’s the Wal-fart of craft stores.
10 August 2006, on 1:20 pm
Frank,
No, no, no, Frank, you said you “didn’t care” if ID could satisfy the criteria for legitimate science- that doesn’t mean that it is valid enough to be taught in a science classroom. So technically, you didn’t “ask your science friend” about how ID satisfies those rigorous guidelines or answer the question at all. You made a rhetorical sidestep (Atheist Jew would call you a monkey for that).
Stardust,
And they have all that plywood and veneer furniture… uck! Give me a good Amish woodshop any day.
10 August 2006, on 1:31 pm
I won’t go to Wal-mart because of their driving manufacturing jobs overseas and finishing off the hallowed town square all over the country.
I won’t go to Hobby Lobby for the reasons above but- and this goes for Michael’s as well, also because I tend to stick to professional art supply houses like McCallister’s in Dayton or Pearl in NYC- or just Dick Blick online.
I won’t go to Domino’s because of Tom Monaghan.
I won’t go to Subway because of that Jared moron.
I do support my local Nazi restaurant because I can’t resist that Wednesday Night, All-You-Care-To-Eat Jewish Baby Buffet. Oddly, Aryan Corral also seems to be where the local Hobby Lobby employees congregate after a long day of glacially-paced proselytizing.
At my local Kroger’s, I can pick up a copy of this jewel of a rag.- which ,for Catherine, Cassandra, and any other Ohio residents out there, will help you plan your shopping excursion with everything from “Abortion Alternatives” to “Wood Dealers” (which I suspect to be a xian euphemism for “male prostitutes”).
If they ever get around to xianizing my “Zither” dealer- in their Shermanesque March through the Alphabet, I swear I’m out of here.
10 August 2006, on 1:31 pm
I doubt anything short of tacking the hide of a confirmed atheist/witch/Satan-worshipper above the neon sign out front, and a huge billboard with block letters spelling out the words: “CHRISTIANS ONLY” would make me stop shopping at Hobby Lobby. I simply flat-out love the place. Cheap, with an enormous selection and pretty decent quality stuff.
Stardust, I’m failing to see your point about it being “unfair” for Hobby Lobby employees that the business isn’t open on Sundays. How is it unfair for them when they accepted the job knowing that Sundays weren’t available? I work at a veterinary clinic, and we’re closed on Sundays. I have two choices: take it, or leave it. If it’s really THAT important to me that I work on Sunday, then I’ll find alternate employment.
10 August 2006, on 1:52 pm
Michael’s as well, also because I tend to stick to professional art supply houses like McCallister’s in Dayton or Pearl in NYC- or just Dick Blick online.
I use Micheal’s for craft stuff and art supplies in a pinch…I also prefer professional art supply houses for my art supplies.
I usually use Utrecht on Michigan Ave in Chi-town.
10 August 2006, on 1:59 pm
I’m failing to see your point about it being “unfair” for Hobby Lobby employees that the business isn’t open on Sundays. How is it unfair for them when they accepted the job knowing that Sundays weren’t available?
I personally don’t care if places are open on Sunday or not. I will just go to the places who are open.
Julie, you are right that if people take a job knowing that company is closed on Sundays, they cannot complain. Like I said, it is a business or company’s choice to be closed on Sunday. Many, if not most places of employment are closed on entire weekends.
My problem with xian companies is like I stated above…not telling people they are a xian company and then treat their non-xian employees unfairly once they are hired.
11 August 2006, on 10:41 am
Stardust,
Do you have a Prizm Art Supplies? Good stuff and real artists actually work there so you can have a conversation with the staff and get an opinion that means something.
11 August 2006, on 11:34 am
Do you have a Prizm Art Supplies?
Russman — No, don’t have one of those around here, that I know of anyway. I was checking them out online after you mentioned it and wish there was one around here in the Chicago burbs. Urecht is downtown not too far from the “tute”…(Art Institute of Chicago). There are lots of art supply stores in the city, mostly along Michigan Ave. The suburbs tend to have just artsy-crafty-assy stores like Micheal’s and Hobby Lobby (I am one of the few women in suburbia who HATES crafts).
Micheal’s carries a small supply of art supplies like the cheaper oils and pastels, graphite pencils, charcoal, decent brushes, art paper/canvases, etc. They are ok in a pinch (if they have what you need in stock.)
11 August 2006, on 12:11 pm
Stardust,
I agree, Micheal’s does OK in a pinch. I’ve used Urecht’s catalog a few times too. Somehow nothing beats holding that tube of paint or feeling the weave of the canvas before the sale though!
11 August 2006, on 1:03 pm
I agree, Micheal’s does OK in a pinch. I’ve used Urecht’s catalog a few times too. Somehow nothing beats holding that tube of paint or feeling the weave of the canvas before the sale though!
Russman…exactly! I could spend hours in an art supply store.
11 August 2006, on 4:09 pm
Star: I could spend hours in an art supply store.
Me too, and I’m much more a writer than an artist. Go figure!
11 August 2006, on 5:25 pm
Eve,
Art knows no boundries.
11 August 2006, on 7:58 pm
Art knows no boundries.
Russman – So true.
12 August 2006, on 8:16 pm
Y’all realize, there are federal guidelines for religious freedom in the workplace?
http://www.fedglobe.org/issues/religious-freedom.htm
29 November 2006, on 11:13 pm
Just cruising through here and reading some really interesting opinions on the whole “closed on Sunday” bit.
I work for Hobby Lobby. We have signs on all the entry doors, just below the Store Hours, that read “Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays to allow our employees time for family and worship.”
Now, worship I couldn’t give a flying fart about, but time with my kids does matter to me. The good news is, if my right-wing penile-implant of a manager decides to get all Godded up and goofy on Sundays, I don’t have to see/hear/smell him. Where’s the harm?
An interesting side note: Someone above mentioned employers who treat non-Fundies badly. Such employers do exist–I’ve seen them–but Hobby Lobby doesn’t seem to be one of those discriminatory places. I work side-by-side with an old BAG (Born-Again Grandmother) who is treated like a bucket of reheated spit, yet the boss has hinted to me about a possible management position in my future. Go figure.
~
24 December 2006, on 11:00 pm
Personally, I won’t shop at Hobby Lobby anymore because every time I go in there it’s “God Bless You”, “Have a Blessed Day” or more recently “Merry Christmas, and remember. Jesus is the reason for the season!”. So from now on I just order on-line. It cost me a little more but I am not going to give those people any more of my money.
What I AM going to do this year is keep my New Years resolution which is to create a website with pictures of all the churches in Memphis (There are hundreds) each will have a blurb showing approximately how much they bring in every year in donations. Attached to those pictures are going to be links to pictures of poverty, hunger and homelessness within a10 mile radius of each of those churches. I am so sick of the hypocrisy in this town!! As soon as church lets out all the strip bars fill up…hmmm ya think that maybe some of those church-goers are stopping off at the titty bars on there way home??? Jesus is the reason my ASS!