Do you find this idea offensive?

Question

NPR did a piece this morning about a commercial that aired in Italy.

It featured the usual manger scene with Maru and Jesus and the wise men bearing gifts, but instead of just the standard three with gold, francincense and myhrr, there was also a 4th wise man bringing a can of Red Bull.

Now, I thought it was hysterical, but apparently the Church didn't agree. I can't quite even see how it's offensive: it's just adding another person who is bringing a gift to the newborn King, right? Okay, so maybe baby Jesus isn't big on Red Bull. maybe He doesn't need a soft drink to give Him wings. But why would it be offensive? I think it was clever.

Oops... Freudian slip. That was meant to say Mary - not Maru, which, I think, is an ancient goddess! Sorry!

Primo, you keep the fun in fundie! :-)

mithu, I'm more interested in pantheons than in Jesus, spiritually, so it was a Freudian slip for me to replace Mary with Maru... that's all. :-)

rjm: when God asks me what was so funny, I will politely explain the comedic value of the anachronism of putting a can of pop in that time frame and in the false parallel of placing a soft drink on a par with gifts of great value. I don't think He'll need me to explain, though. He's a pretty smart guy.

mainman, I tried to watch that movie, but I couldn't do it. I didn't get far enough in to see the wiseman connection: the brutality was just not something I'm emotionally equipped to expose myself to.

Answer 1

You know me by now......I am the resident fundie here.


To tell you the truth........I find it quite amusing myself

Answer 2

Actually the bible does not say how many wise men there where. It was always just assumed three because of the three gifts.

So historically there could be a 4th with Red Bull energy drink. They do go to most sporting events and give it away free. Maybe they got the email about following the star and wanted to get a little promo going.

The church probably wrote that out of the bible and are upset it is back in.

Answer 3

That's the way the church works. Offended at anything that falls outside the orthodoxy. Jesus did not drink Red Bull.

I, however, though not having seen this commercial, think it is hilarious. If nothing else than to point out the blatant commercialism of a supposed Christian holiday. Go Red Bull!

Answer 4

I think it's funny, who's to say there weren't more folks bringing gifts? No big deal. Maybe the upset people were closet Muslims, that's the group that seems to get more freaked out over anything having to do with their head dude. I think God has a sense of humor and I see no reason to get upset over Red Bull bearing guests.

Answer 5

There were not 3 magi; But enough Babylonian Jews to stir up all of Jerusalem, also King Herod who lived elsewhere.

So the Italian church and the commercial are both bogus;
Kinda like Law vs Law is as Loser vs Loser.

Answer 6

Wow! where do I start? Showing respect for one. This is an example of the people being the same as in the time of Noah,having no boundries,If our Father hadn't given us a covenant after the flood he would have surely struck someone dead.
I am so supprised to read in this section and learn of the total lack of respect for GOD and his SON to mock the story of the Messiah is aweful........What will you say to GOD when asked what was so funny?

Answer 7

Wow! Congratulations to the Red Bull marketing team! A great job - clever, witty, perfect timing.

El Padrino is an idiot if you ask me. And if he goes on with preaching how it's offensive, he'll just stir up the trouble insted of bringing people closer during this time of the year.

However, I still have to give him some credit. He can attack the add as much as he likes, but noone is going to put those guys in jail and threaten to flog them. That is one point in favour of Christianity when I compare it to Islam - not that I'm a fan of either.

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Answer 8

Somewhat lacking in taste (so is Red Bull) but not as far up the league as offensive.

One of my favourite Christmas cards showed the wise men/kings arriving at the stable. From a stable window came a voice balloon:
"It's a girl."
The look on the kings' faces was priceless.

Answer 9

The world's going crazy I tell ya. Next thing you know people are going to start burning down embassies for a picture of God in a cartoon. Or locking up Spanish teachers for naming the class teddy bear Jesus.

Answer 10

There's always someone to offend.
Maybe Red Bull could make a profit from the advertisement if they threw in a teddy bear and offended aired it in Sudan?

Answer 11

I have to agree with Peasoup--maybe the commercial will make someone think about Jesus who wouldn't have thought of him otherwise. As for offensive, I'm not offended by it. Now, if they came offering him a Bud Light, I'd be offended.