Menards Ad Shuns Atheism in Very Small Type
On the bottom of page 4 of Menards' most recent add is the phrase "It is not important what you believe, only that you believe."
Reading that in the add section of paper was like having a little gremlin leap from the pages and bite me on the thumb. Completely unexpected and packs a powerful sting. I sent Menards an email saying that - except without the whole gremlin analogy.
Update: Menards responded to my email quickly and generically...
"I am very sorry we let you down. We need and appreciate you business. I appreciate the heads up on this and we will get on it at once.
Best Regards,
Ray"
posted by Zeolite at 5:59 PM
17 Comments:
Wow -- what the hell!
I always knew there was a reason I disliked Menard's.
I'd love to see you post your email to them and the response on the blog.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I though about deleting the above comment but I find it so amusing I've decided to leave it.
Perhaps in the future I'll make a trophy post of all my wacky comments.
Keep 'em coming!
How unsuprising that the anonymous commenter should be anonymous- why is it these 'people' are never brave anough to stand by their own beliefs or make deleterious comments without putting a name to them? What an ass!
So, whats the problem? It's refreshing in this day and age to see that despite whatever backlash they might recieve from Godless people, that SOMEONE has the guts to admit they believe in God. You will believe someday too, when you stand before Him on judgement day.
The reason some people post anonymous is because of all the psychos out there. I have actually received death threats because I posted on a message board that I believe in creationism. That's why. Go Menards!
More wacky comments! Yay!
Yeah, its really hard for people in the America to admit they believe in a god, tons of backlash on that one (end sarcasm)
And fear of death threats for being a creationist? I'm not saying it doesn't ever happen - just that it doesn't very often and its a pretty lame excuse. Especially considering that whenever I say I'm an atheist some "psycho" (as you put it) inevitably tells me I'm going to hell. (Exhibit A in above comment)
Also, have you read my blog? I'm a pretty normal nice person. You don't really need to worry that I'm going to come after you with a crow bar for saying you believe in god.
I'm having a hard time with this one...do atheists not believe in anything? In the sky being blue, in the earth being round? In evolution vs. creationism, in there not being a G/god? Anything?
The quote doesn't say that you have to believe in God, just that you have to believe. Belief is part of being human...everyone believes something, whether they like it or not. I'm not saying you don't have the right to be offended if it caught you the wrong way...just look at it objectively and realize that it probably wasn't aimed at you.
By the way, I hate Menards too...and I work there. :)
Li C,
Thanks for your comment!
I would say that atheism IS about not believing in anything. When "believing" means thinking something is true in the absence of evidence.
Atheists don't have to "believe" that the sky is blue or that the earth is round because there is evidence that both these scenarios are true.
Atheists don't believe in god/s because there is no evidence for it/him/her/them (real science-based evidence, not "I know it my heart" evidence). If there ever was real evidence of a god I'm sure many atheists would become religious - but even in that case, it still wouldn't be believing; because there is evidence. So essentially, atheism is about not believing.
You're right that the ad wasn't focused at me, or probably even at atheists in general. Menards, as a private company, has the right to print whatever it wants. But generally speaking, I think its a wise public relations move for companies to avoid anything that could offend a large customer base.
1. I think there is a little confusion over language, atheism contends that there is no god. Agnosticism says "if you can prove God exists, I might believe in Him". Just a minor point.
2. The statement in the Menards ad is quite wrong. It actually does matter what you believe. If you believe you can fly and step off the top of a high building, no matter how sincerely you believe you can fly, you can wind up very dead.
3. How did this turn into a theology debate? All it says is believe. It doesn't say anything about WHAT to believe.
I disagree with your definitions of atheism and agnosticism. However, the terms and their definitions are blending and often mean different things to different people so trying to pin down definitions is difficult if not impossible.
But on thing atheists and agnostics have in common is that they both require evidence to prove the existence of a god.
I call myself an atheist because there is no evidence of a god therefore I don't believe in one.
I don't say "I don't know" when asked if I think there is a god, as an agnostic might, in the same way I don't say "I don't know" if asked if I think there is an invisible pink dinosaur sitting next to me. There is no evidence to support either scenario.
My purpose in calling myself an atheist is not to contend there is no god, but to contend there is no evidence of any type of god/s. If solid evidence for a god/s appeared I feel I could contend there is a god and still call myself an atheist - its about elevating the importance of scientific evidence and spurring faith and belief.
This is a theological debate because its about belief. See my above comment about belief and believing.
I guess I see the comment on the Menards ad more in line with 1984's "war is peace" than any kind a reason why I should believe in any god. It could be restated as "don't think about what you believe". Not a great piece of advice.
I was just trying to see what might be on saleat Menards to do some decking repairs, and stumbled across this discussion. Amazing thing, this internet...
You are a boob. It makes no reference about a higher power, god, or anything. Perhaps they were talking about having belief in something - belief in yourself or belief in science. I think you're taking this too far and reading into things that just arent there.
Oh. I see - this post shows up on the on the first page of a google search for "Menards Ad."
To new arrivals, thanks for your interest in both Mendard's Ads and Atheism.
I used this blog for a couple years to explore my feelings about religion and atheism. Please feel free to peruse my posts, leave comments insulting me in silly ways, or ask genuine questions.
I don't post much to this blog any more, but I do respond to most comments.
Thanks!
Well, well. Another snippet of time arguing about santa claus. Have you been good? Oh, well then I won't toss you into my eternal FRYING PAN HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HA! OK, next! Have you been good? No? Oh dear, INTO THE PAN HAHAHA!ha! Allright, next! Have you been good? "Yes, um no, well, see it's like thi..." INTO THE PAN WITH YOU!!!! forever forever forever. But always remember, I love you.
Now, doesn't this sound a little childish?
To believe or not believe does not change the facts. The fact that Heaven and Hell exist, that Jesus Christ came to take our punishment, deliver us from sin and fit us for Heaven is mine for the asking by and through faith in Him.
Think on this. Let's say I'm wrong, and there is no heaven, no hell or no eternal punishment and we all die like dogs. If I live my life upright and righteous anyway I have escaped the scars, and sometimes horrible scars, (emotional, physical, mental, social, you name it) that sin leaves in its wake. But, if I'm right, which I know I am, I have hope for all eternity in Heaven. I am in a win/win position.
If you are wrong as an atheist, which you are, you have lost everthing, happiness (not fun)in this life and the life to come. You are living in a lose/lose game.
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