"It makes me smile because this is typical of what the world wants to do, make money on everything," said Debbie Stone, a manager at Spencer Gifts. "Why not make money on Jesus?"<\/p>\n
Visit a Spencer Gifts or on-line novelty store and you’re sure to find Jesus on just about any trinket you can think of.<\/p>\n
"Action figures, bobble heads, you name it we’ve got it," Stone said.<\/p>\n
There’s "Hope on a rope" a Jesus-shaped bath soap, a perfect to cleanse the body and soul.<\/p>\n
"Actually, these have sold better than the devils," Stone said. "So, that’s a good thing."<\/p>\n
Or, how about a dashboard Jesus? Enlightenment on a spring. You can buy "Jesus freak" flying discs, cocktail coasters Or a "God is groovy" t-shirt for the family pet.<\/p>\n
And celebrities such as Ben Affleck and Jessica Simpson have been spotted sporting a "Jesus is my homeboy" t-shirt.<\/p>\n
But the most controversial spiritual merchandise may be a Jesus g-string available on the internet for $15.<\/p>\n
"In my opinion, it is definitely poor taste," said Brian Jones, Henderson Hills student pastor. "Yeah, it blasphemes because that’s not what Christ stands for. Christ on the panties or on the shower curtain. That takes Christ and cheapens who he is."<\/p>\n
Manufacturers say it’s impossible to create an object without offending someone. And this may just be the beginning: a movie that grossed more than $600 million elicits "passion" in many to capitalize on the image of Christ. [Source<\/a>]<\/p>\n One odd item I saw a couple of weeks ago coming out of Mass was a Confederate Battle Flag rosary. This was in a P.T. Cruiser decorated with the Marlboro Man motif and this rather odd rosary was hanging from the mirror. The flags on it to mark in between the decades were about one inch in size. Now I for one do not automatically equate the use of the Confederate flag with racism and that in some instances it is seen by the user to represent Southern pride. Regardless I think it is in pretty poor taste for a rosary and I think that even a American flag used the same way would be inappropriate.<\/p>\n