Christian inspired clothing

[GundamFan]

[quote="Radical Dreamer (post: 1302790)"]I really, really agree with this. I think that when it boils down to it, a lot of this "Christian clothing" and "Christian mints" and all of this is really just commercialization of Christianity. That's so ridiculous to me. Christianity isn't a business]
Well to me it seems we need to be very careful that if we do buy Christian merchandise what we buy actualy reflects Christianity and where not allowing our religion to be used as a brand like Coke, Pepsi, Dodge or Ford.

[Galant]

Ashbeaux clothing became Infinite Joy clothing. The founder and designer is currently in the middle of a year long ministry training course in California (or perhaps nearer the end now I think of it), so she might have put new designs on hold. But I have one of her t-shirts which is a favourite of mine and very subtle. All black with a logo on the back right shoulder and t-shirts images near the bottom on both sides, sort of near the hips. She does some good designs. I'll see if I can find her website....doesn't seem to be around. This post isn't much help then. Keep the name in mind though. I'm sure she'll be back. And if you're ever in Tucson in the future, and need a haircut, she's the girl to go to!

[rocklobster]

Well to me it seems we need to be very careful that if we do buy Christian merchandise what we buy actualy reflects Christianity and where not allowing our religion to be used as a brand like Coke, Pepsi, Dodge or Ford.

Allow me to play devil's advocate with this excellent quote from St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the word of God at all times. Use words, if necessary."
In other words, we should use any method to bring the word of God to the masses.

[LadyRushia]

Although that doesn't mean copying whatever's popular and Christianizing it. **cough** Sunday School Musical **cough**

[GundamFan]

Allow me to play devil's advocate with this excellent quote from St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the word of God at all times. Use words, if necessary."
In other words, we should use any method to bring the word of God to the masses.

I don't know Rocklobster that's a pretty thin agruement against cross shaped mints, WWJD pepper spray and Christian themed energy bars also I would love to hear how you would use John 3:16 boxers to bring the word of God to the masses. Don't get me wrong it's good arguement against those opposing all forms of Christian clothing and bumper stickers but got to draw the line some place.

[Cognitive Gear]

Allow me to play devil's advocate with this excellent quote from St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the word of God at all times. Use words, if necessary."
In other words, we should use any method to bring the word of God to the masses.

Hmm, well that's an interesting take on what he said. I always took it to mean that we should be preaching the Word through our actions at all times, as opposed to using shallow words. "Actions speak louder than words." as it were.

I don't know if wearing a shirt that says, "Jesus" on it while getting drunk or buying drugs is sending the correct message. XD

[Shao Feng-Li]

Although that doesn't mean copying whatever's popular and Christianizing it. **cough** Sunday School Musical **cough**

This.

Plagiarism doesn't win souls.

[Nate]

Allow me to play devil's advocate with this excellent quote from St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the word of God at all times. Use words, if necessary."

I think you forgot that these kinds of shirts have words on them making your quote self-defeating?

At any rate I'll echo what GundamFan said and remind you that the quote was referring to showing the love of Christ to others, not wearing a shirt that says "JESUS" on it.

Giving money to the homeless man on the street is far more likely to get someone to ask me about my faith than a shirt with a cheesy religious joke on it.

In other words, we should use any method to bring the word of God to the masses.

So if I make a porno where the characters turn to the screen and say Bible verses, then that would be bringing the word of God to the masses, so you're saying that's good?

[Shao Feng-Li]

I think he means any method that isn't, you know, sinful. Or doofusy.

[Nate]

He didn't specify, he said any method. This is why words must be chosen carefully.

Anyway my point was that there ARE some methods that shouldn't necessarily be used to spread the Gospel. Is t-shirts one of them? Not really, but it needs to be a shirt in good taste without goofy "jokes" or the like. More than that it needs to be original, not just a copy of something else.

[mechana2015]

I think he means any method that isn't, you know, sinful. Or doofusy.

Actually, you'd be surprised how many ministry ideas that aren't outright goofy in church goers eyes, really functionally turn non-christians off to any message a christian may have to tell them.

[Jingo Jaden]

I think it depends on the design. Inntrest is something that can be drawn upon by visualisation itself. I think a black t-shirt with a white cross would be a bit too simple. It could work, but I think it would be too simple. I don't think it would co-respond too well with the secular market.



Now, it got some brown sorta grunge paint on parts of the sides where the arms are. Kinda hard to see, but it fits the image. A fake white t-shirt on the top. *It only covers that region which is shown. Cross with a faint silver light, slightly gothic design. Fits with an open sweater. Draws enough attention from the secular side to look inntresting.

Then again, clothing probably is not going to do much good in the long run. I'd rather have a brand who sent subtle messages on cool designs that could break into the market. There is even a passage in the bible that tells one not to worry about what to wear if I recall things correctly. Deeds speak tenfold to design when it comes to the christian message. And although I'd love to see a christian brand break into everything from clothing, film/series and games. It would however have to be deserved, the quality would have to match up with the secular side of the market. Now aside from some music regions, the christian market has generally failed to get too much secular inntrest and mostly so because of lack of quality. Effort I cannot comment on, but it matters little if the quality is lacking.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Well, just how you don't want to be a Nike billboard, you don't want to be a Christian billboard either...

[Wind]

well, I agree with the fact that we don't want to output people with our clothes but we also have to be careful that are clothes isn't all that's in our christianity and that we show the deeper relationship with God too