1. 1.There are two major differences in the articles. One looks at the clothing from a business point of view, while the other looks at the religious view. To me some Christian accessories or t-shirts are fine with people just trying to show their faith and make people aware of what they believe. The shirts with “Jesus Is My Homeboy” I think is completely different with people trying to be more fashionable then raise awareness of Christian beliefs. The lines in the first article which states how people are making and selling these shirts to not miss out on sales worries me. I believe that merchandise made in Christ image should firstly glorify Christ, which this doesn’t, and secondly the money made from this should go to glorifying Christ. As a Christian I am all for people making it aware what they believe and trying to raise opportunities to share the gospel but I don’t think this glorifies God. But if it is Christians who are wearing these shirts, and it is raising questions about Christ and making people more aware of what Jesus has done then these shirts are working for a good purpose. I just don’t think this is a great way of doing it, and it is not showing Jesus’ image with the glory that he deserves.
2. 2. Paul Mitchell states that “What I was doing…was what Christians have tried to do for centuries-make some kind of outward sign of their inner conversion, to show the world that yes, I’m different.” The fact that he states this and how he used to wear Christian shirts with Christian messages on, and then goes on to state that Christianity is not a brand seems a little hypocritical. I do agree that there is definitely a difference between what was being addressed on his shirts and the ones being made now. But we live in a different time and if it these shirts that brings awareness to Christ then it is doing the same thing. I personally don’t believe shirts are going to have a great impact on people, it think it is more down to how people live their lives, and that will always have a much greater outward impact then any slogan on a shirt.
3. 3. I think that loosing the image makes a huge difference to the rhetoric. I think it would actually become more “Christian” in people’s eyes and less cool. I think it is the images that gets the general public thinking these are cool and funny, but I don’t think they would feel the same way just walking around with “Jesus is my homeboy” in writing. It becomes more of a statement of belief without the image. It would be interesting to see how the shirts sold if the image was taken away!
4. 4. I interpret the shirts as a symbol of fashion not as faith. They are trying to be hip and funny, they are not trying to glorify God or bring awareness to what Jesus has done for us. I think the image shows this most; they are trying to be funny and cool not promote the characteristics of Christ. Also the first article sums it up for me, talking about these shirts with more of a business view rather than an evangelical approach. I don’t mind a person wearing shirts or anything that shows the character of God or Christ, for example shirts with Bible verses. But I also think more needs to be done to break down the barrier of Christians seeming to be boring and un-cool, so maybe this is the way. I would personally like to see more Christians live their lives to highlight their beliefs, I think that can be done without being boring, and it brings a lot more glory to God.
