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Asian-themed VBS material draws protests of Lifeway
- Thread starter go2church
- Start date
Every year the VBS material is geographically themed. Every year the kids visit a different country for VBS. We've been to England, Egypt, Outer Space(now what did I forget). I see this is no different then any of the other VBS's from the past. Every thing they complained about in the srticle are things in the Japan. They really have rickshaws in Japan????!!!!!! Oh my, never would have thought of it.
Some peoople just want to be able to complain about something, they watch for something they can complain about, always ready to make a fuss over something. All this constant christians putting other christians down is just getting old, and it isn't christian. It's of satan, not God. I just get sick of it. What do you think the world thinks about christianity when they constantly see christians bashing each other? Is this a good witness? I think not.
Some peoople just want to be able to complain about something, they watch for something they can complain about, always ready to make a fuss over something. All this constant christians putting other christians down is just getting old, and it isn't christian. It's of satan, not God. I just get sick of it. What do you think the world thinks about christianity when they constantly see christians bashing each other? Is this a good witness? I think not.
D
dianetavegia
Guest
Oh I am so sick of political correctness! Good Grief! I've got the catalog right beside this desk and the material is so cute! I think the kids will LOVE it!
Diane
who is already signed up for VBS 2004.
Diane
who is already signed up for VBS 2004.
Blackbird is holdin' out 'till the day the SBC's VBS'ers will theme Louisiana Cajuns---from the swamps of Pierre Part and Lake Varrett---to the Gulf of Mexico and Golden Meadow---Cajun theme---with Bass boats, air boats, tug boats and all the leaky gas tanks that go along for the ride on those vessels!!! Sha---PeTevia!
Debby in Philly
Active Member
I'm a VBS director, and I have to admit that my first reaction to seeing Lifeway's theme ad in a magazine was negative, for the very reason expressed. But that's my reaction from an urban church that has Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese kids in the area. (Not to mention Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Hispanic, Jamacian, African, and African-American.)
Maybe that's why I've already decided to use Gospel Light's Olympic theme. International flavor without "cute" stereotypes.
Maybe that's why I've already decided to use Gospel Light's Olympic theme. International flavor without "cute" stereotypes.
I have not seen the new material, so I am not sure what I would think. However, last year's theme dealt with England, with a lot of stereotypes about Sherlock Holmes, Big Ben, and double-decker busses.
Not representative of a lot of England. But fun and no one seemed to complain.
Karen
Debby in Philly
Active Member
Karen, that's why I don't stick with the same publisher every year. You can't beat GL for Bible content, but last year the fruit orchards with the pigs thing would have been a real dud with my group. So we did the MS Lutheran 
theme based on the American southwest Navajo sheepherders. Kids enjoyed the Native American/Tex-Mex idea. And Psalm 23 is good to have in your heart in the big bad city.
Like you said about the English theme, ethnic or geographical themes can be done well, or done insultingly. I think the rickshaw thing with the takeout containers is just plain cheesy.
theme based on the American southwest Navajo sheepherders. Kids enjoyed the Native American/Tex-Mex idea. And Psalm 23 is good to have in your heart in the big bad city.Like you said about the English theme, ethnic or geographical themes can be done well, or done insultingly. I think the rickshaw thing with the takeout containers is just plain cheesy.
When I first saw the VBS ads I can remember turning to my wife and telling her "Someone isn't going to like this!"
Remember Sherlock Holmes is a fictional "person" and there should be some sensitivity in this case. The part of the article that bothers me the most is the way Lifeway has basically ignored those with concerns. I feel they are saying "Hey, we just figured out people are going to buy it anyway...so why bother! That is how it seems anyhow.
I tell you the SBC must have huge feet, cause they sure do shot themselves in the foot alot!
Remember Sherlock Holmes is a fictional "person" and there should be some sensitivity in this case. The part of the article that bothers me the most is the way Lifeway has basically ignored those with concerns. I feel they are saying "Hey, we just figured out people are going to buy it anyway...so why bother! That is how it seems anyhow.
I tell you the SBC must have huge feet, cause they sure do shot themselves in the foot alot!
From the article:
Overall, however, I don't get it either. As Karen noted, the British theme last year was VERY stereotypical in what was presented yet there was no protest. I was under the impression that the Japanese were very proud of their history and heritage. Was I misinformed? Rickshaw races, kimonos, and chopsticks are as much a part of Japanese culture as Model A's, T-shirts, and eating with a fork in the right hand are a part of mine. I don't think I would take offense if someone "stereotyped" me using these cultural norms and icons.
...and don't even get me started on the low quality animation and high marketing strategy of Pokemon!
I can see this as offensive as what Japanese person wants to be confused with a Chinaman?
Overall, however, I don't get it either. As Karen noted, the British theme last year was VERY stereotypical in what was presented yet there was no protest. I was under the impression that the Japanese were very proud of their history and heritage. Was I misinformed? Rickshaw races, kimonos, and chopsticks are as much a part of Japanese culture as Model A's, T-shirts, and eating with a fork in the right hand are a part of mine. I don't think I would take offense if someone "stereotyped" me using these cultural norms and icons.
Isn't this far less disturbing than the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the WWII Japanese POW camps, and the later economic takeover of the electronics and automotive markets that the children will discover in their social studies in high school? Why is no one protesting the History Channel?
...and don't even get me started on the low quality animation and high marketing strategy of Pokemon!
Talk about "hyper-sensitive" to the politically correct. Think we should all grow up.
Want to do a theme on the Wild West?
How 'bout Calamity Jane? She wore men's clothes, shot guns, swore, drank whiskey and smoked. She was just born 100 years too early or she'd be a senator from New York now . . .
Want to do a theme on the Wild West?
How 'bout Calamity Jane? She wore men's clothes, shot guns, swore, drank whiskey and smoked. She was just born 100 years too early or she'd be a senator from New York now . . .
j_barner2000
Member
Hey Dr. Bob... that was not nice. stereotyping our polititians like that.
USN2Pulpit
New Member
I'm about tired of people and their political correctness. People need to grow up and quit being such babies. My SBC church will be using the Rickshaw Rally VBS material this summer.
Reactions to the story, typical of this board. Stop being so sensitive...What's the big deal, I don't get why everyone is so upset. Hey, where is my KJV bible, you know the perservered word of God for the English speaking world.
That Lifeway refuses to even evaulate the sensitivity issue speaks loud and clear...It would cost to much money to change now, the stuff is already printed, so quit being so sensitive.
What is next years kit going to include a black-face kit with watermelon and fried chicken? How about a Navajo blanket with a whisky bottle? Charlie Chan where are you?
That Lifeway refuses to even evaulate the sensitivity issue speaks loud and clear...It would cost to much money to change now, the stuff is already printed, so quit being so sensitive.
What is next years kit going to include a black-face kit with watermelon and fried chicken? How about a Navajo blanket with a whisky bottle? Charlie Chan where are you?
Debby in Philly
Active Member
There's being "PC" for the sake of it, which usually is of the liberal political bent, and then there's simply trying not to be insulting.
I'll make a stereotypical comment and say that it's my guess that most of the folks using that VBS material will be white folks of European ancestry without much contact with other types of folks except for blacks. That's why they won't find any fault with it.
I can make a positive statement by saying that if there are no Asian folks around to be offended when the program is run, and white and maybe black kids who go get led to the Lord, then they've done OK.
It just wouldn't be appropriate in our neighborhood.
I'll make a stereotypical comment and say that it's my guess that most of the folks using that VBS material will be white folks of European ancestry without much contact with other types of folks except for blacks. That's why they won't find any fault with it.
I can make a positive statement by saying that if there are no Asian folks around to be offended when the program is run, and white and maybe black kids who go get led to the Lord, then they've done OK.
It just wouldn't be appropriate in our neighborhood.