Getting TONS of Negative Backlash for this tshirt? I DON'T KNOW WHY!

[OpenYourBibles]

I posted this new design up to my website. We sell tshirts with christian messages. We get the usual anti-christian comments and responses, but this shirts seems to have struck a nerve; and I can't figure out why!

 

[abysmul]

Seriously? Take it out of any Biblical context just put the words on a shirt, but the shirt on a man.... for that matter, put a cartoon girl on a stripper pole behind the text. Can you not see how someone may find that question offensive to women?

 

[PropheticTimes]

I'm a woman and I don't find it offensive.

 

[RC1970]

I posted this new design up to my website (www.truechristiants.com). We sell tshirts with christian messages. We get the usual anti-christian comments and responses, but this shirts seems to have struck a nerve; and I can't figure out why!

See the actual page here: Virtuous Woman - Christian Tshirt - True Christian T's

It's saying that the vast majority of women are not virtuous.

 

[OpenYourBibles]

Seriously? Take it out of any Biblical context just put the words on a shirt, but the shirt on a man.... for that matter, put a cartoon girl on a stripper pole behind the text. Can you not see how someone may find that question offensive to women?

But IT IS IN Biblical context - literally - the context is written right there! It is quoted word for word! I could understand someone being offended by a different shirt, with the same words and a stripper pole graphic. I cannot understand anyone being offended by THIS shirt?

 

[High Fidelity]

It's saying that the vast majority of women are not virtuous.

Is that wrong, though?

The Bible speaks broadly of Christians as the many and the few. If the same principle is true then it makes sense, whether people like to hear it or not.

 

[abysmul]

Again take it out of context. If you do it is easy to assume that it is saying that it is difficult to find virtuous women, therefore most women are not.

 

[OpenYourBibles]

It's saying that the vast majority of women are not virtuous.

I feel like it says the opposite??? The woman wearing it is making a statement!

We make designs that are meant to spark conversation, I would hope that it would spark the question, "what do you mean by that?" or "What does Proverbs 31:10 say?"

 

[RC1970]

Is that wrong, though?

The Bible speaks broadly of Christians as the many and the few. If the same principle is true then it makes sense, whether people like to hear it or not.

It's not wrong, but in a narcissistic society, such as ours, it will be met with contempt.

 

[OpenYourBibles]

I'm a woman and I don't find it offensive.

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

 

[OpenYourBibles]

If you don't mind...

Workshop with me a little bit here...

What do you change to bring across the message - That a virtuous woman is worth far more than rubies! But still try to create a conversation?

It's saying that the vast majority of women are not virtuous.

Again take it out of context. If you do it is easy to assume that it is saying that it is difficult to find virtuous women, therefore most women are not.

It's not wrong, but in a narcissistic society, such as ours, it will be met with contempt.

 

[OpenYourBibles]

Is that wrong, though?

The Bible speaks broadly of Christians as the many and the few. If the same principle is true then it makes sense, whether people like to hear it or not.

I agree many of the things described in Proverbs 31 have become "old fashion" for a certain portion of the population, but I believe there are many who still try to embody this model. How can this shirt be a tribute to them rather than a punch in the gut to those who choose not to?

www.TrueChristianTs.com is all about making bold statements of faith with our designs. But I believe there is a difference between bold and offensive or at least intentionally offensive. Is there a way of bringing this message across in a bold manner that doesn't offend?

 

[Albion]

But IT IS IN Biblical context - literally - the context is written right there! It is quoted word for word! I could understand someone being offended by a different shirt, with the same words and a stripper pole graphic. I cannot understand anyone being offended by THIS shirt?

The answer to that particular part of the issue is easy--there isn't enough of a graphic for the viewer to think anything other than what the words alone seem to be saying.

And for that matter, the Bible citation (Prov 31:10) isn't big enough to alert the casual viewer who sees the message to the fact that it's supposed to be about the Bible. For a lot of people, "Prov" rings no bell at all and even "Proverbs" might not.

 

[RC1970]

Is there a way of bringing this message across in a bold manner that doesn't offend?

Not in a society that has forgotten how to blush.

"Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them, says the LORD." ~ Jeremiah 6:15

 

[section9+1]

I think the shirt is fine, but see the previous post.

 

[-V-]

What do you change to bring across the message - That a virtuous woman is worth far more than rubies! But still try to create a conversation?

First, I don't think the shirt is offensive.

For those who claim, "oh, it's saying most women are not virtuous!" Yeah, the Bible is clear that most people are not virtuous. So, if that shirt offends you, the Bible must offend you, too. There's no reason any Christian should be offended. Non-christians, sure, but that's not the target consumer of Bible t-shirts anyway.

Now, OpenYourBibles, if the message you want to convey is, "a virtuous woman is worth far more than rubies," then THAT is the part of the passage you should have put on the shirt. You can easily have quoted it as, "A virtuous wife is worth far more than rubies," and it would still be a valid quote. If you read the New Testament quotes of the Old Testament, they often slightly changed the exact words/phrasing in order to get their point across.

 

[JackRT]

We all know, or should know, that the Proverbs quote on the T-shirt is asking a rhetorical question. However someone not as familiar with the bible could take the quote "who can find a virtuous woman?" as meaning that there are none. Therein lies the negative feedback I believe.

 

[Albion]

Exactly. It's not enough to say that the message is OK or true or whatever. The maker of the Tshirt wants to know why other people are taking offense upon seeing it, not whether they ought to.

 

[abysmul]

Perhaps the better question for the creator of the shirt is this: What message are you trying to convey? Then find scripture that more clearly says that to those that see the shirt/quote out of context.

 

[RaymondG]

Make your next christian shirt say: "Are there any good men out there? How can find one?" This message is just as christian as the one you posted....maybe it will be received better.