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Bible Verse in a Non-Religious Magazine: Okay or No?
I posted a rant a while back on my blog (Woman's Day Magazine Irks Me). For the record, I'm not some crazy devil-worshiper who gets offended easily and tries to censor every little thing. I just don't feel that it's appropriate for a non-religious magazine that intends to appeal to all women to have a bible verse as a feature in every issue. An inspirational quote? Sure! An article where a woman talks about her faith? No problem! But an actual bible verse that says to praise God? Errr...it seems a bit out of place amidst the recipes and life tips.
You want to know how to tick off a lot of women really fast? Mention your beef with Woman's Day Magazine on the Woman's Day Message board! Here is a sample of the feedback I received:
"There is so much absolute filth out there. It's even in cartoons and shows, intended for kids." (True, but that really doesn't justify keeping the bible verse.)
"Perhaps Ms. Lambaround would consider attending a church/religious service of her choosing to see what the verses are referring to." (I can't even find words for this one.)
"When I saw the quote that you selected, it turned my stomach. Maybe that's because, as a counselor, I've seen the terrible things that people do to themselves and to the people they love through that type of thinking."
As for that last response, the women on the message board challenged me that there are no inspirational quotes that can apply to people without factoring in religion (never mind all those other inspirational quotes I see in the newspaper and other magazines!) I did a quick Google search for inspirational quotes and cut/paste the 1st few I saw. The first was "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." Goodness, whatever was I thinking, selecting such a disgusting quote, which is sure to lead everyone who reads it down a path of self destruction!
Anyway, the reason I began this post was to say that I have received my April issue and the bible verse is gone! Maybe it had something to do with the new Woman's Day editor, Elizabeth Mayhew, reading my original post (and commenting! How awesome is she?) and maybe (most likely) not.
This ended up being much more of a big deal to people than I'd expected. Am I right to think that the bible verse is out of place in this particular magazine or should the bible verse stay? What's your opinion?
For the rest of this post, please visit my blog at LambAround. Who knew 20sb had a word limit for its posts?
Tags: atheist, catholic, christian, jewish, magazine, muslim, religion, religious
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shayna on -
Totally agree with you --- I'm Jewish, so I may be more attuned than others to the increasing pervasiveness of Chrstian quotes/mentions/etc. in formerly secular arenas, but I don't like it - it makes me feel excluded and uncomfortable.
I always want to say, no, your Bible quote does not apply to me.
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Permalink Reply by Tiffani D. on -
I actually find your response surprising.
As I said in my post, I think there are lots of verses in the Bible that are inspirational that can be taking out of the religious context. You've never found any quote that might be beautiful and poetic?
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Permalink Reply by Lamb Around on -
I would be fine if they used one of those verses every once in a while. However, the verse that led to me writing to the magazine wasn't beautiful or poetic. It was just saying to praise the Lord.
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Permalink Reply by Lamb Around on
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Doesn't it drive you crazy that a common response to you saying "your Bible quote does not apply to me" is that you must be trying to censor/be closed-minded/be trying to push your values on others?
On the Woman's Day message board, it felt like I was talking to a brick wall!
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Permalink Reply by cooper on -
I'm agnostic and it wouldn't bother me, I just wouldn't read it - it's a private publication. Though they might be a publication that is trying to appeal to every, and you are right the religious stuff is a turnoff to many people, it is their right to do whatever I'd never bother to argue about it, but as you read and like the magazine it's significant that you posted your opinion...and as you said it may have worked out for you.
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