Is it just me, or is this really patently offensive?

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 12 Dec 2000 8:02 pm

This is a link to Gibson's "Jesus Guitar." At first, I thought it was a spoof done by The Onion or some kind of other lampoon company. Nope -- it's real. As a Christian (albeit, admittedly, not as good a one as I could be), I find this offensive and trivializing. Just one more commercialization of something that's become nothing but more commercial with every season, IMHO.

TJW

Jesus Anniversary Guitar by Gibson

Robert · Post by **Robert** » 12 Dec 2000 8:55 pm

Mr. Kunkel's guitar might strike some as trivializing, or even blasphemous - like setting up market in the temple perhaps. But do you think that any guy would spend that much time and labor on something that meant nothing to him? Sublime or ridiculous? To each his own. Me, I think Jesus Christ bumper stickers are as good an example of mean-nothing, wear-it-on-your-shirtsleeve, knee-jerk crap as you're likely to find.

Rob

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 12 Dec 2000 9:50 pm

God, I'd love to hear Him on steel!

I'll bet He can wail!

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 13 Dec 2000 5:31 am

But do you think that any guy would spend that much time and labor on something that meant nothing to him? Sublime or ridiculous? To each his own.

Robert, I can certainly agree with that sentiment. I don't question Mr. Kunkel's sincerity. Perhaps my reaction to his work is that it struck me too much as a "velvet Elvis" painting, and THAT immediately connotes LAMPOON in my brain. For me, it's the execution and general concept. That said, however, you are correct: to each his own.

TJ

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Dec 2000 9:43 am

I find it to be a Very BEAUTIFULL Guitar !
Many Hours of Love + Fine Work + Materials !
Don't bother me none to see Jesus on a Guitar
whole lot better than others i've seen....
Who do you think is going to get and play it?
Thanx 4 the link,Todd.
Steel Believin'....

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 13 Dec 2000 10:29 am

That is a beautiful guitar. I think it represents him greatly. It is very attractive and full of hard work! You, Todd are what we like to call a hippacrit (spelling?) I don't hear you complaining of all the other things Jesus is on. Lamps, Painting, The Bible............

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Abraham - MSA D-10 Pedal steel, standel amp, George L 10-string bar, 2 finger picks and 1 thumb pick.
My Website!

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 13 Dec 2000 11:18 am

wear-it-on-your-shirtsleeve, knee-jerk crap as you're likely to find...

Shoot, you don't have to go to the Gibson site to find that...

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 13 Dec 2000 12:03 pm

At least you're getting and "Top of Line" quality musical instrument for your money. He could have asked for "donations" for what he deemed a worthy cause. Look at all the money that is being spent or made in the gospel music business these days. I see nothing wrong with a "Gospel" guitar.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 13 Dec 2000 12:56 pm

Has a little more panache than a cross inlay on a purple Zum...

or a chromium fish logo on the back of a minivan

some folks express their love for their deities by artistic endeavours- much of "western" art as well as Asian art and architecture has been devoted to various gods.

I think what trivializes the endeavour is not that the guy spent countless hours of skilled craftmanship on it, in tribute to his Lord and Saviour, but that it is going to be ON DISPLAY AT OPRY MILLS!!!

Tommy Minniear · Post by **Tommy Minniear** » 13 Dec 2000 1:00 pm

Like it or not, it is a fine example of craftsmanship! Kind of a "Porter Wagoner Go To Sunday Meetin' Guitar."

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Tommy Minniear

Jeremy Steele · Post by **Jeremy Steele** » 13 Dec 2000 1:47 pm

I guess if you play rock 'n roll on it you go straight to Hell....

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 13 Dec 2000 2:47 pm

I guess If the guitar offends you, then you better stay away from the sisteen chapel. I don't see a difference between the two! They are both showing they are right with God, in my eyes! By the way, doesn't the Bible say THOUGH SHALT NOT JUDGE? Especially when they are doing something that everyone could enjoy. To find a religious guitar offensive, is like thinking that the Bible is trash!

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Abraham - MSA D-10 Pedal steel, standel amp, George L 10-string bar, 2 finger picks and 1 thumb pick.
My Website!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Dec 2000 3:13 pm

I think that anything that's tastefully done to put these images into view is good...and the guitar is certainly a work of art! Along the same lines, some people were outraged to see American flags on people's clothing during the Viet Nam war. I thought it was inspiring to see all of them (except when they were embroidered on the seat of someone's jeans). I find a lot of people's outward "expressions" (for lack of a better word) range from curious to ridiculous. But, as long as they don't demand my approval, and just settle for "acceptance", it's OK with me.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 13 Dec 2000 3:17 pm

To me, it's a 'graven image'. Some people don't view it like that, though. I try to be tolerent of other people's religious beliefs. If it brings them closer to God, good for them. It wouldn't do it for me, though.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 13 Dec 2000 8:45 pm

I guess If the guitar offends you, then you better stay away from the sisteen chapel. I don't see a difference between the two! They are both showing they are right with God, in my eyes! By the way, doesn't the Bible say THOUGH SHALT NOT JUDGE? Especially when they are doing something that everyone could enjoy. To find a religious guitar offensive, is like thinking that the Bible is trash!

First of all, to compare the artwork of this guitar to the work of Michaelangelo would be laughable, if not for the seriousness of the subject. Secondly, you are right: the Bible DOES say that we are NOT to judge -- ANOTHER'S SOUL. Judging someone's arework isn't included. What we CANNOT pass judgement on is another's sincerity or another's soul, and I DO NOT -- REPEAT -- DO NOT -- judge the sincerity of the artist. It's the ART and the VEHICLE I find offensive and trivializing. If it were a personally built guitar (THAT IS -- NOT GIBSON), I would not have commented. Because it IS GIBSON, though, I remain suspicious. If someone else does not, however, I DON'T judge them. TO EACH, HIS OWN. Personally, I find it cartoon-ish, but if you do not, that is YOUR business, and I respect that.

I truly apologize (sincerely) if I've offended anyone's sensibilities on this. To me, this just reeks of too much of the commercialism that is wrong with our culture. If it wasn't meant to be, I respect that, but my personal relationship with God is just that -- PERSONAL. I just can't separate the velvet Elvis paintings from my brain when I see this instrument. Sorry!

TJW

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 14 Dec 2000 12:59 am

Looks like a good time for some yummy:
http://www.testamints.com/home/

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 14 Dec 2000 2:32 am

I didn't knew that Jeff Koons is into guitar building..

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martin abend my homepage martinabend@yahoo.com
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 - fender hotrod deluxe

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 14 Dec 2000 6:02 am

...Bob Hoffnar, I'm ROTFLMAO..I thought you were joking, but that's for real!!...

..Coming soon, St. Patrick's Irish Snake Oil..

Max Laine · Post by **Max Laine** » 14 Dec 2000 7:08 am

CrowBear, normally the guitar bears the pickers name inlaid on the fretboard... but this time I doubt it...

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 14 Dec 2000 8:35 am

some background
http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2000/nov27a.html

to each his own, it takes all sorts, live and let live, ... whatever
Nick

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 14 Dec 2000 6:31 pm

What do you have agianst Gibson you said, If it were not Gibson, I wouldn't have commented. That sounds like judging to me. And if you want your relationship with God to be so personal then why are you all over the forum with it! I'm religous too, by the way. I don't mean to sound rude, but in the words of a famous English proverb, "He that goes barefoot must not plant thorns."

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Abraham - MSA D-10 Pedal steel, standel amp, George L 10-string bar, 2 finger picks and 1 thumb pick.
My Website!

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 14 Dec 2000 9:50 pm

What do you have agianst Gibson you said, If it were not Gibson, I wouldn't have commented. That sounds like judging to me. And if you want your relationship with God to be so personal then why are you all over the forum with it! I'm religous too, by the way. I don't mean to sound rude, but in the words of a famous English proverb, "He that goes barefoot must not plant thorns."

Because Gibson is going to PROFIT on other people's religiosity. If they were giving all the profits to charity, then I might feel differently. How do I know they're not? Because they haven't said they were. Companies this big will ALWAYS say they're donating profits to charity when they are. If they HAVE said that somewhere, and I didn't see it, I apologize. However, if they ARE profiting through this, it's not right, IMO. If this is the case, then IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE MONEY CHANGERS IN THE TEMPLE!!! You don't agree???

TJW

erik · Post by **erik** » 15 Dec 2000 1:15 am

I offer no opinion on the guitar, but i did not read anywhere on that web page that it was for sale.