Submitted by Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
Restaurant chain Lunchbox Laboratory caused a bit of a stir when it presented its annual 4/20 sale offering a thirteen dollar Burger of the Gods in a “Buy one get one free” special. 4/20 is celebrated in the cannabis subculture as a national holiday of sorts and the numbers refer to California Senate Bill 420 which authorized medical marijuana in that state. Events during this day are celebrated in many areas of the United States.
For the year 2014, April 20th coincides with Easter. In a melding of the two holidays Lunchbox Laboratory sought a new way to generate business.
The restaurant e-Mailed the advertisement to 13,000 subscribers with the add featuring a burger toting, joint toking Jesus who laments: “When I Get Back, All I Want is the Burger of the Gods.”
“I wanted you to look at Jesus smoking a blunt, eating a hamburger and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to tell my friend,’” restaurant owner John Schmidt told Q13FOX.com in Seattle. “The chatter is much more than I anticipated. I’m simply trying to sell burgers.”
Schmidt argues he is a “family man” and practicing Christian who was just looking for a way to help his small business pay its bills.
“I’m not your moral compass,” he told Q13FOX.com. “We’re just trying to sell sandwiches. If you’re looking to me for moral direction, you’re probably misguided.”
The resulting free advertising was bolstered by Seattle’s KIRO Radio talk show host Dori Monson who declared “He will never go back to Lunchbox Laboratory after the pot smoking Jesus ad.” He added the following additional insight to the debate:
What this shows is not just a contempt for Christians and Christianity – and they’re free to do that, they’re a private business in a free society. They can have contempt for Christians and Christianity if they want. But to me what this shows more than anything is something that I talk about all the time, and that is this phony, hipster culture in Seattle, because there is nothing particularly edgy about attacking the center point and the center day of Christianity, there’s nothing edgy about that.
I don’t think it’s funny to show Jesus smoking a joint. I don’t think it’s cool. I don’t think it’s hip. It certainly isn’t edgy.
Some people are going to say hey you’re giving them exactly what they’re hoping for, you’re giving them free publicity. But I’ll tell you this is a place I’ve patronized in the past and I will never ever go back to Lunchbox Laboratory.
Again, free speech, I’m all for it, I’m not saying they shouldn’t be allowed to do this. If they don’t care about alienating whatever percentage of their customer base who are Christians, if they don’t care about that, go ahead and do it. But I will tell you it’s a place I’ve gone to that I will never ever go back to again.
It seems certain that Lunchbox Laboratory has lost a very important and valuable customer in Dori Monson. But, thanks to him his entire audience knows of a burger joint they might not have considered before. As for the flight of Christian customers Dori prophesized, one could wonder how many of the 13,000 fans will be deterred. Or, will they in thanks offer Bong Hits For Jesus?
By Darren Smith
Sources:
WSPA
Dori Monson
Lunchbox Laboratory
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays or art are solely their decision and responsibility.
Truth you forgot something. “Judge not lest ye be judged.” You certainly like judge.
I am sorry but there is ABSOLUTELY a war on Christianity. It is freakin asinine to deny that fact.
Every day there are young Progressives who openly speak of it with scorn, contempt. How the hell can you miss it?!? Are you kidding me?
The problem is, they only reserve that level of disdain for Christianity. Why? because of they view it as a political cause. To them it is Left vs Right. This all boils down to Democrats vs Republicans.
I am in no way saying that the Religious Right did not try to force their beliefs on people because they did. The Religious Right are often zealots.
So why is it we talk about how the Religious Right try to force their beliefs on people but some of you REFUSE to believe that the Progressive Atheist Left are not trying to force THEIR beliefs on everyone.
Not only are the Progressives trying to force their beliefs on people but imo they are doing it in a far ruder and insulting manner than the Religious Right did.
Let me tell ya something also. I dont even LIKE the Religious Right btw. In fact if anything Im an ACLU kinda guy on the issue. Separation of Church and State and all that jazz…. But the Progressives are like Nazis on a Witch hunt. They are out of control in a way I never saw the Religious Right as a whole, act. They lack all manners and any form of decency. They go out of their way to try and insult and anger Christians. Its like a cult of fanatics. Its not just a few either, it is ALOT of them.
Whats sad is, if a Democrat professes to be a Christian, they cease attacking them. If a Christian appears that they think is a Republican it is open season however. Even worse, the Christian Democrats SIT IN SILENCE. Thats right I am going there. YOU (christian democrats) sit there and choose POLITICS over your supposed God. You would rather allow a persons faith to be attacked even if it is the same as yours if they are a Republican.
I am sorry but thats the damn truth of the matter too. Btw, how do you think God is going to view that when your time comes? Thats pretty damn pathetic and shallow. To choose your political party over your God.
But hey keep your head in your ass if you want to view this in a partisan manner and not objectively. because if you DID look at it objectively and BOTH eyes open instead of only one, you would clearly see it.
Heres a couple quotes that I think explain what the crux of the problem is too
“Religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.”- James Madison
“However political parties may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” George Washington
leej, There’s a photo of Pope Pelosi looking all pious in the SF Gate. Have a spew bag handy!! This is a Holy Week tradition for clergy. Interesting she does it w/ an Episcopal priest. The Catholic bishop in SF probably wouldn’t let her do it in a Catholic Church.
leej, I have as much derision for the Far right who want to make this a theocracy, and I have said that here and elsewhere. In some respects I see the secular, let’s call it skirmish, not war, as a counterbalance. So, if you see my comments, I often do not call out secularists. They serve a useful purpose, the Ying/Yang. But, I will not abide folks saying they don’t exist either. They most definitely do and many look upon Christianity as pure evil.
Regarding the legality. You live in a bad part of the country. I could give you a good tutorial here and then you could drive to Colorado. DON’T COME BACK THE SOUTHERN ROUTE! As I’ve said previously, my heart goes out to fellow pain sufferers. Now realize, cannabis does not work on pain for all. For glaucoma it is almost 100% effective. Cannaboid receptors are virtually identical to opiod receptors. However, opiods have a much higher % of effectiveness than cannabis. So, what I would suggest is this. Somehow get your hands on some indica cannabis. There is sativa, indica, and now many hybrids. The sativa is superb for AIDS and chemo patients. Indica for pain and sleep. Try smoking or even better an edible cannabis. You’re not going to get anyone in trouble. Look for pain support groups, I guarantee you there are cannabis users and they would be happy to let you try some. If it doesn’t work[try 2-3 times] then c’est la vie. If it does, well then!! But, I’ve gone over this preciously w/ you. I understand your reticence and I abide your obeying the law. But, it’s a law that is dying a thousand deaths and I know pain is horrible. This is my last pitch. I don’t want anyone singin’ “God Damn the Pusher Man.”
I am not aware of Pelosi doing that. (I had a minister though who always talked about washing the feet of congregants and yet he was proven to be a liar and a gossiper and more.)
I agree with you. I think the statue is exactly what Jesus tried to teach the world, Christians and non Christians alike (as someone of jewish lineage but Christian faith, Jesus the wise man had lessons to teach all.)
Thanks Nick. Since it is illegal here (and I don’t know how to get it and even from a bad guy I don’t want to get someone else in trouble (or more trouble ((*_*)) ) I can’t access it.
Lots of studies showing benefit for so many conditions.
Whoopi Goldberg just posted on a site about the benefit to her for her glaucoma and concomitant headaches. (she is doing column for think its called The Cannabist) She has done all of us a service because that was covered by many major stations and shows. (and sadly too often it takes a celebrity before people pay attention.)
I don’t think, and only my opinion, those whom you call “seculars” see Christianity as the root of all evil in our culture. What they see is an effort to make Christianity the national religion (while they often rail about people, and this president, strangely only this president, not acting in what they consider a constitutional manner) despite the 1st amendment.
leej, I read about that yesterday. I think it is a great way to convey empathy for the homeless. The opposite of Nancy Pelosi washing the feet of immigrants. I could feel a little puke in my throat seeing that phony image.
leej, I have offered to you in the past a tutorial on cannabis as pain management. Blunt is the inner city slang for joint.
There has been no formal declaration of war, leej. But for many seculars they see Christianity as the root of all evil in our culture. Hell, there are commenters here who rail all the time about Christianity every chance they get. Some are former Christians. Just like former addicts, drunks and cig smokers, they can be the biggest haters of their former life.
Thght this was relevant. People complaining about this statue (incuding Christians) http://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/302019921/statue-of-a-homeless-jesus-startles-a-wealthy-community?ft=1&f=1001 Statue Of A Homeless Jesus Startles A Wealthy Community
Oh dear. I have offended the WordPress Gear Werks. Comment trapped, my apologies for the trouble.
Nick 1 Christian made the movie and he did not say he made it because he was a Christian that does not mean all Christians are responsible for the movie.
You make gigantic leaps. ” Secular progressives have declared a war on Christianity. True atheists detest all religion so I can abide it. Secular progressives just hate Christianity”
I know many secular progressives. They have not declared ‘war’ on Christianity. I know atheists. They do not detest religions, To not have a Faith in a G-d does not translate into hating religion.
(Not sure what a “blunt” is but am assuming you use it to smoke marijuana? Not sure if you mean you use med. marijuana but if so I hope it is helping)
“Most of the students from Udub are home with their folks and will not be able to participate, this leaves just the locals. ”
The “locals” are the ones who voted to legalize mj.
As a resident of WA, I continue to celebrate not only that freedom, but also the one that puts a splif in the mouth of the savior, displayed for the world to enjoy. High jesus appeals to me much more than fake lily-white blue-eyed jesus with a grudge lasting 2000 years so awful that his present-day worshipers are always on the knife edge of “being offended,” itself a freedom of choice.
And if Jesus was alive today I think he would imitate John Wayne who induced millions of children to smoke when he said in the Green Beret movie: Smoke em if ya gottem.
If there was a real Jesus and he was living in our country he would probably be a pot head. Now, I think it would be offensive to say that Jesus was a Junkie.
Obama threw him under the bus just like his grandmother and pastor.
leej, The maker of the video is a Coptic Christian.
Marijuana and the Jesus Druggies are not a good mix.
Nick, I have not read where even those who believe the movie was behind the terrorism at Benghazi have said it was Christians who made the movie. I personally have no idea what religion they were.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/anti-islam-filmmaker-blamed-for-benghazi-attacks-vows-to-finish-controversial-movie-97769/
http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/10/16/contrary-to-right-wing-media-claims-report-conf/190649, quotes NYT)
((*_*)) happy ending with a smile here too.
Anonymous. I think it would not be tolerated by Muslims if it showed Muhammed, and people who are afraid, which is the terrorists goal, of what reaction it might cause.
Rafflaw. ((*_*)) And it shows Jesus so wonderful question re Hobby Lobby.
If I threw in a blunt would you buy it? And please read my comments. I don’t have a problem w/ this ad and I abide medical cannabis, I’m a patient! But there are some folks here and elsewhere who hate Christianity, just like there are cop haters here. Deal w/ it!!
I agree leejcaroll. There is no war on Christians and those who want us to believe such nonsense can go whistle Dixie, if they aren’t already doing so.