Bad taste belief? Top 20 items of religious kitsch

Bess writes: Religion is rich in Kitsch, whatever its flavour. For the truly committed, whether a believer or an atheist, no opportunity is too small to alternatively display or perhaps mock the paraphernalia of religious faith. Practically anything - toast, a lunchbox or a USB memory stick - can provide a statement of bad taste belief. Please do send in further examples you find of religious kitsch to faithcentral@timesonline.co.uk

Gamble with eternity with holy poker chips

Eat out of the Last Supper lunchbox

  Or breakfast on Holy toast

Accompanied with coffee in an adam and eve mug (be warned: the fig leaf vanishes when liquid is poured in the cup)

To assuage stronger spiritual thirst, turn to the hip-flask bible

Or sup on Chosen Beer, infused with the "juice of the sacred fig"

For workplace kitsch, try this USB Virgin Mary memory disc. The heart flashes while it is saving files - in a kitsch scriptural aside (see the Gospel of Luke)

After work, relax with a spot of Oy Vey! Sudoku

Are there limits to how kitsch you would go? These thongs of praise might qualify as the bottom line

Which the truly multi-faith can sport under Buddhist jeans

Accessorise the whole with a Don't Panic, I'm Islamic badge...

Alternatively, try the Crucifistle - the Crucifix that's also a whistle

For full impact, team it with a Bible tie

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                   

 

For toe-tapping kitsch, try Jesus Loves You sandals or boots

And should your feet blister, there are always Jesus plasters...

Stressed out? Pin your frustrations on St Sebastian

Or lighten up with this New York City menorah

Or have downtime with the Hindu Gods' 

Wash away your sins with this "rinse and repent" soap bar, advertised for "liars, cheaters and wrong-doers".

And finally, for the committed Christian infant  "Armour of God"  pjs...! 

Comments

[Steve]

This is one of the tackiest I've seen:
http://flickr.com/photos/sepultura/2282088722/

[Sandy B.]

I just heard yesterday of "What Would Jesus Do?" pepper spray.

[Andrew Milner]

So here's the deal Infidels: You want oil, convert to Islam. Such a deal, talk about win-win. But if you insist on playing hardball, your car will be about as much use as a garden shed.

[sweetalkinguy]

On the ball:

You have missed this little gem:

http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/inspirational_sport_statues.html

[Martha]

Recently, a friend of ours graduated from seminary and we gave him a Jesus Action Figure (with special gliding action). Then we found out you can get Moses too ...

[J-P]

Heh, I got a Jesus action figure from my Dungeons and DRagons buddies. They know I'm Christian, so they thought it would make a funny epic-level encounter.

[Joseph]

How about a pic of B16 setting fire to Vatican II's liturgical constitution?

[ron]

How about the Bobby Bare song,"Drop kick me Jesus through the goal poasts of life"?

[Paula]

My fabulous sister in law gave me a hang tag for my rear view window of "Jesus of the parking spaces" if I hang it in my car it will give me good spots, keep my car from getting dinged and it's an air freshner!! Love it!! :) She gave her daughter "Jesus" bandaides for Easter - all in fun!

[alan]

What about the "last supper" painting in the Tintagel Catholic church in which Father Bryan and other local believers have had themselves depicted in the postures of the disciples and Christ himslef?
This, surely, is not only self-glorification but also the self-worship of which Father Bryan so readily accuses us atheists.
I think it's bad taste, and possibly kitsch too.

[Geoffrey Smith]

If some moderators had better taste in choosing religious artefacts, they would not waste time and blog space in advertising kitsch in the first place.

[KIT]

Lighten up, Alan. Are you not aware that Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raphael, all the great Catholic artists of the Renaissance, worked from models, i.e. real live people?

Not only that, but when a family commissioned a fresco in a church, members of the family were depicted along with the Biblical figures. Usually they're seen as smaller figures kneeling on the sides of the scene but sometimes they were used as models for the Biblical figures.

I'd think that Fr. Bryan and the parishioners of Tintagel Catholic Church likely saved money on the mural by not having to pay models.

If you are truly concerned, perhaps you should visit the church and see for yourself what the parishioners are worshiping. If they are good Catholics, they will not be worshiping themselves at all.

[Rob]

My fiance got me that exact container of Jesus bandages as a joke for my birthday. The free toy that's advertised on the front is actually a Jesus pencil topper! Pretty awesome if you ask me.

[kit]

In Portree,Skye, in a chippie some years ago, I saw a dayglo extruded raised Last Supper. Mmmm.

[tim]

Steve that is the funniest s**t ive ever seen. thank you for sharing. i cant stop laughing!

[alan]

Thanks for your rebuke, Kit. Yes, I've now learned something about the great Catholic artists of the Renaissance.
Not that I think it's very relevant to my point, though.
I'd be mighty relieved if they did it solely to save the parishioners money.
-- And before anyone picks me up claiming I've missed an apostrophe, let me explain that I meant "to save them (dative) money) and not "to save their (genitive) money".

[Peter]

Reminds me of the old ad I once heard "I dont care if it rains or sneezes, As long as I've got my plastic Jesus, Hanging from the deshboard of my car"!
All stunningly stupid!!
But so is any Religion.

[Deadhead]

Alan, you did however accidentally leave a parenthesis on the end of "money" where no parenthesis should be. :)

[Skeptic]

>>>>>>You have missed this little gem:
http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/inspirational_sport_statues.html

I've seen these before. I'm worried about the kid in the red shirt who'se playing American Football with Jesus. He's TAKING JESUS DOWN! Wouldn't that mean, at least, a few years in purgatory? Come to think of it--what is he doing playing on the opposite team to Jesus, anyway? Doesn't seem too devout to me...