Got Jesus?

While riding in a car back and forth between Bloomington and Lafayette, I noticed that there are a surprisingly large number of interstate billboards advertising religion. Hmm... I thought this was an odd thing to be blantantly flaunting to masses, especially through the use of such an untradtional medium. Just at the edge of Bloomington before merging of to Highway 37, I saw a billboard depicting an overly large water faucet pouring water into a wine glass. The water issuing from the faucet was orignally clear but slowly turned to a deep crimson, wine-colored hue as it fell into the glass. To the left of the image was the phrase, "got faith?". Obviously this advertisement was referencing Jesus's miracle at the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. For those who are unfamiliar with the Bible or the Christian faith in general, this image would make no sense to them. I understand that it is a goal for every religion to spread their messages as far as possible, but I think that proclaiming them on billboards may be a tad bit extreme.

I saw a much more in-your-face religious billboard when riding home over Christmas break. It was split down the middle; on one side was depicted a beautiful blue, cloud dotted sky, while on the other was a roaring fire. Across the center of the board were the words, "Heaven or Hell? You decide." This could be quite offensive to those who do not believe in either heaven or hell... Perhaps we need to be a little less blunt about our religions and tolerate everyone for what they do or do not believe. This, I think, is what God really wants.