A couple in West Chester, OH, is under fire for a Halloween yard display neighbors think goes too far.
I don’t know why a barbequed baby would defy the sensibilities of a pro-abort.
Here’s the news story:
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Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Dr. Theresa Burke thinks we use gallows humor like this to deal with the horror of abortion:
The impact on society in general must also be taken into consideration. We have been bombarded with images of violence in the media, especially in the last four decades. All of the experts agree that we become desensitized to violence by exposure to it; it is the basic argument against violence in films and video games. Photos of dead babies might provoke a desire to become actively pro-life in some; in others, these images become part of the general scene of violence and their significance is lost. I remember the popularity of “Dead Baby” jokes from the late seventies and early eighties all too well. They were symptomatic of gallows humor, and most likely an attempt to deny the horror before our eyes. Our society has not become less violent, but more so. Are we changing hearts and minds or are we desensitizing a nation already exposed to too much imaginary but realistic blood and gore by the entertainment industry, and the very real blood and gore that accompanies acts of war and terrorism?
The Halloween display is similar to many I have seen, but I don’t like the baby over the barbecue pit. That is the only offensive thing I see.
“I don’t know why a barbequed baby would defy the sensibilities of a pro-abort”
No, I don’t either.
hi jasper!
OK, I’ll bite. In a world filled with ongoing actual killing as well as films depicting graphic violence and blood, the cartoon gruesomeness of a plastic baby doll being “barbecued” on a grill with plastic fake flame is tepid, if not downright humorous. Even (and perhaps especially) kids realize that this isn’t a real baby we are talking about…just a piece of plastic.
On a slightly different note, with all the lame mass-produced-in-China Halloween decorations that we buy in big box stores, I commend this couple for displaying a bit of creativity and originality.
You do know its not a real baby, right?
JKeller,
If that was an effigy of a rabbi being roasted over a barbeque, would you say “You know that’s not really a Jew, don’t you?”
You do know its not a real baby, right?
It’s not a real baby, but it’s meant to represent one. The thought of barbecuing a baby doesn’t disturb you guys?
Oh wait- the actual dismemberment of real babies is a “choice” you celebrate.
Which leads me to want to post a picture of a real abortion and say to you guys, “You do know its a real baby, right?”
Why would a barbecued baby defy the senses of a PCer? Because none of us are going around killing already born babies (with the exception of a few crazies–though they may not necessarily be PC–who should be locked up for the safety of everyone). We support the option of termination of a pregnancy (and many of us–though not all–support it only up to the stage of viability), certainly not infanticide, homicide, etc.
We don’t hate babies. I LOVE babies! I can’t wait to have a whole bunch of them, myself! And I certainly will not be barbecuing any of them.
Though I do have to agree with Ray in that most people’s Halloween decorations are sooooo cheesy. Christmas too.
Ooh! Random anecdote! A few years ago, where I live (Royal Oak, MI), this one couple had a really creative, really realistic decoration around Christmas of a man falling off the roof, but caught in some Christmas lights. It was sooooo cool. I saw a picture in the newspaper and I thought it was a real guy at first. But the police made them take it down because people kept calling 911 to report an accident.
We support the option of termination of a pregnancy (and many of us–though not all–support it only up to the stage of viability), certainly not infanticide, homicide, etc.
Besides the location where the killing was done, there is really no difference between abortion and infanticide/homicide.
Jacqueline: I know you feel that way and I recognize your beliefs as being valid. However, your beliefs and mine, especially concerning this particular topic, are very different. It is very likely that we will never see eye to eye on this, as it is a very sensitive topic and people are usually (note: usually) very grounded in their beliefs.
But one thing we both see when we look at that baby over a barbecue is just that: a baby over a barbecue. I think it’s kind of gross. I think you do too.
It looks like a shiny one-legged baby somehow inching along a tightrope above a big pizza.
It looks like a shiny one-legged baby somehow inching along a tightrope above a big pizza.
Posted by: Doug at October 30, 2007 10:01 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another common sight at Chuck E. Cheese…
:: laughing ::
Laura, no doubt, and there’s worse yet there…
Jill: A couple in West Chester, OH, is under fire for a Halloween yard display neighbors think goes too far. I don’t know why a barbequed baby would defy the sensibilities of a pro-abort.
Since I’ve never met a proabort, I wouldn’t know either, but I’m surprised pro-lifers would be offended since so many of them enjoy waving giant gory fetus pictures in people’s faces.
I wonder how many people who are offended by the BBQing plastic baby are also are among those who flocked to see Passion of the Christ? (You couldn’t pay me enough to watch that disturbingly bloody movie or any other gory horror flick, for that matter, but to each his own.) A movie that graphically and gratuitously depicts an innocent man’s flesh being whipped to a bloody pulp.
People can be such hypocrites.
http://tinyurl.com/23jl6m
A quote: (I cleaned this one up a bit.) This is from a MySpace page, a “support group” for present and former Chuck E. Cheese employees.
Chucky has the most screwed up people come in…… mad parents, fist fights, everone steals… they crap literally crap everywhere but the bathrooms. managers swear an kick crap at us( well, at Joey and me). the tech friggin’ hates and I cant understand cause he’s Russian. I also find liquor in there; they leave it under the table. We even found knifes and brass knuckles in there.
http://tinyurl.com/2xk5fv
for parents it’s right up there with getting a root canal sans anesthesia.
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2006/08/27/why-i-cannot-stand-chuckie-cheese/
We’re blessed to now live over an hour’s drive from any of the closest Chuck E. Cheeses.
http://consumerist.com/consumer/videos/the-chuck-e-cheese-walkabout-instructional-video-301593.php
BEWARE, JACQUELINE:
In high school I dated a guy who had to wear that stupid costume. Did he ever have some horror stories. First and worst amongst them was his admonition to never ever enter the giant ball pit (a pool filled up with multi-colored plastic balls) no matter how fun it looked. You know how little kids feel free to pee in a swimming pool? Aparently the same ewwwwwww factor applies to a ball pit. He said the worst job wasn’t wearing the hot, sweaty permastink costume, it was having to dive into the ball pit to retrieve some kid for a waiting parent or have to look for lost possessions buried in pee balls.
waving giant gory fetus pictures in people’s faces.
We do so to STOP to gore, not support or make light of the gore. I doubt this couple put that baby doll on that barbecue pit to make a statement in opposition of baby killing. We don’t enjoy the gore- we OPPOSE it. You, however, support the gore. Who’s the hipocrite?
A movie that graphically and gratuitously depicts an innocent man’s flesh being whipped to a bloody pulp.
That is done to understand the suffering Christ endure for our salvation. None of us enjoyed see our Lord and Savior beaten. I left during the flagelation and covered my eyes during much of the movie, but what I saw reminded me of what innocent Jesus did for my transgressions.
It’s false to claim we enjoy gore. We oppose dismembering babies. We lament that Christ was beaten for our sins.
BEWARE, JACQUELINE:
D-oug!
What are you doin!?!?!? Why are you trying to kill my buzz?
I’m turned off now, thank-you-very-much.
D@mmit, Doug!!!!
A movie that graphically and gratuitously depicts an innocent man’s flesh being whipped to a bloody pulp.
That is done to understand the suffering Christ endure for our salvation. None of us enjoyed see our Lord and Savior beaten. I left during the flagelation and covered my eyes during much of the movie, but what I saw reminded me of what innocent Jesus did for my transgressions.
It’s false to claim we enjoy gore. We oppose dismembering babies. We lament that Christ was beaten for our sins.
Posted by: Jacque at October 30, 2007 3:30 PM
Of course, when gratuitous blood and gore are depicted in a Christian themed move: that’s different.
I’m turned off now, thank-you-very-much.
Well, you’re not married yet, right?
waving giant gory fetus pictures in people’s faces.
We do so to STOP to gore, not support or make light of the gore. I doubt this couple put that baby doll on that barbecue pit to make a statement in opposition of baby killing. We don’t enjoy the gore- we OPPOSE it. You, however, support the gore. Who’s the hipocrite?
Posted by: Jacque at October 30, 2007 3:30 PM
Yes, it’s been long established on JIll’s blog that YOUR side is morally superior. @@
I seriously doubt that hapless couple put up that display to promote baby BBQing.
Who’s the hypocrite? Anyone who thinks it’s A-OK to wave offensive, bloody fetus pictures in people’s faces while claiming offense at a BBQing plastic baby Halloween display.
We will stop waving our pictures of bloody babies when you stop waving your plastic coathangers.
We will stop waving our pictures of bloody babies when you stop waving your plastic coathangers.
Posted by: heather at October 30, 2007 3:57 PM
non sequitur
Why wasn’t that a logical reply?
Why wasn’t that a logical reply?
Posted by: heather at October 30, 2007 4:35 PM
It wasn’t a logical reply because I didn’t comment on who should and shouldn’t be allowed to display offensive signs.
Of course, when gratuitous blood and gore are depicted in a Christian themed move: that’s different.
Yes, the INTENT matters. Showing pictures of the Holocaust to alert the world to to horror and incite change is a good thing. Showing pictures because you’re an antisemite and like to see dead Jews is another.
Showing pictures of Christ’s suffering to save souls is a good thing. Showing pictures of Christ’s suffering to mock Him is a bad thing.
Yes, it’s been long established on JIll’s blog that YOUR side is morally superior.
I’m glad you recognize this. Yes, the fight to protect the weak, vulnerable and innocent is morally superior to dismembering them to enable a consequence-free sex life. That is obvious to everyone.
I seriously doubt that hapless couple put up that display to promote baby BBQing.
I agree. Like I doubt pro-lifer put up displays of aborted babies because they enjoy seeing them, as you stated.
Who’s the hypocrite? Anyone who thinks it’s A-OK to wave offensive, bloody fetus pictures in people’s faces while claiming offense at a BBQing plastic baby Halloween display.
You are. I believe we have established that. We oppose killing babies and barbecuing them. You support killing babies (although perhaps not barbecuing them). Our position is consistent and driven by good intentions. The purpose of the display was driven by bad intentions (see good thing/bad thing paragraph above).
Well, you’re not married yet, right?
Touche, my Doug. Touche! :)
P.S. Thanks for lookin’ out for my virtue!
No pre-marital ballpit romps for me!
Jacqueline: You support killing babies
You’re lying about me. I don’t support killing babies.
Esther: Who’s the hypocrite? Anyone who thinks it’s A-OK to wave offensive, bloody fetus pictures in people’s faces while claiming offense at a BBQing plastic baby Halloween display.
Jacqueline: You are. I believe we have established that.
No, you haven’t.
Jacque is correct about the intent. Why do pro lifers wave pics of aborted babies? Because we want America to see abortion and reject it.
Esther, you must be pro life then.
Jacque is correct about the intent. Why do pro lifers wave pics of aborted babies? Because we want America to see abortion and reject it.
Posted by: heather at October 30, 2007 5:23 PM
Your intentions are irrelevent to people who are offended by them.
I’m sure the intentions of the couple with the BBQing baby display don’t matter to people who think it should be taken down.
Esther, and they probably wont. So be it.
You’re lying about me. I don’t support killing babies.
Posted by: Esther at October 30, 2007 5:16 PM
Then you must be pro life!
Esther, you must be pro life then.
Posted by: heather at October 30, 2007 5:25 PM
Yes, I’m very pro-life. I don’t support killing babies, and I also think abortion should remain safe and legal.
Esther, that means pro choice you are.
Heather, nice you sound.
Yoda, me is nice.
Esther,
A movie that graphically and gratuitously depicts an innocent man’s flesh being whipped to a bloody pulp.
His Body – His Choice.
You sound like the hypocrite…
Esther,
Since I’ve never met a proabort
Esther – SoMG.
SoMG – Esther.
Now you’ve met a pro abort.
Esther,
I realize that you have only come here recently, but you seem to think that you are dealing with amateurs.
We’ve already heard all the rants about hypocrisy, all the ravings about not being “pro-abortion”, all the diatribes about “fetuses are not babies”, all the orations on our superiority…
Honestly, try a little harder to come up with a new angle.
By the way,
You conveniently stirred up a hornets nest last week and then left without reading anyones responses (yes, I know. it was coincidence because you were busy having a life…also an old ploy) so I will repost them for you here…
MK, LOL! Also, I agree. Where do pro choicers draw the line? I drink socially. It isn’t something I feel the need to apologize for. It’s my body and my choice, but even if I were to get “plastered” every night, it’s still my body and my choice, right? Hypocrites.
Esther,
YOU’RE claiming banning abortion is the BEST solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancies and abortion. Nope, YOU are the one with the superiority complex.
I’m not claiming any such thing. I’m certainly not claiming that banning abortion is the “solution” to anything, except saving the lives of millions of children.
The only solution to unwanted pregnancies I have ever promoted, is to stop having sex until you are willing to accept responsibility for the results.
So now who is claiming to know what someone else thinks?
Posted by: mk at October 28, 2007 6:21 AM
Esther,
YOu can’t save them both by banning elective abortion because you can’t right every WRONG situation. Pro-lifers would be better served and would serve women BETTER by helping women at risk of unintended pregnancy and abortion financially, emotionally, medically, etc., rather than FORCING them to seek illegal, unsafe abortions. Women will abort regardless of the legal status of abortion.
Honey, I don’t own a gun. And I am certainly not violent. So I fail to see how I could/would possibly “Force” anyone to have an illegal abortion. Just like I didn’t “force” them to get pregnant.
Are women such complete idiots that you don’t believe they make any choices for themselves. Do you honestly think that they only do things because they are “forced”.
They chose to have sex. They choose to have abortions. If abortion is illegal, they will choose to have illegal abortions.
Rape is illegal. Am I “forcing” men to rape women illegally?
Heroin is illegal. Am I “forcing” people to use heroin illegally?
You are too funny.
Posted by: mk at October 28, 2007 6:25 AM
Esther,
I get so tired of the moral superiorty displayed by Christian pro-lifers too.
Perhaps that is your conscience speaking. You remember your conscience, don’t you?
Do you feel morally superior when you say that child abuse is wrong? Do you feel qualified to tell grown adults that they shouldn’t beat their children?
The nerve! How dare you act so superiorly smug! Why can’t they beat their children? Because YOU say so? Where is your compassion? All you care about is the kids that are getting beaten! You don’t care at all about the parents who have anger issues. And now they have to beat their kids in the basement because YOU have made child abuse illegal! You have FORCED them to do “basement beatings!”
Do you feel morally superior when you say that people can’t drive drunk? How dare you force them to drive drunk illegally. You are so arrogant. What makes you think you know better than they do how they should drive? All you care about is the people that they might kill. You don’t care at all about the drunks feelings. They didn’t choose to get drunk. They only chose to drink. And when they found themselves innebriated, without their consent, they still had to get home! Sure they could have called a cab, but it was their choice.
If they wanted to call a cab fine. I’m not against that. But if they wanted to drive themselves home, then that was their choice. It’s not like I’m pro child abuse or pro drunk driving. I’m just Pro choice.
sheesh! Get off your morally superior high horse and leave child abusers and drunk drivers alone!
Posted by: mk at October 28, 2007 6:37 AM
Esther,
This way I figure one of two good things will happen. Either you’ll answer the posts or you’ll run away…
MK, LOL! Sometimes repetition is the best medicine! I enjoyed reading that a second time around. What does Esther do when she “corners” herself?….The same thing that Somg does. They both disappear from the blog. Typical.
MK, she chose to run….
No pre-marital ballpit romps for me!
Hehehe….
Until temptation enters in the form of a Chuck E Cheese mascot, my sweet. ;-)
MK, she chose to run….
Heather, I’m picturing a women’s prison guard, telling the warden why she set the dogs after an escaped prisoner.
Picture what you wish.
Until temptation enters in the form of a Chuck E Cheese mascot, my sweet. ;-)
Mascot costumes don’t do anything for me. Unless the mascot is a Tartan. I love kilts.
Your intentions are irrelevent to people who are offended by them.
Awww, Esther. You see, I don’t give a rats @ss if pictures of dead aborted babies offend those that supported the killing of those babies. My goal is not to be offensive, but to save babies- and if someone’s feelings get hurt because they can’t stand the sight of what they support- so the hell what? I find it hard to muster up sympathy for people that support killing the tiny and defenseless.
Those pictures don’t offend me. They deeply sadden me. But since I had nothing to do with the murders of those children (and actively try to stop it), then I am not confronted with my own evil they way you are.
If it bothers you to see those pictures, ask yourself why.
I love kilts.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOSH!!! Woman, besides this detail of our stance on abortion, we are one and the same! When I was in France with my ex, he went through a week-long process of buying a kilt. It was soooo much fun. The saleswoman never asked him how he liked it–she would always ask me. I would always grin and say “C’est tr
MK: The only solution to unwanted pregnancies I have ever promoted, is to stop having sex until you are willing to accept responsibility for the results.
Then you’re not promoting a viable solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy. Geeze. Talk about unoriginal angles! People ARE going to have sex when they aren’t ready for procreation. They always have, and they always will.
EE: Your intentions are irrelevent to people who are offended by them.
Jacqueline: Awww, Esther. You see, I don’t give a rats @ss if pictures of dead aborted babies offend those that supported the killing of those babies.
Good for you. Your not giving a rat’s behind about the sensibilities of other people doesn’t change the fact those pictures are gross and offensive to a lot of people. You sound just like the couple displaying the BBQ baby. They also don’t care who is offended.
If it bothers you to see those pictures, ask yourself why.
Posted by: Jacqueline at October 31, 2007 9:13 AM
The pictures don’t bother me beyond the fact that I think it’s rude and weird to wave those gross signs in people’s faces. Besides, young children exposed to graphic pictures of blood and guts over and over eventually become immune to seeing it. So, ironically, you’re not doing your side any favors in the long run.
MK: Honey, I don’t own a gun. And I am certainly not violent. So I fail to see how I could/would possibly “Force” anyone to have an illegal abortion. Just like I didn’t “force” them to get pregnant.
Esther: Sweetheart, if abortion is illegal, women who want to terminate their pregnancies will be forced to have ILLEGAL abortions.
MK: Are women such complete idiots that you don’t believe they make any choices for themselves.
Esther: That’s what you think. You think women are deluded into thinking they need abortions.
MK: Do you honestly think that they only do things because they are “forced”.
Esther: If a pregnant woman wants an abortion, she will be forced to have one illegally if the procedure is ever banned. She certainly won’t have the option of obtaining it legally.
Esther: Sweetheart, if abortion is illegal, women who want to terminate their pregnancies will be forced to have ILLEGAL abortions.
Actually, women who want to terminate their pregnancies will CHOOSE to have an ILLEGAL abortion.
Rape is illegal. Are we forcing men to rape illegally?
Do we force men to diddle young boys illegally?
Do we force men to ride motorcycles without helmets, illegally?
Do we force people to drive the speed limit?
NO! We make it very unpleasant to get caught doing these things. We certainly take away their legal options.
But whether or not they do these things ALWAYS comes down to (as Doug would say) whether or not they DESIRE the illegal thing more than the legal thing.
And then they make a CHOICE. No force. Choice.
Esther: That’s what you think. You think women are deluded into thinking they need abortions.
No Esther, deluded and forced are two different words.
I believe that the women are feeling desperate and what appears to be a viable option is placed before them. I believe that they are lied to, and buy into the lies, because they need to.
But I do not believe they are forced.
And I don’t think they are deluded into thinking that they need abortions. I think they are deluded into thinking that abortions will solve their problems. Deluded into believing that their unborn child is not a person. Deluded into believing that they are for “choice” when they don’t express what that “choice” is. Believe they are deluded into thinking that there will be no repercussions for choosing an abortion. And deluded into believing that having sex is not consent to the possibility of pregnancy.
I believe you are deluded into believing these things.
Esther,
People ARE going to have sex when they aren’t ready for procreation. They always have, and they always will.
And men ARE going to rape women.
And men ARE going to diddle young boys.
And people ARE going to rob convenience stores.
And people ARE going to murder each other.
They always have and they always will.
That’s why we have laws. Because, even tho it is obvious to us that murder, rape, pedophilia and theft are wrong, there are enough people out there that think otherwise that we must make laws to deter them.
Geez! Talk about unoriginal angles!
Esther,
Then you’re not promoting a viable solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy.
No, you’re right, I’m not. I’m talking about a viable “prevention” of an unwanted pregnancy.
Adoption is a viable “solution” to an unwanted pregnancy.
Adoption is a viable “solution” to an unwanted pregnancy.
Posted by: mk at November 1, 2007 7:49 AM
It isn’t for most.
That’s why we have laws. Because, even tho it is obvious to us that murder, rape, pedophilia and theft are wrong, there are enough people out there that think otherwise that we must make laws to deter them.
Geez! Talk about unoriginal angles!
Posted by: mk at November 1, 2007 7:47 AM
None of the crimes you listed are in any way similar to the issues involved in whether or not abortion should remain legal.