[lockmat]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 1:46pm, said:

Yes, we are aware of all the adult billboards along 45 but this "grandiose" structure wont stop it them.

Funny how people get bent out of shape over something that represents good but don't even blink at the adult billboards our kids and ourselves have to look at. This is the world we live in.

[Vertigo58]

lockmat, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 2:20pm, said:

Funny how people get bent out of shape over something that represents good but don't even blink at the adult billboards our kids and ourselves have to look at. This is the world we live in.

In all seriousness, it would be awesome if the huge cross fell over and crushed a couple of these nasty billboards. Divine intervention? Would make great headlines, etc.

and your right too Lock.

and someone was correct above somewhere that the $ should be spent on much more sensible structures to help the less fortunate.

[lockmat]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 2:36pm, said:

and someone was correct above somewhere that the $ should be spent on much more sensible structures to help the less fortunate.

I agree. A giant cross won't make anyone repent. Unfortunately, the church leadership is on the wrong mission.

[houstonmacbro]

lockmat, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 2:40pm, said:

I agree. A giant cross won't make anyone repent. Unfortunately, the church leadership is on the wrong mission.

I cant say the leadership is wrong or right. I've never been to their church.

But in all honesty, it's prolly a pissin' match between him and Olsteen. To see who's (you fill in the blanks here) is bigger.

But Olsteen already won that battle. He's the big bagd dog on the block (with the world's largest church, a huge local congregation, and a big a** church home) and none of these upstarts are gonna topple he or Victoria anytime soon.

This post has been edited by houstonmacbro: Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 3:05 PM

[lockmat]

houstonmacbro, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 2:59pm, said:

I cant say the leadership is wrong or right. I've never been to their church.

But in all honesty, it's prolly a pissin' match between him and Olsteen. To see who's (you fill in the blanks here) is bigger.

But Olsteen already won that battle. He's the big bagd dog on the block (with the world's largest church, a huge local congregation, and a big a** church home) and none of these upstarts are gonna topple he or Victoria anytime soon.

They've both got their priorities in the wrong place. Whoever called them a "church" was right. Or maybe that's too harsh. They are "pastors" or "leaders"

[westguy]

lockmat, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 3:23pm, said:

They've both got their priorities in the wrong place. Whoever called them a "church" was right. Or maybe that's too harsh. They are "pastors" or "leaders"

Both of them are d****ebags.

[RedScare]

lockmat, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 2:20pm, said:

Funny how people get bent out of shape over something that represents good but don't even blink at the adult billboards our kids and ourselves have to look at. This is the world we live in.

Who agreed that a 150 foot cross represents good?

[bachanon]

it's symbolism over substance. truly sad use of resources. why couldn't they raise money to build a halfway house or drug treatment facility? too practical and complex. it is far easier to shout "hallelujah" or build something that says "look at how spiritual we are" and pray for change.

sad.

[lockmat]

bachanon, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 8:57pm, said:

it's symbolism over substance. truly sad use of resources. why couldn't they raise money to build a halfway house or drug treatment facility? too practical and complex. it is far easier to shout "hallelujah" or build something that says "look at how spiritual we are" and pray for change.

sad.

pretty much right on

RedScare, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 6:08pm, said:

Who agreed that a 150 foot cross represents good?

not one that's 150ft tall, just a cross itself

[RedScare]

lockmat, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 9:25pm, said:

not one that's 150ft tall, just a cross itself

Who agreed that a cross represents good?

[TheNiche]

bachanon, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 8:57pm, said:

it's symbolism over substance. truly sad use of resources. why couldn't they raise money to build a halfway house or drug treatment facility? too practical and complex. it is far easier to shout "hallelujah" or build something that says "look at how spiritual we are" and pray for change.

sad.

Was it you, bachanon, that deleted my response to westguy? Or a different moderator? The answer to your question was contained therein.


An accountant friend of mine has done some work auditing big churches. And that came as a harsh truth.

[houstonmacbro]

RedScare, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 6:08pm, said:

Who agreed that a 150 foot cross represents good?

Or even God. As I understand crucifying people was pretty common back in those days and I don't remember any parables or stories of Jesus wearing a cross for all the thousands of other people that were crucified before him, or God telling people to wear a cross.

That is a TOTALLY man-made phenomenon.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[CDeb]

RedScare, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 11:13pm, said:

Who agreed that a cross represents good?

A couple billion people, for starters.

[lockmat]

RedScare, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 11:13pm, said:

Who agreed that a cross represents good?

Well, when you consider that it symbolisis the sacrafice for all man which gives them the opportunity to be reconciled to their creator and to be with him for eternity in heaven instead of eternity in hell where a person never dies and there is unbearable pain and gnashing of teeth, I'd say it represents good. Even if a person doesn't believe in that, if they understand the context, they should know how Christians view it and understand it represents good.

But you're probably referring to the Crusades and all the other horrible people claiming to be Christians did and do.

[RedScare]

lockmat, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 7:45am, said:

Well, when you consider that it symbolisis the sacrafice for all man which gives them the opportunity to be reconciled to their creator and to be with him for eternity in heaven instead of eternity in hell where a person never dies and there is unbearable pain and gnashing of teeth, I'd say it represents good. Even if a person doesn't believe in that, if they understand the context, they should know how Christians view it and understand it represents good.

But you're probably referring to the Crusades and all the other horrible people claiming to be Christians did and do.

That's a new one to me. Back in the day, when I used to go to church, that is not what a cross meant to me and the people around me. But, if it means all that to everyone else, then I say 150 feet isn't nearly big enough. Screw the FAA, make it 500 feet! Then the Martians will be able to find us better.

[lockmat]

RedScare, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 7:53am, said:

That's a new one to me. Back in the day, when I used to go to church, that is not what a cross meant to me and the people around me. But, if it means all that to everyone else, then I say 150 feet isn't nearly big enough. Screw the FAA, make it 500 feet! Then the Martians will be able to find us better.

lol.

What did it mean back then?

[memebag]

lockmat, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 7:45am, said:

Well, when you consider that it symbolisis the sacrafice for all man which gives them the opportunity to be reconciled to their creator and to be with him for eternity in heaven instead of eternity in hell where a person never dies and there is unbearable pain and gnashing of teeth, I'd say it represents good. Even if a person doesn't believe in that, if they understand the context, they should know how Christians view it and understand it represents good.

I don't. I think it represents whatever some Christians want it to represent at the moment, and that's usually not good for me.

[TheNiche]

memebag, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 9:35am, said:

I don't. I think it represents whatever some Christians want it to represent at the moment, and that's usually not good for me.

I thought you liked outdoor advertising, meme?

[memebag]

TheNiche, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 9:58am, said:

I thought you liked outdoor advertising, meme?

I love billboards. Lockmat was talking about what non-believers thought about crosses.

[lockmat]

memebag, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 9:35am, said:

I don't. I think it represents whatever some Christians want it to represent at the moment, and that's usually not good for me.

That is the correct view, but I see what you're saying.

[JLWM8609]

As a Christian, I think the money spent on these crosses could be better spent on community outreach programs. Is a giant cross going to feed the homeless, drive the elderly to their doctor's appointments, or host gospel skate night? Yes, there is such as thing gospel skate night in some communities. keeps kids from doing other things. And no, they're not skating off of tunes by the famous Blind Boys of Alabama (that sure would be interesting to see, lol).

[Subdude]

musicman, on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 8:08am, said:

article from today's chron

I had thought these were just going to be plain ol' crosses, but this is much better than that. For great roadside attractions it really helps to ladle on the kitsch.

[TheNiche]

Subdude, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 3:13am, said:

I had thought these were just going to be plain ol' crosses, but this is much better than that. For great roadside attractions it really helps to ladle on the kitsch.

Does anybody see a conflict in placing a Christian symbol atop a base that uses extensive Islamic architectural style (pillars, arches, stairs)?

[KatieDidIt]

TheNiche, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 4:11am, said:

Does anybody see a conflict in placing a Christian symbol atop a base that uses extensive Islamic architectural style (pillars, arches, stairs)?

I noticed that the othe day.
I guess that's so Islam takes over the world, they can just whack down the cross part.

[RedScare]

TheNiche, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 10:11am, said:

Does anybody see a conflict in placing a Christian symbol atop a base that uses extensive Islamic architectural style (pillars, arches, stairs)?

Have you seen his new church next to the Woodlands? The only things missing are the minarets.

Woodlands campus

[BryanS]

TheNiche, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 10:11am, said:

Does anybody see a conflict in placing a Christian symbol atop a base that uses extensive Islamic architectural style (pillars, arches, stairs)?

Now you've really done it. They're gonna have to redesign the whole thing now... Or maybe that is what they were going for: Christianity over Islam? ... Hmmm...

[houstonmacbro]

BryanS, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 12:11pm, said:

Now you've really done it. They're gonna have to redesign the whole thing now... Or maybe that is what they were going for: Christianity over Islam? ... Hmmm...

So kinda like a new crusade?

[livincinco]

TheNiche, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 10:11am, said:

Does anybody see a conflict in placing a Christian symbol atop a base that uses extensive Islamic architectural style (pillars, arches, stairs)?

Not really, the whole thing doesn't make any sense anyway, so why worry about little things like that?

[Vertigo58]

Subdude, on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 @ 3:13am, said:

I had thought these were just going to be plain ol' crosses, but this is much better than that. For great roadside attractions it really helps to ladle on the kitsch.

Gives new meaning to the old phrase "Over the Top". Truly in bad taste, sure thouands will agree. Not here (Haif) as most love to contradict (for attention) of course, but elsewhere. See Chron and news forums comment/replies.

May as well place a giant cherry on top?

[CDeb]

Vertigo58, on Monday, July 14th, 2008 @ 10:12am, said:

Not here (Haif) as most love to contradict (for attention) of course,

No we don't!

[Texas Wahoo]

That is also quite possibly the most poorly drawn map I've ever seen.

[robhan]

i have no problem with one nice cross or maybe a statue of Christ like many of the great cities of the world have. My peoblem is that many of the mega churchs have coffee houses and popcorn and theatre seating. As mentioned by an earler post there is a lack of social programs at many of these hugh churchs. Having saqid that I know several people who attend the mega churchs who do good works on theit own. Houston as mo9re help for the homeless, near homless, unemployed and underempoyed then many other cities.. As a Catholic I can point out to Magnificat House, Isiah House, Catholic Charities, Matha's Kitchen, Fishes and Loaves, and several fod banks. The Episcapalians have brakfast at Palmer Memoria, and Lord Of the Streets offer help.

[Vertigo58]

robhan, on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 10:03am, said:

i have no problem with one nice cross or maybe a statue of Christ like many of the great cities of the world have. My peoblem is that many of the mega churchs have coffee houses and popcorn and theatre seating. As mentioned by an earler post there is a lack of social programs at many of these hugh churchs. Having saqid that I know several people who attend the mega churchs who do good works on theit own. Houston as mo9re help for the homeless, near homless, unemployed and underempoyed then many other cities.. As a Catholic I can point out to Magnificat House, Isiah House, Catholic Charities, Matha's Kitchen, Fishes and Loaves, and several fod banks. The Episcapalians have brakfast at Palmer Memoria, and Lord Of the Streets offer help.

I hear ya. I tested the Charismatic Center at Cullen once and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. When the rock band on stage started up, that's when I said "time to get out of here". Maybe we should have waited till they started passing the joint around? Do you feel like I do? (Peter Fampton jamming in the background).

[crunchtastic]

Vertigo58, on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 10:37am, said:

I hear ya. I tested the Charismatic Center at Cullen once and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. When the rock band on stage started up, that's when I said "time to get out of here". Maybe we should have waited till they started passing the joint around? Do you feel like I do? (Peter Fampton jamming in the background).

You're aware that the Charismatics are not regular Catholics, right? They're Catholic pentecostals.
After the band is done, they start speaking in toungues and healing people.

[memebag]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 10:48am, said:

You're aware that the Charismatics are not regular Catholics, right? They're Catholic pentecostals.
After the band is done, they start speaking in toungues and healing people.

Say what you will about them, they really appreciate good timpani. I played timpani at a pentecostal church one time. Early in the set I realized crescendo rolls sent them into ecstatic fits, so I really played those up. I've never felt so appreciated as a timpanist.

[crunchtastic]

memebag, on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 11:18am, said:

Say what you will about them, they really appreciate good timpani. I

Whew! At first I thought you meant timpano, and I was making a mental note to practice my shrieking and go the Charismatic Center this weekend to chow down on some giant, delicious, super-stuffed Italian pie.

[Vertigo58]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 12:10pm, said:

Whew! At first I thought you meant timpano, and I was making a mental note to practice my shrieking and go the Charismatic Center this weekend to chow down on some giant, delicious, super-stuffed Italian pie.

Now that reminds me of Primal Therapy! Anyone remember that?

I think it was like screaming as loud as you can in group therapy to release the years of mental anguish/trauma? National Lampoon did a great parody on it once.

http://en.wikipedia..../Primal_therapy

[robhan]

Charismatics are real Catholics. Pope John Paul The Great and Pope benedict have both stated this. Most Charismatic Catholics I know are more prone to not be cafeteria Catholics.

[bachanon]

TheNiche, on Friday, July 11th, 2008 @ 12:11am, said:

Was it you, bachanon, that deleted my response to westguy? Or a different moderator? The answer to your question was contained therein.


An accountant friend of mine has done some work auditing big churches. And that came as a harsh truth.

nope, not me.

[infinite_jim]

The other day I mentioned Houston needed a monument to mediocrity, & to my ear to ear smile I got 2 of'm!


FWIW this is just as absurd as people saying "the USA is a christian nation", I'm sure the Muslims, Hindu's, & other denominations will get a good laugh as well.


CAN I GET AN AMEN !!!
love it love it

[sevfiv]

Well, looks like Sagemont beat em to it - 170 ft cross (originally to be 190 ft) is at the corner of 45 and 8.

In the article, Booth was quoted as well:

"With all these billboards and adult entertainment places out here, we at Grace Community decided a cross would be perfect for Houstonians," Pastor Garrett Booth said.



http://www.click2hou...3/detail.html#-

[Pumapayam]

So we will have two crosses now. The 150 ft. one and the existing 170 ft. one within eye's reach?

[kylejack]

Well there's something I'd like to know. Could you tell me, would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?

[crunchtastic]

Wow, so there are things getting built in Houston!

I think we can solve the Houston Pavillions problem. Offer a sweet deal to one of the mega churches, and await the flood of people on the weekends. That'll motivate the retail and restaurants!

[kylejack]

crunchtastic, on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 @ 2:03pm, said:

I think we can solve the Houston Pavillions problem. Offer a sweet deal to one of the mega churches, and await the flood of people on the weekends. That'll motivate the retail and restaurants!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[crunchtastic]

That was meant to be tongue in cheek, but in all seriousness, there are probably tens of thousands more people who will go to a mega church than go to high-concept club and drink $18 martinis. And then after church, they'll want to eat. And even poor Lidz can get in the game by doing customized mega-church lidz! A win-win!

[kylejack]

Lids, I have an idea!

[musicman]

this was on beltway 8, just west of the gulf freeway (across from kroger).

This post has been edited by musicman: Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:07 PM

[kylejack]

Could we please dismantle this visual blight with the billboard ordinances?

[20thStDad]

I don't mind the visual blight. Monuments to things are interesting. What bothers me is that this church decided that it was better to spend tons of money on this rather than feeding or clothing some poor people. Let's me know what that group is really all about.