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all 36 comments

[–]mastigia 16 points17 points ago

Ya know, reading that, I could not help but feel that these are probably the most decent and reasonable people you are gonna find in the fundie camp. I don't hate em.

[–]Dees-Sauce[S] 5 points6 points ago

Yeah, whenever I spoke to the guy's wife in person she was very nice. I didn't want to start an argument via email so I just moved on. The next place we tried printed our shirts no questions asked.

[–]mastigia 2 points3 points ago

Good deal, if every religious person was like that it wouldn't suck.

[–]HowObvious 0 points1 point ago

Im pretty sure someone cannot say no to your business like that, its discrimination. Pastafarianism is a legal religion.

[–]mastigia 0 points1 point ago

Actually I believe, at least here in the US, shop owners reserve the right to refuse business to anyone.

[–]davemuscato 0 points1 point ago

It's my understanding that the Federal Civil Rights Act from the '60s made this illegal:

http://www.legalzoom.com/us-law/equal-rights/right-refuse-service

You can refuse service if you are a private club (a country club for example) and there are a few other exceptions.

If it's SPECIFICALLY and EXPLICITLY because of your religion, I do believe from what I'm reading here that this was illegal.

[–]thefunnywalk 2 points3 points ago

You're correct it was a pretty fair responce. To any devoutly religious person that logo is "morally reprehensible" because it is directly mocking one of their defining beliefs. Personally I think that the whole flying spagetti monster while originally an amusing parallel, has become a bit pathetic especailly when it is used as some sort of identifying symbol. While I apreciate that many on r/atheism are living in very christian areas and that identifying themselves as athiests has been somewhat dificult, joining a group or club who's sole defining charecteristic the the rejection of the norm for that area comes across as a petty act of rebellion. I'd be interested in what people do it any orginization like that because to me it all comes off as a bit cringe-worthy.

[–]mastigia 1 point2 points ago

I dunno, I see what you are saying. But, the thing I like about FSM is it goes along with what I think is the most important thing of all...thou shalt not take oneself too seriously.

[–]thefunnywalk -1 points0 points ago

isn't all getting together and forming a club with tshirts taking yourself too seriously though?

[–]mastigia 0 points1 point ago

I really don't think so. It isn't much different than printing up bowling shirts so people know what team you are, at least that is how it seems to me.

[–]thefunnywalk 0 points1 point ago

With a team in a compitition I can under stand it, even if you or spectators don't need to be able to tell each other apart quickly like in bowling uniforms/jerseys adhear to tradition and create a sense of unity. Neither of which aply to clubs.

[–]mastigia 0 points1 point ago

So clubs don't or can't adhere to tradition and create unity? You lost me there bro. Humans are social. They find people who think alike, form groups and hang signs that say this is us, this is what we do, this is what we are about. Most normalist thing in the world.

[–]thefunnywalk 0 points1 point ago

yea i suppose your right. I don't know, the whole thing makes me cringe still, about as much as all the christian or jewish clubs do.

[–]Noddy93 7 points8 points ago

i applaud this man and how he does business. your view is as morally reprehensible to him as his is to you... he was polite, sincere, and respectfully, with explanation, denied your business, as is his right.

[–]superfes 4 points5 points ago

Well it is morally reprehensible to pretend that there's a flying spaghetti monster at all, seriously, you're going to confuse people.

;-)

[–]Omniduro 0 points1 point ago

Is that... is that sarcasm I taste?

[–]superfes 0 points1 point ago

Why... I would never!

[–]Omniduro 1 point2 points ago

I think just this once... you might!

[–]army_of_paper 3 points4 points ago

The guy was very reasonable. I mean I don't agree with his beliefs, but he is totally right. As a business he has the right to refuse business to anyone for any reason. the fsm WAS created as a tool for making fun of christianity. I love the fsm and i think it is funny, but he has a point. It's not like he said, "we hate atheists don't talk to us." He was completely reasonable with his points. He didn't try to convert anyone. He just didn't want to support a mocking of his beliefs. Why is that wrong? He explained himself perfectly and though I disagree with all of his religious convictions, I agree with his decision.

[–]nhhow 1 point2 points ago

Calling it morally reprehensible was ridiculous, but the rest of the message was rather reasonable. I'd say send an email back saying that you didn't mean to mock religion and thank him for being courteous.

I want a shirt.

[–]Reaperdude97 2 points3 points ago

Well, i think there is a law against refusing service to people based on things like that, but he seemed decent and kind in his letter back to you. although, i DO say this.. I WANT THAT SHIRT.

[–]Dees-Sauce[S] 0 points1 point ago

Haha, thanks! One of our members designed it. He graduated this past May with a degree in Graphic Design, we're very proud of him!

[–]Bearence 2 points3 points ago

The guy was so nice I actually feel a little bit bad that his religious position has forced him to give up business that he probably desperately needs (I would imagine that a lot of his potential business would fall outside of his allowable subject matter).

[–]n1ght5talker 2 points3 points ago

What? you want us to print "Black Power" on a shirt? Well I find that horribly offensive so I wont allow you to use my business's services. Its one thing to disagree with white supremacy but promote the empowerment of African Americans is just unacceptable.

This business should be fined.

[–]davemuscato 0 points1 point ago

[–]jessiema 3 points4 points ago

I just came here to say...

I want shirt.

[–]PJBottoms 6 points7 points ago

Polite bullshit is still bullshit.

[–]brego58 1 point2 points ago

Yes, that shirt is morally reprehensible. There should never be an image printed of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (PBUH). Your retribution will come.

[–]N_8_ 1 point2 points ago

PBUH... rAmen

[–]egadsbrain 0 points1 point ago

i couldn't make out what the design was so thought they were against it because it depicted tenticle sex. I guess if i squint my eyes it looks like the flying spaghetti monster.

[–]checksumfail 1 point2 points ago

But he's right... It is mocking his religion, something he holds dear (for better or worse) he has every right to refuse to do business with you.

Seriously this gives us such a poor image, FSM and whining over completely reasonable things like this is why we're hated, please stop.

[–]ikonoclasm 0 points1 point ago

It's morally reprehensible if your morals are fucked.

[–]tgdrake10 -2 points-1 points ago

Well, I am pleased that they were kind about the whole thing...

Unfortunately, it's still unacceptable. Think of this with the tables flipped. Say you were an atheist with the same T-shirt printing business. If you were to refuse any religious t-shirt printings, you would most likely be in legal and community-fundie trouble. Since the manager was nice, I would do as you did... but if the response had been rude, it would have been quite advisable to pursue legal assistance... just keep that in mind should your group run into any more trouble in the future.

[–]DeadmanJoe 3 points4 points ago

It would be a little different. In this case he isn't printing the shirts because he feels the FSM movement is mocking Christianity and organised religion (which, it is). Religion itself doesn't mock atheism so it wouldn't be the same if the tables were flipped.

[–]elbruce -1 points0 points ago

Technically you could have made trouble for them, since religion (including atheism) is a protected class under Title VII of the Civil Rights act. Them refusing service to you is legally the same as a lunch counter refusing service to black people.

But hey, nice shirts you got made there.

Although Dawkins' "Out Campaign" promotes the scarlet letter A design, I don't believe it holds any restrictive trademark on it.

[–]MagicDr -1 points0 points ago

Email please