— Musings —11.04.2010 07:49 PM
Um, WTF?
Spotted on a door at one of the nicer Italian restaurants I’ve been to in Toronto.
Generally, I’m not fussy about what other people say about my religion. But I have to say, I found this image offensive enough to raise with you. Am I right? Am I wrong?
A mafia reference, perhaps? But yes, offensive.
Did the restaurant put it there? Or is it elaborate graffiti?
For some weird reason it reminds me of Rocco Rossi. Dunno why.
It’s a gang tag. My suggestion? Take a table near a sturdy wall.
I kinda find it funny. But, I don’t believe in God. I guess it’s up to the Christians to say if they’re offended.
It looks like a sticker, but with the celtic cross, I’d go with an Irish republican stereotype rather than an Italian one.
Was it on an office door?
Nope. Right out in the middle of the restaurant, pretty much.
Culinary suggestion: “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” (The Godfather)
How was the food?
Call me crazy, but an upside-down sword has been used as a symbol of the cross since the crusades, the Tamplars, and in many other cases. Is it the violent image that offends you? Or are you offended by the cheap rendition of the crucifix?
Dude, there’s a handgun in the middle of it.
I’m not particularly religious… so, the Sopranos / Godfather / Goodfellas / Scarface / Son’s of Anarchy fan in me has to admit that’s pretty freakin’ cool…
You have the wrong end of the stick. That’s a Desert Eagle, preferred weapon of the Boondock Saints, a charming pair of devout Irish Catholic vigilantes, who, with a nod from the church, use them to do God’s work.
I’m with JS on this Warren. The origin of the gone and cross appear to be Irish. Funny that in an Italian joint. Curious as to the ownership of the place though. Being of Irish and Italian background myself, I may enjoy the atmosphere.
Check this out.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3452/page101.jpg
St. Louis Bertrand (1526-1581)
http://www.stlb.org/page10/page10.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Bertrand_(saint)
http://curia.op.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101-st-louis-bertrand-1526-1581&catid=67-portraits&Itemid=62
“Attempts were made on his life, and, at one time, he was threatened by a man with a gun; Louis made the Sign of the Cross and the gun was changed into a crucifix. By the Sign of the Cross and the Rosary, he marked out a path of miracles wherever he went.
Weird.
Interesting. Why didn’t you ask what it was while you were there?
Because the meaning is confusing; I don’t think it’s offensive.
I can’t tell from the image what exactly it’s trying to say; shoot Christians?; good Christians carry guns; Christians should carry guns, or not; Christianity is a target etc. My guess it’s a logo of some right-wing Christian group someone at the restaurant belongs to.
Italian resto with a strange mix of celtic imagery? Was the offence taken because it assaults catholicism, or that an Italian restaurant would blatantly cop the Irish variant of it? The fact it’s a celtic cross inside a clover, overlaid with a handgun is post-bizarre. Maybe they are Boondock Saints fans with poor situational awareness? Did you ask ’em?
yep…I like it too…I,m half Irish, don’t mind or have an irrational fear of handguns,so whats the big deal?….kind of nice actually….maybe I,ll get it tattooed next my John Lydon…
I’m reminded of the time I went to mass in Alaska. The fella delivering the first reading had a handgun on his belt! When I expressed concern to the priest after the service he looked at me like I was crazy.
It’s offensive. But so are those swords you see on crosses around town.
I think the meaning is so ambiguous that it’s tough to say what the intent is. Not that a well-intentioned thing can’t be offensive, but I’d say it’s more bewildering.
If you google Gun + Crucifix, you’ll get all sorts of people who figure they’re making an artistic statement with similar images, but I’m not sure that there’s a clear meaning to this one.