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Cross-Like T-Shirt Design at Penn State University Sparks Controversy
Fox News. ^ | 10/26/09 | Joshua Rhett Miller

Posted on 10/26/2009 1:10:50 PM PDT by Reaganesque

A blue, cross-like design emblazoned on T-shirts at Penn State University has some critics seeing red.

The shirts — intended to foster school spirit — sport a vertical blue line down the center with the words "Penn State White Out" emblazoned across the chest, forming a design that some say resembles a cross. The back of the shirt depicts the same blue line obscured by the words, "Don't be intimated … It's just me and 110,000 of my friends." Roughly 30,000 of the shirts have been sold.

Penn State says it has received six complaints about the shirt, including one from the Anti-Defamation League's Philadelphia branch, from people who say it connotes a Christian cross. The logo design also has become the focus of controversy in the student newspaper, "The Daily Collegian," which has received several letters to the editor on both sides of the issue.

Michal Berns, a junior majoring in media law and policy, said she refused to buy the $15 shirt because of its religious connotations.

"At first glance, you don't necessarily think that's what it looks like, but when you look at it more, it does look like a cross," Berns told Foxnews.com. "That's the reason I didn't purchase it."...

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: controversy; cross; penn; tshirt
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To: Reaganesque
Michal Berns, a junior majoring in media law and policy, said she refused to buy the $15 shirt because of its religious connotations.

Makes you wonder if it had a Star of David on it would she buy it?

Any bets if she's an Obama supporter?

Michal Berns

Michal Berns (President) moved to the U.S. two years ago from Jerusalem, Israel. She is currently a sophomore majoring in media law and policy. When she’s not busy engaging students at Hillel, Michal enjoys being with friends, shopping, and sports. A fun fact: Michal used to be on the Israeli National Flag Football team!

 

 


21 posted on 10/26/2009 1:23:41 PM PDT by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: mnehring
"That’s not a cross, its a racing stripe."

That's what I thought it was, a racing stripe. It's on the front and the back, seems pretty simple.

22 posted on 10/26/2009 1:23:48 PM PDT by OldDeckHand (No Socialized Medicine, No Way, No How, No Time)
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To: Reaganesque

The black stripe seems very similar to the black stripe that goes down the middle of Penn State’s helmets.

I highly doubt it was intended to be a cross. As a Christian, I’d be somewhat offended if it was. A football program should not exploit a religious symbol.


23 posted on 10/26/2009 1:23:48 PM PDT by Above My Pay Grade
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To: Da Coyote
shove it up their Obama.

Love that.....I will be using that during conversations with libs.
24 posted on 10/26/2009 1:23:59 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA (Obama, Hitler, Stalin: Who are 3 people nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.)
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To: Reaganesque
Anyone who is intimidated or made uncomfortable by another religion's symbol has the problem. I have seen more red crescents, fat bellied Buddhas and orange pennant flags than I can count, but have never, ever been offended. <>And this is not even a cross? My god what do these people do if they are walking through the woods and come across two sticks that have fallen and crossed each other.
25 posted on 10/26/2009 1:24:04 PM PDT by w1andsodidwe (Jimmy Carter(the Godfather of Terror) allowed radical Islam to get a foothold in Iran.)
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To: Reaganesque

Here's the Penn State helmet with the single blue stripe. Any Penn State fan would know what the stripe on the shirt is.

26 posted on 10/26/2009 1:24:16 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: Reaganesque
I'd bet these same people ridicule those that saw a "face" on Mars.
Same thing.
27 posted on 10/26/2009 1:25:27 PM PDT by phredo53 (Caution: This post does not comply with White House standards.)
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To: Reaganesque
"Don't be intimated … It's just me and 110,000 of my friends."

I've been "intimated" lots of times...not 110,00 times though. I usually enjoyed it.

FMCDH(BITS)

28 posted on 10/26/2009 1:26:24 PM PDT by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
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To: Reaganesque; All

BAN STREET INTERSECTIONS!!! Musn’t offend those who are cross-phobic.


29 posted on 10/26/2009 1:27:30 PM PDT by Reaganesque ("And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers.")
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To: Reaganesque

Considering everytime I have seen a PSU White Out Game on national TV Penn State gets smacked, the last one I saw was when Iowa came into Happy Valley a few weeks ago and punked the Cowardly Lions, perhaps eliminating this is actually a good thing.


30 posted on 10/26/2009 1:28:34 PM PDT by C19fan
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To: Above My Pay Grade
A football program should not exploit a religious symbol.

The golden domers aren't going to be very happy with you...

31 posted on 10/26/2009 1:30:16 PM PDT by j_tull (I may make you feel, but I can't make you think.)
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To: Reaganesque

Sort of pathetic a T-shirt that sells 30,000 copies and generates a 0.02% complaint rate gets into the news.


32 posted on 10/26/2009 1:31:08 PM PDT by C19fan
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To: Reaganesque

Just a reminder PSU was the university whose president at the time threw out a Christmas tree from the main administrative building because he did not want to offend people like this Michal. Michal gives Jews a bad name.


33 posted on 10/26/2009 1:37:27 PM PDT by C19fan
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To: olezip
She doesn't want to buy it because she is Jewish and a peace activist? Notice the header on the website and who is on it. Obama/Carter/etc.
34 posted on 10/26/2009 1:40:29 PM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (FR33 73h lOn9 fOrM 81R7H c3r71F1ca73!!)
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To: Reaganesque

6 out of 30,000 !!

Like the libs use to say... If you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy / wear it... and telling me NOT to wear it would be a violation of my first amendment rights

so sod off


35 posted on 10/26/2009 1:40:35 PM PDT by sten
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To: raybbr
Michal Berns (President) moved to the U.S. two years ago from Jerusalem, Israel. She is currently a sophomore majoring in media law and policy.

More likely than not someone majoring in media law and policy would be an ACORN-like social activist. I can see that she might be horrified if someone thought she was a Christian!

Lucky they are not trying to sell the shirts at Notre Dame, a formerly Christian school. First of all, Notre Dame does not like Penn State; secondly Notre Dame would not want to offend non-Christians (much of their staff). Their sales surely would be zero.

36 posted on 10/26/2009 1:40:52 PM PDT by olezip
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To: olezip

see my post and link at #34


37 posted on 10/26/2009 1:43:41 PM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (FR33 73h lOn9 fOrM 81R7H c3r71F1ca73!!)
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To: Reaganesque
At first glance, you don't necessarily think that's what it looks like, but when you look at it more, it does look like a cross

If you look hard enough, you can see the face of the Mother Mary on the back of the shirt.

38 posted on 10/26/2009 1:44:14 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (Overproduction;, one of the five top worries of the American farmer.)
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To: Reaganesque

I had to read to see if it was Christians complaining about the cross being misused, or liberals complaining about having to see a cross.


39 posted on 10/26/2009 1:44:47 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: italianquaker

“Dont hold back tell us how you really feel lol”

lol...there’s no reasoning with people like that.


40 posted on 10/26/2009 1:47:22 PM PDT by Slapshot68
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