Crossgate: Critic sees Christian symbol on GOP convention stage

[NewYorkerfromMass]

"Conventions are as much about symbolism as speeches, but a minister at a liberal Manhattan church charged Tuesday that the Republicans have gone too far by placing crosses on the national convention stage.....

"I believe it is an image of two crosses," Forbes said. "This is an unusual and inappropriate use of religious symbols in a political campaign." ....

David Campbell, professor at the University of Notre Dame specializing in politics and religion, didn't notice the cross imagery until it was pointed out to him.

"I watched the convention last night with an eye to how Republicans use religious imagery, and it wasn't apparent then," he said. "Looking at it now, sure, it has cross-like properties. But I'm not sure if I think that's a cross or not."

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny-cvn--lecterncrosse0831aug31,0,5316726,print.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Definitely a "subliminable" message, like that tie W wore to hypnotize the

masses watching his speech.

Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[mmonk]

2. These people really are dark.

[arbusto_baboso]

3. I'm surprised that the crosses haven't been set afire. Maybe for the

final night it will be?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. Just in case the main podium cross was a little too "subtle" for ya,

you get the full-on cross right next to it!

After review by Rove, the plan for the 60 foot tall solid gold crucifix with a live bleeding actor nailed to it, with the Passion Players dancing the night's musical number around it, was scratched in favor of this scheme. "Not ready for Broadway. Yet."

[Stephanie]

5. Wow!

I didn't see it before. But I did notice that the whole extravaganza has the style of a televangelical show.

They DID boast that they would use "subconscious" messaging:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/politics/campaignspecial/index.html

While the text of Mr. Bush's speech has been carefully assembled, so has every element of the set like the vibrant red carpet that will blanket the floor of the convention hall, the theater in the round and the lectern, which a convention organizer said had "a sort of skyscraper design" in recognition of being in New York.

These elements are not just about theatrics, though that, too, is part of the motivation, to cultivate interest and increase television ratings for the convention, which starts Monday and ends Thursday, the day Mr. Bush speaks. Campaign aides said the party was trying to send a message about the president, trying subconsciously to build on and reinforce ideas and themes of his campaign, and especially to emphasize the theme of strength.

I thought the lectern was a subliminal reminder of the WTC, which they promised not to exploit but have done in every way possible. But now I see it is also a pulpit. I am afraid for my country.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. another Newsday article

"....Sadly, the special design of the convention podium didn't bridge these gaps in political compassion. Or should I say the convention pulpit? The lines have grown a little vague at the Garden this week, and I'm talking carpentry here - not just philosophy.

Several keen-eyed observers in the hall couldn't help but notice what appeared to be two clear crosses in the wood design of the podium.

Was that a hidden message, linking Bush and Jesus?

Was it a subliminal sop to the Religious Right?

Or was it a mere art-deco design flourish, more a tribute to the Empire State Building than to Christianity?

Convention organizers brushed aside such queries as far-fetched.

"A Rorschach test," scoffed one Republican spokesman. "Sometimes," said another, "a cigar is just a cigar."

But eyes did not deceive easily - on either side of the political aisle.

It sure looked like a smaller cross on the left front of the podium, a larger one to the right.

"It does kind of look like a 'T' a small 'T' - or I guess you could say a cross," said Utah delegate James Evans, a state senator from Salt Lake City. "What are you guys trying to read into that?"

"Wow! I hadn't noticed that!" Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe declared when someone showed him a color photo of the opposition party's podium.

"Sure looks like a cross, doesn't it? Just another way they're trying to twist the message at this convention."

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/columnists/ny-nyhen013950130sep01,0,534803,print.column?coll=ny-ny-columnists