Posted by Knight Rider on August 8, 2000 at 13:37:01:
In Reply to: Comfy armbands with offensive symbols... posted by Ancient Thief on August 8, 2000 at 11:31:18:
> By contrast, if there were some redeeming value to said armband that extended beyond comfort of the wearer, I could see a possible justification on the grounds of the ends justifying the means. Or, one could argue, they are willing to endure the hatred and anger they will incur in others, because they are willing to suffer for their goals (and believe the suffering they cause by others seeing the clothing is less than the good they can do by using it). > I can't think of a real-world example...the best I can think of (realizing that I am opening myself up for mockery) is the scene in the recent movie "The Patriot" where Mel Gibson takes out that hatchet that represents all sorts of bad stuff in his past, and goes and saves his son with it. The lightwalker of CF, of course, would have to make sure that he doesn't do what Mel Gibson did (i.e. become what the hatchet represents). To anyone who hasn't seen the film that reference won't make much sense, but you're compensated for that by the fact that you didn't have to pay any money or waste two hours of your life seeing an absolutely horrid film. > My two cents and one hatchet. Your really are not getting the idea, OK here is one that thou extreme you might get the idea. A biker priest goes to get a leather jacket (protection from those nasty skids you get when you fall down) Now he might get a Hells Angel jacket so people can chuckle at the irony, but how many of you think he will get one with a pentagram that reads 'Satan rules'. The hatchet just doesn't work, it is more refering to a peacefull man that has to go back to war and thus pick up his sword again. It does not represent things to other people, just to himself. This is the major difference. Paladin are holy warriors, just as a priest is not likely to wear something declairing satanic, a paladin should not wear something declairing something Julias or otherwise any evil representation. Your 2 cents and I raise a nickle..
> While that's certainly a better example than the baseball cap, I think what both examples miss is the possibility of any real, practical value of wearing an object. The reason being, of course, that swastika armbands--or any other clothing--do not offer anything more than basic utility, comfort, and looks.