Burning crosses for sale! Get yours now!

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I'm thinking this might be a Sign of the Apocalypse. Whatever it is, it's a sign of something ugly.

The American Family Association, a right-wing Christianist organization founded by Donald Wildmon, is offering, for sale, this "stunning Christmas cross," "an effective way to express your Christian faith this Christmas season to honor our Lord Jesus." It's "5.5 feet tall, with 210 individual ultra bright lights." And the "suggested donation" (i.e., cost) is only $81.85! And SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!

Oh, and does it not look like it's burning?

(I'm sure it'll go over well in, oh, say, Mississippi.)

Needless to say, there is something deeply offensive about this, but, then, the AFA is itself deeply offensive, and always has been. Simply put, it is one of the more extreme Christianist organizations around, with efforts directed at boycotting companies and organizations that do not align with its extremist, hate-filled agenda. For example, in 2005, it boycotted Ford for advertising in gay magazines and supporting gay-rights organizations. It is also anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for obscenity in the media.

Back in the '70s, Wildmon first made name for himself, even becoming a sort of Christianist celebrity, going after TV shows like Three's Company, M*A*S*H, and Dallas. But while he and the AFA address pornography and alleged obscenity generally, as well as abortion, their main issue is gay rights, including same-sex marriage, using a substantial media platform, including 180 radio stations, and various activism efforts, including through a network of 3.4 million subscribers to e-mail "Action Alerts," to promote its anti-gay cause. (For more, see here.)

And now it's selling what looks like a burning cross "to remind your friends, family, neighbors, and all who drive by your home, office, or church of the real meaning of Christmas."

Which, apparently, is hate.

(Hat tip: No Blood for Hubris.)