Is nothing sacred???

[Milims]

Is this the ultimate in corporate graffitti??

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20070717/t ... 4616c.html

Hope we aren't the only one who are disgusted!

[Annpan]

I am not sure about this... I am not a pagan and know very little about it

The image its self is not defaced - like mount Rushmore for example and there is no direct sacralige - Like Sony using a Cathedral as a setting for a violent video game.

It is meant in jest, and to only last a few weeks (if not days), The field is owned by the same family who used to own the chalk man field and whom handed it over to the National Trust, so I don't think that they are without respect for the area.

Can you explain why you personally find it offensive?

[red]

I dislike it. I don't know that the Cerne Abbas giant really is a pagan symbol or not - there is lots of different view points on it.. but it is part of our heritage. I would be really put out if i went to see the giant and *had* to look at homer at the same time

It would seem that the local people dont mind - but then they can look a the giant anytime.. some people might have made a special journey, maybe whilst on holiday from overseas, and to find its been marred by advertising.

I understand the paint is soluble.. its temporary - but it will still have ruined the experience for many many people. TBH I'm suprised it was allowed.. you would imagine that the giant had some sort of listed status, and that usually affects the surrounding area.

the controversy has led to further publicity.. which is what they wanted....

[Cassiepod]

I'm clearly playing devil's advocate today... surely a giant chalk man is the original graffitti which is now preserved and revered as an artefact of the past.

Surely we should be adding to our many forms of heritage as the time demands?

It's similar to the idea of old buildings that have been added to and changed over the years and yet it's no longer allowed to add to them and live in them for another few generations.

I firmly believing in preserving our past heritage and culture. I can't stand the Simpsons as a program but apparently it's hugely popular

[Helsbells]

please dont hate me, but I thought it was funny.

[Martin]

shame it was a big company, apart from that, what a hoot!
Good lord, it's temporary, it's FUN! - we could do with a lot more of it!

[Meredith]

Well, I am a Pagan but I have a sense of humour and I too find it quite amusing. I hadn't thought about the effect it might have on tourism, I can see why people would be a bit put out if they have travelled a long way to see it.

I have my doubts whether it is a sacred Pagan site but there are a lot of people who see it as such and I can understand why they might be miffed, it is a bit irreverent but if it isn't permanant I can't see any harm done.

Meredith.

[Milims]

I understand thats its not permanent and that its meant as a joke - but like Red said - its part of our heritage and its very beautiful and ancient, and people travel miles to see it - sometimes for important personal reasons - so why do huge money making corporations find it necessary to take the p***s! The Simpsons is immensely popular so why do they need such advertising? If thats the case shouldn't they have painted a wizards hat on it to advertise the new Harry Potter movie? Would it also be found funny if they painted a picture of Marge in a crown outside Buckingham Palace?
The main thing is if this is acceptible why is "Tag" Graffitti not? Is it the fact that money is involved?

[the.fee.fairy]

I find it offensive...

You don't find Brits putting a statue of some British character (even worse...a character used for ridicule and a charicature of the worst of British Life - lets go with Wayne Slob for example...) right next to the Statue of Liberty do you? So therefore, the Americans have no right to deface the surroundings of one of our historical sites.

Therefore to me, an admirer of British history, and British histroical sites, i find it offensive.

[Martin]

if anything is truly great, be it a person, an institution, or a religion, it can take a sense of humour!
Had it been in any way permanent, I'd object too, but it's done no lasting damage, has raised a few smiles (and very likely raised the profile of Cerne Abbas too!) - I can see it now - the Houses of Parliament with a big red nose - St Paul's with a shark embedded in the roof! What is all this eagerness to be offended about? - lighten up, and smile - there's so much that's awful in this world, we need a good grin!
(It's no worse than a chamber pot on some statue during rag week!)

[Silver Ether]

Well I am pagan and I dont consider this as bad as the Trinny and Suzy stunt that was perfomed on him last week .... at least they have left him physically alone this time ... It could be worse .. he could be Yellow

What I will say is that I am sick of the piss being taken generally with things pagan ... and I dont just mean this silly nonsense ... It just seems folks see "pagan " and deface, laugh or damage it totally is becoming a national sport ...

Sorry will shut up now...

[Bonniegirl]

Lighten up people!

It's temporary it will wash away!

Have my fellow countrymen completely lost their sense of Homer!

I've just seen an animated version of that picture and Homer playing hoopla!

Now that is funny!

[red]

its probably all down to 'history envy'

[pskipper]

Would just like to point out that unlike other chalk figures the Cerne Abbas Giant was 18th century political graffiti mocking the local landowner who as well as being a greedy sod as far as rents and taxes went (hence the club) was also impotant (hence the......)

Considering all that I think it's quite a good laugh.

It was the Long Man of Wilmington that they gave a temporary sex change to, a genuine pre-christian chalk carving.

[red]

well that is only one theory.

there is the strong suggestion that the fallic part of the Cerne abbas giant was added much later as a joke.. but an old joke is part of history perhaps?

I spose the problem with this is that it is trying to get fame from something else.. by being next to something already famous, and by making fun of it.
Also - its seen as funny cos its Homer... but really 'the simpsons' is big business.. making money. anyway they can... if T***o put a symbol next door i daresay the feeling would be more of outrage.

as I said before -- I feel for the sightseers who arrived to find advertising thrust at them at the same time.. why not stick a mac D sign up too and be done with it.