Why is there so much Jesus here in Austin, TX?

[Taverner]

I'm in Austin right now, doing a training...and the first thing that hits me is the sheer number of billboards saying "Jesus loves you" etc...

Now it could be that I'm from Godless California, but most of the billboards either advertise (1) Beer (2) Computer products or (3) Skiing.

But out here, even in Liberal Austin, I see more fundie ads than one can shake an armadillo at - what gives?

[Fenris]

1. It may be liberal Austin, but it's still Texas.

There's a sign in my town that says: "If you want to curse, use your own name! - God." I want to rent a sign that just says "GODD@MMIT!"

[xultar]

2. I saw a bill board saying that 'He went to prepare a place for you'

Then the R&B station did their daily Inspirational moment where the DJ was telling me that even if I messed up in life God forgave me.
She went on to say that she prays every day and she lifted up her life...yadda yadda yadda...

I truly believe that the Apocalypse is coming. When God gets a whiff of what these mo-fos are doing he's gonna strike us all down and start over.

[Justitia]

3. It's a hex. They are trying to exorcise Austin via billboard. -eom

[cdb]

4. Texas is fundie ground zero

I just got back from Corpus Christi. My Jewish son was amazed and rather shocked at the signs he saw touting Jesus... I had been there before but forgot how prevalent that crap was...and I am glad to be back here in PA. Also, everything was closed for Easter. Because of course, everybody celebrates Easter...

[RoyGBiv]

5. Jesus is everywhere, man ...

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[silverlib]

6. living in South Austin

and rarely crossing the river without my bags packed, I've missed these signs. But I did see an interesting one on South First this morning outside a plumbing supply business.

"Atkins friendly toilets"

[Webster Green]

7. Mass hypnosis...

A lot of the natives have been hip-mo-tized. The billboards are for constant re-enforcement.

Side note concerning billboards: Marin County, California has NO billboards at all. Its a really nice touch to a very beautiful place to be.

[sharonking21]

8. They think we NEED saving . .

"Liberal" Austin just reclaimed that title during the 2004 elections. For two election cycles prior to that, Travis County, in which Austin is situated, went Republican.

As to Corpus, well, I used to live there, and, as a child, I remember sitting stolidly at the Six Points city bus terminal (on the way to the library) while this nutcase woman selected me to preach at at the top of her lungs. All her attempt to try to SAVE me did was make me wonder why I looked like I needed saving and completely turn me off to all later attempts.

[GOPisEvil]

18. Uhhh...in the 2000 election Bush won a plurality.

Remember Nader pulled something like 10% of the electorate. Add that to Gore's total, and Gore would have carried Travis County.

[sharonking21]

22. True but

we still made real gains in 2004. For example if you "gave" Gore 9 percentage points of Nader's 10 points, he would have won Travis County in 2000, but not by as great a margin as Kerry did in 2004 (Gore would have had 50.1% of votes in 2000 if you gave him the extra 9%; Kerry had 55.9% of votes in 2004--Nadar still on ballot but getting miniscule %).

Also we got stuck with some Republicans at local levels 2002 and either reversed that or almost did in 2004.

[GOPisEvil]

25. Also true.

I think some people figured out that just because a guy is from Texas, that is NOT a good thing.

[CottonBear]

9. God advertises on billboards in Georgia too!

He must have a really big southern states ad campaign.

[jedicord]

12. With an advertising background...

media blitzes are generally used for either introductions of a new product or slowing sales.

So is God new and improved?

[jandrok]

10. Well, it IS the Live Music Capital of the World......

Maybe Jesus likes the tunes, man.

[Taverner]

13. Jesus left Chicago

And headed down to New Orleans......

Is Austin on the road to the big easy?

[jandrok]

16. Well, now that you mention it, it is on the way......

Just a short jaunt East down 290 to Houston, then I-10 East all the way to NO.

And, that ZZ TOP jam STILL rocks 30 years later on, don't it?

Jesus just left chicago and he’s bound for New Orleans.
Well now, Jesus just left Chicago and he’s bound for New Orleans.
Yeah, yeah.
Workin’ from one end to the other and all points in between.

Took a jump through Mississippi, well, muddy water turned to wine.
Took a jump through Mississippi, muddy water turned to wine.
Yeah, yeah.
Then out to California through the forests and the pines.
Ah, take me with you, Jesus.

You might not see him in person but he’ll se you just the same.
You might not see him in person but he’ll se you just the same.
Yeah, yeah.
You don’t have to worry ’cause takin’ care of business is his name.

[aquart]

11. Because you'll get pie in the sky when you die.

Which means they don't have to do a damn thing about feeding you down here.

[Texasgal]

14. I am a native Austinite

There has always been "Jesus" billboards. We are in Texas after all!

Austin is a very cool place to live, I was born and raised here, so It doesn't really bother me to see Jesus plastered all over the place.

What irritates me the most, is having Billboards PERIOD. No matter what they say, they are TRASHY!

[Bridget Burke]

15. Texans are not shy & retiring folks....

You learn to take things for what they're worth. Parts of the country that have been settled longer are much more neat, restrained & tasteful.

The same freedom that allows all the Jesus stuff also allows for stuff like these fighters against the encroachment of mini-mansion dwelling, SUV driving non-weirdos: www.keepaustinweird.com/

And there are even good parts of Texas outside of Austin.

[GOPisEvil]

17. Austin is an old party town.

A lot of those folks have traded in their addiction to drugs and alcohol and the party life for the addiction to religion.

:shrug:

[reality based]

19. The Texas Legislature is in session

We'll take help from wherever we can get it.

[morcatknits]

20. Yeah, Austin's Liberal

But Texas is still the "buckle on the Bible belt." Those signs aren't specifically Texan, however. My understanding is that the idea originated with some guy in Washington State. They are privately funded, and anyone with the money to rent the billboard can put one up.

I've heard that Austin is a fundie target.
morcatknits

[sharonking21]

24. Amen!

(Austin is always on the Texas Legislature's sh*t list)

[VelmaD]

21. They heard you were coming...

it's all about converting you from your evil heathern ways. :P

[BiggJawn]

23. Guess they're still pissed at Lance for getting divorced?

Probably some church had to spend a LOT of money or risk losing their 501C3 status...