God = :)

[MrBug]

Ok I was actually just wondering who SAW the writing... Didn't mean to start a battle.
Sooo anyway....... :lookaroun

Were you worried that maybe only you could see it? :animwink:

 

[sbkline]

im not judging anyone. i just get tired of people trying to save me by constantly preaching to me one way or another. the reason i go to disney every year is to have fun, thats it. but yes if i wanted to help people or whatever i could donate what it costs me to have fun i guess, but i do that enough with my taxes. a persons religion is a very personal matter and i dont really care what anyone does within their beliefs, i just want them to keep me out of it

But try to see it from a Christian's point of view. Christianity is a very evangelical religion, starting with the commandment of Jesus to "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations". Jesus is the head of Christianity, and he did not tell us that "religion is a very personal matter and to keep others out of ours". On the contrary, he said that we are to spread the message and get others saved.

Now, there are good ways and bad ways of evangelism, and I am not convinced that smoke writing is a very productive use of resources for that cause. Personally, I think he's wasting his time and money doing this. Instead of writing words in the sky with smoke, maybe his money would be better invested actually using it to get into WDW and walk amongst the crowds as Jesus did, and reach out to others using their common love for WDW as a basis for building a relationship. Then, maybe he could share his beliefs over a dole whip and then head over to Splash Mountain. If he does it right, even if he doesn't win a convert, he's at least been able to make a new friend and have someone to enjoy WDW with, instead of just flying around in a plane watching everyone else have all the fun.

 

[kimmychad]

But try to see it from a Christian's point of view. Christianity is a very evangelical religion, starting with the commandment of Jesus to "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations". Jesus is the head of Christianity, and he did not tell us that "religion is a very personal matter and to keep others out of ours". On the contrary, he said that we are to spread the message and get others saved.

Now, there are good ways and bad ways of evangelism, and I am not convinced that smoke writing is a very productive use of resources for that cause. Personally, I think he's wasting his time and money doing this. Instead of writing words in the sky with smoke, maybe his money would be better invested actually using it to get into WDW and walk amongst the crowds as Jesus did, and reach out to others using their common love for WDW as a basis for building a relationship. Then, maybe he could share his beliefs over a dole whip and then head over to Splash Mountain. If he does it right, even if he doesn't win a convert, he's at least been able to make a new friend and have someone to enjoy WDW with.

as my wife is a christian, i have heard before that people are supposed to witness, but i personally believe that certain things, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs being just a few should be a persons private business. and please dont encourage this guy to walk around disney and try to convert me, that wouldn't be fun. there is a time and place for everything, and when im on vacation it isnt the best time to preach to me. but i respect your letter,
and it made me laugh a little

 

[sbkline]

as my wife is a christian, i have heard before that people are supposed to witness, but i personally believe that certain things, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs being just a few should be a persons private business. and please dont encourage this guy to walk around disney and try to convert me, that wouldn't be fun. there is a time and place for everything, and when im on vacation it isnt the best time to preach to me. but i respect your letter,
and it made me laugh a little

Depends on how he's trying to do it. Let me give you an example. My Dad was a Methodist pastor and his cousin was a Southern Baptist Pastor. Dad's cousin stopped by for a visit one Sunday and came to church with us Sunday night. As Dad was introducing him to some of the church people, when he went to shake her hand, the first thing out of his mouth was "Hi, do you know Jesus?" That's not the kind of evangelism I encourage. Or billboards, or following someone around with an open Bible quoting scripture, etc. To me, those are all tacky, infeffective ways to evangelize. It puts people on the defensive and makes them feel uncomfortable.

What I am referring to is simply being an outgoing, friendly person who tries first to build relationships with people. And then, as friends do, the two people will share their interests and beliefs with each other over friendly conversation without either one feeling threatened or feeling like the other is trying to push something on him. Not that I really expect too many people to go into WDW alone and strike up friendships with total strangers (since most people are already with one or more people). But if this guy DID find a loner at WDW that was open to having a new friend to enjoy the place with, I still think that if he used the right approach (without being a stereotypical pushy fundamentalist type) he could be much more effective that way than flying a plane around over the park.

 

[kimmychad]

Depends on how he's trying to do it. Let me give you an example. My Dad was a Methodist pastor and his cousin was a Southern Baptist Pastor. Dad's cousin stopped by for a visit one Sunday and came to church with us Sunday night. As Dad was introducing him to some of the church people, when he went to shake her hand, the first thing out of his mouth was "Hi, do you know Jesus?" That's not the kind of evangelism I encourage. Or billboards, or following someone around with an open Bible quoting scripture, etc. To me, those are all tacky, infeffective ways to evangelize. It puts people on the defensive and makes them feel uncomfortable.

What I am referring to is simply being an outgoing, friendly person who tries first to build relationships with people. And then, as friends do, the two people will share their interests and beliefs with each other over friendly conversation without either one feeling threatened or feeling like the other is trying to push something on him. Not that I really expect too many people to go into WDW alone and strike up friendships with total strangers (since most people are already with one or more people). But if this guy DID find a loner at WDW that was open to having a new friend to enjoy the place with, I still think that if he used the right approach (without being a stereotypical pushy fundamentalist type) he could be much more effective that way than flying a plane around over the park.

i totally agree, im all for fun, outgoing people, especially in disney. i couldnt think of a better place to be nice to someone else. when my wife and i were at disney last year we had 3 fastpasses for soarin, the machine spit out one by accident, along with the two i wanted. but the return time was longer than we wanted to wait, so we gave the passes to a family of that we didnt know, they really appreciated it and it kinda made me feel good. that kind of thing in disney would be great. and yes you're right, if the first thing someone asked me was "do i know jesus" they probably wouldnt like what i said to them. and for alot of people, i dont really think its the message as much as its the same message over and over. it wouldnt matter what he was saying, repeating the same message over and over would get irritating. and yes i agree with you people tend to get defensive about religion.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I have seen this both trips this year and it always makes me smile. Obviously if people are talking about it after their trip on a message board or anywhere for that matter then he has accomplished what he intended to do, and I really don't think we are the One he is aiming to please. :animwink:

 

[Shere_Khan]

I have seen this both trips this year and it always makes me smile. Obviously if people are talking about it after their trip on a message board or anywhere for that matter then he has accomplished what he intended to do, and I really don't think we are the One he is aiming to please. :animwink:

Good point!
It would make me smile too.

 

[westie]

I was not at all suprised considering Disney has what 2-3(?) dedicated christian tv channels. Although one is black and one is white?? (Hmmm?) Anyways, I was thinking what a stink would be created if say the mormons started skywriting. I mean, fair is fair. It would probably get to the point where there would be no sky left at all!

 

[k.hunter30]

We were at Universal on Sunday (before heading over to MVMCP for the night) and we saw it. I just looked up - read it, and shook my head.

I was like - with the money you just spent on 10 minutes of "smoke" and an hours worth of fly time - can't you feed the homeless or buy clothes for them instead of wasting that money on sky writing? Or basicly - anything charitable instead of that...

**just shaking head**:hammer::dazzle::hammer::dazzle::hammer:

Maybe that's this pilot's way of giving... Just as some Christian restaurant owners/caterers choose to donate their extra food to people in need, this man may be serving God with the gifts he was given. No one or church necessarily spent $ for sky writing. It could be this man's act of good will. :shrug:

 

[MissM]

One could argue that the sum of money you four will put into Disney trips in the coming years could go to a similar cause! :shrug::shrug: Let's not judge!

I haven't been on a vacation in about nine years. When I go out to Disney, it's for the day. Hardly the cost of a skywriter to pointlessly and needlessly waste money on advertising every single day, day after day.

Let's not make assumptions either!
-m

 

[Montyboy]

Now, there are good ways and bad ways of evangelism, and I am not convinced that smoke writing is a very productive use of resources for that cause. Personally, I think he's wasting his time and money doing this. Instead of writing words in the sky with smoke, maybe his money would be better invested actually using it to get into WDW and walk amongst the crowds as Jesus did, and reach out to others using their common love for WDW as a basis for building a relationship. Then, maybe he could share his beliefs over a dole whip and then head over to Splash Mountain. If he does it right, even if he doesn't win a convert, he's at least been able to make a new friend and have someone to enjoy WDW with, instead of just flying around in a plane watching everyone else have all the fun.

Flying in a stunt plane sounds like fun to me.

I like the turn this discussion took. Instead of becoming about freedom of speech and religion, we are questioning the use of his marketing dollars.

 

[wdwmomof3]

Every time we go we see something in the sky from God is Love to a smiley face & God loves you. I feel blessed to be at Disney when I am there so this has never bothered me but I did wonder about the no fly zone.

 

[sbkline]

I don't think I would be offended at seeing that, or any other sky written message. After all, I'm there to have fun, not to sit there and watch the sky (except when fireworks are taking place).

So even if someone wanted to skywrite "allah" or something like that, I think I'd just roll my eyes and move on with my day. No biggie.

But I do question the effectiveness of such methods of sharing one's faith.

 

[Shaman]

I don't think I would be offended at seeing that, or any other sky written message. After all, I'm there to have fun, not to sit there and watch the sky (except when fireworks are taking place).

So even if someone wanted to skywrite "allah" or something like that, I think I'd just roll my eyes and move on with my day. No biggie.

But I do question the effectiveness of such methods of sharing one's faith.

I agree.
Does Disney mind the writing, I wonder?

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Someone asked what would happen if the Mormons started skywriting, wondering what the response would be?

How do we know this guy ISN'T a Mormon? On a very basic "God is love," "Jesus loves you" level, there's not much distinction between Baptists/Catholics/Mormons. Take out the mentions of Jesus and you can bring Jews and Muslims under the tent as well.

I guess my point is when you're writing things as elemental as this guy seems to be, they could really come from any number of religious traditions. The only way you'd really know what church (if any) he goes to would be if he started skywriting about really specific points of religious doctrine....and the messages would be so long that by the time he finished, the first few words would be gone already. :lookaroun

 

[PlutoInOrlando]

deleted post - point didn't come across as I had hoped it to. Sorry!

 

[WildcatDen]

We were at Universal on Sunday (before heading over to MVMCP for the night) and we saw it. I just looked up - read it, and shook my head.

I was like - with the money you just spent on 10 minutes of "smoke" and an hours worth of fly time - can't you feed the homeless or buy clothes for them instead of wasting that money on sky writing? Or basicly - anything charitable instead of that...

**just shaking head**:hammer::dazzle::hammer::dazzle::hammer:

Wow. Who is to say he doesn't do that as well.

One great thing about America is that it is your money and you can do whatever you want to with it, that is until Hilary gets back in the House :lookaroun

 

[WildcatDen]

I haven't been on a vacation in about nine years. When I go out to Disney, it's for the day. Hardly the cost of a skywriter to pointlessly and needlessly waste money on advertising every single day, day after day.

Let's not make assumptions either!
-m

Just out of curiosity, how much is a day at Disney?

Probably not enough to get groceries for a poor person. . . Or diapers for a mom who maybe can not afford them. A person's tithe is their own business. Maybe this is part of this individual's tithe. . .

 

[WDW Monorail]

First of all, there is no such thing as a No-Fly Zone over or around WDW.

Second, there has been at least 4 similar discussions that have been locked because some of us can not comport themselves.

 

[sbkline]

I mean, you could also look at it this way - how would you feel if you were Jewish and Jesus was plastered all over the sky? Or Christian, and Hebrew was written all over the sky...

I'm just say'n....

I haven't seen things contrary to my faith written in smoke in the sky. However, what about the various similar things that I have to see, either on a daily basis, or on a fairly frequent basis, or anytime I make a road trip to WDW, which are contrary to my faith?

The billboards advertising Cafe Risque as I drive down I-75 through Georgia, just to name one example.

I could also think of other billboards along interstates, or maybe just along the roads as I drive through town, advertising cigarettes, endorsing political candidates that I don't like, or expressing other opinions which I disagree with.

These things may not be written in smoke by an airplane, but they are much more permanent. While the smoke dissapears within minutes, these billboards are there until someone takes them down and are therefore, seen by more people over the long haul.

So how do I feel when I see these things? I'll tell you one thing...it sure doesn't ruin my day. It's all part of living in this old world; you're gonna have to have things "thrown in your face" so to speak...if you want to consider the simple presentation of an opinion or idea as being "shoved in your face"...which I don't. There are billions of people in this world, each with opinions and worldviews, and we are all entitled to express ours.

Nude women dancing around like whores in front of perverted, deprived men at a bar goes against my beliefs, but I don't get my panties in a wad everytime I go to Florida and see advertisements for that place along the interstate. Sure, I think it's sad that humanity is so depraved and that places like this exist and that they are advertising it like there's nothing to be ashamed of. And some may argue that my lack of righteous anger towards those kind of places is indicative of my being de-sensitized to things like that.

But regardless, it's like this folks: we all live in this world and have to come into contact on a daily basis with those who think differently than us and have a different opinion than us. If the simple words "God loves you" or "Jesus" is enough to get you riled, then there's something wrong with you. Maybe you've grown up in a bubble and haven't had a chance to venture out into the world and discover that there are others who have a differing opinion than you, such that the mere sight of someone else's worldview throws you into a tizzy. But all it is is someone expressing their opinion in writing. It's hardly infringing on your rights at all.

So, as I have already said, if someone decided to sky write something about Allah, I don't think I'd be offended at all. The rest of my day would progress the same as planned and I would still be at WDW having a good time. I really don't think I'd be spending the rest of my day stewing about how I had to see something in the sky that goes against my beliefs. With thousands of people walking around the parks, chances are that there is already plenty down on the ground for me to see that goes against my beliefs, whether it's language I overhear that I find vulgar, or someone's T-shirt, etc.