Posted on 07/22/2007 10:16:56 AM PDT by Daffynition
And here I thought it would offend the obese.
Or maybe “Big-Boned Buddha”???
Let me see if I can encapsulate the thought process coming from Tracey Ingle, head of the city council of Durham, England's cultural services, I imagine it's something like this . . .
I find your lack of offense at the offensive portrayal of an obese Buddha troublesome. Furthermore, would we allow you to depict the Buddha in such a manner, all references to his weight should be in phrases less provocative and more acceptable to our more sensitive modern mores, "Weight Challenged Buddha" or "Pleasantly Plump Buddha" or "Big Boned Buddha" or "I'm Not Fat I'm Just Hefty Buddha" would have all been acceptable.
However I've been informed by Ivor Biggerse the director for the city of Durham's health services that due to the pernicious influence of too many video games and American TV programmes on our children that we are facing an epidemic of obesity in our area, and as such, any positive depictions of 'jolly' fat people would be counterproductive towards the aim of reducing our growing obesity problem. Surely one of the more austere and ascetic depictions of the Buddha would be more appropriate given current health goals.
Actually I need to rethink that last suggestion as I've been informed by Ima Buttinsky from our city's mental health services that there are also many anorexic people in our city, so any depiction of an ascetic Buddha shouldn't be too thin as some of the afflicted might see these depictions and use them for 'thinspiration'.
Also, I'm afraid that the cultural sensitivities of our Islamic neighbours might come into play with the depiction of a figure of worship. As some within their faith believe in the banning of all images of not only Allah, Mohammed, and other lesser prophets, but of any human whatsoever, it would be best if your restaurant has no images within, or uses any images in their advertising of the Buddha.
Actually, given that all variations and body types of the Buddha really can't satisfy all the differing sensitivities in our fine city, it would be best for everyone if you don't open up your restaurant at all. I realise you are poised to employ 60 people in your restaurant, but what's the potential employment of five dozen souls when weighed against the sensitivities of the entire community? Those jobs simply aren't worth the risk of offending one group or another.
I might have ruled differently had the owner of the restaurant not suggested such a provocative name in the first place, but given that initial provocation, my only recourse is to do what I can to prevent this business for operating for the sake of communal cohesion and peace and to preserve out community's reputation for tolerance, understanding, and reason.
Maybe one day when all prejudices, health problems, and religious issues are resolved in a manner that satisfies all parties, we could sit back and laugh or ignore things like a restaurant named "Fat Buddha", but the age we live in is not a time of laughter, and we musn't contribute to the problem of global insensitivity that plagues all aspects of life. I reject the name of your restaurant so that I may be part of the solution, not the problem, I hope everyone else will see the careful and considered reasoning that went into this decision.
How ‘bout “Hindu Burger”?
- you want some fries with your dead relative?
So change the name to “Skinny Buddah” and let them argue that one for a while.
That's true. If I were going to be offended it would be by politically correct idiot liberals like Miss Ingle. Deep neurosis like hers is a major cause of suffering in the world.
Not to capitulate in any way to her emotional disorder; I would still like to offer an alternative name for the restaurant.
The Fat Bureaucrat.
That might be the ego raising it's ugly head...part of their conditioned consciousness ... It seems to be part of their path to be lost in the world, to be lost in the mind ..."Seek but do not find" ... Transcending the world ...letting go of self-seeking ...a universal path.
Here's a good thread if you missed it... Idiot Compassion
Thank you for the link, I left a not so great comment on the thread when it was posted.
I'd come back and make an even bigger mess of it.
Could we name it “Buff Buddha?”
If I’m offending people they can chose not to eat here.
The name stays.
Perhaps the council should disolve because their stupidity offends me?
See post #20 with a link to Ms. Ingles ... let her know what you think ...like it will do any good.
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