Posted on 12/12/2011 9:11:30 AM PST by DeaconBenjamin
A decision by the Swedish Army Museum (Armémuseum) to raise money for charity by selling hand grenade-shaped Christmas tree ornaments has sparked a storm of criticism from disgusted visitors.
Quite simply I think it's distasteful, especially if they are raising money for charity. This is a museum frequented by children and it's hard to explain to them why there are hand grenades in the Christmas trees, visitor Elinor Lindeborg told Sveriges Television (SVT).
This is an Army Museum, but should still try to highlight a non-war perspective.
Lindeborg and others have reacted to the Stockholm-based Army Museum's efforts to raise money for anti-poverty and disaster relief charity Christian Aid by selling Christmas tree orbs that look like hand grenades.
Support Christian Aid and their work for peace and against poverty by buying our Christmas ornaments which are a subtle reminder of those who are less fortunate than we are during the holiday season, the museum says on its website in promoting the initiative.
How in Lord's name can they come up with such ans idiotic idea to make Christmas tree balls shaped like hand grenades? Sick! Shameful, another upset woman told Sveriges Radio programme Ring P1.
Despite the criticism, the museum said it has no plans to pull the hand grenade ornaments.
I can understand that people react, especially if they has been in a war situations themselves, but we've chosen to focus on seeing that proceeds go to a charitable cause, the museum's division head Helena Martinsson told the Expressen newspaper.
She added that response has been positive for the most part.
Having a decoration like this on the tree can get people to reflect on how good we have it here in Sweden and that there are people who have it much worse, said Martinsson.
It could be the topic of an interesting conversation over Christmas.
“Don’t people know that these are used to light cigarettes?”
Why should anybody be surprised?
The mahometans have taken over, so the prevailing question is, “What would Mahomet do?”
Well, Mahomet would put hand-grenades in Christmas trees to blow up the Christians.
What’s so shocking about that?
Maybe the people expressing shock should have a look at http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ and maybe they will get it.
Just islamic jihadis out having a good ole time.
But no problems with condoms on their Christmas trees....
Get a life, lady! It's traditional.
Peace on Earth...
through superior firepower.
I think they’re kinda pretty, myself.
It looks a lot like a pine cone to me.
I kinda liked the ten tips to help you with moving to Sweden. Wonder if these idiots print them in Arabic and post them in Algeria, Morrocco,Tunisia, Libya and Egypt?
We should stick to ornaments made from crack pipes and condoms (Clinton reference).
I, for one, applaud the Museum’s effort to make Christmas trees more palatable for Swedish Muslims.
Hey, at least we got her saying Christmas tree instead of "holiday tree". I'll take progress wherever we can get it.
Well, that’s one way to “light up” your Christmas tree....
That's like asking a Ford dealership to hang pictures of Chevrolets on the wall.
I suppose brightly colored ammo bandolier garland and dangling icicle bayonets are out too? Pity...
How does it work?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.