Blog Jones

America Online’s Instant Messaging service (AIM) has new marketing copy that has far-right Christian groups up in arms. WorldNetDaily asks “Is new AOL IM slogan marketing blasphemy?”

Let’s take a look at a screenshot, courtesy of WorldNetDaily. (I’ve visited the site and it matches this screen shot.)

Can you spot the “offensive slogan”?

Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

That’s right! It’s the words “I am.”

When Ian Millar opened up his AOL Instant Messenger program yesterday and linked to the new AIM Triton site, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.

“I have been an AIM customer for many years, and although I do not use AOL for my mail client, I have recommended it for relatives and friends,” he said in a letter to top executives of the company. “In general, I appreciate AOL and your business savvy.”

But when Millar saw the company’s new slogan, he was shocked and disgusted. He was not alone.

Oddly, WorldNetDaily does not refer to any other sources, so I don’t know if he was alone in his outrage or not.

He points out to AOL executives that “I AM” is the English translation of YaHWeH, the self-proclaimed name of God.

“He is the Creator and Savior of the world,” explains Millar. “He alone is to be worshipped. To take His name in vain, or use as a common thing is blasphemy, a vulgar sin of offense. Perhaps you have not read the Third Commandment, since they have removed it from so many public monuments in the last decade. But breaking it as a means of marketing your products offends the mind of everyone who worships Him.”

Ooh, nice job working in the 10 Commandments issue to a completely unrelated topic. -2 points for rabbit trailing.

“You must immediately change the name of your program,” he told Jonathan Miller, the chief executive officer of America Online, and John Buckley, corporate communications officer for the company, in a pointed letter. [”]I can assure you that you will lose business over this marketing tactic from people who worship the Almighty.

A rather demanding chap, isn’t he? And I like how he assumes that the entire Christian community sees things his way.

But worse, you have offended Him by your actions; whether they are deliberate or ignorant.

And how he assumes that God sees things his way.

To treat as common the name of God is wicked. God is patient, but mankind is today making an error of epic proportions by the deliberate actions of mocking the Almighty; particularly in the technologically advanced society. His patience with the mockery of mankind will come to an end.”

OK, so it’s not abortion that’s going to send God’s wrath against America. It’s not even gay marriage. No, what’s really going to get God mad at us is the misuse of English linking verbs.

Millar suggested AOL would never think of using – or misusing – the names “Allah,” or “Buddha” in its corporate marketing efforts.

This is yet another example of Christian Paranoia: “They’re all out to get us! Christians are the only group that it’s politically correct to make fun of!”

AOL officials were not available for comment.

I imagine not. They probably thought it was a prank call.

Seriously you guys. Aren’t there enough real problems in the world that you can spend your time on?

(Via IMAO’s article Outraged by AOL? We AM!!)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2006 at 5:41 pm and is filed under The Lighter Side. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.