AOL makes blasphemous whoopsie

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » February 2, 2006, 6:24 pm

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48585

Is new AOL IM slogan
marketing blasphemy?
'I AM' pitch takes God's name in vain, say some shocked critics
Posted: January 31, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

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.

Millar wonders if any of AOL's marketing and planning directors ever went to Christian Sunday school or attended Jewish services.

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."

(second half of article snipped for the ADD among us)

For those of you curious, this is, in fact, a largely agreed upon bit of Christian theology. I remember it from Sunday school that when Moses asked God His name, He responded "I am".

Neat little marketing blunder. Not as bad as Mickey-dee's "I'd hit it" snafu, but still was interesting enough to me to get me to post it

Wonder what (if any) fallout there will be. I'm thinking AOL backpedals faster than the tour de france on rewind.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » February 2, 2006, 6:38 pm

I don't think AOL will see any drop in subscribers. The better part of the Subscribers to AOL think AOL is "the internet" and would probably be lost if you even tried to get them to use MSN.

Although I agree making this slogan was a very bad move on their part, why should everyone cater to christians anymore than to muslims demanding art be removed. I don't acknowledge any religion as legit, and therefore could care less if something I say or do is blasphemy to them. No I'm not going to go out of my way to be an ass and do something like that, but all the same.

I would like to hope that this was just a really big oversight.. But then again, how could a company as big as AOL possibly make this big of a fuck up ?

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » February 2, 2006, 6:45 pm

Hooray, religious groups are over reacting again. We have an ad campaign up here for Molson Canadian that's "I Am Canadian". Are we claiming the your god is canadian? If the AOL slogan was "I AM GOD" or some shit, then I'd be happy to hear your gripes, but just getting on their case because they used "I AM" is possibly one of the stupidest religious complaints I've heard in awhile, and there's been some good ones lately.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » February 2, 2006, 6:47 pm

Agreed Dregor, the scariest part is the weight that these pathetic whinings and in some cases as we have seen, threats actually hold and the impact they are having.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » February 2, 2006, 7:35 pm

People will get in an uproar over this.. but things that really, well, matter.. they'll ignore.

miir · Post by **miir** » February 2, 2006, 7:37 pm

Yahweh Canadian!!

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » February 2, 2006, 7:46 pm

I never would have noticed had it not be posted here or most likely soon to be on the news. Big deal. I think there is a Holy war about to be waged against American and European media outlets.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » February 2, 2006, 7:50 pm

What a fucking stupid thing to complain about.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » February 2, 2006, 7:58 pm

Nick wrote:What a fucking stupid thing to complain about.

Obviously, I agree. But Are you really suprised? I guess that is my point, AOL should have known that although it is a really stupid thing to get pissed about, it was bound to happen anhow.

But then at the same time, why should they have to cater to the religious fanatics.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » February 2, 2006, 8:21 pm

Oddly enough, I agree with you.

Still, nothing really surprises me about the state of that nation anymore, it's more sickening than anything else.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » February 2, 2006, 8:34 pm

It just seems to me that religion is rapidly becoming more of a problem than anything. I understand that in the case of the muslims, they have showed that they are more than willing to be as violent as possible when they feel that people aren't respecting their religions rules, guidelines and ideals. Bearing this in mind I can see how some would be skeptical to push buttons, although its not my personal opinion anyone in any country should just back down to them.

The christians in the US is a whole different story though. We are letting them do the same thing more and more as the days pass ( I know its not to the same degree, but it still happens and this is a half-decent example) and I just really think we need to nip this issue in the ass before the church gets the wrong idea.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » February 2, 2006, 8:52 pm

I would say the extremists in the White House have shown at least as much if not more of a propensity towards violence than any Islamic fundamentalists in the last few years in terms of demanding the world exists by their rules.

Extremists of any religion are as bad as eachother, bunch of fucking nutcases imo, there is no "worst", all are prepared to do whatever it takes, be it oppression, killing or propoganda to further their own cause.

People like that just seriously need a kick in the fucking teeth.

Free expression is dying, so nutjobs can rule the roost. Please sort your fucking country out.

Saying, I am, is not a fucking crime.

Drasta · Post by **Drasta** » February 3, 2006, 12:32 am

duhh christians gotta find something to complain about ... i mean come on they wouldn't be christians if they didn't bitch about everything =-P they are like women! *ducks*

noel · Post by **noel** » February 3, 2006, 12:36 am

If I were AOL, I'd issue the following press release:

We at AOL are not, nor will we ever be a religious organization. As such, our new marketing slogan, 'I AM' has absolutely no religious connotation and should not be confused as such. We at AOL respect all religions in the most reasonable manner possible, however anyone confusing a marketing slogan with a religious statement from an online Internet/content service company needs to have their head examined.

Sincerely,
AOL.

In other news, I'd like to thank the Christian zealots (really all the zealots, not just the Christian ones) for inspiring my new title!

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » February 3, 2006, 6:45 am

I would have loved to taken this call as soon as he said "I'm offended," I would have pointed out the howling error of his ways...

Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah

Puts on his hardhat...

Next addition will come under attack because when you add two numbers the result is a sum. The latin sum translates to "I Am" so...

Midnyte_Ragebringer · February 3, 2006, 10:50 am

Fuck that bullshit. "I am" also stands for I fucking am sick of the sensitivities of everyone. Fucking pathetic. They have nothign to apologixe for. This shouldn't even be recognized by AOL.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » February 3, 2006, 11:02 am

I am Sam was a good movie.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » February 3, 2006, 11:13 am

noel wrote:If I were AOL, I'd issue the following press release:

We at AOL are not, nor will we ever be a religious organization. As such, our new marketing slogan, 'I AM' has absolutely no religious connotation and should not be confused as such. We at AOL respect all religions in the most reasonable manner possible, however anyone confusing a marketing slogan with a religious statement from an online Internet/content service company needs to have their head examined.

Sincerely,
AOL.
In other news, I'd like to thank the Christian zealots (really all the zealots, not just the Christian ones) for inspiring my new title!

lol !