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B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

hgc said:
...Islam doesn't have a monopoly on cresent moons.
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I agree.

From
http://islam.about.com/library/weekly/aa060401a.htm you can read the following:

"What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol? What does it symbolize or mean? How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam? Is it a valid symbol for the faith?

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon symbol. According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana. Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month. In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ."
 
When I was a kid I used to like BC, now it mostly makes me cringe when I read it.

I do find his evangelism annoying. What surprises me is that papers still carry his strip when it is loaded with misogyny. The only two female humans are "Fat Broad" and "Cute Chick". What does that say about the strip?

Although it must be a favorite for the YEC's with dino's and humans living side by side.

Also: what's up with the "Fat Broad" (sure sounds vulgar don't it? ) always mercilessly clubbing the snake? Is this Hart's reaction to the snake's roll in the fall?

Perhaps this strip is just so established that most editors look past these ugly aspects (or perhaps I'm being too PC), but I just wish this strip would go away.
 
cosmic said:
...

Also: what's up with the "Fat Broad" (sure sounds vulgar don't it? ) always mercilessly clubbing the snake? Is this Hart's reaction to the snake's roll in the fall?

...
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I think Fat Broad clubbing the snake represents lesbians and their man-hating ways.
 
Bluegill said:
...I thought it sounded silly at first, but at second glance, the cartoon does look suspiciously like a slam against Islam.
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I don't think I would have noticed it if it hadn't been pointed out. Given the cartoonist's history, and the strangely placed (I)SLAM then it wouldn't surprise me.

The ironic thing is that it doesn't work either way...
 
I think people are attributing a level of subtlety to Hart that he has never demonstrated otherwise.

Unless of course the snake is really a penis....now, that's symbolism!
 
Re: Re: B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

budddyh said:
I don't think I would have noticed it if it hadn't been pointed out. Given the cartoonist's history, and the strangely placed (I)SLAM then it wouldn't surprise me.

The ironic thing is that it doesn't work either way...
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This is getting quite absurd. The reference, if it's valid, is so obscure, that there would have to be a tremendously lucky confluence of a) Hart's intention to make the slur, but to make it so subtle as to escape the gaze of all but the most intent on getting it, and b) a segment of the audience so attuned to Hart's fundementalist leanings and on the lookout for veiled insults as to construe it this way (not to mention disregard for Occam). I'd have to say that only (b) applies.
 
Re: Re: Re: B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

hgc said:
This is getting quite absurd. The reference, if it's valid, is so obscure...
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Which was my point - it doesn't work as a joke, nor as a poke at Islam.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

budddyh said:
Which was my point - it doesn't work as a joke, nor as a poke at Islam.
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Which was not the point in your post that I dispute. It's the
Given the cartoonist's history, and the strangely placed (I)SLAM then it wouldn't surprise me.
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part that I have a problem with. It would greatly surprise me, even given the cartoonist's history, if he intended this slur. There's no there there.

Let me further elaborate...

The SLAM (I'll refrain from adding the I) is meant to show that the door was opened, and then closed. It's standard comic strip technique to show the same scene from panel to panel with changes in character movement and word balloons to convey action. In this case, the consistent scene is the outhouse with the door shut. It's especially important in that the crescent moon on the door helps to identify the building as an outhouse. The SLAM is added between panels to convey that the door had been opened and shut, thus establishing that the character seen in the first panel had entered and shut the door.

Islam does not have a monopoly on the word "slam."
 
The only thing that stinks is the cartoon itself. BC used to be funny. Now it's just lame.
 
I seem to remember that Hart has done this sort of thing before. a strip depicting the crucifixion, and one of those Jewish candle stick holders.
 
I think the joke is "ha ha ha, outhouses are stinky, stinky is funny, ha ha ha". There is nothing to "get".

Its just a terrible joke (it really doesnt deserve such a high title like "joke") . I dont think there was any religious significance that exists in this comic without being paranoia.
 
Re: Re: Re: B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

hgc said:
This is getting quite absurd. The reference, if it's valid, is so obscure, that there would have to be a tremendously lucky confluence of a) Hart's intention to make the slur, but to make it so subtle as to escape the gaze of all but the most intent on getting it, and b) a segment of the audience so attuned to Hart's fundementalist leanings and on the lookout for veiled insults as to construe it this way (not to mention disregard for Occam). I'd have to say that only (b) applies.
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OK, I admit that the anti-Islam interpretation might not be the most likely, but I think that there is more than the slim chance that you accord it.

1) Hart frequently uses religious symbolism and themes

2) I don't think it's all that subtle. I don't know that I would have thought of it if I had not seen a news article on it, but I don't normally look at any comic strips for hidden meaning. Hart could have hidden it inside the other (non-) joke so that he could play innocent.

3) the moon on the outhouse identifies the structure, but the moon in the sky is unnecessary.

4) The "SLAM" could have been replaced a picture of the character walking through the door.

I know the arguments aren't compelling. But I don't think the arguments against this interpretation are, either.
 
taking the conspiracy one step further...

I just saw the strip and the panel before the "SLAM" is very dark (again why is the scene at night?), the character is in silhouette, yet his eye is white and stands out like a sore thumb.

get it: eye=I

yep-- it's a stretch, but...
 
After looking at the cartoon, I think it is clearly anti-Christian. See, the outhouse is actually an arrow pointing up at the night sky where heaven and God are located. Thus, the outhouse represents the way to heaven, or Christianity itself. When the man says the arrow stinks, he is saying that Christianity stinks once you get inside it and see what it is like.

Don't mind me. I'm just trying to get to 50 posts so I can get an avatar.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: B.C. comic "slams" Islam?

Bluegill said:


OK, I admit that the anti-Islam interpretation might not be the most likely, but I think that there is more than the slim chance that you accord it.

1) Hart frequently uses religious symbolism and themes

2) I don't think it's all that subtle. I don't know that I would have thought of it if I had not seen a news article on it, but I don't normally look at any comic strips for hidden meaning. Hart could have hidden it inside the other (non-) joke so that he could play innocent.

3) the moon on the outhouse identifies the structure, but the moon in the sky is unnecessary.

4) The "SLAM" could have been replaced a picture of the character walking through the door.

I know the arguments aren't compelling. But I don't think the arguments against this interpretation are, either.
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I don't want to seem to quibble of trivialities, but this is getting me crazy.

1) This does not constitute evidence of any weight toward the accusation.

2) He possibly could have hidden this message, but before we go assigning any kind of probability, let's look at what was actually drawn.

3) The moon in the sky is used to indicate night. I think of using the outhouse at night as just a well established meme, and it's probably connected to the tradition of the crescent moon on the door. I'll repeat what I said above: Islam doesn't have a monopoly on crescent moons. Jeez, next someone will accuse the French of stealing the idea of the croissant from Algeria.

4) I've already explained about the SLAM. Many comic strip artists, and particularly Hart, use the same overall image for all of the panels in the strip, in this case the outhouse with the door shut. I assume this is for the convenience of not having to draw much to produce a new strip. But whatever the reason, he will use other techniques to convey action, such as "action" text between panels. This is the easiest way for him to convey that the character seen in the first panel has entered the outhouse. Why do you burden Hart with the responsibility of doing the strip a different way, just so the audience can't cook up an imagined insult, in a way he probably couldn't have thought of in advance?

So to your opening statement, I still see zero reason to believe that Hart is guilty. That's a lot less chance than "not the most likely."
 
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