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A new campaign was rolled out in Paris yesterday which a government spokesman said was 'Aimed at curbing the increased religification of French society'. France, a famously secular country, feels itself coming under increased pressure from religious organisations with highly political agendas seeking to sway opinions on some highly controvertial laws such as the recent ban on the wearing of the burqua in public by Muslim women.
Another thinly veiled stab at the Muslim community, some were claiming before they actually saw some of the new posters and stickers, many of which clearly target the Christian faith as well.
The campaign has chosen a vivid and unambiguous image - the familiar red circle with a line through it, and features the slogan 'No Miracles' and variations thereof.
In the picture above we see the 'No Walking On Water' prohibition sticker next to the Louvre Pyramid in the 1st arrondissement, while others depict the themes 'No Feeding The 5000', 'No Burning Bushes' and 'No Salt Pillars'.
In defending the initiative, a spokesperson for mayor Bertrand Delanoë stated: "Most of these are actually practical matters and fall under the health and safety regulations so I don't see what people are making a fuss about, personally." He continued: "Obviously burning bushes are a serious fire hazard for both pedestrians and motorists, while no feeding of wildlife in the streets, starting with pigeons, has been our policy for several years now and is accompanied by a fine for offenders due to the hygiene risk incurred."
As for the potential creation of pillars of salt he stated "We feel this would be surplus to requirements as the Colonnes de Buren at the Palais Royal have just recently been restored (and God knows we had enough difficulty getting those approved in the first place) and the Mairie de Paris has no plans to install further artworks of this type for the time being." He stopped short of repeating the plagiarism claim which erupted the first time this was attempted within the city walls, although he did add "There is also, of course, the womens' rights issue to consider here, and the thorny issue of whether the women have been properly consulted before the salt pillar conversion takes place, but I really don't have time to go into that right now."
Whether these measures will actually have an effect on the incidence of miracles performed in Paris remains to be seen but signs are not looking good; i was in the city yesterday bursting for a leak and lo and behold! in two minutes i'd found one of those peepod things in the street which actually worked for once, which was a minor miracle in itself.
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© 2010 Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.
1 comment:
Ah, I am reminded of that 1960's tune;
"Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign"
Nothing like perpetuating a problem by increased advertising. And cluttering the urban architecture with tackiness.
My feeling is if religious bodies become politically motivated, then they should loose their tax exempt status. I am assuming the church is tax exempt in Europe as it is here in the states. Pardon my ignorance on the matter.
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