[PinksMommy]

Hey, I could really use some help from you experienced and wise lactivist moms.
Next month is my city's annual festival/carnival celebratory event, and my church is having a booth selling food. I am going to be working there every day of the fair and dealing directly with the public. I want to make up some Christian-themed activism shirts on customizedgirl dot com, and I'm not sure what to say.
I've seen a design before that says something like, "Jesus was a cloth-diapered breastfed baby" but I'd like to have a total of at least 3 different shirts, and have them be a little more direct than that.

I'm thinking of having one just say "Jesus loved his mommy's milk!" do you think that would bother anyone? The other people (staff mostly) who will be working at the booth know me and know my personality and sense of humor, but I'm wondering if it would hurt my cause to wear something that could be inflammatory, like "Jesus loves the little children, and He wants them all to drink breastmilk. It is a gift from God."
I can see how that might be considered over the top. Or you know..."Baby Jesus drank breastmilk, your baby should too!"

Where should I draw the line here? I need some ideas...
Also, is there any good quote or reference where I could insinuate that Jesus was extended breastfed?

 

[Clarinet]

I think incorporated bible verses would help you. I don't know offhand, but I think someone once posted a quote about breastfeeding that was from the bible. I'll check around.

ETA: WOW! Check out LuvMyLittles' post - #8. It has a bunch of verses and a couple links.

 

[adtake]

Maybe 'even the Virgin Mary breastfed'

I like the one 'Jesus was breastfed'...you really can't get any better than that.

 

[J-Max]

I have a bumper sticker that says "Jesus was breastfed!" that would work. I love the idea of using bible verses, too!

 

[frontierpsych]

Yep, that's what I always say, Jesus was breastfed... probably for a good few years, and probably in public, without a blanket tossed over his face!

 

[noah's_mama]

I am 100% for breastfeeding, as I think God gave this as a wonderful gift to mothers and babies, but I think this is an inappropriate use of Jesus' name. I don't like the way people throw His name in with whatever agenda they have in mind when they deem it appropriate. Yes, I know that this is a worthwhile cause, but it gives me the same feeling of when people try to put Christ on one side of the political fence. In my opinion, people should be focused on the fact that Christ died to save us from our sin rather than whether or not He was breastfed and for how long, especially when you are going to be representing the church.

 

[hawkfeather]

I have never heard that.. interesting.

I do not think it is using Jesus's name I think it is celebrating a beautiful aspect of life.

but I had never thought of it in the manner stated above.. and i am not Christian.

I think the OP has some wonderful ideas.. but i have to say i liked the idea of using passages so much as well!!!

 

[Clarinet]

People use Jesus' name as a reason NOT to breastfeed, telling mothers they are being indecent and immoral. I don't see why the OP can't refute the hypocracy.

 

[frontierpsych]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjkmaurice People use Jesus' name as a reason NOT to breastfeed, telling mothers they are being indecent and immoral. I don't see why the OP can't refute the hypocracy.

Exactly. She's not the one bringing Him into this, they are.

 

[frenchie]

I think you need to tread water lightly with this. Something that may seem benign to you, may be inflammitory to somebopdy else who is extremely uptight. I'm assuming this carnival is an outreach to the community. You are a representative of your church. I think finding a passage would be the safest, and then add a statement of your own right below the passage.
This keeps running through my head too....Breastmilk: God created perfect nutrition for babies.

 

[judybean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchie This keeps running through my head too....Breastmilk: God created perfect nutrition for babies.

I love this!!!! That's actually the way I explain why I breastfeed to my older two girls. I tell them that God designed our bodies to make food for babies after being pregnant and how it is The Perfect Food because God designed it as such.

 

[frontierpsych]

Yup! Ask them if God made something, and man tried to make the same thing, which would they prefer?

 

[User101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by noah's_mama I am 100% for breastfeeding, as I think God gave this as a wonderful gift to mothers and babies, but I think this is an inappropriate use of Jesus' name. I don't like the way people throw His name in with whatever agenda they have in mind when they deem it appropriate. Yes, I know that this is a worthwhile cause, but it gives me the same feeling of when people try to put Christ on one side of the political fence. In my opinion, people should be focused on the fact that Christ died to save us from our sin rather than whether or not He was breastfed and for how long, especially when you are going to be representing the church.

I disagree, especially in a world where so many people use Jesus as a way to browbeat women into NOT nursing. I am sure no one is suggesting that we ignore the salvation message solely to use Jesus to push breastfeeding. The story and lessons of Christianity are many and complex; there are many, many aspects of it to be shared. For some, breastfeeding, connecting with and loving a child as Christ loved us, is a huge walking, living, breathing example of the salvation story.

 

[User101]

Oh, and my shirt idea would be the verse
"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you."
Isaiah...something

And a line drawing of a breastfeeding baby

 

[stanswife]

This may be too vague to help...I asked my husband and he thinks the Bible says something about Samuel being weaned at two years. Of course, you wouldn't focus on the weaning part, but it may include a verse or two that you could use...

 

[sapphire_chan]

How about some t-shirts or posters with pictures of Maria Lactans?

How about "G-d Made, Man Tested, Baby Approved"?

Little onsies "The Man Upstairs Knows What's Best--Breastmilk"

Or some bible verses about nursing at a mothers flowing breasts and such.

 

[bczmama]

Before doing this, I guess I would consider the church's purpose in participating in the carnival.

In all likelihood, I bet that the church is participating in the carnival as a way of reaching out to new members or to raise its profile in the community. As a result, I would be hesitant to wear any activist gear (of any kind) as I would view it as stealing the church's thunder. Generally I think that during the time you are actually volunteering at an organization you are there to promote the organization and not your personal agenda.

To me what would be logical to wear would be a t-shirt supporting one of the church's local charities or activities (if you had something like that in your wardrobe).

 

[Dido]

OK, I'm not a Christian, but I'm butting in anyway, because I had a thought about this. There are so many masterpieces of Western art that depict Jesus in Mary's lap, his hand on her nipple, or snuggled close to her breasts. I always thought that would be an opportunity for Christian lactivists to reproduce such artworks, showing the centuries-old tradition of depicting Jesus as a nursing baby.

You might try going to an art website and doing a search for nativity paintings, especially during the Renaissance. If there's something appropriate, you might be able to order a print or possibly download an image to your computer that could then get printed on a t-shirt by a digital photo company.

--a Jewish mama who doesn't worship Jesus but thinks he was a cute baby anyway!

 

[Momtwice]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/links/bf-...l#Christianity

 

[ColoradoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrklynMama --a Jewish mama who doesn't worship Jesus but thinks he was a cute baby anyway!

: Okay, that was funny. I really like your idea though. That is a very good way to put lactivism out there without being in your face. Normally, I have no problem being in your face, but I can see where this particular situation would be a little sticky for that.