RSSArt Conrad Protests Commercialism of Christmas with Crucifix and Santa Claus … “Santa died for your MasterCard”
“Santa died for your MasterCard.”
One way or another Art Conrad has certainly got people’s attention with his protest 
this year of the commercialism of Christmas. Art Conrad in a protest against the commercialization of Christmas has nailed a Santa Claus to a 15 foot high crucifix in his front yard. Credit cards may actually be the anti-Christ. Conrad’s protest is a slap in the face statement in so many ways that will be discussed both on a secular and religious level.
The Bremerton, Wash., resident is fed up with the commercial aspects of Christmas, and he’s voicing his protest in the form of some unorthodox holiday decorating: Santa on the cross.
Conrad has nailed jolly old St. Nick to a 15-foot crucifix in front of his home.
“Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be,” Conrad said. “Now he’s the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff.” (The Daily News)
The true sign of an effective protest is when all sides have an issue with it and are outraged, thus causing diverse dialog. Whether one calls him Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, Pere Noel, Christindl, Shengdan Laoren, Grandfather Frost, Babbo Natale, Papa Noel, Jultomten, Kerstman or simply “Santa,” the image of Santa has been used to become a means of purchasing rather than the “reason for the season”.
While some might be offended by the display, that’s part of the plan. Conrad says he’s also making a comment on political correctness and people’s fears of saying what they really think.
Neighbors’ reactions ranged from anger to curiosity to confusion.
Strange Santa Scene Makes Bremerton Man’s Comment on Christmas
Art Conrad, who owns the home and put up the display, said the commercialization angle is the number one impetus for the display, but he’s also making a statement about political correctness. That he finds Santa on a cross a hilarious juxtaposition fits in the list of motives, too.
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16 Responses to “Art Conrad Protests Commercialism of Christmas with Crucifix and Santa Claus … “Santa died for your MasterCard””
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This is bad taste…
I don’t care how materialistic Christmas is. He should have crucified the Easter Bunny if he wanted to make a statement on the cross.
Christmas is about new beginnings, miracles and childhood wishes. It’s about change, excitement and traffic jams. It’s about hustling and bustling on a cold winters night, to be with the one you love. But most of all, it’s about giving. You don’t have to spend money to do that. Just be kind, compassionate and caring; and, leave your mastercard at home.
He missed the ‘spirit’ of Christmas, mezzmerized
by the man in the red and white suit. There is
no Santa Clause, only people with BIG hearts.
Merry Christmas to my Monkey Friends!
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to man. Anything else has been added by man. But while many of us may lament that Christmas has been hijacked by commercialism and secularism, this is bad taste (as stated by Patti), and an embarrasment to all. How are parents supposed to explain to a 4 year old why Santa is up on the cross?
This is a disgusting display, and smacks anyone who believes in Jesus, Christmas, Santa or anything else. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. If someone doesn’t believe that, they don’t have to offend millions who do believe. Want to make a statement about mastercard and big spending, pick something else.
moly in houston
Try a hobby.
Model airplane building can be a hoot,
or so they tell me.
Santa crucifixion, a bit much dude!
I agree with the comments above. I dont disagree with his message, but it is a crass way to depict his opinion. A person today, like never before, has thousands of different venues to voice their view, especially bc of the internet. Use them
Ditto from me to all of the above comments. I can’t even begin to think of a way to explain this to my 7 year old son if he saw this display. We get your point, don’t take it out on your neighbors and their young children though.
I think folks take things way too seriously. I think it was a great way to get the message across, because it’s been picked up nationally. Sometimes you have to do something radical to get your voice heard above the din. Jesus’ radical action was to drive the moneychangers from the temple.
Our society crucifies Christ every Christmass by turning it into a commercial event. Instead of a gift exchange, why not spend an hour in silent meditation, in order to feel the bliss of our souls?
Check out the movie “What Would Jesus Buy?”
It is crass and in very bad taste and i hope this man will change his mind on having this display & take it down.
I can relate to being sickened by the commercialization of Christmas but little children are seeing this and it isn’t the right thing to do.
Remember the child in you sir and take it down.
The most offensive example of this year is the B/Coat ad where someone asks a little girl if she believes in Santa and she answers “i believe in cashmere”
I didn’t like the ad & told them about it, it’s like a primer ad for next year by replacing the word Santa with Jesus. Don’t want to to give em any ideas’s but thats the way it felt to me.
way to go Art–you are right on and a brave man–wish I had thought of your slam against materialism/commericalism myself–wake up Christians and smell the coffee-we are quickly becoming a pagan nation and you can’t even see it. I have been a REAL Christian for 21 years and I can see the writing on the walls, write can’t you??? Santa is the reason for the season now–now CHRIST–can’t even say Merry Christmas cause it is offenseive–give me a big fat break–wake up Christians–we will soon have to be closet christians, expecially at Christmas!! You got Art–keep up the good work and I know lots of Real Christians who agree with your message!
It’s a tempest in a teapot, in my opinion. There are lots of other issues out there. And when you consider what perversions of good taste and decency are put forward every day in the name of “art,” then this seems pretty mild.
I don’t care for the debasement of religious images myself (but at least this isn’t likely to result in a death sentence for this guy; suppose he tried the same thing with the Prophet Muhammad in Iran or Saudi Arabia?), but I admit that the nonstop onslaught of Christmas ads ever since Thanksgiving, if not before, puts me in roughly the same frame of mind.
Richard:
Bah Humbug!
Those ads have been like that for years…
and the Christmas shows, that we all used
to watch while our parents went shopping,
ran from Thanksgiving to Christmas, as well.
Face it: Christmas is as American as Apple Pie.
.
Perhaps he should hang himself from that cross…
His Mastercard does, only, as he tells it!
AWESOME!!
I love it. I can’t say enough good things about it. Art Conrad, you are THE MAN! You’ve given me the best Christmas present I’ve had in years. I’ll be chucklin’ about this one for many joyous silly seasons. Thank you!
Rock on bro’ !!
lol it hurts does it to be called out for celebrating a pagan holiday Jesus would be proud keep up the good work. There is nothing Christian about Christmas.
dood naar PATTI WE KOMEN VOOR JE HOOR…HOOFD ERAAF liegende hoer
I think Art Conrad did an excellent job.
I don’t understand the visions of Christians like Patti , Molly , ( and Pat ? ) ………
I am a strong believer myself.
Wasn’t it Jesus Christ himself who threw out people of the temple because they were only involved with trade and selfishness ????
If you think that being a good Christian ( and a good person ) is only about believing that he existed and celebrating his birthday ( with maximum use of your mastercard ) then you really need to read again everything what Jesus said.
Johan