This submission reflects my belief that, our creator, by whichever name you choose to call him (God, Allah, Yahweh, Vishnu, Buddha...) is one and the same. And, that the last thing that he wants is for us to kill each other, especially in his name. Now, I know there are some of you out there just waiting to nail me for referring to our creator as 'him", so, please don't bother. I refer to God as Him, because for me to write he/she, or "it" would be completely ridiculous. In truth, I don't believe that our creator is bound by the same gender boundries that we are. So, for simplicities sake, I refer to him as I've been taught. Please don't allow the semantics to get in the way of a deeper meaning. If you think this submission is crap, that's fine, let me know. But please don't be turned off because you think I'm sexist.

hugs and kisses,

Dom

you are a sexist

really though...you know how i feel about this concept...now if only everyone would listen and live it...

I really like this design as well as the symbolism. It looks good in all colors. Good one! Even if you're not religious, it makes an awesome lookin t-shirt!

i am not religious, but i appreciate the meanign behind this and think it a very neat looking design. its great as it, but (and i don't know this would work) i think it'd also look cool if around the outside ring if you put in every religious symbol you could ind to incorporate even more religions.

RaeKuusou, thank you for the kindness. Regarding the inclusion of other religions and symbols, I can dig what you're saying. But, my rational here was, with the five major religions referenced, plus the agnostics/athiests, who are included by their exclusion, I have covered approximately 5.8 billion of the 6.45 billion humans on this planet. Scary isn't it? With such an overwhelming unifying factor, we're still as segmented as ever, and probably getting worse. For anyone who might view this who doesn't feel included, if anyone ever prints this, take a sharpie and add make your mark. There's plenty of room for all.

DaddyDom, first off let me just say that I respect how you've been taught and that i understand where you are coming from. I would also like to comment on how marvelously designed the shirt is, and the concept would fabulous except for a few things. If you want to include Christianity and Judism's God then you should be aware that they share some different ideoligies than you about the whole Unitarian thing. In the Bible there's a book called Exodus, God says, "You shall have no other gods before me." The chapter and verse are 20:3, if you would like to know. Basically this means that we as people should only worship the God of the Bible, and i'm not talking about different offsprings or strict religions based off of the Bible such as Mormanism or Catholism. Also the Christians believe, "that the only way to know God is through Jesus Christ." This statement was made by Jesus before he was crucified for not following the strict religious rules of the pharisees and priests, and also making the claim that he was God. Anyway, to sum up my speech I just want to say that interesting idea to accept any sort of god or religion, but think of it this way; if you were to create something, say a shirt for Threadless and it was printed and your life was all well and good. Then someone took your design tweaked it a little, gave it the same name as yours and then said that they created it. Further from there, more and more people kept taking your design and claiming it as theirs. To you, the original designer and creator, this would suck. A lot! This is why God makes it clear in the Bible that there are no other "true" gods except for him. Thank you if you've read all of this and please don't be mad if i've offended you, i just wanted to clarify the existance of Christianity's God.

oooo, man....religious design...prepare for more lenghty philosophical comments and arguments.

Pink, while I respect the passion within you, you've completely missed the point of this piece, and actually, you've made it's point in the process. The point of this piece isn't changing people's religious views, rites, or practices. It's about an acceptance of the probability that we are all created by the same being, no matter what name we use for him. And that this being, that you and I call God, doesn't want us killing each other. Especially not for how we choose to worship him. Now, for you to immediately launch into the "My God is the only true God and the only way to heaven is my way" rhetoric, you've given a glaring example of the issues at hand.

Regarding the Threadless design analogy. If this design ends up changing hands and names and authorship 1000 times over, but the message of tolerance remains, then I couldn't be happier about it. If goodness is the end result, then my message will have succeeded.

I'm very happy that this piece has stirred something within you, I just hope that you can look past the names and see the message. Or do you not support peace and unity? We can all be different, and live differently, but still live together.

well done!

I don't comment very often as I havent as of yet submitted anything, but would liek to on this.



This is really nice...color, size, placement and illustration, as well as the thought behind it. I'm not religious myself, but I respect others belief systems and would buy/wear this, although my preference for color would be either the green on black or the blue on navy.



The funny thing is even though you are showcasing those five specific symbols, I also see the 5 pointed star, a very important symbol for those of some pagan faiths.



Cool, 5 and $

arg! please add an edit function :P

frankentoe, good catch! I was wondering if anyone was going to see that.

I'm an atheist, swear to God!

i love this shirt and i think its message couldnt be better. i could say more, but why?

i could rant for ages on the multitude of reasons why i love this design so much, but you already said it all. incredible, wonderful work. i hope this gets printed, i'd buy one for my mom too. 5 and $

This is so awesome I would tattoo it on my body. haha. 5$

absolutely awesom work DaddyDom! this should be printed - i love the light blue design on the dark shirt. this is a definite buy for me. there are a lot of shirts i would consider buying, but few i'd watch and wait impatiently to see printed.



as for pink's thoughts - i encourage you to open your mind and explore the notion that God is so much bigger than any one individual or group could ever imagine or even begin to explain. i know i tend to run the other way whenever i hear anyone say "this is the one and only way to believe...." i grew up with that sort of brainwashing and i thank God... yes, God... that i was able to get beyond it and recognize the many faces of God.

i agree with economos... the light blue on the dark shirt...



we studied this concept of all the faces of God in the reason and faith class that i took this year...



great shirt!!!

i would get beat up in the BX if i wore this

There would always be controversy luming over this, but I dig the concept. From my perspective, I like the whole unity one sees right away when viewing this. I just wish people would just be opened minded about the art and the concept and not be damaged because they think it's a personal attack on them. If they were secure with what they believe, it doesn't matter what others' opinions are. Rock on, dude!

the design itself, well done. The size, placement, and color are great.



daddydom, i respect the fact that you believe we were all likely created by the same god or being.



However, let me raise a couple questions: What makes goodness the end goal? What defines "good."?



Different religions define what is "good" in completely different ways, so how can we all strive for what is "good" if we each define it in a different way?



In order for us to all peacefully strive for what is good, we all would have to agree on what the definition of "good" is.



Also, you said that the " the last thing that ["the creator"] wants is for us to kill each other, especially in his name." How can you truly know this? Did you ask him? Maybe it's pleasurable to "the creator" to see us kill each other.



Now, I definitely don't believe that. I'm merely trying to point out that unless there is one true God, and one true definition of who he is, then terms like "God" and "good" mean absolutely nothing.



Like I said, i like the design, but I don't agree with the philosophy behind it. Sorry for the massive post, hope I wasn't rambling!

dropowtt, as with Pink above, you've missed the point and made it at the same time.

In response to what is goodness and what is good, you need to realize the difference between subjectivity and objectivity and also use the lost art of common sense. For instance, you are walking down the street alone and you see a newborn baby in the middle of the street. Let's say you have three choices: 1. You walk out, pick the baby up, and bring her to a hospital after calling the police on your cell phone. 2. You walk by and ignore the child. 3. You walk out into the middle of the street and stomp the child to death.

Now, regardless of race, creed, or gender, there is an obvious objective good here, a subjective neutrality, and an objective bad.

Now, not all things in life are as cut and dried as this, but, if you take the time to think about it, most things are almost this easy to figure out.

Now, regarding a strict definition of God or good, that's where these problems begin. Once you try to quantify and define something, it becomes subjective to the definer. Whether you want to believe it or not, there are objective rights and wrongs in your everyday life. And, you have the ability to figure them out.

Now, finally, by saying that you don't agree with the philosophy behind this piece, are you saying that you don't think that people should live together in peace? Are you saying that people should continue to kill each other because they choose to worship in different ways or not at all? I hope that you don't truly feel this way.

Thank you very much for the input, but I feel that you've focused on the individual words and not the message.

what sets the standard? what makes a decision objective? What makes stomping the child to death wrong?



OF COURSE I believe that stomping the child to death is wrong. But why is it? Because it isn't nice? Why isn't it? There must be a standard.



Is it common sense? What if it makes sense for someone to cheat on a test so they'll get a better grade? What if it makes sense for someone to kill someone and take their money? There must be a standard.

All religious arguments aside, i think this is the most awsome t-shirt ive seen on here to date!

I WANT THIS!!!

Dude, you're answering your own question. Why do you believe that stomping the child to death is wrong? Answer the question yourself, since it's the way you feel. Or do you just answer questions and feel things but never question why? The standards you seek are, for the most part, uniform to most religious teachings. The idea is to question what your taught to make sure that it's valid.

Regarding cheating and murder for profit. It may well superficially be to your benefit, but this isn't about you. It's about your relationship with everyone and everything around you. Let me ask you this, do you beleive that cheating on a test, or murdering someone for money is OK to do? If you don't, as you haven't for most of your arguments, then unfortunately your point is moot. You are arguing for something that you don't even believe in, and that you, yourself, believe is "bad".

You are asking to be taught something that you already know.

I'm not the biggest fan, to me, I see all faiths interconnected as to the same big huge faith, when in reality, sadly, most faiths are complete rivals due to commercialism.

oh biff, I'm not sure if I'm understanding what your saying. When I read your post, it seems like you and I agree completely. Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

"For instance, you are walking down the street alone and you see a newborn baby in the middle of the street. Let's say you have three choices: 1. You walk out, pick the baby up, and bring her to a hospital after calling the police on your cell phone. 2. You walk by and ignore the child. 3. You walk out into the middle of the street and stomp the child to death.

Now, regardless of race, creed, or gender, there is an obvious objective good here, a subjective neutrality, and an objective bad."



well, no. if you've been raised to believe killing, stealing, abusing, WHATEVER, is good...then you're going to kill the little child, aren't you? some people have different moral values to the majority and...yeah. i've forgotten what i was going to say but that's largely my point.



also, to clarify, the buddha wasn't a creator/deity figure, he was a human being that managed to escape samsara. hmm...



still, i like the shirt!

Fl5, first of all, thanks for liking the shirt.

Once again though, the point isn't that there is absolutely no one that would kill the child, the point is that, no matter what you're taught, it is wrong to kill that child. If a person was born and raised to kill all, then yes, to them, subjectively, it would be the right thing to do to kill this child, but that still doesn't make it right objectively to kill this child.

Now, regarding Buddha, if you take a look at the story of Buddha, especially prior to his birth (as Siddhartha) you'd find many striking similarities to the conception story of Jesus. I'm sure that, with proper time to study, we could find many, many more parallels. Factor that in with the accepted (amongst the faithful) fact that Buddha has reincarnated 500+ times, and I think you are doing him a great injustice by referring to him as nothing more than a human being.

PS Why does every continue to kill this poor child, what did she ever do to you?

I'm afraid you still haven't answered WHY it is wrong to kill the child.

Is it because everyone "knows" it's wrong? Because you feel it's wrong?



Why is it objectively wrong to kill the child?



Again, I want to make sure you understand that I believe it is wrong to kill the child, and I know exactly why I believe that.



All I'm asking is why YOU believe it. What the basis for your belief that this is wrong?

My basis is that it is inherently wrong to do any harm, physically or mentally, to any human being. Yes, it is what I've been taught by my parents, my siblings, my teachers, and the religion within which I grew up.

Now, there are obviousely reasons why you may perhaps harm someone righteously (in defense of yourself or others.) But, at least in my life, and I know that I'm lucky for this, those times have been few and far between.

Once again, I will state that, your need to know my reasoning has nothing to do with the message of this piece, and is actually close to it's antithesis. Overall, it shouldn't matter why we agree, or where our morals and ideals come from, as long as we live by them and do no OFFENSIVE, meaning initial, harm to those who don't.

PS. I can already feel someone coming at me with a "What about the animals" shot. I personally, do not believe in harming any of God's creation. Does this mean I ride a bike to work and eat nothing but in-animate, non-living objects? No. I f-ing love meat, Cow, Chicken, Pig, whatever, bring it on. I will not, however go to a farm and shoot any of the above. I don't even kill bugs, unless the threaten my kids (bees, wasps...) I will however, admit to hating spiders and cockroaches. I'll kill either of them rather freely. If any or all of the above make me a hippocrite in any way in your view, I apologize. But at least I'll admit to it. I'm gonna go eat some cow, now. Went and made myself hungry.

Cause I love long debates about religion...oh wait I don't.



It's a beautiful idea/theory, but a large part of any faith is that yours is the only "right" one and acceptance isn't tolerated. Pretty sad in my opinion.



About the shirt, I like the design.

calm down. no more debating. it's just a shirt. good design though.

if you don't think about the religious side, this design is awesome! i would totatlly buy it! i love it

But, I kinda like the debate. It's fun! Thanks for the likes and loves guys. And thanks for the questions as well.

it looks like pompus b.s. to me.

That would've been a much better name. "Pompus B.S." by angryfrance.

The animals would probably suffer a lot less if you would go down to the farm and shoot them. Rather, they're stuffed in mass-production facilites (factory farms) and not allowed to move around and forced to live amongst shit, death, and hunger. With anything (e.g. beaks) removed which they could use to harm themselves or others in close proximity, their lives are miserable and meaningless.

I'd also like to say I don't think there is an objective Good vs. Evil/Right vs. Wrong/whatever you'd like to call it. I don't think that's true at all. We are not born with morals and values. These are something we develop over time. They're just beliefs we hold, making them subjective.



Those points aside, I really like this shirt. It's best on green or red. I'd rather it were a sticker, but a shirt is nice.

petulance

1. Why should the animals get off any easier than the rest of us?

2. While I don't disagree that children are a product of there environment, though not wholly, I do believe there are objective goods and evils. But I've over-explained that all already and have become 'pompus, and full of bull feces."

3. Thanks for the love, maybe the Threadless boys can hatch up another money making scheme with stickers. Probably not much money, but money just the same. Maybe they can use some of the designs that just missed the cut for t-shirts for their company logo stickers.

4. Is that how you spell "wholly"? It doesn't look right.

5. I love the word "feces".

I hate to interrupt the religious discussion thing... but I have an actual comment about the design. I think it's very pretty, and I like the green version of it best. Five, but I'm waffling on the buy.

Do you people ever sleep???

Hey Gish, if you end up buying waffles, could you pick some up for me? Mmmm, waffles. Thanks for the love, I'm not normally a green person, but I really like that one too, for some reason.

littlem, all times are eastern, meaning you were on at 7:23 in the morning on a Saturday. WHOSE NOT SLEEPING NOW, HAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHA

I'd probably wear the scarlet, though. And I'm not really a red person, either.

This shirt can only be worn by someone with the philosophy to back it up, and I can't wait to buy it.

Hmmm, that can't be right....I didn't get outa bed til nearly 8am....and that's 'sleeping in' for me:)

oh, there, i see now...2 hour difference, not 3. who's the dork now???? muhahahahahaha

i absolutely agree with your views Dom, even if i was raised in a catholic ambient, i feel like it's not right to diss other people's religion, 'cause deep down inside we're all the same and we're here to help each other, not punch ourselves in the face

I don't like the shirt a bit tomuch going on. Why stop at just 5 there are trees,rats, Greek gods,and all the hindu gods cant be summed up by one sign. Because all faiths being "THE RIGHT WAY"really makes since. Give mea a break.

Uhhh, what?

cheetle...did you not read the sharpie comment? it's the 6th one from the top... that should answer your question quite nicely

i quite like it. ^_^

heads up theOtherSideOfPink, it's mormonism...not morman (f.y.i.)

nice design, good theory behind it.

i like

I lurve this shirt.

i might have considered buying this shirt.



but if i'm going to have to have conversations like this when i wear it, forget it!

You mean you don't like religious arguments? Why not, they're so f-ing fun!!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA

Nope.

wow. it's so intersting how everyone reads into this design whatever they want to. it's just logos, mixed together to form a new logo, essentially. people bring their baggage everywhere, don't they?