Woo...scarey...

[Secret Squirrel]

Claim: Aftermath of Hurricane Charley reveals message from God on billboard.

Status: True.

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2004]

Many of the signs and billboards in the Orlando area were no match for Hurricane Charley. However, one billboard resisted the 100-mile per hour winds of the eye wall of the storm. While the billboard still stands, the advertisement that was there when Hurricane Charley hit was peeled back to reveal an earlier message. When the sun rose the next morning on Sand Lake Road in Orlando the words on the billboard clearly read:

WE NEED TO TALK
GOD.

Origins: Natural disasters (and even sometimes man-made disasters) are often interpreted by the religiously inclined as signs from God, warnings or punishments visited upon us by the Almighty for our moral misbehavior. (One might think of them as smaller-scale versions of the cataclysmic flood God unleashed upon the world, wiping out all of mankind save for Noah and his family, as recounted in the biblical Book of Genesis.)

So, as if four hurricane-level storms (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) battering Florida within a two-month period in August/September 2004 weren't enough of a sign that perhaps the man upstairs was displeased about something (a concept already exploited in a humorous political item), what if one of them were so direct as to reveal a written message from God proclaiming, "We need to talk"? That is evidently what happened in the Orlando area in August 2004 in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.

A few years back the Smith Agency of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, handled an assignment from a client by placing of a variety of billboards bearing non-denominational religious messages around the U.S. All the billboards presented short, simple inspirational notices (some with a bit of wry humor) in large white text on black backgrounds and were signed as if they came from God. Seventeen different messages were used in the campaign:
"Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game" — God

"C'mon Over And Bring The Kids" — God

"What Part of 'Thou Shalt Not . . .' Didn't You Understand?" — God

"We Need To Talk" — God

"Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer" — God

"Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage" — God

"That 'Love Thy Neighbor' Thing, I Meant It." — God

"I Love You . . . I Love You . . . I Love You . . ." — God

"Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place?" — God

"Follow Me." — God

"Big Bang Theory, You've Got To Be Kidding." — God

"My Way Is The Highway." — God

"Need Directions?" — God

"You Think It's Hot Here?" — God

"Tell The Kids I Love Them." — God

"Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available." — God

"Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test." — God
When Hurricane Charley slammed into Florida in mid-August 2004, battering the state with up to 100 mph winds that knocked over signs, uprooted trees, and left thousands of homes destroyed or uninhabitable, one billboard on Sand Lake Road in Orlando survived the onslaught relatively unscathed. The storm peeled off the most recent advertising message displayed on the board, however, revealing in its place an ad from an earlier campaign:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/SSSquirrel/god.jpg

[Flagg]

The bible thumpers are gonna eat this hook, line, and sinker.

so stupid.... :cantbeli:

[MVSpartan117]

Theres a bunch of those billboards in florida, with qoutes from bible on them.

[SpazzMunky]

OMG JESUS IS SMITING US FOR MIS-COUNTING BALLOTS!!!!1

[Fee Fi Fo Fum]

This exactly what the creaters on the billboards wanted to happen! its religious propaganda! ahhhhhhhhhhh!

[scm77]

http://www.gethep.net/road/images/marywindow3.jpg

OMG!1!1!

[PALADIN]

http://www.gethep.net/road/images/marywindow3.jpg

OMG!1!1!
Oh noes. Run for your lives!
*jumps off bridge*

[Tranceaddict]

http://www.gethep.net/road/images/marywindow3.jpg

OMG!1!1!
Oh noes. Run for your lives!
*jumps off bridge* rofl rofl rofl

http://img25.exs.cx/img25/9704/god6.jpg

[Rilence]

http://img25.exs.cx/img25/9704/god6.jpg
rofl

[b.scheller]

http://www.gethep.net/road/images/marywindow3.jpg

i dont see mary...i see one of those james bond theme girls...

[Mark Sman]

And just to prove people are schmucks look what some ahole did to that window.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/02/images/xlarge/A_1_10agather_180844_0302.jpg

I don't even remotely go for organised religion, but I figure it keeps people off the streets and out of my way. So its a good thing.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

http://www.gethep.net/road/images/marywindow3.jpg

i dont see mary...i see one of those james bond theme girls...

All must worship at the altar of the erect nipple.

[Secret Squirrel]

Weeks after it was found floating face up in the Rio Grande, a lifelike statue of a crucified Jesus Christ has attracted hundreds of curious and devout Christians who arrive in a steady stream to touch it and pray.

When the meditating and gawking are done, the questions start gushing forth.

Where did it come from? How did it get in the river? Is it a miraculous sign or blessing for the illegal immigrants who brave the Rio Grande's dangerous waters?

And where is its cross?

The mystery hasn't been solved in the month since U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the river in late August. Closer examination revealed the nearly life-size figure that ran aground on the Texas banks of the river was a vivid depiction of a suffering Jesus.

"He lives," proclaimed Dr. Carlos de la Pena, a devout Catholic who is one of numerous people, churches and religious groups offering to enshrine the statue.

"It's kind of like when Moses was found in the river. It's a tremendous blessing for the entire community," the local dentist said. "The fact that he stopped here in Eagle Pass is big. It's very touching."

Made from lightweight fiberglass, the artwork floated because it was hollow and had no punctures in its smooth painted surfaces. When it was retrieved, its only unusual marking was slight staining from river water, suggesting to some that it hadn't floated for long.

Local Catholic clerics offered few clues to its origins. No artist's mark was found, and even with widespread publicity in South Texas and northern Mexico, no one has come forward with knowledge of the statue.

On Aug. 31, about three days after it was found, the statue was turned over to local police, who plan to store it in their property room until a decision is made about its disposal. Since then, more than 500 people — including a busload of senior-citizen pilgrims from Laredo who arrived Friday — have come to visit the "Floating Jesus," also known as the "Christ of the Immigrants."

"We heard about it on the radio," said Alberto Munoz of Eagle Pass, who visited the statue last week with his wife, Maria. "It's a surprise — a favorable one."


Symbol of faith
Such devotion to an inanimate object may puzzle non-Catholics, but it's neither extraordinary nor harmful, church officials said.

"If it helps their faith, if it makes them more holy and a little bit more spiritual, then why not?" said the Rev. David Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio. "This is not idolatry. This is an unusual occurrence, and it has the symbolism of religion and of faith.

"The image of Jesus on a cross is a very important image to Catholics and Hispanics, and Mexicano Catholics even more so. They want to be a part of it. They want to be close to it. They want to touch it," the priest said.

Some even kiss it. Many fall to their knees. But most visitors simply stand and pray quietly next to the statue, usually for a few minutes but sometimes for up to an hour, police evidence technician Cesar Torres said. The visitors, mostly female, have been coming so steadily that police allow weekend and evening access.

"The first time they see it, they take a deep breath and cry," Torres said.


Where will it go?
The city has at least 60 days to decide where to send the statue. The city's three Catholic parishes, other Christian congregations, prayer groups and strangers as far away as New Mexico have offered to display it. De la Pena, for example, would like to move the statue to his Rancho Santa Maria in Maverick County, where for the past three years scores of devotees meet on the 13th of each month to recite the rosary. A 12-foot cross, donated by San Fernando Cathedral after 25 years of use in Holy Week rituals, is installed at the ranch for the church-affiliated services.

"We've been searching for a Christ that fits the cross," de la Pena said. "It fits perfect."

As officials mull over what to do with the statue, speculation abounds about its provenance.


Clue to origin
A similar Jesus statue that used to be displayed in San Antonio gives one clue about its mysterious look-alike. It has two holes in the back allowing it to hang on hooks mounted on a matching cross. Because the "floating Jesus" had no such holes, just indentations to mark where the holes should be, it's possible the statue never was displayed as part of a crucifix.

"It could have been an artist made it and for whatever reason he lost it or somebody stole it," Garcia said. "Maybe it was coming from Mexico to the U.S., and they lost it in the river as they were trying to cross it and it floated away from them."

The statue's nearly mint condition bolsters that notion, which competes with theories the item was swept into the river by floodwaters or discarded by thieves or pranksters.

Yet, all the scenarios hit a glitch: No one has reported the item missing or stolen. And notions of the statue floating from far upstream run into difficulty because a power plant obstructs the Rio Grande several miles north of the city.

[Secret Squirrel]

Weeks after it was found floating face up in the Rio Grande, a lifelike statue of a crucified Jesus Christ has attracted hundreds of curious and devout Christians who arrive in a steady stream to touch it and pray.

When the meditating and gawking are done, the questions start gushing forth.

Where did it come from? How did it get in the river? Is it a miraculous sign or blessing for the illegal immigrants who brave the Rio Grande's dangerous waters?

And where is its cross?

The mystery hasn't been solved in the month since U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the river in late August. Closer examination revealed the nearly life-size figure that ran aground on the Texas banks of the river was a vivid depiction of a suffering Jesus.

"He lives," proclaimed Dr. Carlos de la Pena, a devout Catholic who is one of numerous people, churches and religious groups offering to enshrine the statue.

"It's kind of like when Moses was found in the river. It's a tremendous blessing for the entire community," the local dentist said. "The fact that he stopped here in Eagle Pass is big. It's very touching."

Made from lightweight fiberglass, the artwork floated because it was hollow and had no punctures in its smooth painted surfaces. When it was retrieved, its only unusual marking was slight staining from river water, suggesting to some that it hadn't floated for long.

Local Catholic clerics offered few clues to its origins. No artist's mark was found, and even with widespread publicity in South Texas and northern Mexico, no one has come forward with knowledge of the statue.

On Aug. 31, about three days after it was found, the statue was turned over to local police, who plan to store it in their property room until a decision is made about its disposal. Since then, more than 500 people — including a busload of senior-citizen pilgrims from Laredo who arrived Friday — have come to visit the "Floating Jesus," also known as the "Christ of the Immigrants."

"We heard about it on the radio," said Alberto Munoz of Eagle Pass, who visited the statue last week with his wife, Maria. "It's a surprise — a favorable one."


Symbol of faith
Such devotion to an inanimate object may puzzle non-Catholics, but it's neither extraordinary nor harmful, church officials said.

"If it helps their faith, if it makes them more holy and a little bit more spiritual, then why not?" said the Rev. David Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio. "This is not idolatry. This is an unusual occurrence, and it has the symbolism of religion and of faith.

"The image of Jesus on a cross is a very important image to Catholics and Hispanics, and Mexicano Catholics even more so. They want to be a part of it. They want to be close to it. They want to touch it," the priest said.

Some even kiss it. Many fall to their knees. But most visitors simply stand and pray quietly next to the statue, usually for a few minutes but sometimes for up to an hour, police evidence technician Cesar Torres said. The visitors, mostly female, have been coming so steadily that police allow weekend and evening access.

"The first time they see it, they take a deep breath and cry," Torres said.


Where will it go?
The city has at least 60 days to decide where to send the statue. The city's three Catholic parishes, other Christian congregations, prayer groups and strangers as far away as New Mexico have offered to display it. De la Pena, for example, would like to move the statue to his Rancho Santa Maria in Maverick County, where for the past three years scores of devotees meet on the 13th of each month to recite the rosary. A 12-foot cross, donated by San Fernando Cathedral after 25 years of use in Holy Week rituals, is installed at the ranch for the church-affiliated services.

"We've been searching for a Christ that fits the cross," de la Pena said. "It fits perfect."

As officials mull over what to do with the statue, speculation abounds about its provenance.


Clue to origin
A similar Jesus statue that used to be displayed in San Antonio gives one clue about its mysterious look-alike. It has two holes in the back allowing it to hang on hooks mounted on a matching cross. Because the "floating Jesus" had no such holes, just indentations to mark where the holes should be, it's possible the statue never was displayed as part of a crucifix.

"It could have been an artist made it and for whatever reason he lost it or somebody stole it," Garcia said. "Maybe it was coming from Mexico to the U.S., and they lost it in the river as they were trying to cross it and it floated away from them."

The statue's nearly mint condition bolsters that notion, which competes with theories the item was swept into the river by floodwaters or discarded by thieves or pranksters.

Yet, all the scenarios hit a glitch: No one has reported the item missing or stolen. And notions of the statue floating from far upstream run into difficulty because a power plant obstructs the Rio Grande several miles north of the city.

[Secret Squirrel]

dammit, tried to edit my post and didnt even realize I was just quoting myself. Damn you jack, damn you straight to heck. p-)