Picket of Victoria’s Secret in Carmel, IN

By: Steve Huston

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The following is a report regarding the picketing of Victoria’s Secret at Clay Terrace Mall, Carmen, IN (near Indianapolis]. I’m keeping the writer anonymous by my choice. The picket took place Saturday, December 8.
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Praise God. Things went well. ..

It was supposed to sleet here all day. …

Bill, the sun shone while we were out there. It began sleeting after we finished. ..

Our signs read: “Adult Store for Kids?” “Innocence lost here.” “Women made objects here.” “Frog boiling here.” “Speak out.” “Demand Decency.”

My favorite was “Adult store for kids?”

There was a group of kids there wrapping presents. Their youth leader thanked us for being an example to them of peaceful protest. I only pray God will open the eyes of the blind.

We had a mom and teenage daughter from Lafayette [IN]. Who were thrilled we were protesting. The mom was so happy to learn that she is not alone in her thinking. …

We had about 20 adults there. We had to stand in a narrow median because we were not allowed on the sidewalk. I think if we made more specific signage we could move to the corner at the entrance of the mall and there be allowed to hand out flyers and have a better turn out. Among the twenty were 2 teenagers and 5 men including, of course, our Lord.

I found out today that the security and police were expecting another protest today. Maybe we should have scheduled more.

Tomorrow we meet with our city treasurer who has worked with the mayor since his first election. [One of our leaders] found out through a girl in the community about a “Child Appropriate resolution” Something the city adopts and then urges merchants and businesses to adopt as well. Our leaders are very much interested in being cutting edge on everything. I am VERY HOPEFUL. Please continue to keep us in our prayers.

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My personal note:
For several years now, we have urged Victoria’s Secret and General Growth Properties to tone down their erotic displays. Recently, I reviewed pictures of displays that Victoria’s Secret has exhibited front and center in their front windows.

As always, I feel the tension between making the images readily available for you to view for yourself so that you can experience the indignation that accompanies seeing these visuals placed so aggressively and inappropriately at such public locations.

However, there is the other side of the story. That is when I show pictures there is always the concern that we will stir up lust within someone(s).
For you scoffers, I almost always get an email from someone expressing alarm at what I have shown accompanied by their removing themself from our email list. I can handle people leaving, but I don’t want to harm people and turn them toward sinning – [be a contributor to stirring them to lust.]

We try to strike a balance by showing images and toning them down by whiting out private parts.

I applaud these ladies and men in Carmel, Indiana who are taking a stand down in Carmel, Indiana. They are correct.

Nonetheless, it is a thankless task. I was reading an article in the Indianapolis Star News and then reading the blog comments regarding their stand. [596 comments – most of them negative]

Here are just a few of the comments in reaction to Moms for Decency’s
stand for decency.

“… Fortunately, the Carmel City Council has no authority–and never will, so long as we have that little document called the Constitution–to ban art simply because some sex-obsessed ninnies think they see nudity everywhere. I would suggest these “decency” protestors take a cold shower and get life! …”

“Seig heil…”

“… next campaign will be to put diapers on all hogs at the stair fair because viewing hog testicles may cause kids to have sex at a younger age.”

“Carmel, the city of fruit cakes and fairy god mothers. Can’t we just wrap a rope around that one horse town and drag it out of the state before they have us all looking like hicks. I’m more in favor of doing that. Then we won’t have all of these old biddies to put up with every time we turn around. Or the wind blows for that matter. ..”
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These folks are not alone in their understanding of the damage done by such sexualized displays. A week ago Friday, I interviewed with CNN Headline News, CNN Moderator, Mike Galanos himself expressed outrage:

“It’s happened to me. Walking through the mall, you’re on the way to see Santa this time of year, and there’s the 12-foot poster of the lady in the teddy and the lingerie. … “I’m not anti-lingerie, but get it in the back of the store – my two kids don’t need to see that as we’re walking to Santa. … It’s happening in malls across the country, and folks, some parents like myself are not too happy about it. … When it’s coming at me, … It’s overwhelming for the ten-year old and, as Bill pointed out, it could be overwhelming for me, as well.”

LET ME HIGHLIGHT THIS:
” … It’s overwhelming for the ten-year old and, as Bill pointed out, it could be overwhelming for me, as well….”
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More importantly than what I think or what a CNN commentator says is what Jesus says:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

And this:
Some of you will remember that Abercrombie & Fitch used to use gift bags that displayed scantily clad teens. As the customer purchased their items, they got this bag featuring sexualized imagery. So now as the shopper moved about the mall, they carried in-your-face sexualized imagery – a walking advertisement for lust and A&F.

Victoria’s Secret has such a gift bag. It’s blurred out but you’ll get the idea.

Boycott Victoria’s Secret and take action.

VS Fashion Show – advertiser results – many corporations have fled advertising on this flesh fest https://americandecency.org/updates_new/2007/December/12.04a.07.php

Expressions of concern in Carmel, IN make a difference
https://americandecency.org/updates_new/2007/December/12.03.07.php

Is fighting pornography at your local mall irrelevant? Is speaking up against indecency at the checkout counters trivial? Is writing letters to advertisers unworthy of your attention?
Is perfecting holiness in the fear of God old-fashioned?

Let’s encourage one another and strengthen one another to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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