©1999 by James
A. Fowler. All rights
reserved.
You are free to download this article provided it remains intact without alteration.
You are also free to transmit this article electronically provided that you do so
in its entirety with proper citation of authorship included.
The illustrator of these
parodies is Aaron Eskridge.
For contact and information about Aaron: Illustrator's
Page
Text of article below graphic
I had always dreamed of
owning a business of my own. A friend had advised that a franchise
outlet of an existing chain with its developed support network
was a wise business choice. Therefore, I was most interested
in the advertisement which read:
"Franchises available - Sound business
opportunity. International corporation. Open one in your community.
Call 1-800-623-3489."
I made the call and agreed
to visit one of their successful franchises with the district
superintendent.
They had a unique marketing
strategy encouraging people to "Look for the Golden Crosses."
Each establishment had a large lighted sign that read, "Billions
and Billions Saved."
The name of the company
was "McDeity, Inc.," a successful corporation indeed,
with thousands of outlets in almost every country in the world.
Their
product was pre-packaged meals, with convenient names that incorporated
the McDeity motif: McWorship, McFellowship, McBible, McPrayer,
McEvangelism, etc. "Just unwrap and digest for your eternal
health." Kiddie meals were available for the children, conveniently
boxed up with trinkets and prizes, to keep kids occupied and
entertained. |
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The marketing support was
exceptional with international publicity via television and other
mediums. Seasonal promotions were used to attract sales. They
often employed a colorful clown called Ronald McPreacher to parade
around each establishment to attract attention.
This distinctive fast-food
franchise had initiated drive-up windows with drive-through service,
tailor-made for a society of people intent on maintaining anonymity
and getting "fed" quickly and inexpensively. "You
don't have to wait; You don't have to relate." "Welcome
to McDeity. Can I take your order?"
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But I was quite taken
aback by this old lady standing outside of the establishment
yelling, "Where's the beef?" She was joined by other
activists who were questioning the nutritional value of the McDeity
product.
This was quite unsettling,
and I began to question the ethical implications of buying into
the "ground beef religion," especially when society
seems to be dying from physical, psychological and spiritual
malnourishment.
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My conscience will not allow
me to participate in the perpetuation of franchised religion,
but I still hunger for spiritual reality. The religious redundancy
of the franchised establishments with their pre-designed formats
and pre-packaged meals must be replaced with the newness and
vitality of genuine Christian community.
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