Driving in Fairlawn today, my son asked if the billboard with the realtor with googly was still up. Nope, it was replaced with something much worse, something I am totally just plain disgusted with.
[sws_yellow_box box_size=”279″] OMG! There’s an Akron Children’s ER in Montrose! -from the mouth of a child [/sws_yellow_box]
I was shocked, angry, and embarrassed. I was shocked that Akron Children’s Hospital would approve such a message, having a child cursing with God’s name by saying “Oh My God!”. I was angry that my kids saw this, especially when they asked what it said. I had to explain why a Children’s Hospital would say such a thing that I work hard at keeping out of my family. I was embarrassed for Montrose/Fairlawn, Ohio, a good community that I have enjoyed living in and shopping for much of my life. Now I feel it’s labeled so poorly.
But what does OMG really mean?
I expressed my disgust with a few friends today. They agreed that it should not be there. One said, “But it could mean a few things”. OMG started as Oh, my God. It is even in the Oxford Dictionary and countless other online dictionary and acronyms recognize OMG as “Oh, my God”. Sure, you could be meaning to say “Oh, my goodness” or “Oh, my gosh” when you type OMG. I don’t buy it. The complete respect of God, the creator of the universe is slipping away. To Akron Children’s Hospital- I say “Just because its popular, doesn’t make it right” I give this trendy Ad a “FAIL” in my book.
What upsets me the most is that this ad has an image of a child saying it. A child taking God’s name in vain. It is so sad. It is so wrong. What are we teaching our kids? Is there nothing good left?? The Bible clearly states (in the 10 Commandments, Not Suggestions) “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” For a hospital – where prayers ring out every minute from its corridors, this is just… not smart. Shame on Marcus Thomas Advertising for pitching such a bad idea.
Here we are on September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. You hear people saying “God bless America”. Are we a nation asking for God’s blessing and at the same time cursing Him?
[sws_grey_box box_size=”380″] I have lost a lot of respect for Akron Children’s Hospital. [/sws_grey_box]So What’s Next with this OMG Billboard?
You know what I expect? I expect that Children’s Hospital is going to get an earful about this billboard. And I truly believe that it will be replaced with one that’s a little bit more thoughtful. Please do comment here and on our facebook post regarding this to share your discussion about this. Don’t agree with me? Its just fine too- this blog is open enough for all opinions! Either way – some noise is going to be made!
