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Latest Ellen DeGeneres ad causes another stir

One Million Moms registers disapproval over JC Penney Xmas commercial

By Kenny Herzog Dec 6, 2012 9:14AM
Warner Brothers
 
This week's lesson in unexpected cultural protests: If nationally franchised department stores cast anyone but stridently heterosexual celebrity spokespeople, they'll apparently be in serious trouble with some conservative groups. Or at least that's what JC Penney's putting up with yet again, on account of its ongoing relationship with Ellen DeGeneres.
 

 

Shortly after Thanksgiving, the company debuted its latest holiday commercial starring the comedian and talk-show host. And if the harmless 30-second spot could be accused of any transgression, it'd be corny punchlines at the expense of helpless elves. But according to a recent website update (since seemingly removed) from One Million Moms (a group affiliated with conservative media watchdog American Family Association), "JCP has made their choice to offend a huge majority of their customers again," before decreeing, "Christians must now vote with their wallets."


 

There may be a a couple slight problems with this call to arms. Enacting the democratic privilege of petitioning corporations whose actions don't square with your values doesn't come down to a "vote." It's not a popular election. Moreover, if millions of stocking-stuffing matriarchs just say no to JCP, where will they purchase Cosby sweaters for the men in their lives? Worth considering, One Million Moms. Worth considering.

As for Ellen, she's unlikely to respond, given her eloquently eviscerating comments in the wake of OMM's prior upheaval back in February. But in case you, or they, missed it, this about sums the controversy up.

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1156Comments
C Bailey44
Dec 6, 2012 10:35AM
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OMG, Christians and conservatives PLEASE stop! This is so wrong. DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE GAY IF THEY HAD THE CHOICE? NO! There is something there that we do not understand, period. I am a 44 yr old Christian/conservati​ve/straight married woman and all of this is really doing damage to all of us! This is SO disappointing.

 

Would Christ have rejected gay people and Ellen? Please tell me WHO Jesus did not include and WHO he rejected in his life. WHOM did he boycott? WHOM did HE walk away from? Jesus did not have an application with ethnicity or sexual orientation or gender questions on it. Not even a quick checklist. YOU JUST HAD TO BELIEVE and follow him. MANY gay people do believe and follow Jesus, only to be judged and excluded by many Christians.

 

How to you think Ellen feels after hearing all of this? What does JC Penney AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE AND WILL BE HURT BY YOUR BOYCOTT HAVE TO DO WITH IT? Merry Christmas! If JC Penny’s merchandise sales decline, the folks that work there may not be needed anymore.

 

Most importantly, who are you to judge? That is the bottom line. It IS wrong to be gay in the bible. But the bible also allows for multiple wives and slavery, and stoning as a punishment for premarital sex (Mary) and FROWNED JUST AS MUCH ON: lying, cheating, DIVORCE, NOT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR (DO you even know yours?) Idolatry (What is most important in your life? If it’s not God, then you are probably guilty)

 

So please, go back and read your bible and decide why this one issue can't be updated like DIVORCE and SLAVERY have been.  Also read up on the inclusive nature of Christians and the parts about not judging.

 

I will admit that having been brought up that being gay was wrong; I am uncomfortable and find it unnatural to see it publicly. That sounds like my problem, not theirs.

 

 

lucky2
Dec 6, 2012 10:35AM
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This less than 'One Million Moms' is an embarrassment to True Christianity in my opinion.  I just can't imagine Jesus behaving in the manner they have.  Jesus didn't come into the world to condemn it. He came to save it.  Jesus sat with & ate with people the Pharisees (holy in their own eyes) judged & condemned.  They need to focus more on removing the log from their own eye or eyes in their club, and start loving others as Jesus loves. To attack JCP for a commercial that includes a gay person?  Who gave them the authority to hate in this way?  Ellen & JCP aren't  telling people to be gay or selling homosexuality.  They made a commercial together.  My God ! 
coach J
Dec 6, 2012 10:34AM
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These so-called Christians need to read the red letters in the Bible, those spoken by Jesus.  They are about compassion and forgiveness.
rangeralpha4
Dec 6, 2012 10:31AM
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Evidence shows that while she (ellen degeneras) may be bringing the pro-homosexual crowd into Pennys, many, many others are staying away...in droves.

Check the financial pages &  you will see that back around Feb. 9, 2012, ( close to when she became the spokeswoman for JCP) JCP stock prices were $43.13.

today, JCP is DOWN to $18.32. That would be a LOSS of about 57%.

Now while there are other reasons for the stock price LOSS also, surely the LOSS of the customers objecting to degeneras  as the 'face of pennys', is a contributing factor. Even a LARGE factor.

Someone
Dec 6, 2012 10:30AM
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As a parent I teach my two that giving to others is the greats thing as a child of Christ don't mean to bring this into it. Through his teaching he taught love of the person not the sin as the lady of the well. How many of these so call 1 million moms cling to there religion which I don't believe in because my book talks only of a relationship with him so when they throw there stones shouldn't stones be thrown back at them. I have a gay in-law we both can convers,e enjoy each other company, but she knows I love her and always treat her with the up most respect but she knows how I feel as to JCP allowing Ellen to do commercial for them it doesn't bother me I have more to worry about then so gay person talking about JCP. Like college tuition for my daughter which has gone crazy my 14 year son and how he is doing. Now I guess all these mom's must have nannies taken care of there kids to put this much effort into the BS.
CassNel
Dec 6, 2012 10:30AM
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Well, I am a christian and I am completely appalled by the fact that they are claiming to be Christians. This is not what Christianity is about. You have to accept everyone for who they are not matter what. Love your neighbor as yourself. Ellen is a beautiful, amazing and wonderful person. She brings a huge smile to my face every day. Take Ellen for who she is and respect her for what she does. I want to thank you Ellen for continuing to do the amazing work you do and ignoring all of the negativity around you. You are truly a blessing to have in this world. I love you and I know a lot of other people do too. :)
Oly78
Dec 6, 2012 10:29AM
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Hey OMM's, what does it say about you, that you took a completely benign commercial such as this, and made it sexual? What on earth does Ellen's being gay have to do with this commercial? YOU are the ones who are making Ellen's sexuality an issue, not Ellen and not anyone else. Hateful hypocrites, all of you.

DeeDee1975137
Dec 6, 2012 10:29AM
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I'm not gay and don't particularly agree with the lifestyle.  BUT, God gave everyone their own lives to live.  If he doesn't like how you're doing it, he'll talk to ya about it! I consider that a private conversation that's no business of mine.  My only responsibility is to live my own life and treat everyone else with respect.
KYSpeakerGeek
Dec 6, 2012 10:29AM
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These people are evil with their hate in the name of a god who is supposed to be loving.  "Judge not, lest ye shall be judged" you overly religious morons.  You people are the problem with the world.  Hate and discriminate in the name of God...no different than the extreme Islamists.  It's hard to understand the logic of these people whose lines of argument follow along that of the oppressive medieval church that halted all progress in the Western world for a millenia.  We don't live in a third world country, shovelling our excrement from the streets and slaving for just a share of our own potato crop, because we broke away from that evil church and you people want to go back to that?  Wow. 
jerry335
Dec 6, 2012 10:29AM
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The so called Million Moms need to get a hobby like reaching out to poor families in the area they live and make sure those poor kids have a nice christmas.
DAVID HAGEN (Dave in Wa)
Dec 6, 2012 10:28AM
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JCP, no longer shop there due to Ellen Degenerate

Anna Alicia
Dec 6, 2012 10:28AM
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I'm so tired of these "Christians" giving the rest of us a bad name. I'm a Christian and I've seen these commercials and I never once got offended. People need to let it go. There are more important things in life to worry about than TV commercials.
Denise Plunk
Dec 6, 2012 10:28AM
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News stories like this make me think that maybe...just maybe, it would be a good thing if the Mayans were right and the world just ended this month. We are a pitiful people if  this commercial offended anyone. This world needs a "do over"
Oysters and quahogs
Dec 6, 2012 10:27AM
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I watched this video over and over again trying to find something offensive in here as it insinuates, then I realized that there are just One Million angry, hateful, lunatic Mums out there who have nothing better to do than spew their hate and Ecentric Religious beliefs because they don't approve of somene's lifestyle!  Ahhh...Red State Christianity at it's finest!
lawyer up
Dec 6, 2012 10:25AM
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Ellen is a wonderful spokesperson for most any large organization. I have seen Her show and she is grand in my book. I also like Leno. These both are great people to be spokespersons and they're sexual orientation has nothing to do with that. Keep up with the great show. Any chance of Ellen changing teams I am in there for Her too, Lovely girl.   
gettingwet
Dec 6, 2012 10:25AM
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I don't like ellen, never have, but it is not because she is gay. She thinks because she is everybody should be, she is all about her. Of course she gives out all kinds of gifts, why do you think so many people like her. But now I know besides me there are 1 million moms. JCP is not the only outfit to sell sweaters. I just don't understand why all the gays male/female have got to jump in front of a camera and tell everybody.

Just Here0626
Dec 6, 2012 10:24AM
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They so need to grow up...I loved the commercial, and I am both a mom and a Christian.   
kapekodder
Dec 6, 2012 10:22AM
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Oh, these fools at 0ne Hundred Moms, I doubt they have a mil, are at it again!  I am off to JCP to do my x-mas shopping as everyone has to do their part to put these vile, evil, hate spreading people in their place.  I seriously suggest that these mom's contact that cult in westboro, kansas.  They seem to have a great deal in common.
moose4us
Dec 6, 2012 10:21AM
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How can anyone so intolerant call themselves a christian? Values? I didn't know intolerance was a value. Don't forget, it was only a couple of thousand years ago that christians were discriminated against. How do you think that felt? And the biblical definition of marriage was for a man to take multiple wives, now wouldn't that be interesting.
emw234
Dec 6, 2012 10:21AM
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What I really dislike is people taking parts of the bible using what they want and discarding the rest.. It would be better if you would read the bible before just using what you want or what someone has said.  Do you even know what a Christian is?
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.

Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.

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