It's a miracle and sign of God! Or IS it??? Christ appears on Church cushion....
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
March 15, 2009 3:41am CST
I just read this article this morning and I do have to admit that the whole thing is somewhat bizarre on so many levels. Surely if Jesus were to show himself, it would not be through a cushion! But am I being unreasonable in my lines of thought? Here's the link to the article, so check it out yourself:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5391064/christ-appears-church-cushion/
So Jesus Christ has shown himself in a Church cushion and people are gathering at such a rate that they've had to erect tents outside and control the influx of people! What do you think about things like this? Is it just people looking to gain solace from something so they make this more than it actually is? Or is there a possibility that it IS indeed a miracle or sign of God and Jesus has chosen to show himself this way?
To quote a passage from the article: "This is not a miracle, it's a sign of God," said parish priest Daniel Gavard.
So IS it?
10 people like this
20 responses
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
Please ignore the imposter above, Mr Pike as it is just some small minded little f*ckwit with way too much time on their hands that has copied my avatar and username. If you would be so kind to report them, I'd appreciate it.
And yes, I recall reading about this piece of toast, but I never realized it had peanut butter on it! I'm surprised to hear it was the crunchy variety though? Smooth seems far more appropriate for some reason. 
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
The article I provided does include a picture, but the cushions themselves are at a distance, so I can't really come to any decision about what the cushions actually show. It will be interesting to see if the Vatican end up declaring anything about it, but for now, it's definitely attracting some interest!
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
16 Mar 09
Nah! Miracles are things like the human smile, babies.. the human hand.. the sun and the moon.. etc!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
I agree with you both here. Miracles are all around us, if only we would open our eyes and embrace them! An inanimate object like a cushion with some unique creasing patterns, doesn't quite fit into the "miracle" category in the truest sense now does it? But then again, what is a miracle to one is not necessary considered to be a miracle by another! WHich takes me back to my line of thought that as long as this event gives peope hope, then I have no real issues with it at all and am not that concerned with the miracle aspect really. I'm still interested to see if the Vatican end up saying anything though!
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
15 Mar 09
James, We come across so many instances like this in our country. Not necessarily in relation to any particular religion though. And although i must confess that the logical and rational thinking part of my mind may question it, i usually tend to let it go for not wanting to be question or being judgemental on the beleifs of people. If it is a means of finding solace, then so be it. That is the attitude i have adopted till now. And on the elighter side i have read some stranger ways that people have claimed here on signs of God and keeping those in mind the cushion seems quite reasonable.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
This is how I tend to look at it too Alok. 
If people are gaining strength from this event, then regardless of whether it's a divine representation or not, it's achieving SOMETHING good, so what's the harm! I've read articles in the past referring to "miracles" such as the name of God in Arabic appearing in an eggplant that was cut in half; to Jesus face appearing on a piece of burnt toast! Yes, my logical reasoning kicks in and dismisses this as coincidental, but I again also keep a relatively open mind about it I guess.
Personally I would like to think that if Jesus WERE to return, it would be in a very different manner than this! As I've said in the above reply, I'm interested to see if the Vatican or any other higher authority ends up having anything to say about it all.
If people are gaining strength from this event, then regardless of whether it's a divine representation or not, it's achieving SOMETHING good, so what's the harm! I've read articles in the past referring to "miracles" such as the name of God in Arabic appearing in an eggplant that was cut in half; to Jesus face appearing on a piece of burnt toast! Yes, my logical reasoning kicks in and dismisses this as coincidental, but I again also keep a relatively open mind about it I guess.
Personally I would like to think that if Jesus WERE to return, it would be in a very different manner than this! As I've said in the above reply, I'm interested to see if the Vatican or any other higher authority ends up having anything to say about it all.2 people like this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
15 Mar 09
If it make people happy to say they saw Jesus on a cushion then why not let them have their happiness. We can see Jesus anywhere if we look hard enough. find a tree trunk that has shape that looks like Jesus and Voila, there is Jesus. Look around your house i bet you can find the shape of Jesus somewhere there. You can also find the shape of a fish, a mammal and probably Abe Lincoln. lol People do crazy things to get attention.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
Heya mssnow. 
Please just ignore this person that just responded to you before, as they're impersonating me.
I tend to think along the same lines that you do. It's of no consequence to me if they wish to believe in or not and if it strengthens their faith or brings them peace and happiness, then what's the harm! And yes, we can find all kinds of representations in many things if we imagine hard enough! Clouds are a great example. I'm still keen to see if a higher authority of the Church ends up stepping in and saying something about all of this or not.
Please just ignore this person that just responded to you before, as they're impersonating me.
I tend to think along the same lines that you do. It's of no consequence to me if they wish to believe in or not and if it strengthens their faith or brings them peace and happiness, then what's the harm! And yes, we can find all kinds of representations in many things if we imagine hard enough! Clouds are a great example. I'm still keen to see if a higher authority of the Church ends up stepping in and saying something about all of this or not.2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
15 Mar 09
I have a question.
Seeing as how NO ONE has ever seen a picture of Christ, how the hell do they KNOW it's Jesus? Did He speak to them from the pleats and say "Hi, I'm Jesus. Nice to meet you"?
Frankly stuff like this just proves that the world really is on a freight train to hell and people are desperate for something to believe in that will give them hope....
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
Your first point is extremely valid sparky and a few people so far have expressed similar reasonings too. There IS no undeniably true pictorial representations of Jesus Christ in existence and even the Bible itself gives no specific descriptions. One passage in the Bible even states that the disciples had to point Jesus out because he looked just like everyone else! As far as I'm concerned, if a "vision" such as this one inspires people in a positive way, then no harm no foul. I am still very eager to see if any higher Church authority ends up commenting though, I must admit!
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
Yes, any semblance of hope in whatever form it may take, is certainly going to be embraced by followers; and if enough followers embrace it, then the Church themselves will stand behind it also. As for the "end of days" angles, there are arguably many signs in theological scriptures alluding to this as well as Mayan texts and other ancient scriptures. All we can do I guess is hang on tight and see what comes of all of this. Hope springs eternal!
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
15 Mar 09
Frankly as most religious leaders (even the Catholics) believe we are living in the 'end times', then I would not be surprised if they all stood behind manifestations like this, because people really are desperate for hope these days...........
2 people like this
@shewolf52002 (1214)
• United States
15 Mar 09
I am not sure I want to respond? Seems to have been some problems on this discussion but I am not seeing the impersonator you are talking about, were they removed? Anyway that aside, I never truly know what to think of things like this. My personal belief is anything is possible and I would judge it based on the fruit, did it touch someone in particular? Maybe it was a sign that someone desperately needed.
OR maybe repeated sitting on the cushion made an imprint that could be construed as an image. Of course you have to wonder too how anyone could possibly know if it were an image of Jesus as I am pretty sure no one has a polaroid of him laying around....couldnt it just as easily be a picture of the other guy?
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
The impersonator has been removed shewolf, so don't be concerned. Many of the sections above do read pretty strangely now that the imposters comments are gone now though! lol. I'm not sure what to think of sightings like these either to be honest; which is why I choose to keep an open mind about it. I do believe that if and when Jesus decides to return, it sure as heck won't be in a form like this though! Your last point is arguably the most intriguing one of all! How do we know for sure what Jesus looked like? People are seeing representations of what they BELIEVE him to look like only! As you said, it might be a different person altogether. Can anyone really be sure?
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
15 Mar 09
Hey anndroid............you've been reported. Give it up willya? Unlike your tag line on your profile "you will not win it just because you're in it"!
2 people like this
@deedeehall (1144)
• United States
15 Mar 09
wow !what happened here?i thought we were talking about jesus seems that we have had a few problems here and to be honest all of this does not belong in the same conversation area as the jesus conversation.alittle respect would be great.and as far as the cusion if it was jesus i would hope he would speak before i were to sit.i can say this because i do think even jesus has a sense of humer so ever one lighting up.god bless
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Apr 09
I guess it is true then..he does keep an eye on us..even if it is through things we would least expect.."Becky searches around house but finds no appearances of Christ on her walls..cousins or anything else but for the bible..She wipes her forehead..whew. that was close"..I would hate to be going at it hot and heavy and then look at my paneling and see Christ staring back at me..would kinda totally run the moment..
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Sorry cousin meant to be cushions....
To early in the morning...lol
To early in the morning...lol1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Nope no harm..and yes is does give many hope or they wouldn't be flocking to the church in need of proof and belief.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
17 Apr 09
That WOULD be the worst, yes! lol. There we are, going at it like the clappers and then suddenly realize we've had a religious entity in our room the whole time! 
I'm still firmly of the opinion that Christ would never reveal himself in such a manner and as the Bible states - "Thou shalt not worship false idols"! This could arguably be considered as a false idol so would contradict the sord of God in that sense. But it gives people hope, so there's no major harm caused by it all either.
I'm still firmly of the opinion that Christ would never reveal himself in such a manner and as the Bible states - "Thou shalt not worship false idols"! This could arguably be considered as a false idol so would contradict the sord of God in that sense. But it gives people hope, so there's no major harm caused by it all either. @flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I tend to take these sorts of reports with a big grain of salt.. not that I don't believe in miracles (I'd have to be blind not to!) but I think of them along the lines of hysteria, like what can happen to people, when they can become a mob.. It's a little sad really, though I can't put my finger on why.. Course, when we get down to it, I really think we can find signs of God in every thing! Life, on so many levels is such art!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
Funnily enough, I just referred to hysteria in a reply above! I agree totally that hype and hysteria can have great influence on the eyes and minds of people that are privvy to sightings like these. Yes, God IS all around us and present in everything, so I too view this situation with an equal balance of open mindedness and skepticism. I find it sad in the sense that people are clinging to such a possibility in a cushion of all things; but I'm also of the mindset that if it inspires others, then it's not such a bad thing.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
i haven't heard about this news before... thanks for updating me on this news... i will ask my pastor about this and i will be very curious to hear more about this news... please keep updating us about this, will you??? thanks again for sharing this news with us... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
If I do read any more about it, I'll be sure to share it. The main thing I'm keen to know is if the Vatican will have anything to say about it? I'd also be keen to hear what your Pastor thinks about it all too if you're willing to come back and share that. You have a great day too lingli.
You have a great day too lingli.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
16 Mar 09
I live in a country when every other day God is seen in some form or the other. You keep a stone under a tree and the next day you will fin people flocking there , offering puja and within a few days, a temple for the stone God! I have a different point of view, totally different from the common people. I feel, faith is a beautiful thing and as long as it keeps us rooted and oriented nothing wrong in it. Let people believe what they want to and let them be happy. I have my faith and I am happy with it.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
16 Mar 09
Sadly, that's the case in most situations James. Commercialization of our faith and God has left many like me apathetic towards it altogether. I would no way go to any such places, for my faith is not worshiping a cushion or a stone!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
I tend to agree with your mindset here mimpi. Faith can be gained from many sources! Of what harm is it if people gain solace, strength and happiness from such things? Sometimes we need to not look at qualifying everything to the nth degree and just leave it be. I personally would never go and worship a cushion such as in the example the link provided, but good luck to anyone else that wishes to do so for divine inspiration. I just hope that it doesn't move down the commercialization path now like it so often appears to with historical examples of similar situations.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Mar 09
Um I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that's not his face in my cheese puff either.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
16 Mar 09
My only question is: Is it really Jesus Christ? How do we know for sure which one of these human versions of what Jesus Christ should look like is the real deal? I mean, everyone is familiar with the Caucasian Saviour but there has also been rumblings about him being dark-skinned and all.
And why a cushion? So people can either put it aside when they need to sit or lie down? Or is it because we can lay our heads in that cushion and our cares will be taken care of? Like footsteps in the sand?
I guess I had more questions than one.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
Your sentiments are shared by many a responder thus far SaintAnne. The idea of Jesus Christ's appearance have been provided to us through many mediums, all of which are not necessarily accurate at all! Even the Bible gives no clear description of him. IF Jesus Christ were to arrive on Earth once more as it has been written, surely he'll do so in a way that's not related to any inanimate object like a cushion! But it has given countless people hope and strengthened their faith, so I guess it's not all so ludicrous in that sense. Personally I'm both curious and skeptical! 
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
15 Mar 09
I think it's funny and the people who line up to go see them are funny. I remember, Jesus on a muffin, a pancake and even a potato chip.
I hope no one passes gas on him... 
I hope no one passes gas on him... 1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
To be honest, I find the whole thing to be more intriguing than amusing! These 3 examples you've shared in the pancake, muffin and potato chip never would have had a chance with me as I would have eaten each of them before even getting the opportunity to see anything! I'm pretty sure the cushion in question will become butt-free from this point forward too! lol.
I'm pretty sure the cushion in question will become butt-free from this point forward too! lol.@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
I'm sure we could find representations in many places if we were to look hard enough! Especially if we believe wholeheartedly. Our mind's can become very convincing to ourselves if we truly believe in something like this. I remember seeing a picture of a cloud formation and they asked what we could see. I didn't see anything until such time as the article actually said what was there. Once I'd been told, then of course I saw it! In this instance it was also the face of Jesus. Suggestive "planting" plays a significant part in many instances I'm sure.
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I clean a church and swear I see the his figure in the paneling on a wall. I giggle when I see it because I imagine the masses lining up for a look.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
28 Mar 09
Welcome to mylot bird123! I'm of the opinion myself that if it inspires people in some way, then no harm done. But I don't really think that God would choose to make his presence through a cushion of all things! I agree that people tend to see what they want to see and for many, it provides an escape from the harsh realities of life I guess. If it creates hope among others, then kudos to all of them.
I'm of the opinion myself that if it inspires people in some way, then no harm done. But I don't really think that God would choose to make his presence through a cushion of all things! I agree that people tend to see what they want to see and for many, it provides an escape from the harsh realities of life I guess. If it creates hope among others, then kudos to all of them.
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
15 Mar 09
I don't see how a guys face showing on a couch cushion, or the virgin Mary showing up on my ham sandwich between can be a sign from God. Also - how do they know it's the face of Jesus? All the depictions of Jesus have him looking like a man of European decent, when he'd actually probably look more Arab than that. We don't know what Jesus looks like, exactly, so I find it hilarious when people think they see his face on stuff.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
This is becoming a common line of thought here Latrivia and I do belive personally that there's merit behind such thinking. We DON'T know for sure how Jesus looked as a man and the closest people have come is with anthropological representations put together through taking into account multiple factors surrounding the records of his existence. These representations DID indeed show Jesus Christ to be more equipped with Arab/Mediterranean type features and to be nothing like the pictures we are usually shown. But again I will say that I do have an open mind about things like this and the important thing for me is that "sightings" such as these, inspire people in a positive fashion and give them hope. I see no harm in this at all. True or not, we all can benefit from hope!
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
Sounds like the Catholics invented this one to try and bring the lost flock back to the fold. I think it is a pathetic marketing ploy and they are conning all those poor blind believers. How tragic.
I think it is very sad that so many people have blind faith that they would believe nonsense like this.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
I'm not aware of any statements yet by the Vatican, but I'm interested to see if they do say something in due course. Personally I have no issues at all with this scenario if it inspirespeople and gives them hope. If commercialization enters into the picture, well that's a different story altogether! I have decided personally to view this whole event with intrigue and skepticism together. I don't believe for a minute that Jesus would choose to revela hinself through a cushion, nor do I believe that anyone truly knows how he looked! But there's no harm in having an open mind about it.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
16 Mar 09
And I was all excited about seeing John Malkovich in my oatmeal this morning.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
Hahahahaha. How odd! Malkovich usually only appears on pop-tarts..... I once thought I saw the image of Oprah on an elephant's butt, but after closer inspection, I discovered that it was nothing but THE shape of an elephant's butt. I'm sure many people would understand my confusion for that brief minute though as it was truly an honest mistake. 
I once thought I saw the image of Oprah on an elephant's butt, but after closer inspection, I discovered that it was nothing but THE shape of an elephant's butt. I'm sure many people would understand my confusion for that brief minute though as it was truly an honest mistake. 
@DCMerkle (1281)
• United States
16 Mar 09
James72,
I really can't say wether or not it's real or not. What I do know is that in today's world, any sign of hope or a miracle shouldn't be questioned. If the church members truly believe it then they truly believe it and it makes them happy. I do know that the Vatican will investigate it till the cows come home. They will have the final say on the whole matter.
DCMerkle
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
Hi DCMerkle. I am very keen to see if the Vatican does end up making any statements about all of this. I think it's human nature to question things like this too, so I have no issues with people doing this at all. What it all comes down to for me, is that people gain a positive mindset from something like this. If it gives people hope and strengthens their faith, then what's the harm? I do believe that Jesus would choose a more appropriate method of revelaing himself though!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
There's such a thing as cushion crease statistics??? lol. I agree with you that if Jesus WERE to make his presence known, it would be in a more poignant setting than this one! And it certainly wouldn't be through cushions or a piece of toast or something similar either.
lol. I agree with you that if Jesus WERE to make his presence known, it would be in a more poignant setting than this one! And it certainly wouldn't be through cushions or a piece of toast or something similar either.
@kimandjoe (352)
• United States
15 Mar 09
God works in mysterious ways.... Why would christ come through a cushion? who knows, and who are we to say why? God/christ maybe just wanted to say that he is still here, cause there are so many disbelievers out there. Especially since "obama"(the "so called" "messiah") is president. I saw on t.v that over half of america said that they wold put obama first as thier saviour, then god second!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding!? no wonder god appeared on a cushion. LOL I would to. WHy would you call obama god? He's just a human like me and you!
God is telling us that he is still here and he is coming soon....and be ready if you dont wnna go to hell, cause obama sure aint gonna save you from that!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
I have no visions of grandeur when it comes to Obama in that sense believe me! lol. But yes, God does work in mysterious ways and who's to ever really know the truth behind sightings like these? I do still think that if Jesus were to present himself it would be through a far more poignant setting though! And then of course there's the repeated angle concerning the way Jesus truly may have looked too. I say let the people gain their solace and strength from this and good for them. If supposedly seeing Jesus in a cushion gives them hope, then where's the harm really. I welcome you to mylot too kimandjoe.
