Menorah or cross manipulation?
 

Though I consider myself spiritual, I am not particularly religious and I have a question for quilters who might have a view on this. I like to make table toppers in kaleidoscope & Spirograph type patterns, fussy cutting geometric prints. I've also done several fussy cut mariners star toppers using the same principle. I have some beautiful menorah fabric that I'd like to try with this model but I'm wondering if it is people consider it offensive to manipulate religious symbols such as menorahs or crosses. I sell on Etsy and don't want to upset anyone but I think the result could be very pretty. Thoughts, anyone?

I don't feel that you would be manipulating symbols at all. Some people like things like that and would probably want to buy them from you.

different people will have different perspectives, most likely. i will have to watch this thread to make sure comments stay on point.

i don't personally think manipulating the judaic symbols would be offensive so long as you didn't mix them with symbols from other religions or do it in any other way that would be very obviously disrespectful.

i can't speak to the issue of crosses.

My thoughts would be you are walking on thin ice!

While I am sure some/many would think no harm and might even say how unique,
I would suspect/fear there will be some/others/few or even just one, that may ruin the experience.

I'm definitely not saying, "don't do it" ... just if you do, be prepared for what could happen.

Guess it depends on how thick/thin skinned you are,
and how devastating a worst case scenario would be to you.

Good Luck!

I don't think it's sacrilegious at all. I wouldn't be in the least offended.

I think we worry too much about offending somebody else. There’s no end to it. Life doesn’t stop because somebody has a different thought from yours. My thought is it’s just fabric. Do your thing & enjoy it. If somebody has an issue with it, they can keep marching on.

I think Patrice is right and QuiltE makes a good point too. Different people will view it in different ways. I am of the opinion that a Menorah is not a super sacred symbol in Judaism. It represents the miracle of the lamps but I don't think it would be offensive to cut the fabric up like you describe. As long as the resulting pattern doesn't end up forming a swastika which then I think many people of the Jewish faith would find that offensive. A cross is a tougher call. I am religious and a Christian. I don't think I would be offended at all seeing a fabric that features crosses cut up and put into a kaleidoscope style quilt but I try to not be thin skinned when it comes to that kind of thing. For the most part, if I find some form of art disrespectful to my beliefs I don't get offended so much as I am deeply saddened by it. I would not purchase anything from the seller's site though. Even if they had other products I liked.

I second what feline fanatic said. While I am a Christian and cherish the meaning of the cross, I don't wear crosses because it was an instrument of torture. But I'm not offended when others do because they are proclaiming their love for Jesus, I believe. By the same token, we don't decorate our home with a cross anywhere. I have Jewish ancestors who suffered in the Holocaust, and some died, so I despise even the quilt block that looks like a swastika. I know it's not supposed to be that, but since it resembles it, it makes me cringe.

I would not personally be offended by fabric displaying the cross or menorah. I've made Hanukkah gifts with menorah fabric, but haven't made anything with cross fabric. I'm not easily offended, but I am easily saddened, if that makes sense.

If anything, I think using the fabric in your designs shows a type of embracing of the religions. If it were my “thing” I think I would seek out interesting art made from my religious symbols.

If you are questioning it...don’t do it. I am not Jewish...I do know what a Mennorah is. To some, they may just see a pretty candle holder. I don’t know what to tell you. I would like to see a photo of the fabric.