Is exorcism at hand for devilish mascots?
By: Elizabeth Beavers, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Features
A Christian activist organization known as The Resistance is fighting the devil.
More specifically, the Duke Blue Devils.
The Resistance is a nationwide network of more than 2,000 members that uses its influence to protest trends it perceives to be threatening to Christian morals in the U.S.
The Resistance has gained notoriety for many of its efforts, including its outspoken insistence that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 were "an inside job" and its protest of Jessica Simpson's "These Boots Were Made for Walking" music video.
The group's latest project is a demand that Duke University change its Blue Devil mascot.
"It's in bad taste to name a team after the devil and to have a crowd sitting there cheering on the Devils," said The Resistance spokesman Mark Dice, also known by the pseudonym John Conner.
Dice said the group is compiling a list of mascots to protest - including Wake Forest's Demon Deacons and the Arizona State Sun Devils.
"We'll be going after them," he said. "We'll be urging them to change the name to something less offensive."
Dice compared these demands to the efforts by American Indian groups to change mascots that some consider ethnically offensive.
"It's been bothering me for some time that these schools use satanic names," he said.
Officials at Duke's athletic department declined to comment for this story because The Resistance has yet to contact them.
Sam Regenbogen, a sophomore at Duke, said he considers himself a strong Christian but is not offended by his school's mascot.
"There's so many more important issues out there," he said. "To waste your time on a college mascot seems like you're trying to get attention rather than actually accomplishing something."
Regenbogen also said that the history of the mascot is not religious in nature and suggested that
The Resistance research the history before protesting.
According to Duke's Web site, the mascot was inspired by a well-known group of French soldiers during World War I. "Les Diables Bleus" were known as much for their courage as for their flowing blue capes.
More specifically, the Duke Blue Devils.
The Resistance is a nationwide network of more than 2,000 members that uses its influence to protest trends it perceives to be threatening to Christian morals in the U.S.
The Resistance has gained notoriety for many of its efforts, including its outspoken insistence that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 were "an inside job" and its protest of Jessica Simpson's "These Boots Were Made for Walking" music video.
The group's latest project is a demand that Duke University change its Blue Devil mascot.
"It's in bad taste to name a team after the devil and to have a crowd sitting there cheering on the Devils," said The Resistance spokesman Mark Dice, also known by the pseudonym John Conner.
Dice said the group is compiling a list of mascots to protest - including Wake Forest's Demon Deacons and the Arizona State Sun Devils.
"We'll be going after them," he said. "We'll be urging them to change the name to something less offensive."
Dice compared these demands to the efforts by American Indian groups to change mascots that some consider ethnically offensive.
"It's been bothering me for some time that these schools use satanic names," he said.
Officials at Duke's athletic department declined to comment for this story because The Resistance has yet to contact them.
Sam Regenbogen, a sophomore at Duke, said he considers himself a strong Christian but is not offended by his school's mascot.
"There's so many more important issues out there," he said. "To waste your time on a college mascot seems like you're trying to get attention rather than actually accomplishing something."
Regenbogen also said that the history of the mascot is not religious in nature and suggested that
The Resistance research the history before protesting.
According to Duke's Web site, the mascot was inspired by a well-known group of French soldiers during World War I. "Les Diables Bleus" were known as much for their courage as for their flowing blue capes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
sam
posted 4/13/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
How about something like the "Blue chickens"...like Delaware's Blue Hens....or perhaps "Blue Bible Thumpers" ...suggestions anyone?
will
posted 4/13/07 @ 10:26 AM EST
Are these people serious?
Jeremy
posted 4/13/07 @ 11:16 AM EST
Ok I am a christian and a die hard UK fan. Guys for once I have to take your side on this one. This is ridiculous. It is just like every other activist group. (Continued…)
sara
posted 4/13/07 @ 1:13 PM EST
Are the blue devils like Duke diversity's blue eyed devils? When talking about Duke, one can never be certian.
JOE OTT
posted 4/13/07 @ 1:55 PM EST
IF YOU ARE CHRISTIAN, YOU KNOW THAT ANYONE WHO HAS JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR ; IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE devil AND his legions. THE ARCHANGELS, SAINTS,APOSTLES ARE SOME GOOD NAMES. (Continued…)
john smith
posted 4/13/07 @ 7:09 PM EST
Yea, while you are at it, go protest the marines at Camp Lejune and Camp Pendleton. I mean really, what did the "devil dogs" ever do for this country?
Siempre Fidelis. (Continued…)
Jamie
posted 4/14/07 @ 10:39 AM EST
Part of me really wants to believe that this is a joke, but its sad that these people have nothing better to do with their time than go after college mascots. (Continued…)
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