Thread: Only on Ebay

I know it originally was a religious symbol but you've got to be kidding.
My jaw is still open.


http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAIGHT-RAZOR-H...QQcmdZViewItem

Probably made in the mid-late 30s when Hitler and his bunch were very popular in the English-speaking world. Don't forget that Ford and Lindberg received #1 and #2 (respectively) highest decorations a non-citizen could get from the German state. Anti-semitism was very popular among western Europeans and North Americans (Canadians included) and the swastika was a rallying symbol for the movement.

I was thinking maybe it was from a Buddhist or Hindu populated country that may have used the symbol. But then would the box be written in English? Maybe if it was in India.

In any case I don't find it offensive. It's either a peaceful religious symbol or a functional reminder of a dark part of our history. I do have a bit of a fascination with mass murderers like Hitler, Mao and Alexander "The Great" as my primary historical interest is military/political.

Unfortunately its dark use is ongoing.

It is interesting and amazing how something that was a symbol of good for thousands of years can change, comparitively speaking in the history of humans, in the blink of an eye.

An interesting case in point of how prejudice as well as other beliefs are learned: My ex-brother-in-law who is in his 60s and was born in Vienna, Austria, well-educated, very intelligent believes that Jesus was not a Jew. I don't consider him a bigot. But, this one thing was something he learned and in his mind, no matter what theology says, was true.

Just look at the cross... We consider it a symbol of goodness, but Muslim people who got robbed, killed, raped and pillaged by the crusaders would beg to differ. Every symbol has its share of controversy.
I am aware that antisemitism is still alive and kicking. Recently, at Greek Orthodox church service (I'm Serbian Orthodox, but I went there for a memorial service for a family friend) the priest was giving a sermon on how God loves everybody "the white man, the black man, the Muslim and EVEN the Jew."
Living in Toronto, probably THE most multicultural city in the world (or at least a close second after NYC), I've learned that people are people regardless of their nationality or religious beliefs. Therefore my opinion of you will be based on your personal characteristics, regardless of your background. Prejudice is a big weakness IMO.

I belong to one of the largest religions in the world. Former Catholic.
I'm basically agnostic. Hedging my bets. Don't want to get the Big Guy (Girl? Entity?) pissed. Still have that nice Catholic guilt though on occassion.

Oh and don't forget the Spanish Inquisition. Fun bunch. (Or was that what you were refering too?)

No, I was referring to the crusades, but yours is also an excellent example. In most cases crusades were more like fun and profit ventures where they got to plunder and commit various atrocities under the guise of Christian piety. The fourth crusade is an excellent example as it involved successful sieges of 2 Christian cities, the Hungarian city of Zara (IIRC) and Constantinople.

There was another Swastika hone on ebay not too long ago that included its original purchase receipt with a 1921 date, Linked while it lasts: http://tinyurl.com/lw226 ) so the company pre-dates any NAZI connotation.

The Swastika was fairly commonly used at one time, and there's atill a town in Northern Ontario called Swastika, but I believe they've dropped the actual image from their town letterhead. I also have a some Rudyard Kipling books which also predate the 3rd Reich that each have a swastika on their spine.

Todd, the name of that town sounds familiar (and not just for the other connotations). Where is it about? I've been to Sudbury (lived there), North Bay, Blind River, Espanola, and a few places along 400/69.