Some See Virgin Mary in Underpass Stain

[Field Of Dreams]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/20/mary.underpass.ap/index.html

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- A steady stream of the faithful and the curious, many carrying flowers and candles, have flocked to an expressway underpass for a view of a yellow and white stain on a concrete wall that some believe is an image of the Virgin Mary.

-Snip-

Tuesday morning, women knelt with rosary beads behind a police barricade while men in work shirts stood solemnly before the image, praying. A police officer kept the crowd of about three dozen from getting too close to the traffic but didn't stop them gathering around the stain.

The stain is likely the result of salt run-off, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The agency does not plan to scrub it off the wall.

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When I first saw the headline, I thought it said "underpants."

[Atman]

1. Oh, sorry...I thought you said "underPANTS"

Nevermind.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. I thought so too!

:rofl:

[Atman]

8. Actually, not far off!

Did you see TDS bit last night, with the cardinal called out to look at an apparition of the Virgin Mary in a hospital's soiled bed linens? I kid you not. The guy politely agreed that there appeared to be a face, but wasn't going to comit to a urine-soaked Virgin Mary.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

18. Line them all up for a group slap -nt

[formerrepuke]

10. ...its only matter of time until that happens...

[ContraBass Black]

20. That's what I thought when I saw it on CNN.com

[valis]

22. Am I the only one to think that the stain looks like a.... Aehm....

[mockmonkey]

25. I had the same thought

when I first saw that.

[sniffa]

2. it's obviousLy a miracLe

attributed to john pauL II

one down, one to go for sainthood.

[grumpy old fart]

4. lol..yep,,,it's a miracle a minute for the mindless....

what a wonderful world when you're not reality based....

[bleedingheart]

3. I still say it looks like Georgia O Keefe labial flower painting

but once again...that's me...

[Patiod]

27. You beat me to that precise description

It just looks really labial.

[CornField]

5. Well... here's hoping that it gives someone joy

Who am I, afterall, to begrudge the joy of others simply based on where it is located or to what it is attached?

[lcbart]

7. Yes - But will it sell on EBAY ? n/t.

[ClintonTyree]

12. Hopelessly deluded...

religiowhackos who see religious figures in every oil stain and grilled cheese sandwiches don't bother you?
They bother ME a lot. People like this need counseling, not encouragement. It fits right in with their dream of turning America into a theocracy. The more wackos like this, the less critical thinking takes place. In today's political environment, critical thinking is needed more than ever.
I've had enough of believers, I'd like to see more thinkers.

[Rich Hunt]

9. hmmmm

Sounds like a hoax to me.

[sui generis]

11. dammit I want my deities to fling lightning bolts, turn people

into three legged frogs and make them grow nipples on their foreheads. Appearing in a sewage stain in an underpass - not so impressive.

[ozymandius]

13. It's cheaper advertising than TV.

Given the economical nature of underpass advertising through salt deposits, it strikes me very curious as to why the Virgin mary would not leave a stain on every underpass.

[DFWJock]

14. This mornings Pop Tart

had an image of the Virgin Mary - I couldnt decide whether to eat it or put it up for auction on EBay. Anyway, I was real hungry.

[wtmusic]

15. "Closer to God" = Farther Away From Science

sorry, can't accept the idea that "closer to God" is a good thing. The spokesman's comment is archetypical--"these things don't happen every day". Actually, they do--and there are just as many salt stains that look like Charles Darwin :p

[Ellen Forradalom]

16. See my pictures from the scene yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3082846

[Stuckinthebush]

17. Is there any wonder why America is in such trouble today?

When we have people that will fall over themselves to worship a stain, then we know that Americans have lost it.

No wonder Bush is president today. Americans love to imagine the positive in a dark, dank stain dripping from an underpass.

[Hand]

19. Well, Terry Schiavo is SO two weeks ago...

The nutballs need a new source of entertainment where they can indulge their exhibitionistic piety. I hope the goddam underpass collapses on top of them... ("Well, all right, I'll go to hell!"--Huckleberry Finn).
:boring:

[terrya]

21. This is just a ridiculous embarrassment.

And there are some people with really vivid imaginations.

[Arugula Latte]

23. Holy Underpants Skidmarks, Batman!

How much am I bid for these soiled tighty-whities? Praise the Lord!

[WillyT]

24. Somewhere In Chicago, A Homeless Guy Is Laughing His Ass Off !!!

In fact, he's probably creating a Virgin Mary in his pants right now!

:evilgrin:

[Susang]

26. Hopefully, they're cleaning up

That freeway exit is a big spot for them and with the crowds that spectacle is bringing, I hope some of these guys are bringing home a little more $$$.

[WillyT]

28. Excellent Point !!! - Maybe Some Of The Visiting Faithful...

will remember that Mary was a homeless (unwed, teenage, and pregnant) person too, and will fork over some dough to the folks who sleep under that underpass!

Now THAT, would be a miracle.

:hi: