(Courtesy of Wikicommons, Paul Downey cc BY 2.0)In an effort to capitalize on the culture’s fascination with the occult, Converse sneakers has introduced a new sneaker that features an inverted pentagram designed by a misguided fashion icon who thinks Satan is haute couture.
According to the Christian Post, the shoe is named the TURBODRK Chuck 70 and was designed by the fashion icon, Rick Owens, a former Catholic who said he likes using “geometric diagrams like that because, in a very primal way, they are a culture's grasp for control. And a way to organize thoughts and systems.”
Owens continued: “And a pentagram, in this day and age with all of its associations… I like the fact that it refers to an alternative system. And that suggests openness and empathy. It suggests the pursuit of pleasure, this pursuit of sensation. But one of the main things that I think it suggests is empathy and a consideration of systems of living that might not be standard. So that leads us to be more accepting and tolerant of other systems, which I think is a good thing.”
His choice of an upside down Pentagram is particularly disturbing because this symbol, known as the Baphomet, is strictly Satanic in nature and represents the goat’s head.
According to Owens’ logic, the use of this symbol in his fashion designs is meant to encourage us to be more accepting of the presence of Satanism in our midst.
Exorcist Father Vincent Lampert told the Catholic News Agency (CNA) doesn't agree and warns that the danger with these types of designs “is that they create a fascination with evil.”
Upside down pentagram“At first glance one might think that a pentagram on a sneaker may seem to be nothing but harmless fun,” Fr. Lampert said. “We may think of it as nothing more than some form of entertainment but the devil can use this interest in things associated with the occult as an entry point to enter a person’s life.”
Lampert told CNA that seeing the pentagram on the sneaker could lead to greater curiosity about the demonic world, “and the person’s life begins to spiral downwards.”
According to a Converse Instagram post, Southern California native Rick Owens “emerged from the glam-rock and grunge underground to become one of fashion’s essential iconoclasts” with his DRKSHDW diffusion line, launched in 2005, that blends “punk edge with couture-like sophistication.”
This new design, which was introduced on July 27 and is now sold out, “is all about disrupting formality—embracing traditional structure and then blowing it up.”
Judging by the comments on the company’s Instagram account, the majority of those weighing in think the idea of using pentagrams on sneakers is “totally messed up,” “tasteless” and “beyond disturbing.”
“This is sad, I grew up wearing Converse but seeing that satanic marketing through your shoes, I won’t be buying into this. God help you!” one commenter said.
“What is up with this AD?” another protested. “…love converse but I can’t be part of this darkness…totally messed up.”
“Really @converse let’s promote satan?! but God forbid anyone talks about religion... this is tasteless. That designer has the right to make art, but for you to promote an image like this says a lot. Smh.”
Another commenter gave this sage advice: “Y’all need Jesus.”
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