Sermon Illustrations
Gym Patron Confused by Slogan, Arrested for Conduct
When Eric Stagno walked into a local Planet Fitness, he thought he knew what to expect. His expectations were quite wrong. Onlookers were shocked when Stagno, upon entrance to the gym, immediately removed all of his clothing. He walked around for a bit, before eventually sitting on a yoga mat.
After police were dispatched to the location, officers found him at that same mat, engaged in a "yoga-like" position, completely nude. The gym's regulars were not impressed.
"To me, it's like, 'What did you smoke before you came to the gym?'" said member Kat Lancaster. "No, I don't think you should be at the gym naked."
"That's not right at all," said Tony Nachef. "Why would you do that? People are uncomfortable. Make you uncomfortable. That's weird."
Stagno was arrested without further incident, and charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. Police said Stagno's only comment was that he thought it would be "a judgment-free zone," referencing the Planet Fitness slogan that promotes body positivity and encouragement.
Potential Preaching Angles: Part of our responsibility as Godly citizens is to exercise good judgment. We can extend grace to those who violate moral standards, but we don't abandon those standards just to make wrongdoers comfortable.