Todd Stadler's blog

Should I be offended by this?

Written at: 22:27 25 Nov, 2006 permalink

I try not to be a whiny Christian.

I mean, I'm a Christian, and there's no question that I am at times whiny, but I try to keep my churlishness separate from my churchiness, lest someone confuse the two.

Because, in case you haven't noticed, there are plenty of Christians who seem to be under the impression that Jesus' Great Commission goes something like, "Go therefore into all nations, complaining in the name of fairness and justice about your freedom to erect a Christmas tree, and suing and appearing on news talk shows so you can get your way, until the very end of the age."

(For those of you too lazy to click on the "Great Commission" link and read the actual passage, it says no such thing, no matter what evidence to the contrary you may find in the media.)

Charlotte's Web movie poster: 'This Christmas, Help Is Coming From Above'
Fig. A: Movie poster for Charlotte's Web

I mean, you'd think that Christians had never experienced persecution before or something!

Anyhow, all that said (and summarily ignored), I saw the movie poster (Fig. A, at right) for Charlotte's Web at a theater the other day, and I had to stop and ponder it for a second.

What caught my eye wasn't the all-star voice talent line-up. Or the fact that Hollywood was once again remaking a movie that had been done well enough the first time.

No, it was the tagline, "This Christmas, help is coming from above."

Really? You mean, unlike any other Christmas before, this one will be special because help will be coming — from above! Am I really supposed to take from this that, while saving humanity from its sinful, hell-bound state by living a perfect life and imparting a holiness through faith is a nice trick and all, it can't really compare to, say, writing mildly cryptic phrases in a spider web?

Okay, I don't really believe that the folks at Paramount really had set out to offend Christians, but it's at best an ill-considered tagline to this Christian.

Thankfully, the presence of the pig means that Jews and Muslims can find the movie equally offensive, if they choose. And ultimately, isn't that the true meaning of Christmas?

Comments on "Should I be offended by this?"

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Written by: Sarah Hazel

Written at: 08:38 01 Dec, 2006

It's so difficult to find the balance. I find it most hard to point out these "dis's" to God to my daughters, without trying to sound preachy, and therfore turning them against God. Does that make sense?....trying to winsomely preserve our distinctiveness as Christians while still being actively involved in the culture.

 

Written by: Jon

Written at: 07:48 07 Dec, 2006

Your Great Commission comment is a thing of beauty because it is so true. I believe Jesus once said something about being persecuted if we followed him, and how we are blessed because of it.

 
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Headline double-takes

Written at: 17:35 03 Nov, 2006 permalink

Trite humor, they say, is the cornerstone of democracy. Or something like that, I wasn't listening that day in economics class. Or whichever class that was.

Point being, here are some things I saw in the news recently that made me laugh. And if they made me laugh, then they'll likely make you guffaw. Assuming, of course, that you are easily amused and/or have a strange laughing disorder.

To see the rest of the blacked-out images below, move your mouse over them. If you have Javascript enabled, all will become clear to you. Or at least you'll see what's underneath the black part. You can click on the image to be taken to the story in question.

Rodent study may shed light on the French
Fig. A: Something from the newspaper

Headline 1: "Rodent study may shed light on the French" (Fig. A)

Now to be fair, this isn't the full headline for this article, it's the summary headline on the page where the story continues, inside the front section.

That said, I get it, okay? We no likey the French. They're like filthy rats to us. They eat cheese. Fine.

Whoops, my bad. Turns out the story isn't about Freedom Fries at all.

Urine and vomit. Alcohol. Mangled hot dogs.
Fig. B: Something from the TV

Headline 2: "Urine & vomit, alcohol, mangled hot dogs." (Fig. B)

Honestly, the first thing I thought upon seeing this screen-capture was, "I don't think I like the sound of that recipe. This cooking show is not for me." Okay, not honestly, but I did think that was a funny reaction.

It turns out that the actual story isn't funny at all, something like this actual blog entry.

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