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10 Responses to “Should Atheism Offend?”
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January 23, 2011
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Justin Wise, Be Deviant. Be Deviant said: On BeDeviant.com: Should Atheism Offend? http://goo.gl/fb/TC0XW [...]
Well. . .those aren’t my beliefs but he is entitled to believe or not believe in whatever religion he so chooses in this country. . .as for the remarks made at the Golden Globes. . .probably a joke made in poor taste. . .but what comedian these days doesn’t make the occasional joke in poor taste. I personally don’t find it to be anything worth getting too worked up about.
I appreciate Ricky’s manners towards Christianity while expressing his views of disbelief, but I think his testimony sheds a sad light on Christians.
He said we preach “immortality.” And being in a college town, a lot of atheists, agnostics, etc., think that the only appeal Christianity has is living forever in heaven.
Of course, going to heaven isn’t our ultimate goal. It is being in an intimate relationship with God, and NOT having to wait to heaven to be in that relationship. That’s what’s so great about Jesus, and one of the reasons why he is such a gift of immeasurable value and grace. Sadly, we Christians don’t give off that vibe too often (probably because when you find out who the real Christians are, the group numbers drop drastically).
But to answer your question, the right to believe or disbelieve in God isn’t offensive to me. But when you get guys like Christopher Hitchins and Sam Harris making jokes at debates where they don’t present the best arguments, that is offensive.
Refreshing. As he spoke, I thought how refreshing it is to hear someone who is not a Christian admit that he is not — as contrasted with so many who call themselves Christian and are not.
Emil
I don’t think his stating that he’s an atheist should offend people. When Christians do let that offend them aren’t they just reinforcing all of his negative experiences with people in the church? Far better to show respect and tolerance towards his beliefs so the communication channels can remain open, I think.
Also let’s do remember he’s a comedian. On Piers Morgan he seemed very sincere and serious but at the Golden Globes he was performing. It’s rather a waste of time to get offended by a comedian doing his act.
I agree with these comments on many accounts. Martha stated it well… If we, as Christians, let his honesty about his beliefs offend us, then we are reinforcing his negative view of Christians, especially if we strike back and condemn him.
Apparently he knows the Bible from his upbringing, because he says that he is choosing to “good to people” because that is how he wants to be treated (the “golden rule,” Matthew 7:12), and that his rewards will be here, on earth, as he lives a respectable life. But, unfortunately, “being good” and living a “moral” life isn’t the way to heaven, and I would hope that someone would point him to the scriptures that help us understand that the rewards that we store up for ourselves on earth are only temporary.
The sad reality is that if he chooses to live his life as if there is no God, then he will ultimately be judged and found guilty of sin. Out of compassion, we should not wish that on anyone, because we know where those who are judged guilty will end up.
So, I say, “Ricky Gervais, you don’t offend me, but you concern me. I’m praying that God will save you and make Himself undeniably real to you.”
I think that his interview comments are an indictment that the people he knows that claim Christ haven’t reflected Christ very accurately. Sounds to me that he’s witnessed a whole lot of religion and not a lot of Jesus. For that, I’m sad for him.
As for his intended joke at the Globes, I find it to be an awesome statement of truth. In fact, it’s not really a joke but a statement of truth. God has given him his ability to reject a relationship with his Father. He cites God’s creation as spiritual moving for him because God’s given him the mental ability to attribute that beauty as something other than God’s work (Romans 1). Like C.S. Lewis said, “When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all.”
Ricky Gervais is a funny fellow. “The Invention of Lying” is a very thoughtful movie on the subject which he stars in. If he really has a Christian worked up, then that Chrsitian should take that energy and focus into praying for him to meet God’s love.
I concur with pretty much everything said here. It shouldn’t offend us. Really, what’s the big deal? Is he the first person to say stuff like this? Ok, he might be the first one to say it in a funny way. The question is, why are we interested in this?
Why ARE we interested in this?
Gervais is a comic, he’s meant to tweak and poke. Not a big deal.