Posted by
Stewart, Melbourne, AUS on April 6, 2009:
Long time fan, constantly provoked to both laughter and thought by your column; long-time Christian. I struggle with "Christians" who make the mistake of judging people by the standards we have chosen, when it is far better just to love them - didn't Jesus say "Love one another, as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples - if you have love for one another." I'm sorry - where does it say "if you judge others by a standard they haven't chosen"?
Keep up the thought-provoking, laughter-cramp-inducing commentary, Randy!
Posted by
Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 8, 2009:
I love this! Keep it up Randy!
I myself am a "recovering catholic" and have a serious problem with certain flavors of organized religion. The worst being those that preach the "you're going to hell, cuz you don't believe what I do".
You can't argue with them because if you bring up a point that they don't agree with, the reply is "My god is better than yours and you're going to hell!"
They also seem to forget (if approved by the religion of your choice) that humor is a good thing.
BTW My [Insert deity of your choice] says believe in a higher power and be nice to everyone!
So I will be ordering a big pack of GOOHF cards to counter act the replies of people sending me to hell for writing this.
Posted by
Doug, Nanaimo BC Canada on August 29, 2009:
I think another corollary for Godwin's Law has just arisen. Any discussion in any forum that invokes a "You're going to hell for that..." ends the discussion and admits failure. It could be the failure of logic or of compassion, but it instantly brands the condemner as a knee-jerk idiot, whatever his or her faith. It also undermines any intelligent thing they may have said up to that point, in the minds of most readers. It has gotten so bad that it's difficult to admit to Christianity as one's belief, because so many people will immediately brand one as "one of THOSE" and ignore one thereafter.
BTW, I'm a Christian myself. And if you're going to hell, it's not "for that". According to the Bible, hell is the default destination, not the optional one.
Regrettably, I have lost more than one relationship on this point, having been at one point or another both the recipient and the idiot.
Posted by
Doug, Nanaimo BC Canada on August 29, 2009:
Further to my own comment of Aug. 29, I hereby lay claim to this adjunct to Godwin's Law, heretofore to be known as "Klaver's Law" (subject to someone pointing out I wasn't the first to outline it, of course). It states that "In any discussion, the person who condemns another with 'You're going to hell for that...', has branded themselves as a knee-jerk reactionary idiot, guaranteed that their comments will be ignored by all, and permanently destroyed any relationship they may have previously had with the target." It concedes one's failure to rationally argue the point any further, and is interpreted by most readers/listeners that the condemner has lost the argument. In many venues, it also ends the discussion.
---
I like it, and am publishing this so you have a third party witness and date stamp on it. Maybe it'll catch on! -rc
Posted by
Patricia in Chicago on December 27, 2009:
I'm reminded of a favorite Gandhi quote of mine: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." As a Christian (albeit a fairly liberal one), it always saddens me when people spread so much hate, supposedly in the name of Jesus (who I can't claim to speak for, but likely wouldn't have been offended at your column).
Posted by
Deborah, San Jose on April 24, 2010:
I had to read the whole article again because you referenced it as the starting point for the GOOHF cards. I laughed all over again too! The whole thing reminds me of what a friend said about the various religions or churches arguing with one another: "My imaginary friend is better than yours."
Keep up the good work!
Posted by
De De, Westover AL on April 24, 2010:
I was brought up in church, was the church pianist, and sang in a fairly popular gospel group throughout my childhood. I believe that God not only has a sense of humor, but I believe that the God I serve is not offended if I ask questions about the Bible's teachings. I can't believe in something that I don't understand, so I want to be able to ask, if something doesn't make sense to me. I believe the same about people. If you are above reproach, are telling the truth, etc. why should you be offended if someone questions you? That is a perfect opportunity to clear up doubts in someone's mind. God has nothing to hide, and I am happy that I serve a God that I can talk with honestly. I was mad at God when I found my 17 year old dead in his bed. It was very therapeutic to be able to talk to God about my anger towards Him. Over time, it helped to improve my relationship with God. I was fortunate enough to learn this from a devout christian lady who told me, "If you are angry with God, talk to Him about it. He can take it. We serve a big God".
I knew that God had a sense of humor when I awoke on April Fools Day in Alabama, to find 6 inches of snow on the ground, and no one predicted it!
God has also found many ways to give me comfort concerning my son's death...On Mother's Day, a stranger gave me a dog that looked like one my son and I had wanted, and the dog had my son's birthday. I was grieving and had asked God to show me a sign that my son was safe in Heaven with Him.One of many miracles that God used to help me get through my grief.
They're Trying to Make it Hot in Here - Comments
Posted by Stewart, Melbourne, AUS on April 6, 2009:
Long time fan, constantly provoked to both laughter and thought by your column; long-time Christian. I struggle with "Christians" who make the mistake of judging people by the standards we have chosen, when it is far better just to love them - didn't Jesus say "Love one another, as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples - if you have love for one another." I'm sorry - where does it say "if you judge others by a standard they haven't chosen"?
Keep up the thought-provoking, laughter-cramp-inducing commentary, Randy!
Posted by Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 8, 2009:
I love this! Keep it up Randy!
I myself am a "recovering catholic" and have a serious problem with certain flavors of organized religion. The worst being those that preach the "you're going to hell, cuz you don't believe what I do".
You can't argue with them because if you bring up a point that they don't agree with, the reply is "My god is better than yours and you're going to hell!"
They also seem to forget (if approved by the religion of your choice) that humor is a good thing.
BTW My [Insert deity of your choice] says believe in a higher power and be nice to everyone!
So I will be ordering a big pack of GOOHF cards to counter act the replies of people sending me to hell for writing this.
Posted by Doug, Nanaimo BC Canada on August 29, 2009:
I think another corollary for Godwin's Law has just arisen. Any discussion in any forum that invokes a "You're going to hell for that..." ends the discussion and admits failure. It could be the failure of logic or of compassion, but it instantly brands the condemner as a knee-jerk idiot, whatever his or her faith. It also undermines any intelligent thing they may have said up to that point, in the minds of most readers. It has gotten so bad that it's difficult to admit to Christianity as one's belief, because so many people will immediately brand one as "one of THOSE" and ignore one thereafter.
BTW, I'm a Christian myself. And if you're going to hell, it's not "for that". According to the Bible, hell is the default destination, not the optional one.
Regrettably, I have lost more than one relationship on this point, having been at one point or another both the recipient and the idiot.
Posted by Doug, Nanaimo BC Canada on August 29, 2009:
Further to my own comment of Aug. 29, I hereby lay claim to this adjunct to Godwin's Law, heretofore to be known as "Klaver's Law" (subject to someone pointing out I wasn't the first to outline it, of course). It states that "In any discussion, the person who condemns another with 'You're going to hell for that...', has branded themselves as a knee-jerk reactionary idiot, guaranteed that their comments will be ignored by all, and permanently destroyed any relationship they may have previously had with the target." It concedes one's failure to rationally argue the point any further, and is interpreted by most readers/listeners that the condemner has lost the argument. In many venues, it also ends the discussion.
---
I like it, and am publishing this so you have a third party witness and date stamp on it. Maybe it'll catch on! -rc
Posted by Patricia in Chicago on December 27, 2009:
I'm reminded of a favorite Gandhi quote of mine: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." As a Christian (albeit a fairly liberal one), it always saddens me when people spread so much hate, supposedly in the name of Jesus (who I can't claim to speak for, but likely wouldn't have been offended at your column).
Posted by Deborah, San Jose on April 24, 2010:
I had to read the whole article again because you referenced it as the starting point for the GOOHF cards. I laughed all over again too! The whole thing reminds me of what a friend said about the various religions or churches arguing with one another: "My imaginary friend is better than yours."
Keep up the good work!
Posted by De De, Westover AL on April 24, 2010:
I was brought up in church, was the church pianist, and sang in a fairly popular gospel group throughout my childhood. I believe that God not only has a sense of humor, but I believe that the God I serve is not offended if I ask questions about the Bible's teachings. I can't believe in something that I don't understand, so I want to be able to ask, if something doesn't make sense to me. I believe the same about people. If you are above reproach, are telling the truth, etc. why should you be offended if someone questions you? That is a perfect opportunity to clear up doubts in someone's mind. God has nothing to hide, and I am happy that I serve a God that I can talk with honestly. I was mad at God when I found my 17 year old dead in his bed. It was very therapeutic to be able to talk to God about my anger towards Him. Over time, it helped to improve my relationship with God. I was fortunate enough to learn this from a devout christian lady who told me, "If you are angry with God, talk to Him about it. He can take it. We serve a big God".
I knew that God had a sense of humor when I awoke on April Fools Day in Alabama, to find 6 inches of snow on the ground, and no one predicted it!
God has also found many ways to give me comfort concerning my son's death...On Mother's Day, a stranger gave me a dog that looked like one my son and I had wanted, and the dog had my son's birthday. I was grieving and had asked God to show me a sign that my son was safe in Heaven with Him.One of many miracles that God used to help me get through my grief.
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.