Is It Time for Christians to Strike Back?

Today I heard something on television that has caused me to think I have reached my limit.  One of the channels on cable and satellite, Comedy Central, has floated an idea for an animated show where the main character is...wait for it...Jesus Christ.  However, this being Comedy Central, you can bet this won't be the Jesus that untold billions (including me) have put their faith in over the last 2000 years.

The advance word on this potential program from Comedy Central  is it revolves around Jesus trying to make his way on Earth while trying to escape the powerful shadow of his video game obsessed father, God.  Wow.  Imagine, the potential audience!  There may be hundreds or even thousands of people interested.

Beyond the fact that millions of people will find the whole idea of this show offensive, there is to me a more important issue:  the loss of free speech and the gross hypocrisy of the corporate entertainment complex.

Recently Comedy Central aired a two part episode of the show "South Park"  revolving around the inability to depict an animated image of the prophet Muhammad.  During the course of the episodes, various figures from important world religions were shown engaged in highly inappropriate behavior:  Jesus is portrayed as being addicted to internet porn; the Buddha is shown snorting cocaine.

This is not the first time that South Park has targeted a religious group.  Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Jews, and even New Age religions have all had their moments with the show.  Some could be funny, many bordered on scandalous, but the show has always been an equal opportunity offender.

South Park has gone after the Islamic faith before by placing an image of the prophet Muhammad in the show.  In an early episode prior to the brouhaha caused by the publication of Danish cartoons of Muhammad; Muhammad was actually depicted.  However,the show was later censored by the Comedy Central Network and the offending images removed from the internet versions of the show.

In its most recent act of self-censorship, Comedy Central did not allow the name "Muhammad" to be spoken; the animated images of Muhammad were censored out; and at the end of the program where the "moral" (a word I would not normally associate with South Park) is given by one of the main characters, the entire speech is censored.  Ironically the "moral" was about the importance of free speech.  Due to all of the self-censorship taking place, the "Hollywood Reporter" declared the episode to be "virtually incomprehensible".

I am not hear to praise or condemn South Park.  I watch the show on occasion.  Sometimes I find it to be brilliant satire, and sometimes I start, find it offensive and turn it off.  That is my choice.  South Park can say what they want.  It is my decision whether I wish to listen or not.

However, this new show about Jesus Christ is an entirely different matter.  If Comedy Central wishes to air a program that mocks the faith of millions and yet at the same time self censors itself to not be offensive to another faith,we are in a different ballgame. We now know that Comedy Central is in favor of free speech; as long as those they offend take no action against them.

Now, let me state unequivocally, I am in no way advocating violence of any sort against Comedy Central, Viacom (the corporate parent of Comedy Central) or their employees.  I am simply asking...is it time for Christians to strike back?

The only way that I know to do this is to unplug cable and satellite.  I don't mean just not watching Comedy Central or avoiding other Viacom programming.  I mean hit'em where it really hurts...their wallets.  If enough people pull out of cable and satellite programming, it will hit not only Comedy Central, but every other entertainment company that airs on satellite and cable and also the satellite and cable companies themselves.

And it would be an equal opportunity hit as well. You strike Comedy Central, but you also put pressure on CNN, Disney, ESPN, Fox, MSNBC, TBS, even the Weather Channel.  Direct TV, Time Warner, Dish Network would be especially hard hit.  The list goes on.  And I think this is a very Christian way of doing things.  Non-violent, easy to do, cost effective, and if done on a large scale, very attention getting.

So for some of you Facebook types out there who know how to start a movement, you now have a suggestion.

Shhhh....

Once again, way too busy to post recently.  However, I have just returned from a trip to the mountains, specifically Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  While I was there I was baffled by what I perceive to be some unusual behaviors.  What I want to know is:  why do people go to a beautiful, natural environment and feel compelled to tour the area by Harley Davidson motorcycles?  I am certain that riding a motorcycle through some of the most achingly beautiful scenery in the nation would have a certain appeal, the noise level produced by these conveyances is completely out of control.

While standing beside a stream just off one of the roads, cars would occasionally pass and there would be a slight noise.  When a motorcycle passed it was deafening.  This cannot be good for people or the wildlife.  At one point, standing on a high ridge, the only sound were the birds, the wind in the tree and the roar of motorcycles passing below.

I am not a "purist" when it comes to wilderness or to our National Parks.  But can't we have a little quiet without the roar of the accountant-dentist-lawyer-over the hill guy on a Harley?

Cold Spring

Well, here it is middle of March, and I haven't posted in over a month.  Work has been crazy.  I have worked almost every weekend since the end of January.  And because I am in front of the computer constantly, I don't like to spend as much time in front of it at home.  Don't get me wrong.  I am not complaining, I do get paid for the extra and I am extremely grateful to have a job.  Way too many people don't.

Anyway, it has been a cold spring in the Memphis area.  Usually by this time we have had a few warm days and the trees are blooming.  This year is different.  We are closing in on St. Patrick's Day, and the only green is the decorations up in the Hallmark stores.  (Really, who sends St.Patrick's Day cards?)  The weather has been unusually cold and grim.  I think "bleak" is the operative word here.

And it's not just the weather.  There are many other things that seem to not be going so well.  The economy is terrible.  Many people have been out of work for so long they have just about given up.  Politics?  Please.  Washington is so completely out of touch with the everyday folks it is truly frightening.  No matter which side of the political debate you fall on, it is scary to watch as the administration and Congress seem to flirt with arbitrary power.  Talk about "the winter or our discontent" - Richard III, Act 1, Scene 1.

However, even with all of the problems, when I look out my window, I can see buttercups blooming in the yard.  I can see the Japanese magnolias beginning to show a little purple and white.  It is a great reminder of the continuity of nature and the seasons.  All of these things will eventually pass.  Yes, more cold weather may come and nip those tender blooms.  But life is persistent:  it cannot be denied.

Snow Day

It has been a while since I have posted.  There are various reasons, none of which are important.  But, one event has occurred over the weekend that I have found very interesting.  We had an ice storm.  The good news is that as ice storms go, this one was not very destructive.  Yes, people lost power and there was tree and property damage, but, as far as I know there were not any serious injuries or casualties.

What I found interesting though was people's reaction to the storm.  Memphians generally do not respond well to ice and snow.  We don't get a lot of it, so we are not really prepared to deal with it as easily as northern cities.  There were lots of television interviews of people who were headed to the grocery store to buy "supplies" and all sorts of other things.  At work, I heard comments that would make one think we were headed for some type of frozen apocalypse.  But none of this is what is fascinating to me.

What interests me is every person when they were discussing how awful it was going to be, was smiling the whole time.  Everybody knew, deep down, this was at worst a minor crisis, and secretly, was looking forward to staying in for a day enjoying cold weather activities.  I think this says something about human nature and particularly Southern human nature.

Behind our "we better be prepared" and "I hate winter weather" bravado, we are really kids at heart.  We can all, and as Southerners, in particular, love the little thrill we still get when we hear ice and snow are coming.  I think it brings back the memory of listening to the television or radio hoping that school was cancelled due to weather.

Yes snow and ice can be a problem.  Sometimes it can even be deadly.  But isn't it charming that despite our cynicism and false concern, we all still need a "snow day" once in a while?

Mapping It Out

Blogging has been light lately.  I have been under the weather for several days with a particularly nasty virus.  Lots of 7-Up and soda crackers.  Anyway, while padding around the house, I came across my Rand McNally road atlas.  It was several years old, but still very useful.  Face it, road maps don't change much year to year.

Anyway, I am planning a trip later in the year and since I had a little time on my hands, I took out the atlas and started looking at the route and then possible other routes to my destination.  I then started thinking about other trips I had made in the past and trips that I had planned but for whatever reason not made.  I thought about the routes I had taken, places I had been, and even places I would see if I took those trips not-taken.

I then thought about who I was with on a trip or who I planned a trip with.  What we were thinking about (or sometimes worrying about) when we were at some particular point on the map in front of me.  Good memories of what had occurred on the trip and how the passage of time had even changed supposed calamities to laughter.  Some of those people on those trips are still alive, some passed on.  No pain, just miles.

I looked at the US map and saw how you would drive from one city to another; what states you would pass through on the journey.  I looked at how all the states fit together (no matter what you see on the news channels) and made one country.

I think auto travel is due for a come back.  (I can't remember the last time I wanted to get on a plane.) And part of the fun of that type of travel is planning the route.  It is a cliche', but it is still true, "it's the journey, not the destination."

This is perhaps too syrupy for some, but there is something special about maps like my old road atlas.  Yes I know GPS is great, and Google maps plot the quickest and most direct routes.  But I think and I hope there will always be a place for Rand McNally.

It's COLD!

Okay it is official.  It is cold outside.  I know a lot of places have a lot colder weather, however, for Memphis, 21 degrees is cold.  And it is supposed to get colder by the end of the week.

This is the point where I am supposed to hope that everyone is in a warm place because cold weather can be deadly.  I do worry about people who don't have warm houses or worse are out on the streets.  I pray for those people and hope they find shelter.  I even try to give of my means when I can to various groups that assist those who are truly in need of help.

However, I like cold weather on occaision. Notice, I didn't say I like to be cold, but I like cold weather.  When it is cold outside, I enjoy curling up in a warm blanket.  It makes me feel safe.  Linus had it right.  And tonight, while I am writing this, the house is quiet (see my earlier post about cutting the TV feed), and the only sound is my small electric heater along with the sound of a train blowing off in the distance.  Don't knock it until you have experienced it.

Cutting the Cord

Okay, it is still a new year and therefore time for some resolutions.  Aside from the usual ones (eat healthier, more exercise etc.) I am taking action on a new one.  I am cutting the cord.  I am disconnecting satellite TV.  (I know, technically there is no cord, but you get the idea.)

According to my satellite provider I have over 150 channels of pure entertainment.  Actually I have over 150 channels that I virtually never watch.  I mean, there is nothing on.  So instead I am going back to an antenna with the local channels.  I can still get the weather and the local public station is pretty good.  For the money that I save I can hopefully get what I really want:  a superfast internet connection.

If you think about it, do you really need television?  Is there anything that you can't get online or by DVD?  I will miss the sports, but I will have more time for other things.   This is a fairly dramatic step, but I think I can do it.  I will keep you informed.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!  Wow, 2010.  Who would have ever though we would get here and to the point of saying "twenty-ten" instead of "two thousand" and something?  Hard to believe it has been ten years since the change of the millenium.  10 years ago, everyone was worrying that the world was going to end or at the very least a huge computer crash.  How quaint those worries seem now.  And doomsday has been pushed out to 2012 (December 21 I think.)  I suspect it may get pushed back further once we get there.


I love New Years Day.  It is a day of fresh starts and old traditions.  A time of both reflection and new hope.  In my family we have two traditions.  First of course is black eyed peas, hog jowl, and turnip greens.  I am not a big hog jowl fan, but I love black eyed peas and the greens.  The legend is this brings you good fortune in the new year.


The other tradition we have is to open all of the blinds and curtains on New Years Day.  No matter how cold or sometimes even dreary it is.  By doing this we are letting in the light of the new year.  It is the light of hope. No matter how bad things may have been in 2009, New Years Day 2010 and the light that it brings is the hope that the new year will be better.  I hope the light of New Years Day illuminates the year for all of you.  Have a safe, healthy, prosperous and most of all happy 2010.