a christian joke!
“The children of God present nothing peculiar, nothing new, nothing that exercises a compelling power. And so, after standing for a moment in amazement before the comedy of an unreal communion with God, the children of the world turn away supported and confirmed in their knowledge that, after all, the world is the world. With proper instinct for the truth, they do not permit themselves to be imposed upon, and they are thus protected against any turning towards the ‘God’ of the pious man. Whenever men ‘adopt a point of view of God’; whenever he is not everything and they are nothing; whenever they desire to be and to do something in co-operation with him; then, however stimulating their ideas, however noble their actions, God becomes—a notion. When only the empty canals of God are visible, objections and protests against ‘God’ are wholly justified” (Barth, Romans, pp. 74).
Somewhere else, Barth talks about how religion, including Christianity, is the “canal” where the original river, the original revelation, flowed. I have, I think, a better analogy: God’s revelation, the original event let’s say, is the meteor. What religion is, including Christianity, is the crater. If the meteor isn’t there, if the power isn’t there, if what made the impression is missing, then it is empty religion, and that is a comedy. And too often I feel I’m living in that comedy! And further: Christians often take scorn as undeserved persecution only to be expected as Christ’s humble followers. Barth’s point should be taken: scorn may be well deserved when the power isn’t there! We may actually BE a joke!
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I am very sorry, but I have no idea what you are trying to say. Your metaphor does not work. Are you saying all religion has to have a catalyst - a reason? I think that goes without saying. If you are saying that religion for the sake of religion is a waste of time, than I agree with you.
But God has CHOSEN the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God HAS CHOSEN the WEAK things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; I beleive God loves the poor, simple , uneducated of His creation, see Acts 4:13, and He extends His salvation to the sinful, see Luke 11:13. If I have to be strong , in any sense of the word, before God uses me for His glory and honour, it will never happen.
i agre with Dave and then some- christians (and other folks who are serious in their beliefs too) are comical, believing and praying to someone who can’t be seen, can’t be proven… (this is from the point of view of an empiricist, who is able to measure things) Christians (well, me for sure) are hypocrits- believing in fantastic ideals and guaranteed to continualy fall short- that is a fairly comical notion, but nonetheless, one I enjoy to continue to strive for- setting high ideals and striving towards them. I missed the punch line though…
Your right Sandy…I will gladly be the butt of their jokes…merely a splinter in my finger in my effort to carry my cross. People will always mock what they do not understand…the power is there for the taking…we need to stay connected to the power which for me is thru the passion.
Feeble attempts to appeal to the masses or to be hip and cool is what leaves the Christian community open to ridicule and jokes. Judgemental Christians with a holier than though attitude leaves us open to ridicule.
But, I hold on to my faith for all the beautiful people who radiate a light that like a moth I gravitate to. Except this light does not burn and kill it strengthens and refines…I will take my chances on being associated with silly, stupid, obnoxious Christians…because stupid people are everywhere…but at least there is a common ground on which we stand and that is our desire to be like Jesus, love like Jesus and serve Jesus.