Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Chick tracts

19 comments:

TheBlueMask said...

I highly reccomend "Religulous"

Anonymous said...

I watch a lot of movies. Religulous is the worst I've seen in a long time. Bill Mayer doesn't have anything to offer of his own, and just takes shots at truckers and old people for believing (but not necessarily understanding why) in God. It made me think a lot less of him, and that's saying a lot since I thought he was a bottom feeder before I even started the movie. I would like to see him in a debate with an intelligent person, without any editing. I would be willing to bet he would resort to "I know you are, but what am I" tactics.


PS. Are we going to get fire bombed for that cartoon depicting Allah?

PSS. Can we sort of keep away from religion bashing on here so I don't have to quit again? It's not like I work for the church or anything, I just don't like to be disrespectful of other peoples religion, because I can understand at least a little of what they're trying for, and I (mostly) like it. Even those of you (on the blog) who are anti-religious, most likely claim spiritual awareness.

Anonymous said...

That anon post above was me, hit anon again by accident.

Anonymous said...

i've never seen that movie... i posted those cartoons to share something that i'm going thru that directly relates to what i express.

it's possible that i'm far more rigorously religious than the people who made and distributed that comic. i'm certainly not bashing religion itself.

dave i don't think quitting would accomplish anything. why not just stay and stand up for what you think is right? illuminate the issue with discussion.

Lorne Roberts said...

and for those who don't know, this comic satirizes a christian seris of comics (chick tracts) that are virulently anti-homosexual, anti-catholic, and anti-everything except right-wing, george-bush lovin', meat-eatin' american christians.

so, part of it's power rests in the fact that, rather than bashing Islam here, it's making fun of a Christian comic that uses, word for word, and image for image, these exact same types of logic.


http://www.chick.com/cartoons/0003_01.asp

Anonymous said...

I wasn't referring to the comics below this. I just get a little nervous when making fun of Islam (see 72 virgins/this post). I'm sure you have heard of the outcry against that depiction of Muhammad in a cartoon a few years back.

I probably wouldn't really quit (unless it got way out of hand), I was just making fun of myself there (for quitting previous times). Still, I get no pleasure from people mocking Islam (it actually makes me uncomfortable).

I would like very much to have a discussion with bluemask about that movie, but it would be better in person.

Anonymous said...

yeah Islam-bashing is real and no good, whether this comic is doing so or not. the internet isn't the best place for this kind of discussion i agree, it's too subtle. sorry for opening the pandora's box!

TheBlueMask said...

Maher makes no secret that he has nothing to offer early in the movie. "I don't know" He's just asking questions. It's ok to laugh if some of the answers are funny. I don't think any of it was demeaning.
As for the above cartoon. I was had. The original image I clicked to save was the actual Chick tract that an equally, ridiculous portrayal of Islam. I guess it was a plant. Regardless, I don't think I'm bashing anyone. It was more of an FYI that there are children growing up with these cartoon books around the house. (I was one of them).

Anonymous said...

Bill Maher says "I don't know" so he can mock the people who think they do. He is certainly doing more than asking questions. The very title of the movie says religion is ridiculous. The type of questions he asks, how he asks them, who he asks, and the editing and commentary after the interviews puts his position clearly, against religion. I can understand this perspective, but that movie was not a good argument, and quite frankly, not funny (I vaguely remember chuckling once or twice at most).

For the record, I don't think QW or Bluemask have done anything wrong here, and am not trying to make anyone feel bad or guilty. I just don't want to see 'A Love For Art' turn into 'A Hate for Religion'(not that this is happening). Mostly because AHFR isn't a very good acronym.

=P

Also. I am a very spiritual person, one could say religious. I understand how an intelligent person could interpret the bible to be meaningful (used as a moral guide or what have you), just as well as how one could misunderstand or misuse it.

TheBlueMask said...

I don't think you can take "Religulous" any more serious than any Michael Moore "documentary", or even Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans".
I'm not anti-religion by any stretch, but I don't think that it should be exempt from scrutiny and parody. It is the ultimate white elephant of society.

Anonymous said...

You're right, I don't take it (religulous) seriously, that's what I'm saying. I also don't put much value to it.

Even so, I'm sure you're aware some people WILL take it seriously, just as they might, a cartoon depicting Muhammad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyllands-Posten_Muhammad_cartoons

cara said...

I too, was one of those children who grew up with chick tracts, they were frightening and hateful publications, that really appealed to the lowest common denominator of "beliefs" and/or "faith".


Funny, now that I have a daughter, I often feel like I have to protect her from religion, but what I mean by protect is: not that she shouldn't learn about them, or respect them or explore them or the one that is represented in my family (christianity), but that I block efforts from well meaning relatives to convince her or just talk to her about "god"...I've been very stressed out by some of these attempts, perhaps similar to Scribe's family's efforts just to share those comics with her.
Knowledge is not neutral, but that's another conversation.

I had myself pretty worked up about it, until yesterday morning when Olivia sat down for breakfast and said "Nonna said I should only believe in one god, but I don't think that's right, I believe in three gods, the monster god who made the earth, the woman god who made the people out of clay and water, and then jesus because he loves everyone."

Hallelujah and Amen!

Anonymous said...

that's so cute!

Lorne Roberts said...

that's my new theology: the monster-god, the mother-god, and jesus.

Anonymous said...

that's perfect, although the monster god sounds scary.

word verif: Rawor (who happens to be the monster god, all hail Rawor)

Anonymous said...

Not all monsters are scary. For example Grover.

Rawwwor!

Quitmoanez said...

Yay Olivia!!

Anonymous said...

actually, if you have ever read the scary monster book, grover refers to himself as a scary monster.

Anonymous said...

Wow.
bismallah
I don't even understand this cartoon but am very impressed with this outpouring of support for the prophet Muhammed. May peace be apon him.