August 2, 2006
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MEL SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS
Mad Max is beyond more than just the Thunderdome these days; he’s beyond belief. His recent remarks during his DUI arrest which included comments about f*^ki*g Jews, and the zinger; “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world”, seems to put an end to the debate over whether there was any anti-Semitic motivation behind his movie “The Passion of the Christ.”
I remember Gibson’s father being interviewed when the movie was released and hearing him make the comment that the holocaust was mostly “fiction.” I guess the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. In fact, Mel once said that it was possible that his wife was going to go to hell because she was Episcopalian. Gibson has stated in the past that his belief system comes out of his devotion to his traditional Catholic faith. I don’t think the Catholic faith has anything to do with it; I just think Mel is a freaking bigot.
I’m not letting organized religion off the hook, however. I don’t think it’s inappropriate or inaccurate to say that much of the bigotry in the world today is the result of organized religion. And I’m certainly not singling out Catholicism. I think all organized religion is to blame. In fact, I’ll be happy to put my Southern Baptist roots right up there with the greatest offenders.
Please understand that I’m not talking about personal faith, I’m talking about religion. I wrote this in a blog about a year ago: “I think what has finally dawned on me is that there is a difference between faith and religion. I still want to be a person of faith, but I no longer want to be religious. Faith embraces tolerance. Religion abhors it. Faith can acknowledge theological differences. Religion labels people as heretics and infidels. Faith embraces life, while throughout history; more people have been killed in the name of religion than for any other reason.” I felt that way a year ago, and when I hear asinine comments like those Mr. Gibson made, I feel it even more strongly today.
In fact, for a person who is a
When it comes to bullshit, big-time, major league bullshit, you have to stand in awe of the all-time champion of false promises and exaggerated claims, religion. No contest. No contest. Religion. Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there’s an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever ’til the end of time!
But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He’s all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can’t handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!
But I want you to know something, this is sincere, I want you to know, when it comes to believing in God, I really tried. I really, really tried. I tried to believe that there is a God, who created each of us in His own image and likeness, loves us very much, and keeps a close eye on things. I really tried to believe that, but I gotta tell you, the longer you live, the more you look around, the more you realize, something is fucked up.
Something is wrong here. War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption, and the Ice Capades. Something is definitely wrong. This is not good work. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed. Results like these do not belong on the résumé of a Supreme Being. This is the kind of shit you’d expect from an office temp with a bad attitude. And just between you and me, in any decently-run universe, this guy would’ve been out on his all-powerful ass a long time ago. And by the way, I say “this guy”, because I firmly believe, looking at these results, that if there is a God, it has to be a man.
No woman could or would ever fuck things up like this. So, if there is a God, I think most reasonable people might agree that he’s at least incompetent, and maybe, just maybe, doesn’t give a shit.
It’s easy for those of us who have a strong personal faith to say “George, you just don’t understand the way it works. You don’t understand God’s love.”
I’m here to tell you, when “Christians” like Mel make front page news, I completely understand where George is coming from.
Comments (34)
You’ve gotta admit, he’s got a pretty sweet beard going on.
Amen.
Having been raised Catholic and having gone to Catholic school in the late 60′s-early 70′s, I can tell you that the nuns taught us that Catholicism was the only true religion and all non-Catholics would go to hell. It didn’t make sense to me then, even at a young age. They no longer teach that as far as I know, but I think a lot of older Catholics and even those my age who were on the tail end of that teaching probably still believe it. I agree with you (and George Carlin!) about organized religion. I have said that I consider myself a recovering Catholic and I don’t think of myself as religious, but as spiritual. I am baffled by Mel’s outburst and I for one won’t give him one more cent of my money!
please know mel gibson is not a mainstream catholic. neither am i – i’m progressive. he’s fanatical. but the catholic church is NOT antisemitic.
as for ok123letsgo, above, catholics haven’t taught that they are the only true religion in thirty five years. lots of christians still claim that distinction, though, or otherwise exclude people from the possibility of heaven.
I agree with the statement you quote that you wrote a year ago. It has taken, and still is taking, a lot of time, earnest study of Christ’s life, and a lot of prayer to come to grips with the religon / faith thing. I appreciate a lot of the individuals I met while enrolled at Bob Jones University (not of my own will), but overall the school fucked me up, spiritually speaking.
But I’m having to learn to respond to ungrace with grace–otherwise I am no better than the ones I am condemning for lacking grace and being unloving.
I hate it when we Christians reflect a false character of God.
I, like you am tired of seeing things screwed up in the name of “religion”, I do understand what George is saying, and like you, I firmly believe in personal faith, and am done with organized religion, whether it be Catholic or Portestant….I will rely on my personal walk with Christ, and continue to listen to Him, even if he does have to hit me over the head from time to time!…LOL
I was saddened by what Mel said, he had to ability to bring something so powerful and amzing into to a “picture” story of the sacrifice Christ gave frely for us, and with one horribly drunk rampage he has messed it all up, now others will question his motives rather than pay attention to the message….sad.
Amen. I’m a very religious person, however I’ve not been a fan of organized religion for a very long time…
Brilliant Post!
Blessings~
Amen, brother Mark.
I love that Carlin bit.
I will give Mel credit for a very prompt, no excuses, apology. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe what he said… but at least he knows better (when sober) than to display his bigotry in public.
I am spiritual but not a fan of organized religion. Mel keeps saying he wouldn’t sin…what a crock
please come participate
I refuse to lose any sleep over Mel Gibson. Mel Gibson is not a religious authority. Mel Gibson makes movies. Mel Gibson made a movie about Jesus. This does not make Mel Jesus. It doesn’t even make Mel a christian.
What does it make Mel? How about very stinking rich. You think Mel loves Jesus? Mel loves Mel and Mel’s money.
Don’t blame George at all; he has alot of valid points. Faith is such a personal thing and you can’t put it against someone if they don’t believe in what you do; which is why there is such a thing called free will. Its disappointing that Gibson said what he said – it just goes to show that some people talk alot about faith, but really have no idea what is transcends to.
Reading George’s thoughts make it pretty clear why we believe based on faith, and not facts.
As to Catholics not preaching that theirs is the only true religion in over thirty-five years, I remember collecting money to save the “heathen babies” from the fires of hell. Oh wait, I guess that was over thirty-five years ago. Damn.
Now, Im no advocate of the catholic religion and Im not defending Mel and his remarks…BUT, I can see where Mel made himself a target to Satan by making “The Passion”. I mean really…if you were Satan would you bother with some movie star who was out filming pron? No, you would go after the guy who was making movies about Christ..movies that had the potential to influence people to look to God. Thats exactly what I think happened to Mel…he was on the right path and he failed to put on the full armor of God. He put himself on the front lines of spiritual warfare by making a movie that influenced millions of people worldwide and then as he watched his film play out he failed to recognize the continuing battle around him and he fell prey to the enemy.
Read Ephsians…we ARE in a battle. We need to take up our armor daily for we are in battle against the principalities of darkness.
Hey Mel….run for your bunker, get your armor on. Regroup and come out fighting.
You forgot the “What are you looking at Sugar Tits?” comment….my personal fav.
I’ll tell you what threw me off organized religion. I begged my mother to come to church with me for years. The day I finally talked her into coming she sat down and was told by a group of ladies, “we always sit here you’re going to have to move.” When my mom stood up they laughed….they laughed…. Like little girls…my mother’s face turned bright red and she walked out of the church. These were ladies that lead my youth group, women that I looked up to and strived to live like. I looked at the women and said “You should know hypocrites like you who turn people away from the church and God’s love.” I walked out of the church behind my mom and I haven’t returned in 8 years.
I’ve always felt that true faith is more about personifying the words than preaching them. You don’t see much of that in organized religion, or in mankind in general.
xoxoxo
RYC: Well, for a harmless old fart, you pretty much killed me laughing. You should do a post about a mensa meeting sometime. That has to be so interesting. . . all those smart people sitting around and doing whatever smart people do when they gather in groups. Definitely hired.
Oh, and I understand the worthless degree quandry. I was a straight English major. Now, that really comes in handy. Yeah.
I think the ravings of a falling-down drunk jew-hating Catholic have no business making the headline news any more than the ravings of a falling-down drunk redneck from East Side Jesus, Idaho. His rantings were purposely put out there to inflame. There are so many other things that deserve our attention and energy.
2 things:
1. Is DISorganized religion a good alternative?
2. Found you through repatrick.
Mensa really is weird. Not just high IQ, but phreaky strange.
Here’s a (out of many) problems I have with organized religion:
It picks and chooses its battles regardless of how hypocritical.
For example, several years ago – during W’s tenure as Texas governor – a woman was on Death Row. This woman became a born-again Christian while in prison and was ministering to other inmates. When her sentence on Death Row was up and it was her turn to die, Pat Robertson and other Christian leaders begged W for her life. Why? Because she was a Christian. Yet, these same people who are allegedly pro-life don’t seem to mind when others are executed.
Now call me crazy, but, if she’s a Christian and she dies, doesnt our faith tell us that her soul will be with Christ? Why then did they campaign so hard for her life when countless others – who were still “lost” – were executed? Wouldn’t the lost ones be the ones who need the saving?
Religious leaders campaign the loudest as pro-life but have nothing to say when a 15-year old gay teenager is maliciously murdered for his sexual orientation. FIFTEEN. James Byrd is dragged behind a truck down dirt roads in Texas. Where was the church’s outrage?!
I’m tellin’ ya…if Jesus were to come down right now, not a single one of these people would recognize Him. And why should they? They’re too busy being religious.
Yeah, I thought the “sugar tits” remark was especially charming too.
As always, George Carlin says it with wit and style!
RYC: Your grounded until further notice. Havent you learned by now that all comments to my posts are mandatory Lori support? ….I assure you there will NO cute little candy striper and NO LazyBoy chair and minimal sympathy. My world is the Land of LORILogic, we do not cave to these frivilous testosterone infused demands. Silly man, surely you didnt think your suggestion would be taken seriously? Need I report this infraction to your wife? Carry on with your reports of airport nudity and Mel’s Mayhem and leave the crying game to me.
Great post!! I’m standing on my chair, applauding! I’d do a backflip off the desk, but at my age, the landing could be fatal. I used to think that Mel Gibson was SO hot. I’ve officially changed my mind. He’s an imbecile.
I KNEW you were going to write about poor Mel!!! … I just don’t understand him….I can say what he said intoxicated must be what he really feels. Even the Bible says…”out of the abundance of the heart your mouth speaks.”
I’m really really disappointed in him. I still love him dearly and think he is the hottest celeb, other than John Corbett of course….and I hope he gets it all together, cause right now it aint looking good for him.
I do want to add this…what he said was wrong and I disagree with it…but we seem to missing the most important issue here….he was picked up for DRUNK driving. Meaning he was endangering somebody elses life for his selfish needs. Driving drunk to me is a bigger offense than his verbal outburst. And this from a man who has 7 kids.
I hope somehow he redeems himself through all this.
And for you Mark….are you guys coming to my party next weekend???? You wont really have to be Mariachis. Just come on and have some fun.
yes. it makes me terribly sad. RYN: no. I’m not Martin Luther King. But I was glad to be home.
I was going to read this, but I’m too busy looking for a place to put my STUFFFFFFFF.
When your brother sins against you and asks forgiveness, what are you to do? At least Mel admitted his sin and asked for forgiveness. I sure can see the point about the devil, Satan, being out to ruin him. It makes me think we should be praying for him. Thanks for the thoughts.
I do so love Mr Carlin. The response he gets is because he tells the truth as he sees it — and we’re not used to hearing it. Hysterically funny, and spot-on accurate. Mr Gibson is, in the vernacular, toast as far as Hollywood is concerned, forever. To think that others believe as he do frightens me, as many of my beloved friends are Jewish. They actually don’t control anything as a group, except themselves and their reactions which are to be admired and emulated.
The only thing I ever really liked about church were the hymns. They sound really great when you sing them loud.
Yep, I would say you are right on track. I am not impressed with Mel either… have a great day
I have to admit, what Carlin says is largely true about organized religion. We have made such a screw up of things, it is no wonder people don’t believe.
LOL WHAT I’d like to know is if someone said, Christians are behind all the wars in the world, if they’d be declared ANTI Christian…. or say for example, Muslims are behind ALL problems in the word. That should make them Anti Muslim no? But certainly, no one is offended, and no nothing is being done about that…. I suppose Jews have a special status. Mind you, I love my Jewish friends. This is just a retoric.