The greatest loss of 2008: George Carlin - too hip for the room

December 24, 9:42 PMAtheism ExaminerTrina Hoaks

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George Carlin was born May 12, 1937. He had a long, wildly successful career. He had an uncanny knack for bringing light to some of this nation’s greatest social issues and absurdities in a humorous, yet serious way.

It was back in 1972 that he was catapulted to fame when he was arrested at Milwaukee’s Summerfest. He was charged with violating obscenity laws after he performed his infamous “Seven Words you can Never Say on Television” standup bit. In December of that year, the case was dismissed as it was deemed that although Carlin’s language could be construed as indecent, he had the freedom to use that language as long as he didn’t cause a disturbance by doing so.

The following year, a man complained to the FCC because a radio station played a bit of Carlin’s material on the air uncensored. The case went to the Supreme Court and set the tone for FCC regulations concerning the airing of indecent material.

Carlin attacked the “establishment” regularly, which left a bad taste in the mouths of many people. However, there was a subculture brewing that welcomed his brand of humor with open arms. They appreciated his honesty and his no-nonsense approach to looking at the world around him and describing it for what it was – or at least what it seemed to be to him.

He began speaking out about the government as well as religion in a less than favorable way – in the estimation of some. He eventually added to his stand up routine the notion that “rights” are nothing more than a man-made delusion much in the same way that God is.

He was criticized repeatedly for his vulgarity and blasphemy. But, through it all, he never bowed down to what others tried to impose on him as “right”  because he understood that most of the folks who despised him and his language did so because of some deep-seeded, backward morality which sprung forth from what he described as “America’s favorite national theatrical prop,” the Bible.

To some people, George Carlin was a hero. He was a great champion, whether he meant to be or not, of the atheist cause, so to speak. By delivering his own brand of truth he helped to tear down the taboo that surrounded religion and in doing so, he paved the way for people to be courageous enough to come out and admit that they were atheist, too. Through his unabashed comedic talent he continued, throughout his life, to say, in public, out loud, what so many people were thinking but were afraid to say.  In doing so, he took on the distinction of being one of the most important people in the atheist movement as he helped to pave the way.

Although there are certain religious nut jobs, like Fred Phelps, who insist that George Carlin is in hell, there are those of us who understand that he is just dead. And, although we do not believe there is an afterlife, we know that George will live on in the legacy he has left behind.

In a lengthy interview filmed in December of 2007, just 6 months before his death on June 22, 2008, George was asked how he would like to be remembered. He said that he would like to be remembered “as someone who made enough of a mark that they can’t leave him out when they write about [the history of comedy in America in the last third of the 20th century].” As for his “epitaph on the tombstone, [he] would like one of two things - either ‘he was just here a minute ago’ or ‘too hip for the room.’

Please note that the videos included here contain explicit language. If you are easily offended by such language or material, I would discourage you from watching them. Further, if you under the age of 18, you should seek your parent’s consent prior to watching them.

George Carlin on Religion and Rights
 

George Carlin on God
 

George Carlin interview - December 2007
 

 I don't know why, but it seems that videos 1 of 7 and 4 of 7 are "no longer available." Sorry for the inconvenience.