After crucifiction, what's a little pee?

October 29, 10:03 AMAtheism ExaminerTrina Hoaks

Previous Next

7 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Atheism Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Ever since I first was aware of the hubbub over Larry David peeing on Jesus, I have been thinking. (Oh, how I hate when that happens.) Once I get to thinking, I have to write to get it all out. Unfortunately, I sometimes feel like I'm beating a dead horse. But, the way I see it, the horse is dead so it probably won't mind so much. So, here I go...

Let me start off with a little side note pointing out that I am well aware of how to correctly spell the word "crucifixion." (See title.) The incorrect way just seems more appropriate to me when discussing Jesus, who I see as a fictional character. Now, on with the rant...

It's so funny to me (I'm often easily amused) to see Christians' feathers ruffle over such a silly thing. Of course, I'm referring to this weekend's episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm in which Larry David accidentally peed on a picture of Jesus.

You'd think, considering that Jesus was supposedly crucified, that a little fake pee on a picture of himself wouldn't really bother him all that much. But, for some people of faith, such a thing is hell worthy, indeed. And, some people go so far as to demand apologies for such things.

You can't throw a Bible on the ground without asking for divine forgiveness, but throwing a copy of Aesop's Fables down in a similar manner would be perfectly okay. It would be perfectly okay to stomp a Triscuit, but heaven help you if you do the same to a Jesus biscuit. Really, there's no difference between the Bible and Aesop's Fables or between a Jesus biscuit and a Triscuit in my estimation. But some people see it otherwise.

What is particularly odd about this is that the people who hold these beliefs often times expect that everyone around them should join in their fantasy and revere and respect random inanimate objects and fictional characters just because they say so. And, they don't stop there. They demand respect for their religion, their religious rituals, their religious leaders, and their dogma.

Respect is not something to be demanded. You do not deserve it simply because you believe you do. Respect should not be a matter of bullying or intimidation. It is something earned or warranted with good reason.

While I may respect the rights of others to hold whatever crazy beliefs they want to, that doesn't mean I will respect that person or even their beliefs. And no amount of bullying will change that. Because make no mistake, there is a huge difference between respecting rights and respecting individuals.

Just as I would never be so bold, arrogant, or presumptuous as to expect anyone to respect me or my beliefs so should no one else expect such a thing - not even if they profess to deserve it because they are religious.

To those people who were offended by Larry David fake peeing on Christ - that is their choice. That is on them. After all, just because they decide to play the role of the offended doesn't mean it was offensive. What would have been offensive would have been if Larry David had really intentionally peed on them personally. Then, yes, I would agree that an apology, at the very least, would be in order. But, he didn't. So, it's not.

And, I have to wonder, don't these people have bigger Jesus fish to fry like helping to raise the $3.5 million that will be used to upgrade the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro? And, I also wonder - do the birds who perch on this statue owe Christians an apology when they poop on it?