Sean R. Reid

If you haven’t seen the Old Spice commercials then I have to wonder why you’re even reading this blog post since you obviously don’t have a computer and are afraid of the “interwebs.”  They’re probably THE most brilliant marketing I’ve seen in the last few years (possibly decade??).

This is an amusing parody put together by Community Christian Church.

Usually these “Christianized” pop culture parodies are like nails across a chalkboard. So many of them are forced, poorly written and just plain un-funny. This one, on the other hand, is pretty amusing and fairly clever. Granted, it’s borrowing from a tremendously clever template but that doesn’t take away from the quality of the work.  The self-awareness and mocking are doled out in just the right amounts for my taste as well.

It definitely made me chuckle.

“I’m on a donkey!”

One of the more frustrating aspects of my journey of faith, both before and after coming to Christianity, was the seeming divide between what could only be considered “fundamentalists” in both the science and religion camps. I think Stewart nails that point to the wall here. It’s one in which I’ve made myself. At some point there is a layer of “faith” to all scientific exploration despite it lacking a deity. The scientific method is the best means for acquiring answers to many of the questions of the “how” of the world but even it has it’s limitations. Particularly when it comes to the “why” of the world, a question which religious faith is more adept at answering.  To these ends I think Stewart’s comparison of anti-matter and God, albeit a humorous simplification,  is spot on.

h/t: Huffington Post via Pete Enns

More important is the statement made by Robinson regarding the nature of this debate, “The gladiators for both sides are inferior representatives of these sides.”  I couldn’t agree more.  The longer this shallow, arguably spurious, debate continues the less quality we get from the worlds of science and religion.  It becomes folks like Dawkins and Hitchens trying to out-yell the Southern Baptist Convention and Kenn Hamm. It is a futile and stupid exercise that advances nothing aside from egos or a few more book sales.*

Thankfully there are organizations like BioLogos which bring a measure of sanity and intelligence to the table. It’s a refreshing change from the rampant stupidity.  Sadly, both sides seem to be threatened by the idea that they should be challenged to think which places BioLogos, and like-minded individuals, squarely in the cross-hairs of the aforementioned screaming hordes. I think Chaplain Mike from InternetMonk.com said it best when he referred to it as “trench warfare.”

I’m also thankful for folks like Marilynne Robinson who seem unafraid to call “bollocks” on this debate. I’ve not heard of her before watching the video but now I’m very intrigued about picking up her new book.

Hmm…did product promotion just work on me?? 

*Which I argue might be the actual reason for the debate the first place. Nothing sells quite as well as controversy, even a manufactured one.

I’ve never been  particularly a big fan of Lenny Kravitz.  He’s put out some great tunes but nothing that really “grabbed” me.  After seeing this I might have to revisit that opinion, or, I have to at least admit that he seems like one helluva cool guy.

This is just plain awesome. How much are you loving it if you’re in that school choir?? I’m pretty sure this is the stuff dreams are made of!  BTW, that guitar player is pretty damned talented in his own right! Shred man!!

h/t  Collide magazine

Simply put: THIS.IS.AWESOME!! Go Electro Boy!!!

Props to the city of Seattle and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

h/t io9

You know, I kinda wanna tell her to shut up. But, honestly, I think it’s better that she gets to spew her nonsense. Because at least now we KNOW she’s crazy, judgmental, hateful and apparently almost as big of a Dio fan as I am (I mean, srsly, she spit out just about every.single.fact. about the guy including ALL his bands and top hits!).

So, mostly, I just laughed. And then I cranked up “We Rock.” Then I thought about praying to Satan* but remembered that’s not even REMOTELY true about me and despite what would appear to be her overwhelming “evidence” to the contrary I have not “sold my soul to the devil.” Oh, and she hates emo kids too. Which, I’m not entirely sure I can fault her for. Emo is kind of annoying.

h/t Christian Nightmares

*for the sarcasm impaired, I’M KIDDING!!