Christianity Today features this video today:
So, there’s a new animated video online, picturing Jesus giving a speech to thousands in Washington, D.C., as if he had based his teachings on the sayings of the Tea Party.
In what the creators are calling the “Sermon on the Mall,” Jesus begins his famous talk by saying, “Blessed are the mean in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.” Behind him, cheering him on, are his “disciples,” including Gingrich, Perry, Romney, Santorum, Bachmann, Limbaugh, and Beck….
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I will never cease to be amazed at the phenomenon of people who will bend over backwards to defend those who would cheer loudly and applaud without reservation any humiliation or violence done towards those defenders, as many of these Tea Party fold have amply demonstrated at the 17 Republican presidential “debates”.
I guess it could be looked upon as a form of Stockholm Syndrome or turning the other cheek equally. Myself, I go for “The truth shall set you free.”
Oh, my.
The explanation says that all of the signs and slogans (those being held by cartoon characters) are “direct quotes”… but that ‘Tea Party ‘Jesus” statements “REFLECT actual statements of Tea Party leaders.”
I’m tough; time in, dues paid, skin reflects it and so do the scars… and no, that’s not a ‘figurative’ statement. I hold hard to what I have sound reasons for believing quite positively, absolutely and completely, and when I get chewed-on in such matters as this one, it’s usually for being “liberal.”
And I’ve still got very serious issues with this bit of film.
While I wouldn’t have made this video… or one remotely like it, for several good reasons… I’ve seen worse… though not many. The “South Park” style is as weak as the rest of it. Yes, it’s as stridently offensive as a rotting squirrel stuck inside a roof, but it’s still weak, because only the weak of reasoned argument would cobble-up something so overblown and “reflective” of the very worst that the current state of American politics offers – and then have the desperate gall to stuff The Lord in the middle of it.
It may “reflect the statements of Tea Party leaders.” But it would be equally possible to turn the same cartoon trick with Jesus quoting Lenin or Lucifer… and equally offensive… and equally pointless. This thing isn’t even vitriolic “preaching to the choir.” It’s more like “showing the choir dirty movies,” and that’s just plain nasty.
Thanks for the opportunity to see it though, anyway!
Blessings!
Rev. CW Brockenbrough
A cogent reminder from Chas Dickens:
Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.
“Man,” said the Ghost, “if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s child. Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!”
Scrooge bent before the Ghost’s rebuke, and, trembling, cast his eyes upon the ground.
Mark Wilkinson on FB says – Watch all the way to the end. Both for the explanation that everything Teaparty Jesus is an actual quote from a Teaparty member and to hear the real Sermon on the Mount.
Every line– yikes.
Wow. That is painful to hear.