I’m sure that every kid that’s given a copy of the New Testament instead of candy on October 31st is going to be totally psyched about attending your church.

Wait, this isn’t Bizarro America where kids hate candy and love to be proselytized by total strangers and where black is white and people say “Goodbye” instead of “Hello!”. It’s actual America, where this idea completely defies logic entirely.

A note to Tucson churches: those “harvest festivals” churches often put on, with a few jumping castles, and other stuff kids like (including candy!) providing a safe environment for families…those are actually a decent idea, providing a non-threatening, useful service to your neighborhood. Trying to change the identity of an event people seem to like? Bad idea and really only useful in reminding me that I should listen to the band Ween more often.

This article appears in Oct 6-12, 2011.

The editor of the Tucson Weekly. I have no idea how I got here.

92 replies on “Stupid Christian Idea of the Month”

  4. I much enjoy your articles, but this one is just not worthy. Obviously you don’t agree with giving out bibles or other gifts like this but I can see why the Christian community is doing this. Halloween is all about ghouls and goblins, witches and skeletons, candy and non-sense! why celebrate something so highly to bring money to corporate companies that profit from this, when we could be setting aside a day to do something positive instead?! What about get to know your neighbor day, or visit a hospital to heal someone with your presence day. There are many other things that could have such a great impact on humanity but we chose to throw money away on halloween and other useless “holidays” and then dummies like you spit on an idea that does not fit the mold. GREAT JOB!

  5. If Dan Gibson can’t say something of relevance and meaning, why not keep his mouth shut? If you don’t like the idea, Dan, that is fine, but why waste space that could be used to comment on things of importance to the readers. Your personal bias is not of importance to anyone but you.

  7. Just one more anti-christian offensive mounted by yet another insulting, myopic pseudo-journalist (yes Dan, that would be YOU). I look forward to the next installment of “Stupid Muslim Idea of the Month”, “Stupid Mormon Idea of the Month”, or some form of attack on an idea from another religion with which I may not agree. Where are you on THESE “Stupid Ideas” Dan???? Oh wait, silly me….it’s just Christianity under attack by the leftist media liberals (yes Dan, that is YOU again)…….

  8. Dan’s right. It’s a tacky, stupid idea. Why religion feels the need to market Christ like he’s laundry detergent is beyond me.

  9. Watch your children, yourselves, and your wallets if you go near downtown.

    Seven creatures show up weekly at city hall who trick or treat 365 days a year.

    Scary! Boooooooooo…….

  11. Religion is for the weak who have no faith in themselves. It is always easier to put faith into something that you cannot prove.

  13. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It’s what I expect of a weekly. Jesusween is a stupid idea and so is Christmas shopping.

  14. At first it seemed like a stupid idea, but what if a thousand new testaments were given out and nine hundred ninety nine were tossed out, but one changed a life.

  15. “The preaching of the cross to those who perish is foolishness; for these things are spiritually discerned, and they cannot understand.”

  16. Your assumptions have no merit charge, because it is not up to you who is, or who isnt ‘perished’. You assume just because someone does not follow the brainwash cult called religion, most especially christianity. AnD, ‘discerns’ from your morbidly lily white traditionalist nonsense. This I KNOW, you will not understand. oh, wait, did I make an assumption of you!?

  17. Wow, it’s amazing how angry you “Christians” become at one man’s opinion. You frauds, you deceit-filled, “believe my way or the highway” imposters. For the most part, I saw nothing Christ-like in any of your responses. You weak-minded, blind little lambs deserve the slaughter your religious leaders are herding you towards. How about dusting off your bibles and finding out for yourself? You haters. You sad shadows of real Christians. Shame on you. If I were a kid trick-or-treating, and one of you gave me a copy of the new testament, I’d get every kid in the neighborhood to egg and ruin your houses.

  18. As a Christian and a person of science (they are surprisingly quite compatible), I am always curious about the atheists who chime in whenever anything about Faith is reported upon. This condescending article about how some congregations use Halloween as chance to proselytize, gives yet another opportunity for the burgeoning ranks of deep-thinking atheists to harp on the notion that faith is for the weak minded blah blah blah. The truth about many atheists is quite simple, they don’t want a God. They see humans and by extrapolation, themselves , as the sole determinant of their lives and morality. This is the moral equivalent of seeing the Earth and therefore man as the center of the universe, of creation. Very 14th century.
    I have absolutely no doubt (though I have absolutely no “proof”) that we are not alone in this universe (or in the countless other possible universes). Just as I can’t prove there are or aren’t extra-terrestrials. I have the same problem with proving the ultimate extra-terrestrial…God. But I can easily envision a day in the not too terribly distant future, when our science will look like what we would now consider magic, and changing water into wine or healing a blind man with a simple thought will not be far fetched or even miraculous. Then the idea of a God will be as logical as and as certain as science is today.

  19. Dan I would keep your comments to yourself in reference to religion and not to mention politics. Hopefully this comment doesn’t come back to haunt you…………

  21. It seems like it would be miserable to have such a sarcastic take on life . These people are just trying to do what they believe is right. It harms no one, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

  23. if a person can heal or change liquids with their mind then it proves no god, and that man at his full potential has no need for higher authority or dieism. there is no religion in sience.

  26. je mapel, “Behold, let me answer you, you are not right in this, for God is greater than man.”

  27. Since when did “open minded” come to mean we have to accept as a good idea every bad idea?

    Sorry, this is one open-minded, liberal atheist who thinks this is lame. In the past, my kids have gotten maybe one or two religious (Christian… always Christian) items in their bags. This year I will make a point to have them take the item out and drop it on the porch. Why? This explains it best:

    Religion is like a penis. It’s fine to have one and it’s fine to be proud of it, but please don’t whip it out in public and start waving it around… and PLEASE don’t try to shove it down my child’s throat.

  28. Jesus Ween is a completely phallic, maybe even homoerotic, name for a holiday. I fully support this idea because I think will bring exactly the opposite kind of response that the Christians are looking for…namely ridicule and scoffing and humor, as I have noted above. Go for it Jesus freaks…see how this one works out for ya.

  29. I’m certainly glad that I am not accountable to Dan Gibson for my Christian work. The Great Commission says to go into the world, to preach the gospel, and to make disciples. How I do that is up to me. Dan, if it makes you feel good to call me stupid, by all means, have at it… for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; it is the power of salvation to everyone who believes… (Romans 1:16).

  30. So, now because you don’t agree with us Christians, we are stupid? Know what? We don’t care what you think of us or our traditions. My children have NEVER celebrated Halloween, and NEVER WILL. In fact, they hate the idea. They aren’t missing out on anything worthwhile at all. I do not agree with dressing my children up in expensive costumes (or even cheap ones for that matter)and walking them door to door begging for candy. How silly. But that isn’t the only reason why my family and I choose not to celebrate this devilish day. First of all, everything about Halloween, from the costumes to the candy to the trick or treating, has it’s root in witchcraft. It is a pagan holiday, so why would a Christian participate? I lived in Atlanta, GA for a very long time, and I didn’t see more than 4 or 5 trick or treaters out on Halloween. Why? Because there are a lot more Christians there. So where was everyone? CHURCH of course. Some churches call it Harvest Festival, mine called it HALLELUJAH NIGHT! We choose to focus on God and worship and praise Him all night long, while everyone else is out galavanting around celebrating the devil and witchcraft. And you call us the stupid ones. OOOOOKKKKAAAYY. LOL, if you say so. My 8 year old daughter has more sense than you, when it comes to things of God. Matter of fact, she came to me just yesterday saying, “mommy, my friend was making fun of me because I don’t celebrate Halloween.” I asked her, “What did you tell her baby girl?” She said, “I looked in the face and I said, I don’t celebrate the devil, and that is why I don’t celebrate Halloween. I LOVE JESUS.” I said, “Amen baby.” She smiled so big it made me smile. She stood up for what she believed in. My 13 year old son thinks it is just foolishness. Even my 4 year old daughter said she would never want to celebrate Halloween because she doesn’t want to “praise the devil.” Feel sorry for our children if you want to, but, truth be told, it is the children of the faithless that I feel sorry for. They have no spiritual guidance and their eternal futures are bleak. That is sad. As for me and my household, we shall serve the LORD. Like it or not. I will leave the tradition of Halloween to those who do not have eyes to see or ears to hear.

  31. He’s right it is stupid! Christianity and other religions are just ways to try to control the masses. The reason your children hate the idea of Halloween is because they were brainwashed by you, their loving mother. RELIGION is responsible for more wars and deaths in this world than any other reason. Yes, there are some benefits and it has helped some people but it is very dangerous when in the hands of ignorant people who believe everyone should think the way they think. Don’t believe in something just because your mommy and daddy told you to! Try to get educated and learn about something other than what you were told to believe.

  32. Might as well pass out some Grimm Fairy Tales too. Both hold equal amounts of water when it comes to facts. Let kids have their fun, stop ruining it with fiction masked as fear mongering facts.

  34. Wow I’m a Christian, and I actually agree with Dan it is a stupid idea. I think there are much better ways of handling the sharing of idea’s of faith. I am not timid to share my faith but I do so with people whom I have a rapport with. I do so with people who trust that I respect them and their idea’s and who know that I have no ulterior agenda. If a friend of mine decides to open their life to the calling of Jesus that’s awesome. But that’s God’s job not mine. I listen to their story, and I share mine it’s as simple as that. Works better than handling out bibles to random kids who’ll probably just give me a dirty look and wonder where I am hiding the milky way bars.

  35. Wow, stupid article or not, it sure caused a ruckus! So points given there. I just have one bone of contention though. When Dan refers to “Christians” I think it’s a misnomer. I’m Christian, and I believe that to mean I believe in God. That’s it. I’ve always had an issue with religious zealots who think faith and salvation is something you buy. I know people who are not religious, who treat people better than those who aren’t. That’s sad.
    *
    So Dan voiced an opinion, and many of you only read into it what you wanted. He did mention that Fall Festivals have merit too!
    *
    I don’t know how a person can go passing judgement on anyone like many of these religious folks do. I can still believe in God and enjoy the work a family puts into decorating their homes and being part of the fun. The joy there has nothing to do with the devil either. Just like Christmas has little to do with Jesus. And you know I’m right about that, as you decorate your x-mas tree with Pagan roots.

  36. This article is a total shame, and an insult to not only to Christians but to those who believe in the true American paradigm. Is this really what colleges turn out for journalists these days? Dan, you would be better off serving burgers at McDonalds. Your “work” is garbage, and screw you Tucson weekly and your short sighted-ness and who you chose to hire. If I were an advertiser I’d pull out of your publication. America isn’t about what one individual thinks is stupid it is about acceptance of all the paradigms of human construct encompassing the “American Dream” yet you chose to publish articles that foster on mans ignorant opinion and failure to present an object approach to journalism…as far as I am concerned you Tucson Weekly called me stupid vicariously through Dan Gibson by virtue of being a Christian….and Dan, get a clue before you post an article that offends a great proportion of Tucson. If you cannot handle our diversity perhaps you should find a new place to live and work….and take Tucson Weekly with you. We don’t need you here. What a joke you are…

  37. Why is it that the free press in this country seems to have it in for Christians when they say or do stupid things, which they do alot, but yet, they will not call out the muslime community for the same thing?

  38. you cannot call yourself a christian if you celebrate halloween, easter, or any of the other pagan/satanic so-called holidays. These holidays were brought into mainstream christianity by the romans as they conquered new lands, they took many of the pagan practices of the conquered. They are all wrong, and none of them mentioned in the bible…anywhere.

  40. And I wonder if next week we could please have the “Dumb Muslim idea of the week” and the week after the “Dumb Jewish idea of the week” and after that, “The Dumb Hindu idea of the week”. Come on!

  41. Christians expect to be ridiculed, ostracized and even demonized for their faith. These are just a few more things which the Bible ACCURATELY prophecies will transpire. Thanks to Dan and the Tucson Weekly for their most recent contribution to the confirmation of Scripture. Talk about stupid and achieving the exact opposite of your avowed purpose! Keep those editorials coming! You are the best advertising Christianity has in this market.

    Blessings,
    John, who thinks like Paul, sans George and Ringo

  42. You all need to get over yourselves. Religion has it’s place and it is not with Halloween or politics!

  43. The human mind, by nature, has to believe in something beyond itself…be it ghouls and goblins, or Christ-likeness. Think how the world would be different if the laws of aerodynamics had never been discovered. Faith in this unseen force has advanced the world. Only science can explain it, and we have Faith in it!

  44. My thought on this is writer is more upset that local community that is holding a fun event, but with Christian concessions. I would rather have a writer discuss why doesn’t Tucson ever hold seasonal local events this time of year that you can accutally take whole family that doens’t cost an arm and a leg. Instead we are left with this drip of bias, and left with discourse of Christians who always take pagan holidays and try to make it with their own brand of fun.

  45. Dan Is right You now thinking people – we need fun in our life and the kids do not need reallity shoved down there throat they need funnnnn Life is short………. enjoy FUN

  46. Ah, yes—FUN!!! Just eat the apple—and have fun! Go ahead, take a big healthy bite. It’s GOOD for you, really. Go ahead; eat the apple…EAT! It will make you just like, well, God. Eat! Drink! And be merry. Have FUN! Wheeeeee!

    John, who thinks like Paul, sans George and Ringo

  47. First of all, Jesus Ween is certainly no dumber than “Indigenous People’s Day”, which we are supposed to observe tomorrow instead of Columbus Day.

    Second, so let me see if I understand this. Trick-or-treating is a pagan religious custom by which children dressed as ghosts and demons come to people’s doors, uninvited, and publicly beg for treats. And if christians choose to push back on this by putting bibles in the treat bags, that counts as “public proselytizing”? Hmm. I think the pot is calling the witch’s cauldron black here.

    regards

    a liberal atheist

  48. If many of the people commenting on this article would open their eyes and ears for a moment and actually read it closely, you would see that no where in the article was Christianity attacked or made fun of. Just this “Jesus-ween” idea.

    Just because not everyone agrees with the minority of people who thinks “Jesus-ween” is the best idea since sliced bread automatically means that they’re attacking Christians. And nothing bad was said about community ideas in general. Think about this. When kids are taken out/go out for trick-or-treating on Halloween, they do so because it’s fun. Dressing up and getting free candy is, for most people, fun. Getting a small (or full-sized) Bible, which (considering America is a Christian majority country) they probably already have at home, as an alternative is not fun. An on-site church event/party featuring games, crafts, and yes, candy, is fun and considerably more productive to the participants agenda then forcibly pushing their beliefs onto someone, like when you call someone else’s god a devil because it’s not quite like the god you personally worship.

    And as to why there is not a “stupid Jewish idea of the month” or a “stupid Muslim idea of the month”, it is quite simple. These people, for the most part, don’t push their beliefs onto others, especially in this way. If this were an article about kids on Halloween receiving a Torah instead of candy, or a Qur’an instead of candy, there would be an even bigger uproar over it. People would possibly be assaulted or murdered over participation. At the very least they would be demanded by the community to not follow through with it. Because American is a predominantly Christian country, not Jewish or Islamic.

    For those who believe that Halloween is a Pagan holiday all about worshiping the devil, then, as a previous commenter said, you don’t know the true Christian roots about any of your holidays (regardless if you celebrate them or not). The fact is, a lot of Christian holidays have stolen Pagan ideas in them, either to seem more enticing to Pagans they wished to convert, or because the priests who initially were creating these new religious holidays could not be creative enough in coming up with them. And of course, whatever they did not, or could not, steal as their own they twisted into their own ideas about the devil.

    I think I addressed all the major points so I’m going to finish in a moment. However, I wanted to restate that this article is not Christian persecution. You know what is Christian persecution? Lions.

  49. Dan Gibson, or Mel Gibson? I am having a difficult time telling the difference. Oh wait, one is successful, wealthy, and produces something for a living, the other does not

  51. I suppose it was “pull stupid article out of nowhere day’ for Mr. Gibson. Who cares if people pass out bibles with gifts? Oh and Kristina Gonzalez-Barker do a little research on history before you let your good-ol pastor tell you what is and what isn’t evil! You are so brainwashed it’s scary.

  52. Robert, when Christ spoke to Simon (Peter), he didn’t say “On you I will build my church,” but he said “On this I will build my church.” This means the revelation to Peter that Christ was the Messiah was the foundation of the church, and not Simon Peter himself. I don’t think Jesus would have entrusted his legacy to a mere mortal; he entrusted Peter’s knowledge but not Peter himself to build His church. If Peter was the Rock, why did he renounce Christ three times before the cock crowed? It just shows his infallibility as a human being, and Christ would not have depended only on a mere man to lead mankind to the Truth.

  54. I regret to inform you “Kristina Gonzalez-Barker” that were it not for those pagan traditions (what you mistakenly call ‘witchcraft’) which you supposedly so revile, Christianity would not even exist, certainly not in the way you recognize it today. I dare you to google “pagan origins of Christianity” as a start. Then go on to examine the early pagan religions you will discover as a result. See if you can’t find many eerily familiar mythologies (virgin births) and traditions (Easter, anyone?) that predated your religion. I promise you won’t find a lack of reading material.

  56. For some Halloween is a fun occasion and time of celebration – yet it has become a parody of what All Souls Day once was – it is now a time where one can celebrate death, and fear, and promote tooth decay all at the same time. To give someone a message based on love – which is what the New Testament is about – why would anyone wish to oppose the freedom to do that? America is a free society – freedom of religious worship and freedom of expression are constitutional rights. So is the right to not read the New Testament if one chooses. I am not a Christian, yet I believe in the truth of the message contained in the New Testament, and I wouldn’t be in the least offended by the gift of a New Testament – really, I don’t see the problem. Let’s celebrate freedom instead of attacking good will.

  57. If you are going to claim intelligence, at least learn to spell. If you are going to claim to be a liberal, you are going to have to stop showing bigotry and intollerance toward races and cultures. You readily embrace any minority that claims to have been subverted, then treat any mojority that doesn’t beg forgivness for being evil as badly, or worse, than the said minority. it doesn’t matter if you are white christian, black muslim, or gay liberal; avarice, greed, stupidity, bigotry, lyin’, stealin’ and cheatin’ are the traits of someone claiming to be “just like you”. not all ideas are good ideas, and not everyone that screams is worth listening to. Form an opinion, don’t borrow one.
    (yes, there are mis-spellin’s(sic)that aren’t notated. Thats why I didn’t claim intelligence!)

  59. I grew up in a “Christian” family, attended catholic school my entire life. I tried for years to find that happiness that was always promised. After getting married, I found the path for me. I am proud to say that I am Pagan. ( no, thats not a devil worshipper..*eye roll*) I am the mother of 4 talented and amazing children who are in gifted classes and very popular with their peers. I have taught my children tollerance of other people, their culture and religion. While my children have been to my gatherings, I have let them go with other children to christian churches to see what they were like. I have told all of my children that I will not push any religion on them. They need to explore and find the path that feels right to them. My oldest son has chosen a completely differant path, neither christian nor pagan. I support him 100% I will help him in any way i can.

    My family is very happy with our life and our choices. We do not PUSH our religion onto others. Why do you feel the need to PUSH your religion so hard upon me. Are you so insecure in your religion that you have to convince others thats it’s the right way, the ONLY way, in order to convince yourself? This country was founded on religious freedom. Why must we be assaulted by christian beliefs at every turn? What about the jewish children that go to that door, the muslim children, why must you criticize their beliefs when you cant stand criticism of your own? handing out that new testement may not feel like it hurts anyone to you christians, but how are you so sure others feel the same way? Remeber, its all in how you look at it, the intent of the person commiting the action isnt really known, only how it is perceived by the person on the recieving end of said action.

    I have seen local christians in action in my small town. they are the first to loudly judge others, ( whatever happened to judge not, lest ye be judged?) you say your god is peaceful and loving, but after growing up around & watching christian followers, they seem to be by in large angry, spiteful people. Ready to damn anyone who is differant. where is the love and kindness they claim to have? I’ve watched them turn their back on a person who was hurting and desperatly in need, because she was gay. They actually told her to deny her feelings, and they would help her in anyway they could, but only if she dated men. If thats the christian idea of peace, love, & happiness – no thank you.

    a few people asked in the comments why christian families even celebrate the holiday anyway. Let me explain something. The pagan religion, has a holiday named Samhein ( pronounced sow-win) It is a celebration of the end of the harvest season. It falls on 31 October. When the christian churches began to grow and wanted to take control of the common people of the time ( most were some version of the pagan faith) They showed them that the church celebrated the same type of holidays around the same time.. they created a holiday to trick the pagan followers into their religion.

    Another point in that arguement, The story of christmas, Mary and joseph were traveling why? the census…. wasn’t the census usually performed in either the spring or summer? even the vatican has stated that the 25th isnt the true birthday of christ, but that since they werent sure of an exact date they decided on this one…seems odd when its so far from the census time. however, not when you realize the pagan holiday Yule is around the 21st of december.

    I appologize for any spelling errors in my post. I spent five years living in Europe with my family, I sometimes inadvertantly use European grammar. It is also very late at night. I’m sure many people will comment on spelling mistakes in my post and try to use that to negate any validity of my arguement.

  60. ok fine, crusteens, let’s see how you like it when we come over to your church and pass out.

  61. Jesus F’n Christ, obviously, im no way near a religious man, but im open to things to better oneself and if a bible can be part of it then let people decide for themselves, not let a piece of garbage journalism. Your pretty messed up.

  62. Dear Tucson Weekly,
    I am offended by your hypocritical article you claim to be a newspaper for the people of tucson …a community newspaper,yet you make an article like this. I dont know what your goal was in this except to possibly gain popularity for only one group of people … how close minded you are. Critizising a religion who is just doing somehing positive to the community it cowardace in your part. Who are you to choose a religion and decided to bash it unless you have decided you are the anti-christian newspaper now. If you decided you are an anti religious newpaper who is going to citizise people of faiths who are trying to do something positive then dont represent the tucson name for you put shame for representing the people of tucson.

  63. It IS “persecution” anytime an entire ethnic or religious group is depicted as habitually stupid, or crazy or in some other manner to be “inferior”. No matter whether that group is Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist or even Polish, Irish or Puerto Rican. It was precisely this kind of depiction of whole ethnicities and religious groups which characterized the Nazi persecutions of Jews, slavs, gypsies and homosexuals. Before lecturing anyone about what does and does not constitute “peresecution”, one should actually study some historical persecutions. Anyhow the only “persecution” involving “lions” in recent years involves the Detroit Lions. Once persecuting their fans and now persecuting the entire NFL.

    John, who thinks like Paul, sans George and Ringo

  65. Admittedly, I haven’t waded through each and every comment here. But those of you who would accuse Dan of being anti-Christian should probably Google him.

    Those of you who are angered by his post should probably read something else. Or start a blog. Or go to church. Or have a sandwich.

    Dan is certainly free, as a Christian and a public commentator, to express his views of those who would act in the name of his faith. The Tucson Weekly is also free to publish such opinions. You, as a consumer, are free to accept or reject that opinion. It’s all in the First Amendment, the same one that gives you the right to worship as you will.

    No one’s being “persecuted” by a blog entry. Early Christians were persecuted for daring to state that ancestor worship and solstice celebrations beneath groves of trees might be the wrong way to go. Screaming and shouting down dissent doesn’t put you on the Christian side of the argument. It puts you on the Roman side.

    The bottom line? Dan has a right to say what he wants. You have a right to ignore it. God bless our founding fathers.

  66. “athena” Halloween precedes All Souls Day historically. Like Easter and Christmas, All Souls Day was invented to coincide with an already exiting pagan event–in this case, Samhain–which was celebrated for some 500 years before the supposed birth of Jesus.
    Yes, Halloween today is a far cry from the original Samhain (which is still celebrated by neo-pagans), but it has not been corrupted by modernity away from any nonexistent Christian origin.

  67. Just the title of this article…”Stupid Christian…” shows the author’s bias and his immediate assumption that he is better than Christians. Mr. Gibson should be bright enough to know that if one person or one church announces that they want to hand out Bibles for Halloween or whatever reason, that does NOT speak for the entire Christian community which is worldwide and millions strong. And why is handing out a Bible stupid anyway? It’s a classic book read around the world. But then we need to stop and consider the source — Mr. Gibson only writes for THE RANGE and shouldn’t be taken seriously as a reporter.

  68. Interesting idea of one of the responders that Dan should do “Studpid Muslim Idea of the Month” because that would possibly increase the chances that we won’t have to see any more STUPID ideas from Dan in the future if you know what I mean. Oh maybe Dan should ask that distant relative of Vincent Van Gogh who was a critic of Islam about what to write. Oh that’s right, he can’t because as expressed in an email from a Dutch citizen to a friend, “My faith is at a very low point, because Theo van Gogh, Holland’s best film director, columnist and writer was assassinated today by a Muslim extremist. He was shot seven times, after which the murderer slit his throat and drove a knife into his chest to which a note was attached. It happened in broad daylight on the streets of Amsterdam (yes, he was a descendant of the famous 19th. century painter).” So have at it brave Dan, how about some blogging on the stupid ideas of Islam. Furthermore, a holiday dedicated to collecting as much teeth rotting, obesity contributing, zero health value candy sure sounds really smart to me. NOT! Yeah, ghouls, goblins, and death sounds a lot more constructive, than love your enemies, bless those who persecute you, blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy, blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God, blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God, love your neighbor as yourself, esteem others more than your self. Get the message Dan. May God bless you by removing your anti-Christian bigotry from your heart so you might meet, know, love and serve the one who died for the judgment you would incur from among other things writing articles such as “Stupid Christian Idea of the Month.” I mean Dan, really, honestly, and in love, who really is the stupid one.

  71. “Journalists” have an obligation to objectivity. Nothing about Mr. Gibson’s commentary is objective. Persecution takes many forms, one of which indeed is public ridicule. Hence the Nazi depiction of Jews, for example, as rat-like in their features. And of all non-aryans as somehow inferior. This is why Mel Brooks’ parody of Nazi-ism in “The Producers” is so funny, when he has the Nazi’s sing, “Don’t be stupid—be a smarty, come and join the Nazi Party!” It is in their presumption that only those who think as they do are “intelligent” that Fascists of every ilk identify themselves.

    John, who thinks like Paul, sans George and Ringo

  72. Journalists have no obligation to objectivity, John. They have an obligation to be fair. And did you read his post? What in it is anti-Christian? Jeez, people.

  73. I already addressed this in my earlier statements here, Jimmy. Obviously you people do not LISTEN to or READ the thoughts of others, yet are quick to accuse them of not doing this, themselves.

    ONE: The mere title of the article is overtly anti-Christian. “Stupid Christian Idea of the Month” implies that EVERY month sees another stupid idea come forth from the Christian community. If not even more frequently. It implies a progression and a pattern of stupid thinking. Maybe that’s too complex for you guys to understand—as you are so wont to frequently say of others who do not share your “enlightened” world view. But I expect that people who live in the real world, outside your own bubble of liberal thought, will “get it”.

    TWO: It is interesting that you claim that journalists do not have an obligation to be “objective”, but do have an obligation to be fair. Being “objective” IS being fair. Being without bias. As Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary describes it, “d. Expressing or involving the use of facts without distortion by personal feelings or prejudices.”

    THREE: It is chilling to read the comments of ANY editor who would claim that “Journalists have no obligation to objectivity.” Yet not surprising in this era of “enlightenment”.

    FOUR: I noticed in Mr. Gibson’s own response to the furor this article provoked here on The Range, that he, himself, “dismissed” the criticism of it on people not “first reading” the article. Classic Liberal mindset; “If people would only SEE things as we do, then they would AGREE with us that we are right.” That people might actually see things exactly the same way, where the facts are concerned, and HONESTLY reach a different conclusion from their own seems to be a concept beyond the grasp of Liberal thought.

    Jeez, people.

    John, who thinks like Paul, sans George and Ringo

  75. A Christian who edits a paper with gay ads? And personals. And which endorses things which are clearly Contra-Biblical?

    Hitler claimed to be a Christian. When he survived the July 20th, 1944 Bomb Plot, led by von Stauffenberg, he attributed his survival to “an Almighty Providence which has seen fit to spare me to complete my Holy Task.” And he remained a member in good standing in the Roman Catholic Church. U R NOT Hitler, but not all who “claim” to be Christians are, either. So the “claim”, alone, means nothing to me. One way or the other.

    John, who, well U know by now…

  76. My above comment originally included the fact that Hitler was not ex-communicated from the Roman Catholic Church until AFTER he died

    John, who….

  77. Um. You’re saying you can’t be gay AND Christian, Mr. Wallace? Funny, I can’t recall Christ saying anything about homosexuality. Read your Bible. And if you don’t like it, stop reading the Weekly. That’s coming from a gay Christian.

  78. Jimmy. I have served as a pastor at 2 churches in the methodist tradition. I am considered by some, rightly or wrongly, to be a something of a Bible scholar. Scripture is full of references to homosexuality and most mainstream Christian theologians and Bible scholars still agree that Scripture urges u to love the sinner but to hate the sin—and that homosexuality is a sin. Can sinners be Christian? Yes. All Christians are sinners. That’s WHY the Cross of Jesus is necessary. But Christians who actively practice contra-Biblical practices are treading on dangerous ground. While Jesus did not, Himself, perhaps, leave us any direct references to homosexuality, He DID leave us many direct appraisals of Scripture, telling us over and over again that it is The Word of God. To practice the things, on a continual basis, which Scripture condemns, is to be in rebellion against God as He reveals Himself to us in His Word. And to Mock Him and His Word. Sinners are called to repentance, to, literally, turn away from their sin—NOT to continue IN it and to continually rationalize it or explain it away or defend it. In the Methodist, or Wesleyan, or Arminian tradition, we believe that salvation can be lost. Unlike the Calvinists who believe that “once saved, always saved”. So we see this constant pursuit of things proscribed in God’s Word, which Christ repeatedly endorsed, as rebellion against God. As sin. And as a sure way to LOSE one’s salvation, IF one has ever HAD it, and as an obstacle to salvation, if one has never previously experienced it.

    Most Christian theologians, Mr. Boegle, agree that “Sin is the willful disobedience of God’s known will.” From Dr. Karl Barth to Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and to many others, this is the standard and mainstream definition of what constitutes sin. God reveals His will to us through His Word. Through prayer. And through nature.

    I know there is a movement in the gay community to argue a “New Revelation” concerning the Scriptures, that the passages, for example, declaring homosexuality to be “an abomination” in God’s sight are either misinterpreted or their meaning is broadly applied to all such conduct when the “original” languages and writings only meant for them to be applied in certain narrow and restricted circumstances. I can assure you that all of these so-called “arguments” and “New Revelations” are false teachings designed to obscure the issue and cloud the thinking of those not yet well-grounded in Scriptural teachings. Paul was quite specific in his warnings—in Scripture—to those who would change, add to, or diminish the Scriptures.

    As for me NOT continuing to read the Weekly; Mr. Boegle, I am appalled at your suggestion! Certainly I have a right to read whatever I want. Whyever I want. And to comment on same. You DO believe in “freedom”, don’t you? Or do you just believe in it for people who think as you do, but not for others?

    As for reading the Bible, maybe U should follow your own advice and read it. When did U last, anyway?

    I SO enjoy our dialogues. I DO hope they continue.

    Blessings,
    John, the former Baptist, now a Methodist

  79. John — Please get back to us when you stop eating shell fish and start stoning unruly chilldren — both abominations.

  80. Mari. Witty (I s’pose!) but non-sensical. U peepulz R now “progressing” from “intellect assassination” to “character assassination”. Typical “liberal” tactic. Just throwing out accusations and stereotypes of your own perpetuation when rational argument fails U. Which is purty much all the time. We have never met. Yet U “presume” to know what I eat and what I (might) do.

    Mari. Puhleeze get back to me when U can carry on a rational conversation.

    Does this little “crossing of swords” mean dinner and a movie R right out of the question?

  81. Dinner and movie is never out of the question, but when it comes to people using the Good Book to prove their anti-gay tripe, I just can’t help myself but point out those other lines in Leviticus. OK, you are right. How dare I question what you eat or do, so now we know that you don’t eat shelf fish and do stone children? OK, good to know, good to know.

  82. ‘chargerg’ wrote:

    “Robert, when Christ spoke to Simon (Peter), he didn’t say “On you I will build my church,” but he said “On this I will build my church.””

    Wrong. You have (deliberately?) misquoted the Word of God:

    Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
    And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because
    flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
    And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church,
    and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

    — The Holy Gospel Of Jesus Christ According To Saint Matthew, 16:16-18

    “This means the revelation to Peter that Christ was the Messiah was the foundation of the church, and not Simon Peter himself.”

    Wrong. God, the Holy Trinity, is clearly the foundation of the Roman Catholic FAITH, and the Founder of the Church. But Saint Peter is the rock (cepha) on which Jesus Christ established His Church.

    “I don’t think Jesus would have entrusted his legacy to a mere mortal;”

    He didn’t “entrust his legacy”, but He DID entrust His Church to Peter and His successors. By the way — to not believe that God would entrust such things to “mere mortals” means that you have no idea of what God has Written in His Holy Bible. The entire Old and New Testaments are filled with examples of God writing salvation history through the history of the world — through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Aaron’s sons, David, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Peter, the 12 Apostles, and on and on and on.

    “he entrusted Peter’s knowledge but not Peter himself to build His church.”

    God DID establish His Church on Saint Peter; and for the last ~2000 years, God HAS built His Church through men and women who have responded to His Call, and continued to build and keep His Church throughout the entire world.

    “if Peter was the Rock, why did he renounce Christ three times before the cock crowed? It just shows his infallibility as a human being,”

    I think you meant to say: “his FALLIBILITY as a human being”. Also, you are apparently unaware of the following from Holy Scripture:

    When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter:
    Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith
    to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to
    him: Feed my lambs.

    He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He
    saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith
    to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him the third time: Simon,
    son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he
    had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to
    him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee.
    He said to him: Feed my sheep.

    — The Holy Gospel Of Jesus Christ According To Saint John, 21:15-18

    In the above passage, Saint Peter confesses his love for Jesus Christ, thereby renouncing his three earlier denials.

    Also: Saint Peter was certainly fallible, as were and are all men and women (excepting Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary). That is precisely why the world needs the Church in the first place — we are sinners, and we need to respond to God and enter His Church. We are not saved by doing what WE want to do, or by believing what WE want to believe, or by re-writing God’s Word to make it say what WE want it to say, as so many have done throughout history. We are saved by trusting God, and by DOING what He wants us to do. Jesus Christ created His Church for our SALVATION. ‘Nuff said.

    “and Christ would not have depended only on a mere man to lead mankind to the Truth.”

    Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God calls all men to the Truth and to His Church. But God has ALWAYS involved mankind with His heavenly plans. It is impossible for us to go to Heaven without God. God does not act as a mere puppeteer; and lead some men to heaven and some men to hell. God freely gave us our will and our intellect to respond to His Calling. We are free participants in our salvation. It should strike you, then, as rather unbelievable that so many would reject Jesus Christ and His Church.

    Who would you rather have as God, if not Jesus Christ?

    What would you rather have for a church, if not the Holy Roman Catholic Church and Her Seven Sacraments, all of which were divinely instituted by Jesus Christ Himself?

    Would you rather trust a man whose name IS NOT found in Matthew 16:16-18? And who founded his or her church or religion on his or her own authority, and separate from what Jesus Christ established? And by doing so, rejected Jesus Christ’s Authority and Divinity?

    To Whom else shall you turn?

    ***

  84. Unfortunately , There IS going to come the day when we will be faced with a decision that will affect how we will spend eternity! But since you have no concern of that day ever arriving, think this through if you would. ( It’s not cerebral like most of these excellent posts are but here goes just my humble thoughts)
    There are wise men and fools in this life, and there are dreams and there are nightmares.
    The Wise man is such because he opens himself to all possibilities in life.He always keeps doors open just a little in case something unexpected comes through that he never thought possible, therefore enhancing his life, with more wisdom.This wisdom brings him possible fortune, much happiness and friends who enjoy his company and are eager to become wise like he is.
    The fool is such as he listens to no one but his own thoughts, he believes he knows all there is to know & refuses to open any doors! As a matter of fact, he does not venture out of these closed locked doors, nor does he let anything through them. He sits alone with his foolish thoughts, behaviors, and ultimately lives a very sad, lonely unfulfilled life . Being the fool, he has no idea why, but is determined he will find the answer.He just has to figure it all out and he needs no help from anyone.
    The fool often lets himself drift off into a dreamless sleep, drift away into nothingness. This is how he imagines it will be like when he dies, just close his eyes and that’s it. Eternal nothingness. He does have dreams every now and again, and even an occasional nightmare. He isn’t too fond of the times the nightmares haunt his sleep and is always grateful to awaken from them.
    One night, he goes to sleep and has the worst nightmare of his life. WHY, he wonders, is he even having this particular kind of nightmare?He doesn’t believe in heaven, hell or God ,so why is this dream so terrifying and WHEN is he going to wake up?!
    The hairs on the back of his neck stand up as He hears himself screaming “Oh dear “God”, help me!”… It’s just a hellish nightmare! Isn’t it…?
    If you love great fiction with lots of action, violence mystery, adventure, try reading The “Left Behind” series by TIM LAHAYE, JERRY B JENKINS. Was a NY times best -selling series! (page turners for sure)

  85. what the hell are you talking about whisbell? it sounds like more moronic hillybillyistic eschatological bs, as usual. as for the closeted chargeg/john wallace girly mon dupes of the world, condemning those who do not share in their beliefs is morally wrong, and intellectually inept. the truth hurts sucka…

  88. haha, oh for pete’s convoluted sake, i’m wunderin whut kinda cunsirvativ moran thiss am elid iz?

  89. I just love the guy who thinks he knows exactly what “God’s words” were, thousands of years ago. John, it might be better if you did align yourself with the rest of the Beatles instead of whatever cult you’ve decided to join, as they spoke more about love than anyone since Jesus was here. Oh, and the guy that thinks that he’s a Christian because he believes in God. Hahahahaha! Why aren’t the “real” Christians skewering his posts. Jews believe in God, Muslims believe in God, Christians believe that Jesus was the ONLY son of the only God, and because of that, THE CHURCH should be worshipped without question. Think people, think for yourselves! Because, you’re all arguing about meaningless words, and forgetting the message you’re suppose to be keeping. Love thy neighbor, turn the other cheek, judge not. . . and yet, hate and revenge and judgement are the hallmark of Christians these days. While you’re relearning the history behind your current spiritual institution, look up the Council of Nicaea where Constantine re-wrote the bible to suit his whims, and think about the fact that the fastest growing religious affiliation today is atheist. Science and religion are not compatible, they are diametrically opposed. And until science proves the existence of a god of any kind, all your rantings and ravings are a waste of your breath. You can believe anything you want, your belief alone doesn’t make it true.

  92. I do aggree with this article but I think it would have been well placed if the author would have used the words “fanatical” or ” zealot” christian fundamentalism instead of the mere christians. I’ve met some decent stable Christians(yes some of them are my friends) who would consider putting a bible into a kid’s halloween bucket rediculous if not fanatical. Of course there are those who would do anything to preach their own agenda so they go out of their way to be “extreme”. I guess its’ not enough to push religious pamphlets to adults but they have to go further to push it to children.

    As far as candy and causing tooth decay is concerned. When I was younger i heard about people putting needles and pins in fruits that some sick people would give to children were banned our families decided to give money change instead. Of course we advised that the kids would have some adult supervision so that the kids would not try to eat the change. I thought at least that would have been a good alternative to all the candy and foods given on those holidays. Maybe people should do that if theyre so concerned about tooth decay?
    Sorry that my grammar isn’t so great. I was just trying to post my point.

    I also want to thank shade bloodmoon for her response . I think it was the most sane posting here ever and thank you for explaining Samhain to these people.

    Blessings
    TriskelionAZ

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