Q: What’s worse than taking offense to a bit of religious satire?
A: Posting a bit of religious satire then apologizing for any offense it caused.
If you don’t have the stomach for controversy, don’t post memes. Leave the satire to people like me. I can handle the onslaught of outrage that comes from posting memes like this one:

This “offensive” picture was originally posted as meme that read, “God has a wonderful plan for your life, Peter.” The depiction of Peter’s crucifixion was used to mock the theology of many famous preachers who understand God’s plan for our lives to include material wealth and comfort. As it stands, this is a great meme. The point is concise and easy to understand. God’s plan for our lives is NOT earthly comforts.

Of course, the message was misunderstood by some people. So the person who posted it made a lame attempt to “fix it” by changing the line to, “All things work together for good.” While that is true, the meme didn’t need to be fixed. Leaving the “offensive” line visible is an attempt to signal virtue. It’s saying, “I was wrong before but now I see the light! Encourage me!”

When you post a meme, you must understand that everyone is not going to get it. If you’re not okay with being misunderstood, don’t post memes. In fact, you should stay off social media all together.

The meme was criticized by some sensitive church people who thought it was meant to convey the message, “God doesn’t actually have a plan for your life, Peter.” This interpretation requires several layers of jacked-up theology which I will cover briefly.

Assuming peace is a sign of God’s favor.

All the apostles, except for one, were killed because of their faith. This happened as they busied themselves going into all the world and preaching the gospel – as Jesus told them to do. Christ also mentioned (several times) that the cost of becoming a disciple was steep. He said things like, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” That’s not something you tell people when you’re pitching them a beach vacation.

Suffering and persecution is part of “God’s plan for your life.” The only people who expect Jesus to bring them wealth, fame, and leisure are those who haven’t read the Bible. Which is the next level of jacked-up theology.

Reading scraps of scripture.

When you think of the Bible as a collection of holy memes, your theology will be a mess. You don’t read any other book by selecting a couple of sentences at random but that is your method for “reading” scripture. Your knowledge of scripture is limited to the verses you see scattered on bumper stickers, T-shirts, or Facebook posts. This leaves you ill-equipped to detect false teachings like, “God has a wonderful plan for your life.”

Did you know that phrase isn’t in the Bible? The closest thing you’ll find to that sentiment is:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Yes! That’s the one! That’s what you were thinking of when you were talking about God’s wonderful plan, right?

Do you know where that scripture appears? Do you know who it was written to? Do you understand the context? If you believe that scripture guarantees you a wonderful life full of riches, peace, and prosperity then I rest my case. You don’t know how to interpret scripture.

Which brings us to the third level of jacked-up theology.

Defending false teaching because of pride.

You should stop saying, “God has a wonderful plan for your life,” like it’s the Gospel. But you’re going to keep right on saying it because your pride won’t allow you to abandon jacked-up theology. You’ll rationalize a way to keep saying it. You’ll internalize this false doctrine and defend it as if it were a vital tenet of Christianity. Eventually, you’ll edit memes to protect this sacred teaching from ridicule.

Before you post a meme, make sure you understand it. Satire requires thoughtfulness and courage. Both of those things will get you into trouble with people who aren’t thoughtful or courageous. If you are posting things online that you don’t understand, stop doing that.

If you’re posting things you DO understand and you’re not willing to take heat for it, why not?