One of the things that’s absolutely necessary to be funny is passion. That’s the reason so many comedians start sentences with, “Don’t you just hate…?” or “Do you know what I love…?” There is no comedy without passion. My job is to tell you my point of view. But there is no reason to listen to me unless I’m deeply convicted about the subject. Unless my opinions about “donuts,” or “erasers,” or “Christmas decorations,” are energized by strong passion, I’m just a dude rambling on about trivial things. (Any troll worth her salt will reference this opening paragraph when telling me that I’m not funny.)
Strong opinions are the main reason comedians make people angry. It is absolutely unacceptable to state your beliefs with any force of conviction. The ONLY way to express yourself is with uncertainty. You must add, “But I could be wrong…” to the end of every statement. Many people get upset with me because I refuse to undercut my own opinions by affirming theirs.
A statement I frequently make that always riles up some folks is: “If I had respect for your opinions, they would be my opinions.” This comment is especially offensive because it is not only succinct but clever. Whenever you express yourself in a clever way, you can be sure that less clever people will angrily yell at you because angry yelling is the opposite of clever.
I totally understand WHY people find this sentiment so offensive. They don’t understand it. I don’t know why some people ‘get it’ and some people don’t. In a world full of people with soft heads and hard hearts, I need to decide whose feelings I’m going to worry about. Many years ago, I chose to do comedy for people who have a sense of humor. This greatly offends the people who don’t recognize a joke but I’m passionate about my beliefs.
I’m also committed to the belief that Jesus is the only way to God. You won’t hear me say, “But I could be wrong about that. Your religion is just as good. Just do what works!” This greatly offends the people who worship the Great god Wishy-Washy. Worshiping this god requires agreement with every other religious ideology (except mine). It’s a religion completely lacking in passion.
One of the things that’s absolutely necessary to be a Christian is passion (which is sometimes called ‘faith’). Without the firm conviction that Christ is the only truth, we are just people rambling on about trivial things. There is no reason for anyone to listen to you when you don’t have anything to say.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
One Response
I completely agree with you. It is however, especially difficult to have these conversations with your adult child who was raised in the faith, is a debater by nature, and decided he doesn’t believe there really is a God…that it’s all just a combination of a crutch for something (anything) to lean on during difficult times and years of brainwashing by those who came before us in the church. It’s deeply frustrating that I can’t reach him and frankly hurtful that he is able to walk away from all I hold so dear. “His truth” is deception and willful disobedience to God and that scares me as his mother.