As long as I can remember, I have mocked those who throw tantrums or are overly sensitive in life, the lovely, whiny, thin skinned ones that walk amongst us. That make for such easy targets because you know you'll get a reaction out of them with very little effort on your part. I always saw myself as a bully bully, someone who bullies bullies. For some reason, it fills me with glee. One word, one action can throw these people into such a tizzy that you just want to do it for the cheap entertainment of it.
When Charlie Hebdo was attacked by Muslim assailants a few weeks ago, a barrage of Mohammed drawings hit social media. Which I applaud in a way. I applaud it because I don't believe in living in fear. I got caught up in the mocking, because like I stated earlier, it's what I do when someone throws a tantrum. Didn't think twice until I made a t-shirt online. One of my twitter friends said he wanted a shirt that uttered the words "My other toilet paper is the Qu'ran." I told I kinda wanted to make it for him.
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| This is the shirt. |
Even while I made the shirt, it didn't feel right. I sent my friend the picture over twitter and didn't think of it for the rest of the day. The next day, my mentions blew up. While I don't think my friend is religious, I am. I started thinking about how I would feel if someone wore the same shirt with the Bible on it instead. How hurt and upset I would be. The difference would be is even though I'm hurt and they made fun of what I believe in, I'm not going to kill them. Nor will I put a contract out on their life or send people to terrorize them.
I'm also convicted by the teachings I was raised in. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." How am I bringing glory to God if I'm mocking another's religion and their holy book in that way?
So, what I'm deciding as of now, I need to step back. I want people to see Jesus through me. That can't happen if I'm openly ridiculing other religions and beliefs. Will it stop completely? No. Let's be serious. I'm human, plus I love a great joke.
