|
|
|
|
H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
 Posted - 01/17/2011 : 01:18:33
|
While unfortunately I didn't get to see any of tonight's telecast of the Golden Globes, I did read this article about the ceremony's host, and one of my favorite comedians, Ricky Gervais.
The article says he didn't pull many punches and may have offended some attendees, and then states this about the end of the night:Like all the best comedy roastmasters, he struck a conciliatory tone: "Thanks to everyone in the room for being a good sport."
But, being Ricky Gervais, he seemingly couldn't stop himself putting a button on his performance that would practically guarantee that he'll never be invited back: "And thanks to God for making me an atheist."(bolding mine) |
 Another out and proud atheist!
|
"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
|
|
Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 13:12:16 [Permalink]
|
I only caught the very end of the production, and did catch his final comments. I thought it an odd thing to say, but only because it's just so uncommon to hear "famous" people talk about this in public.
Various other sources seem to confirm what your link noted: Gervais probably ruffled a few too many feathers. But I think that was his goal going in... |
 |
|
|
Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 14:29:59 [Permalink]
|
Over at The Hollywood Gossip, there was a post about his night. In the comments section, though, someone commented:
Seriously, atheists are among the most despised groups in America. |
|
|
|
H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 14:40:13 [Permalink]
|
I read another post on some article where a commenter said Ricky's joke was "highly offensive." Offensive to whom? The joke is that he's acknowledging god for making him an atheist, therefore undermining his own expression of non-belief. It's a self-deprecating joke, I think, if anything.
It also touches on a point Ricky has often made to Christians in the past, namely that if there is a god, then he's responsible for making Ricky rational and unable to accept god's existence on faith. So blame god for the existence of atheists. And of course it plays on the all-too-common common display of celebrities thanking god for their talents and abilities.
I just don't see why a theist or Christian specifically could see anything offensive in any of this, unless as Cune says the offense caused is by atheists merely existing, or at least not having the decency to hide in shame.
|
"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
|
|
|
The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 22:19:08 [Permalink]
|
Originally posted by H. Humbert
...unless as Cune says the offense caused is by atheists merely existing, or at least not having the decency to hide in shame.
|
Yep, he nailed it.
|
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church? - The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Blackadder II
Baculum's page: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3947338590 |
|
|
|
Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2011 : 00:45:27 [Permalink]
|
Gervais is hilarious. He did sort of the same thing last year when he hosted this same award show, so I don't know why anyone is surprised or upset.... unless it was the atheist joke at the end?
|
Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
|
|
|
|
podcat
Skeptic Friend
435 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2011 : 09:10:50 [Permalink]
|
| While it's not normally my brand of humor (to put it mildly), I give credit to Gervais for his conviction to do what he did, like Colbert did at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. I suspect that both don't care if they get invited back, either. |
“In a modern...society, everybody has the absolute right to believe whatever they damn well please, but they don't have the same right to be taken seriously”.
-Barry Williams, co-founder, Australian Skeptics |
|
|
|
Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2011 : 10:31:29 [Permalink]
|
Originally posted by The Rat
Originally posted by H. Humbert
...unless as Cune says the offense caused is by atheists merely existing, or at least not having the decency to hide in shame.
|
Yep, he nailed it. |
Here's an older-- but no doubt still valid-- study saying as much. |
|
|
|
sailingsoul
SFN Addict
2830 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2011 : 15:22:52 [Permalink]
|
| I would be interested to hear thoughts on, why are atheists so vehemently hated by God loving theists? Really! To claim to love God so much and hate what he has created. I see it as shameful, to say the least. Why is this so? It's not like it's the exception but the rule from my experience. SS |
There are only two types of religious people, the deceivers and the deceived. SS |
|
|
|
Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2011 : 16:12:44 [Permalink]
|
Originally posted by sailingsoul
I would be interested to hear thoughts on, why are atheists so vehemently hated by God loving theists? Really! To claim to love God so much and hate what he has created. I see it as shameful, to say the least. Why is this so? It's not like it's the exception but the rule from my experience. SS
|
Humans seem to need an "out" group to compare themselves to in order to maintain self esteem. So theists can look down on those of us who don't share their stupidity and feel superior. The reverse probably holds true as well, atheists do tend to look down on believers. The difference, I think, is that atheists (as a group) tend to be more aware that this kind of thinking is counterproductive. Theists (as a group) seem to use it as a tool to keep people in the "in" group (you don't want to be one of those dirty atheists!)
Humans are tribal, and the whole in/out group thing is pretty well documented.
|
Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes
