Why I made the Noah toon
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My explanation for the toon is here in response to
an opinion written on newgrounds.com. The writer said:
---------------------------- "I find it quite humorous that atheist read into the Biblical text more then raving fanatical fundies. Talk about Scholarship! But then again....it doesn't require much thought to be an atheist. *Just ignore the thing in Scripture that actually make you think *Doesn't support your view? Add to it!" ---------------------------- Actually, I took points of view from several differing sects of Christianity that have attempted to explain some of the story beyond what is written through extrapolation. I hope to try to explain. I'm not about to try to change your mind about any of this. Just offering an explanation. ---------------------------- "Oh how to count the many error that could have been avoided with the use of simple logic and elementary reading skills? 1.) Appeal to emotions ---The atheist demonstrates an utter inability to open their eyes to the fact that the whole world is not "Leave it to Beaver." They appeal to emotion by painting an 'ideal three year old', who would presumably grow up to be just the sweetest girl, mother and grandmother. This further demonstrates the atheists inability to read things like Gen 6:5 where it shows as plan as TV dinner instructions that every thought an inclination was to do evil. Translation for the logic devoid? It means that sweet and wholesome little three year was more likely going to grow up to be Marge Schott, Marie Antoinette, or a child beating, lying, cheating B***h then Aunt Bea." ---------------------------- Actually, I was trying to open a few eyes to the fact that neither is the bible "Leave it to Beaver." There is quite a bit of sex and violence and bad behavior most would not normally let their children read in any other book. That she would have grown up to be wholesome or not, I cannot say. I think it's a little over the top to think that little girls, babies and fetuses (and puppies?) had nothing but inclination to do evil. I notice you put your own spin on what that means: that they might have (or, as you put it, "was more likely" to) grown up to be evil. But that's not what the bible says. It says they were at that time, not that they would be. So, it seems you extrapolate bible text as well to suit your ideas, only in a different direction. I don't begrudge you this at all. Everyone does it. Over 2000 differing sects of Christianity testify to the fact that everyone sees it a bit differently. That's ok, I think. ---------------------------- "2.) More demonstrated ignorance of the fact ---In their little 'drunk and naked' routine, the atheists also demonstrate their ability to skip the passages that put a hamper on their propaganda. How convienent they skip over verse Gen 6:20 where it says that Noah was lying naked in his own tent! In his own home, in his own bed. An atheist wouldn't tell you this because that would mean anytime they ever laid naked in their own bed (and if we give em credit and say that the probably could get laid this would be a possibility) they would be a HYPOCRITE!" ---------------------------- Some Christians I've talked to seem to feel that Noah's tent (as he was the elder and leader of the small group of humans alive at the time) was some sort of "common area for them all. I don't think it specifically says that the others even had their own tents. Also, if it was simply Noah's own home, why did two of the brothers feel it necessary to cover him up? Why not just pull the brother who was looking out of Noah's private tent? It is the first time in the bible that any form of the word "drunk" is used. It is also the first time "wine" is mentioned. It also doesn't say that Noah was passed out drunk, or unconscious, at the time. (It says he woke from his drunk later, but doesn't specifically say he was passed out at the time the son was looking.) In contrast to that idea, it says he knew about it and cursed the son (Canaan) that saw him naked. (If he was passed out while the son was looking, how did he know the son looked?) As to whether I've ever laid in my bed naked, I am not portrayed as the only man on the planet that can find grace with the Lord; Noah was. Getting drunk and naked doesn't seem all that virtuous to me, but admittedly, that's just my personal point of view. ---------------------------- 3.) Adding to the narrative to suit their needs ---Here the atheists take on the role of God (Funny how when 'God' is them, they believe in him. But if God is something higher then them, he can't possibily exist. Amazing how ego blind people to logic and reason?) How does the atheist do this? By passing judgement on what happened after death. Gen 6:7 and 6:13 merely said that the evil people will be wiped from the earth. He doesn't speak of eternal judgement. Plus, if the atheists had an ounce of investigative skills he would see even Christians disagree on how judgement will come. There are some Christians who believe that those dead in sin will just cease to exist, no eternal torture. There are others who believe that they will have a chance for redemption. Why the difference in opinion? Because man is fallible in their interpretation and only one person (God) knows the truth. ---------------------------- I gave God dialogue in the animation as an exercise in seeing the bible as a believer does. In the toon, he made four statements that are all supported by the bible story. 1. "I am God" I don't see the quibble with this. 2. "You are evil" Everyone was evil according to the text, and only Noah and family were allowed on the boat. 3. "You must die" That was the point of the flood. 4. "Now go under" He did not save any but Noah and family, sending a flood to intentionally drown everyone else. As to eternal judgment, some Christians I've talked to believe that if God was so angry with mankind that he couldn't even allow them to live any longer, they certainly couldn't have found enough favor with him to make it to Heaven. So they went to Hell instead. Only Noah and family found favor with God and were spared, so everyone else must have suffered the same fate in Hell together, again, according to some Christians I've talked to about this. Others disagree. That's ok too. I chose one Christian belief instead of another, that's all. With over 2000 differing sects of Christianity to choose from, I couldn't present them all in any cohesive fashion if I tried. ---------------------------- "Summary No better then those annoying 'tracts' you get on the street corner. Pure and utter propganda. The atheists doesn't want you think on your own so they spoonfeed you just what they want you to think and see. If you got a mind of your own, use it and actually read the text that crap like this is based on." ---------------------------- It was for the very reason that there are so MANY sources of the tracts you mention that I thought I'd present a view that's seldom seen or heard by the public, just for balance. Like you, I encourage people to read it themselves as well, rather than be spoon-fed by anyone. That would include me or preachers or government officials or friends or family. That any individual in any of those groups (includes groups of atheists) is convinced they are right, should not influence anyone else. They should read it themselves and decide for themselves if they find it believable or not. On a final note, it's just a toon. Why is it we can poke fun at anything in the world but religion? Not only that, but we tend to laugh at jokes about any religion other than our own. How many Muslim jokes and cartoons have been making the rounds since 9-11? Every non-Muslim gets a good laugh over them, but can't seem to take it when the humor or irony finger is pointed at themselves. Muslims probably aren't too happy about those jokes and toons, but you probably laugh anyway, and so do I. After all, they're just jokes - not to be taken seriously. I'm sorry you didn't like the toon, and I'm especially sorry you found it offensive in some way. Your opinion meant a great deal to me, or I wouldn't have responded, and I appreciate you taking the time to write it. I wish you and yours all the best, Buck Cash |