1 - I'm .trying. to be cool with this, but I think you should focus your humor efforts in other areas, like, say politics.

2 - Well, I thought it was funny

No surprise there then. When I first opened the post I could just see the top of the pic and thought, 'Are those Noodly Appendages?' Pesto be upon Him, Ramen.

3 - I found it glancingly funny as well, but the source tainted the humor, as there's a message there.

So overall, I'd suggest staying away from that kind of thing, as there is so many other funny things to comment on.

4 - I thought it was funny, too. But then I'm also a radical pragmatist and sometime Pastafarian.

@3 - What source? Do you mean the original source (if so, what is it, Rock's picture isn't a link) or did you mean Rocky himself?

5 - @Craig - I understand your concern. I, too, wonder what you meant by the "source" comment - could you please explain?

Also, I have modified the original post so that the image is only viewable if you actually click the "read more" link. I have also added a warning in the main page of the post, so those who may be offended can avoid the picture. Hopefully this is a satisfactory compromise.

Rock

6 - To be clear, I don't think that there were any proximate intentions other than humor, and so I wasn't offended.

However, let me 'splain my point, which is based on concern for how others may perceive Mr. Oliver.

Suppose you had someone who pretty prominently placed on his blog Atheist symbology, comments, and links.

Now supposed that same someone posted humor that poked fun at any particular religion.

It's just not going to be perceived as innocuous humor, and the 'message' I referenced was that Ghostbusters and Jesus' Ascension fall into the same realm of fantasy for you, and should for everyone else.

In this context, the disclaimer about 'not wanting to offend' is actually funnier than the cartoon.


--------------------------
"NOBODY steps on a church in MY town." - Dr. Peter Venkman

7 - P1
... I guess this crosses one of my little pet peeves lately...
I'm icked at the moment the way that politicans (most noticeably) apologize: "If I offended someone, I'm sorry...." And they say this when the .know. they've offended, but just want to make it sound better.

P2
... and if you're going to cross that line, find something .really. funny to make it worth it....

Possibly offending folks for a quarter-smile cartoon, isn't good ROI, unless there's another, subtler point being made.

8 - The subtler point is being made obvious -- most religious types can't take a joke.

I mean, come on -- it isn't even being insinuated that the Ghostbusters were even remotely successful in catching His Holiness. (They couldn't even catch Slimer the first time, if I remember correctly.) Lighten up. I'm sure Jesus broke free of the streams and floated up on his merry way.

9 - @8

I guess you missed the multiple times where I said that it didn't bother me.

10 - Well, I don't know about you, but it'd sure bother me if my Lord and Savior was stuck in an ectoplasmic containment unit.

11 - I thought it was brilliant, but then I had to, coming from a country that said the middle east ablaze last year when newspapers decided to print a drawing of the prophet mohammad with a bomb in his turban.

It's called "satire", and while I totally understand and respect the reasons why some might be offended, I also understand the need to be able to address religous issues from a humerous point of view.

And the above picture - to me - is far more of a statement on the world of today than a comment on the Lord and Saviour.

Back in the day, things that couldn't be logically explained was met by awe and amazement. Today, things that can't be logically explained are met by scepticism and denial.

It is highly likely, that if Jesus was to appear in the modern society, he would not be met by open arms, but rather by confusion, angst and instinctive defensiveness.

Calling the Ghostbusters would actually be a very logical outcome!

This drawing doesn't depict Jesus as evil or something that should be fought, but the society as a whole as narrowminded and without room for faith.

Satire ...

12 - Just remember - "Don't cross the streams"

13 - Well I thought it was brilliant Rock !

14 - I think this is very funny... but I'm weird that way