Dane Cook on Atheism
OK, so my wife and I were browsing youtube for some entertainment (we’re cheap and don’t have cable) when we decided to look for some Dane Cook. We came across this video (ironically) at the same time that I was having an interesting conversation on de-Conversion on a post called “Where was God on 9/11.” I won’t lie, the conversation had a me a little perturbed to have my Christian beliefs dismissed so quickly as illogical, silly, “twisted,” “pathetic,” etc. I don’t care if you disagree with my conclusions, that’s fine! But to be so quickly dismissed and labeled was more than a little frustrating. It was kind of ironic that it is Christians that are often (rightfully) seen as judgmental or lacking empathy and understanding for the beliefs of others.
Anyway, considering that conversation, this video made me laugh hysterically. Dane Cook is irreverent, but hilarious, and he uses humor to make a really really good freaking point about atheism (or at least some versions of it) and the kind of assumptions we carry with our beliefs. It kind of puts the shoe on the other foot, so to speak. Holy crap… so funny… Enjoy!
(Disclaimer: The following video is meant to be humorous. It is not intended to make sweeping generalizations or disrespect anyone’s personal beliefs.)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wts-dntnyh4]
Brad,
On the other blog you wrote:
“Your last comment saddens me. I greatly respect authors on d-C like HeIsSailing, MysteryofIniquity, Thinking Ape, lostgirlfound, or Roopster (to name a few). We’ve had some wonderful and respectful discussions. This has degenerated into something not within that category. The aforementioned authors, at least, are mature enough to understand the difference between respectfully agreeing to disagree, and “running away.” I hope that we can have discussions in the future that do not resort to insults and harsh judgments.”
Amen, brother. It’s a common tactic over there to demean and belittle. It happened to me (and I briefly was immature enough to “run away” for my own sanity more than anything) but came back and faced the music. I appreciate the respect from you greatly.
One has to wonder that if everyone is running away from someone, at what point should they begin to suspect that perhaps they are at fault and not everyone else? (I’m not talking about you but the LP) I’ve had HUGE differences and little respect from the poster you are talking about. But I’m beginning to see that so does everyone else.
Sorry, but I’m taking comfort in your pain on D-C blog because I share it…
Man… I REALLY REALLY appreciate that! Seriously… It took me about 20 minutes to write that because it was so frustrating….
“Amen, brother. It’s a common tactic over there to demean and belittle. ”
ya know though, I found that to be true from many “drive by Christians,” but not from the d-C crew. I know Simen can come off that way sometimes, but that is at least more related to his directness and personal frustration than anything else. It isn’t a competition or anything.
I’m sad to hear that you’ve gotten the same treatment. Not exactly the best apologetic (ironic, eh?). Considering his latest post on who the deCons are, his profile on the contributor page, and the little interaction I’ve had with him, I imagine his frustration and passion stems from some pretty tough experiences. We westerners think that we can divorce our brains from our hearts, but our experiences affect our reasoning (worldview) far more than we are willing or able to admit. I’d love to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it has to start with mutual respect.
Hehe, and THAT is why I “ran away.” Thanks a ton for the encouragement!
Brad,
There it is my friend, MUTUAL RESPECT is the key. And while Roopster, HIS, and all the ones you mention try to practice that, the others are as blind in their passion for deconverting as they were in their conversion to Christianity. As Roopster emailed me privately and said, “People unfortunately bring the same bad habits to whatever world view they embrace.” Which is why we have loving and non-loving Christians and loving and non-loving atheists/agnostics. It’s the way of the beast.
I SOOOO appreciate your reasonable voice. Keep it up!
Oh, and the video was GREAT! (not trying to sound like Tony the Tiger).
I can’t stand Dane Cook’s stand-up performance…………..
But I think his writing is pretty spot-on. “I’m going to become a tree.” I like it.
haha!
MOI,
“People unfortunately bring the same bad habits to whatever world view they embrace.”
Wow. So very true. I think I was trying to articulate that, but couldn’t quite lay my finger on it. EXCELLENT point. These dynamics fascinate the cultural dork in me….
Kyle,
Hahaha…. oh yeah, I clapped so loud I hurt my wife’s ears when he said he hoped the bible would be printed on him… omg, so freaking hilarious….
And yeah, his style can be a little…. ADD. He has definitely gotten better from when he first came on the scene. The SNL (I think it was SNL) skit they did making fun of him was way too accurate.
Awesome. Awesome. Sometimes comedians provide the best social commentary even over newspapers, and magazines like Rolling Stone and Spin….
That was FUNNY!
You should check out this atheist blog which I recently contributed to. The post asks, Does Militant Atheism Want to Wipe Out Religion?
It was interesting flipping the script. Check it out here:
http://aloadofbright.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/open-thread-do-militant-atheists-want-to-wipe-out-religion/
Yeah, he’s definitely a type of artist. I’ve watched a good deal of his stuff, and there’s a method there. He is obviously a smart person who thinks about how his performance reads (or his producers do that, maybe), because having arena-style seating suits him and the way he moves really well.
I think he’s very talented. I just also want to punch him.
hahahaha…. I imagine he gets that a lot, Kyle.
That’s awesome…
Thanks for the video. That comic, whoever he is, is really not my taste, but Joel D is right about one thing - comedians sometimes make the best social commentators.
Starbakken, just for the record, I do think some atheists want to wipe all religion out.
The truth is that for every moron like this (entirely unfunny) “comedian” describes, there are ten religious proselytizers knocking on my door, interrupting my walks through the park, and trying to get the government to outlaw things they find objectionable.
Christianity isn’t under attack. Some of the crazier members of the religion are ON the attack, and they’re the force that creates so many atheists with inferiority complexes.
Sam,
It is not an “either/or,” but a “both/and.” Yeah, there are Christians doing as you say (interrupting walks, etc.), but more Christians have been killed for their faith in the 20th century (across the globe) than there have been since Jesus was crucified.
Christians have been perpetrators of great crimes across world history (inquisition, crusades, colonization practices, etc.), but there have been at least as many perpetrators of other faiths and non-faiths (Lenin, Saladin, Hitler, Mao, etc.).
It’s just not quite so cut and dry. Dane Cook, whether or not you think he’s funny, is voicing a very different perspective than most are used to hearing in that “debate.”