Liberal blogger and Media Matters employee* Oliver Willis channeled his inner Ted Turner last Wednesday, while writing for his eponymous Web site.
You see Willis took to his keyboard at 5:20 p.m. on February 25, Ash Wednesday, to hack out this 41-word snark about the liturgical ritual (h/t Damian G.):
As I write this, millions of people around the world have a charcoal cross scratched across their foreheads, and everybody who doesn’t have one on will walk past these people and act as if everything is normal.
Religion, you are weird.
Of course by extention that marks Vice President Joe Biden as "weird," something that conservatives can agree with, but for different, non-sacrilegious reasons.
At least Willis refrained from calling Catholics "Jesus freaks."
From Brent Baker's March 7, 2001 MRC CyberAlert:
Ted Turner insulted attendees at Bernard Shaw’s retirement party, asking those on Ash Wednesday with a smudge on their foreheads if they were "a bunch of Jesus freaks," FNC’s Brit Hume reported Tuesday night.
Hume revealed during his "Grapevine" segment on Special Report with Brit Hume:
CNN founder Ted Turner, in town last week for a retirement party for anchor Bernard Shaw, left the staff stunned after meeting with them at the network’s Washington bureau. It was Ash Wednesday and a number of those present still had a smudge on their forehead. ‘What are you?’ asked Turner, ‘a bunch of Jesus freaks? You ought to be working for Fox.’ Turner, it may be remembered, stirred controversy a decade ago when he said Christianity is, quote, ‘for losers.’ He apologized for that, but as recently as last August criticized Christianity for being, quote, ‘very intolerant.’
Sounds like he’s the intolerant one.
*Willis issues a disclaimer on his blog:
The views on this site are mine and mine alone, they do not reflect the views of my employer, Media Matters for America
Photo of Biden by Getty Images
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters. You can follow him on Twitter here
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Comments Policy
Oliver Willis
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 14:48 ET by P.J. GladnickI've had my own encounters with Oliver Willis. He left a few comments on the DUmmie FUnnies in the past. Now to check them out.
Not to worry
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 14:55 ET by KC MulvilleCatholics take pride in this kind of thing. The old formula used to be: "Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return." It's supposed to be a reminder that humans are nothing by ourselves, and that our dignity comes from God alone, and not any human pride or achievement of our own. If others show scorn at us, well, a little humiliation can be a good thing.
Of course, as a friend pointed out, young people aren't used to seeing it anymore, as much as us older folks. Most young people in an office who see the smudge on your forehead think you were trying to fix the copier, and got toner on yourself.
Too much pride? Or Ash Exhibitionist?
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:06 ET by Tim GrahamI would say the problem with the photo that Big Oliver displays is that no priest at an Ash Wednesday Mass would say "wow, bald head, let's make a super-big cross on this guy!" It's so big it threatens to look like a vanity exhibit instead of a sign of humility.
That said, is this the best a liberal blogger can manage for intellect: "Religion, you are weird"? This, from a guy who claims to be Kryptonite to Stupid? It's as sophisticated as restroom graffiti.
And let's not forget that Media Matters is Hillary Clinton's mutant baby. So mocking the Catholic Church (and its conservative views on sexuality) is definitely in line with the views of Media Matters.
If the media were full of "Jesus freaks" like Ted Turner believed, it would be wondering why Joe Biden would play dress-up Catholic on Ash Wednesday as his political work shreds Catholic teaching on life issues. He's putting his forehead on display just like Big Oliver's subject.
Well, you know, he's just
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:55 ET by motherbeltWell, you know, he's just trying to show that he's an "ardent, devoted Catholic," like Her Speakerness.
Frankly, I think the pair of them, plus Kerrey, Kennedy and some others, are like the ones Jesus spoke of as "whitened sepulchres".....looking clean on the outside but dead within.
And KC, when I got my ashes this week, the old version was the one that was used, and I'm glad. I think the Church might be realizing that while it's good to "repent and receive the gospel" is a nice thought and uplifting, maybe we need to be reminded that this life is only temporary.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Clean on the outside
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:25 ET by KC MulvilleMB, I have to admit ... I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy (a misnomer, because they had none, at least with me). From their teaching, I just took it for granted that there were all kinds of ritualistic taboos about the ashes. When I got to the Jesuits, I discovered that there are almost no rubrics about them at all. In fact, the ashes aren't even required. It isn't a Holy Day of Obligation. The only requirements for Ash Wednesday are fasting and abstinence.
That's what comes to mind when I see the politicians with the ashes. Clean on outside but dead within.
Actually
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 23:07 ET by Southern voterIn the south Ash Weds is a Holy Day of Obligation and is observed as such....our churches were packed ....I was always taught that the ashes are for no one but ourselves....the ashes are a reminder (as mentioned before) that each of us will someday return to ashes, we observe the fastings and traditions of Lent as a time in our lives to stop and redirect ourselves to what is spiritually important to our individual salvation...
I was also taught....if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10;32-33....
The best a liberal blogger can manage
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:49 ET by KC MulvilleYou've got that right. It's the Beavis and Butthead approach.
The sheer ignorance about religion in this country, which is advertised as the most Christian, is astonishing. I saw an interview with the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ, and he said that the Catholic flock gets most of its information about the church through the media. Isn't that scary? Does anyone think it's a good thing for Katie Couric to explain Catholicism to Catholics?
Remember, man, that you
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 19:22 ET by lotrThis is an incontrovertible fact. The ashes merely "rub it in," so to to speak.
And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. -- Edgar Allan Poe
Hindu tilak
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 14:58 ET by CobraManI guess the Hindu tilak is also a "weird" religious adornment.
I wonder how Mr. Willis feels about tattoos? Aren't they just as "weird" as any other body adornment?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities
of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Tolerant
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:13 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls*Willis issues a disclaimer on his blog:
Yep, I'm sure your views are mild compared to those of MM. Hey Willis, got anything to say about those guys who wear towels on their heads, keep their wives in a tent, and lop peoples heads off?
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Don't feed.....I'd be
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:45 ET by celatorDon't feed.....I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of the tools working for Media Matters would mock religious practices--except for the use of peyote or voodoo. They'd be proud to do so.
Mickey Mouse is one
of "Satan's soldiers" and must die, says Saudi Arabian cleric Sheikh
Muhammad Munajid. - Daily Telegraph (UK), 9/15/08
In reality
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 22:58 ET by ChattychitoThey don't lop peoples heads off.. They butcher it off with a 3" pocket knife allowing the person to feel the extreme pain and choke on their own blood. it is inhumane what they do. But you don't hear the Liberal Media or the UN screaming what inhumane treatment they give their prisoners. They condemn Guantanamo as a inhumane prison while the prisoners the Islamic's take are kept on under the floor or in caves.with their guards urinating and spiting on them.
"A man who doesn't borrow from the brains of others proves he has no brains of his own." CH Spurgeon
Anyone know...
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:24 ET by JPR1...if Madam Speaker stopped by her place of worship for her reminder, or have too many other things gone to her head?
Nope,
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:31 ET by legacyrepublicanapparently she has given up her faith for Lent.
She'll pick it up again...
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 16:15 ET by JPR1When it's somehow important to appear to be engaged in something spiritual.
Sort of like a once abandoned novel.
Lost
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:44 ET by doug1950I would not concern myself about the rantings and thoughts of a lost man. The "natural man" can not know the things of God. His ways are foolishness unto God. He has "religion" confused with being a Christian because it is almost certain he would moonwalk on his hands, buck-naked and backwards not to offend the Muslims. Consider the man and move on.
Good word, Doug. Lots of
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 11:21 ET by misterbee241Good word, Doug. Lots of folks have Christianity confused with religion.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
I Love Left Wingers
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 15:58 ET by rammingspeedIslamofascists have their murderous Jihad, Catholics have their ashes on Ash Wednesday. A perfect subject for moral relativism, i.e. "religion is weird." Wait, we can't criticize Islamofascists. I'm sorry. Go, Oliver Willis, get them Catholics!
Biden would be doing himself
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 19:42 ET by rbosqueBiden would be doing himself a favor by reminding himself that when his life expires, he has to explain to God why it was he supported the killing of innocent children.
The guy's right: Religion is weird. But we're talking about . .
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:20 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . . Christianity, a faith, not religion.
Indeed, anyting pertaining to the Christ the world finds nonsensical and offensive.
Throw in the Cross of Christ and the world gets even crazier and more offended.
But, mockery of the Christ and Christians isn't anything new. And it won't stop until Jesus the Christ returns.
So, folks like that blogger need prayer for the salvation of their soul, while there's still time for that to happen in their lives on this planet.
We have it wrong
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:45 ET by slickwillie2001Actually Joe Biden didn't get his ashes in a church. When Obammy heard about Joe's latest slipup, re what the budget would do for small businesses and the bridge, he put his cigarette out on Joe's forehead.
slick... LMAO! ...and
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:47 ET by bigtimerslick...
LMAO!
...and Joe wears it proudly!
And Biden is still smiling
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:48 ET by general companyProof that the Obama nation is insane
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Now that's funny! ...
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 00:08 ET by CKA in Red State USAThanks.
I ain't gonna say it
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 22:47 ET by ChattychitoBut this I know there are a lot of Christian Groups whose practices are not clearly taught in the Bible. I have no problem with people being religious in their religion, having a zeal for the things they practice is the American dream to practice your religion as long as you don't force it or bother other people with it.
Turner's religion is Secular socialism, he condemns others for their person practice while he tries to force the rest of us to practice his religion.
Hypocrite
"A man who doesn't borrow from the brains of others proves he has no brains of his own." CH Spurgeon
As I write this, millions
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 01:07 ET by Dan The Man 2As I write this, millions of people around the world have a charcoal cross scratched across their foreheads
I m surprised he ddi not rant about the full burka or the full head gear some women are wearing. At my work we have a few Sikk's who wear turbans and under the turban according to their code is hair they have never cut. There are other things.
I am a Jesus Freak, sold out body and soul to Jesus Christ.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
What are you doing?
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 13:03 ET by rjwest21Oliver Willis is too stupid for anyone to waste their time with.
I question your judgment for reading his site.
In fairness...
Tue, 03/03/2009 - 03:36 ET by Damian G...I was the one who read Willis's site. I was curious as to what Media Matters staff say when they think no-one is looking. Sadly, my darkest suspicions were correct.