my horse is higher than your horse

[rug]

April 15, 2013
By David Hayward

I was invited to join an atheist network of bloggers. I was totally opened to it. But then I noticed some of the other atheist bloggers, upon seeing that the nakedpastor, as well as some Christian bloggers who are open-minded, were invited to join, responded with comments such as, “It wouldn’t hurt to have a few village idiots around I guess.” I don’t like being mocked. It’s a dangerous and harmful sport. It’s fruit is division. You may not agree with my ideas, but that doesn’t necessarily make me an idiot. Calling me one keeps me away from the debate. A debate where everyone agrees is not a debate but mutual masturbation. No babies forthcoming.

I realize atheists have been the brunt of mockery from Christians for a long time. It’s still going on hardcore. It embarrasses me. We also have atheists mocking Christians. That embarrasses me too. It reminds me of high school. Because it is soooo high school. It’s like these two guys laughing at each other, each sitting on their respective high horse. What’s funny is what they can’t see the obvious: they’re both weak and on the same level. They don’t contribute anything to the peace effort.

It is important to differentiate between mockery and satire. I believe I am a satirist, not a mocker. There is a difference. Mockery is insulting or contemptuous action or speech that maliciously intends to humiliate, shame or make fun of the other. Satire is an art form that critiques the others’ vices, follies, abuses and shortcomings in order to provoke them to improvement. Okay, maybe I’ve mocked something I thought was truly ridiculous a few times. But I always hope the one I’m addressing can laugh at it too. I aspire to be a mature satirist. That’s because I think it is fruitful and useful.

I don’t dismiss atheism because I have an inner one and I appreciate such things as the rich intellectual, scientific and humanist developments it brings to the table. I don’t think Christianity should be dismissed either because it also brings such things as a rich heritage of intellectual achievements, ethics, and spiritual care to the table. Let’s not mock each other. But let’s satirize each other to abandon the worst and encourage the best of what we have to offer.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nakedpastor/2013/04/my-horse-is-higher-than-your-horse/

[Phillip McCleod]

1. a poor analogy i think.

the 'highschool antics' one is better, but would be improved by extending the metaphor a bit, i think..

I realize nerds have been the brunt of mockery from jocks for a long time. It’s still going on hardcore. It embarrasses me. We also have nerds mocking jocks. That embarrasses me too.

the question is, would the nerds have ever started mocking the jocks if they hadn't been subject to relentless bullying and harassment from them, since kindergarten? and since the nerds are in the minority and the high school is one of those football schools.. well you can imagine the power disparity might make this equivalency a false one.

[dimbear]

2. The world's highest horses, Clydesdales and Shires, are also the hardest working horses.

Pretty things, too.

[goldent]

3. It is with pain in my fingertips...

that I write to admit that the atheist horse is just a little higher (used a straight-edge). Of course, a closer examination shows the Atheist horse is ever-so-slightly standing on his tip-toes, while the Christian horse is standing in a respectable, horsely way. But I will not hold it against the Atheist horse, even if it is unseemly and unsportsmanlike - this is the world we now live in.

[Phillip McCleod]

4. ah but i have it on good authority that..

.. the believer's horse is ..

.. high ..

.. as a ..

KITE!

..

tsk tsk!