When I first had the idea of a Bad Theology series, I knew I wouldn’t lack for examples.
It’s just that… well… shoot. I wish it wasn’t so gosh-darned easy.
This was found on Facebook last week. As in, the week before Easter. Holy Week.
Sigh.
Things like this used to piss me off big time, because I thought they made Christians look stupid. And then I’d get all judgemental and “geez, what are churches teaching these people,” and so on.
Then someone from my church posted one.
Augh! Not someone from MY church! Nooooooo!
I couldn’t let it slide, so I left a comment. A simple one. Something along the lines of, “Pretty sure that’s not how it works.”
Honestly, you’d thought I opened the floodgates. Suddenly people were commenting right and left, every last one of them in complete agreement with me. Yeah!
But what about my church friend? What led him to post such a ridiculous meme?
He explained it this way: “Yeah, I know it doesn’t work like that. But the problem is I read it and I’m too superstitious. I can’t let it go.”
So, to recap:
- He admitted it was Bad Theology
- He admitted he was superstitious
- He posted it anyway
Sigh.
I know I’m probably wasting my breath, but here goes: If you’re superstitious and can’t let these sort of things pass, because you’re certain something really, really bad might possibly-at-one-time-maybe-not-now-but-soon happen to you, then let me reassure you. I have never once shared one of those posts. Not ever. Nor will I.
So far, so good. I’m golden.
Still worried?
Look at it this way. If you have a blanket rule of never posting or sharing dumb religious memes, you won’t ever run the risk of having this on your wall:
Because, you know, that’s Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan.
Friends don’t let friends post stupid memes. Just say no.
Sigh.
Until next time,
Vaya con Dios
Feeding on Folly 
I have a couple of friends who post these things quite often. I spend a lot of time rolling my eyes. It’s amazing my eyeballs are still in my head.
Oh, and are you packed yet? Are you all ready to head of to NYC? OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!! 😀
Amazing how much respect I’ve lost for some people, once we’ve become friends on facebook!
I’m nearly ready for NYC – just a few more things to panic about, then I’ll be set! OMG!!!
Well, rest assured–any chain messages claiming anything at all (“If you’re a real friend, don’t break the chain,” “You’ll be cast into utter darkness if you don’t send this to 100 of your closest friends,” etc.,) find a dead end/black hole in me, even if they’re something I like. It’s a matter of pride.
Same here. There have been a few that I really liked, considered sharing, then it ends with, “Share if you agree. I know 99% of you won’t…” etc.
If you *know* they won’t share, why are you sending it?
Sigh.
I bet New Yorkers don’t post memes like this. 😉 Any time I see someone asking me to post something, the answer is, ‘no’. Most of these are just done without thinking.
Haha! Yes, I’m sure their New York moxie makes them immune.
You’re probably right, thinking is rarely involved in sharing memes. Though the guilt or superstition angle must work, as you sure see a lot of it out there.
Oh yes! I cringe when I see stuff like this. Drives me crazy!!!!
Weird, I found this comment in my spam folder. (You’ve been unspammed 🙂)
They are frustrating, aren’t they? I can never decide if it’s better to ignore them or comment. I felt obligated to when someone from our church posted one, but I don’t know how much good it does. Unless it tells the world, “hey, we’re not ALL looney!”
I couldn’t resist, I posted the Ewan McGregor on my Facebook!! I couldn’t help myself, it was just TOO Funny!!! Plus I love Star Wars, oh yeah, and Jesus.
Admit it — you CREATED the Ewan McGregor meme!
What’s more funny is that so many people thought it was the real thing! One person, after being teased, defended himself with, “I don’t care who it’s a picture of, it’s the message that’s important.”
Um… you mean the message that you’re a dope?
Oh if I created it, the whole world would have known! I would have been so proud and announced it.
I did create a hashtag once. I was in the restroom and I tweeted, “peeing and tweeting, #tweetinating.” One of my prouder moments for sure. My mom acted like she was ashamed, but I know she was proud deep down.
Incidentally, she liked my Ewan McGregor post! I don’t think she got it.
A proud moment indeed!
Yes, and it’s even worse when your own family believes these things really work. Talk about being the Black Sheep. Next time I’m going to tell them that I know the Dark Arts and will put a spell on them all. That’ll show them.
Oh, yes! When it’s our family family it stings. In my family, I’m the irreverent one, and I’m married to a minister. Oh well!
And you KNOW I am just yearning to slap Ewan on my Facebook page and create havoc along certain branches of my family tree. But since Grant (above) has already done such, I shall refrain. Wait, does this mean I just broke the chain and I won’t get to be in the next Star Wars episode? OMG! (NYC!)
You would look good in a hooded robe! Go for it, but grow a beard first.
OMG!!!
That’s it! I’m never going to post dumb religious memes on Facebook again. Because if I do something bad will happen to me! (P.S. Who knew Jesus looked so much like Ewan McGregor?)
Right?! Keep that in mind the next time you’re casting a movie! 😉
I know some people who think posting those memes proves they are Christians.
I’m pretty sure that isn’t what Jesus had in mind when he told us to preach the gospel and make disciples. Just saying…….
I imagine we’d had that a lot from Christ: “That’s not what I meant!”
Sad, isn’t it?
Yes, yes, yes – never post those ridiculous chain-soft-threat posts, they drive me nuts.
I also don’t “amen” every time I’m asked to on fb.
Oh, those annoy me too! It’s that whole “jump on the bandwagon” mentality. Ugh!
Sadly, this is very true, especially with the younger generations. I enjoyed the read and needed a good laugh. Lol I still can’t believe the Obi Wan meme doesn’t faze some people… I write about theology and culture in my blog as well. Feel free to check it out and let me know your thoughts! https://jakebyrd.wordpress.com
Thanks for the nice words – I’ll definitely check out your blog. 🙂
I also cringe when I see religious combine with political memes. Those really drive me crazy.
Right?! It’s maddening! How hard is it to use a little common sense and hold off on obnoxious memes? (And I mean this for both sides.)
Thanks for commenting.