19 Oct, 2007

Don't take God's name lightly!

Comedian Kathy Griffin Dissed the Name of Jesus.

Make Fun Of Faith? Sure. Jesus? Uh, No.

Comedian Kathy Griffin has built her D-list career on telling A-list Hollywood celebrities -- to "suck it."

So when she told Jesus to "suck it" after winning an Emmy for her reality show, "My Life on the D-List," it was meant as another swipe at someone who gets invited to better parties than she does.

But as she quickly learned, dissing Jesus, even in left-leaning Hollywood, carries more risk than poking fun at the Lindsay Lohans of the world.

Griffin's remarks -- "I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. . . . So all I can say is, suck it, Jesus. This reward is my god now!" -- were censored when the E! Network broadcast the Creative Arts Emmy Awards show.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said the remarks were struck because they were "offensive." It wasn't clear whether they disliked the vulgar "suck it" part or the blasphemous "this reward is my god now" part.

Either way, one thing is clear: Poking fun at religion in general is fine. Taking jabs at hypocritical religious leaders is even encouraged. But when it comes to Jesus, Hollywood still gets squeamish.

Some conservatives smell a double standard. Audiences laugh when Griffin insults the Christian messiah, but she could never get away with telling Muhammad to do the same, they say. "She wants to stick it to Christians," said Kiera McCaffrey of the Catholic League civil rights organization.

Atheists see a more sinister plotline at work in the network's decision to muzzle Griffin. It's not about decency, they say. "It was about protecting belief in Jesus," said Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists. "You're not allowed to say anything that ridicules belief. . . . What's next? Punishment for that?"

photo courtesy images.google.com & story washingtonpost.com, 9/22/07

Exodus 20:7 (NLT)

7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the dishonoring of God's name?

Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:

20:7 God's name is special because it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way we use God's name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. We should not take lightly the abuse or dishonor of His name.

God tells us that He will punish those who misuse His name.

This truth should strike fear in the heart of Kathy Griffin, but my guess is that it doesn't when you consider what she said about Jesus.

How about us? We know that God is loving, but do we remember that God is also holy and punishes sin....including the abuse of His name?

How can we apply today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Do an honest evaluation of your use or abuse of God's (or Jesus') name. Maybe you never say what Kathy Griffin said, but do you use the phrase "Oh God!" as an expression?
  • In Jesus' name, you can confess any misuse of God's name and He will forgive you completely because His grace is real.
  • When you hear someone abusing the name of God or Jesus, stop and pray for that person and say a word of praise or thanks to God for Who He is in your life.

How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others who need Jesus?

  • Ask Jesus to show you how to respond when others abuse His name. Sometimes, the best thing may be to say nothing and sometimes the best thing would be for you to humbly ask the person to not misuse the name of God.
  • Use today's story about Kathy Griffin as a conversation starter with friends and family who need Jesus. Tell them the story and ask them what they think? Trust Jesus to give you the right timing and words to share why you believe no one should misuse God's name. This may give you the opportunity to learn more of their story and share more of your story and perhaps the story of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
  • Pray that Kathy Griffin will come to recognize that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to receive forgiveness and eternal life.
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