The Way of the Master
Wow. So this is what life after “Growing Pains” is like. Kirk Cameron leads us through “The Way of the Master”. Someone actually threw a good bit of money at this for the Flash work… and obviously for the talent. I apologize in advance to any religious visitors. I will probably end up offending you in some other way later.
Thanks Kirk, I didn’t realize how pissed off I was making God. I’ve been wrong all along. At least now I know my God won’t send me to Hell, because my God is a figment of my imagination.
What would Boner do?
- Posted at 2:28 pm in Random, Web
Commentary Closed (31)
This brings so many important questions to the surface. Like do they have the int0rweb in Heaven? I can’t imagine so, what with all that porn. It’s Hades for me, please.
Can you tell I didn’t even look at the site?
I have to admit I don’t mind Kirk Cameron using his name to promote his beliefs. It’s important to him, more power to him.
What I mind is this porn-star mustachioed Ray Comfort attempting to ride Kirk Cameron’s gravy train to fame and fortune. Kirk doesn’t have that much spotlight on him, Ray. Now you come along and take some of it away.
I’m not a smart man, I didn’t read no Bible in school or nothing, but that doesn’t sound real Christian to me… Does it Ray?
I’m way more scared of people like Kirk than I am of God. Yikes. Anyway, it’s an interesting use of Flash, wonder what God thinks of Web standards.…probably angers him as well.
actually, Ray isnt riding any coat tails. he is well known in the christian community and lots of people were listening to him before kurt became a christian.
funny how quick you all are to put down christians and laugh at what they say, when they are just going by the oldest widley spread book in the world.…that has yet to be disproven.
maybe you should actually look at the site and think about what its saying before you are so ready to piss on it. the only thing that gets to me is the fact that they are trying to sell something.…i never trust that.
i just get so mad when people make fun of christians because they make you feel bad about looking at porn.…
because this world would just be soo aweful with out it, yeah..especially the kiddy porn.
It’s a two way street, Jen. If they want to piss on me for the way I live, I can piss on them for the way they live. Keep in mind that book hasn’t been proven either. :D
Don’t forget about Willie Aames as BibleMan…
well…im not going to piss on anyone. thats just gross!
I don’t know, I’ve heard golden showers can be refreshing…
I’m comfortably agnostic at the moment but as far as I can remember from my Lutheran upbringing stealing is wrong. What do you want to bet that Brad Snow didn’t clear the use of the Tron Bit’s “Yes/No” with Disney?
Ah sorry, I’m not sitting through the 10 commandments, listening to Kirk Cameron damn me to hell.
That’s some fucked up Quintesson shit.
In my attempt to not anger anyone by mocking the man (Ray Comfort) rather than what represents (Christianity) I ended up giving the impression that I mock what he represents. I happen to be a Chrsitian. Well Catholic, which means I think I’m Christian, but the guys on this site would be sure to point out that I’m “Roman Catholic.” At least they did with no small amount of dismissiveness, with Cecil B. DeMille and Mel Gibson. I don’t have a point, except to say I make fun of anybody, for one reason: they make themselves “subject to mockery.” They have treaties on how they would shoot “The Passion of the Christ” if it was they who made it. And before you take umbridge at that statement, I would find a fanboy talking about how he would have shot the Lord of the Rings had it been his movie, just as “subject to mockery.” Wow. Sorry, didn’t mean to write such a long post.
Dude… that post alone just bought you a spot in the elite short list of my favorite blogs. Kick ass.
Dammit, I’m still chuckling.
Marry me.
Mr. Ryan, right on. I too fall under the broad term of Christian, and I think I find the site above far more repulsive than most “non-believers” do. It really gets to me when I have to see something that I feel strongly about - my spirituality, so badly represented, and yes - sold. The hardest part for me is what to say to that sort of thing (and its everywhere). Not because I think it would be blashphemy to tell a minister of any kind that he sucks at his job - but because it just makes me sick to have to draw battle lines within the ranks. I hardly felt like that was a Christian site at all - with all its “good enough” qualifications - which is not what the person of Christ was about at all. But the sad part is that it seems to be fairly obvious that its a bad idea to have a site that attempts to convert people at all. “Saving” sinners with a browser equipped with flash doesn’t seem to be a very good way to imitate what the “Master” did. Maybe I underestimate technology - but for some reason that little Kirk on my screen just isn’t personal enough for anything spiritual - no matter the religon.
I don’t know, robert… Kirk sold me. I’m shipping out tomorrow for the on-site guilt-evangelizing.
Notice that the “Store” button contains a bigger font than any title in the website menu…
As another Christian, I have to chime in and say that this site is embarrassing. While I understand that (hopefully) their intentions are good, it’s arrogant and silly and a big waste of time.
It smacks of insolated Christianity — a religious clique where they talk about how to reach “unbelievers” but never actually talk to any of them, or bother to make relationships with them outside of the effort to change faith or beliefs. All humans possess a certain dignity, and Christ recognized that. A site like this does not, it is condescending. . . It’s the human condition to possess a certain amount of cluelessness about answers to the big questions, and presenting such bulletproof unyielding faith is both dishonst and offputting. Sorry for the long post, but I hate it when Christians represent this way. . . We’re not all this way, I promise. There are many many who are decent people who have managed to find comfort, love and solace in Christ that they couldn’t find elsewhere.
Do I get a cool mustache for going “The Way Of The Master”? Apparently, you can’t get into heaven without a mustache.
Now, um, I certainly don’t want to talk for God here, but since they _do_ have that big-ass WWJD on the splash page, wouldn’t Jesus, were He around today, be in Africa right now? You know, saving lives and combating AIDS and everything? Rather than, say, spending hours trying to get the perfect tweening.
Also, since I’m a big dork, I often try to model the data that God would have to store to keep record of everyone’s sins. The only thing that can save me at this point would be a messed up JOIN on the Sinner lookup table.
It’s not WWJD, it’s WDJD…What Did Jesus Do. Quite a large difference.
Whether the site is good or bad, that’s not up to any of us to judge. If people find Christ through their materials, that’s great. If not, then they know they should move on to something else. Like someone else said, it’s a fairly large step just to put your name to something you believe in. Most people here just put their name to web standards…which isn’t a bad thing. But when you start talking about what you THINK Kirk should be doing with his time, you have to say that about yourself as well.
Coming from someone providing only a first name and a fake email address. :D
Not to be irreverent, but I always thought Jesus in Africa would be a lot like ‘Shaft in Africa’…except with more ass-kicking.
Goes to show how critical my scanning skills are… ouch. However, Jesus DID do more than just convert people, which seems to be the primary function of this site.
I suggest what wealthy people should be doing with their time and money constantly, Christians and non-Christians alike. In fact, I think Dick Cheney should build a water park. With a pirate theme.
Arrr.
As a Christian, I have to tell you that anyone that is willing to put themselves out there and express there beliefs to others, especially beliefs that get such a negative response from most people, is a very difficult thing to do. I have never actually “witnessed” to anyone, as Kirk’s site is meant to teach you, and this is due to the fact that I am afraid to offend people. I don’t try to hide my faith, I just try not advertise.
But the truth is most of my friends and co-workers aren’t Christians, and I do have a desire to share my faith with them. I wish to share my faith out of compassion for my friends, period. I believe this is what Kirk’s real motive is. All he is doing is trying to teach people what he believes. If he didn’t think what he is promoting is true, what’s the point in his faith, or any faith for that matter.
One of the main things that is always overlooked is the fact that “everyone has sinned”, which means that me, Kirk or anyone else that claims to be a Christian isn’t better than everyone else. I’m not saying that there aren’t plenty of Christians that do think they are better, but they shouldn’t, and that’s something that God will take care of.
I guess all I’m saying is please don’t be offended when people express their faith, whatever faith that may be. Most of the time they just care about people.
Now, if only the Hare Krishnas would catch on…
Why do these type of Christians feel the need to convert everyone and everything they see? How ‘bout converting their own pompus, over-inflated self-worth into more productive practical solutions? Ohhhh, like feeding children in poverty or finding shelter for the homeless. Spend more time doing “good” as opposed to wasting my time.
Same goes for Jehova Witnesses knockin’ on my door. STAY AWAY - I DON’T WANT YOUR BELIEFS.
Ahh, hot topic here…
Wasn’t going to post comments, but after reading everyone else’s, I guess I will.
First of all, we live in the wonderful U.S. of A. We are afforded freedoms here most of the world only dreams of. If you want to talk about web standards or politics or Jesus or Buddha, you can do so in freedom… or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to work (another topic for another day).
On top of that, the internet is an amazing tool. If you want to blog about web standards, politics, Jesus, or Buddha, go for it. You are afforded this luxury here.
If Kirk wants to spend his cash to hire someone with decent flash skills to help him share his beliefs, more power to him.
As for Ray, he’s from New Zealand, and like-the-mustache-or-not, he’s also one of the most eccentric and creative “street evangelists” living… This project was the result of Kirk seeking out Ray, not the other other way around… I only mention this as a side note to those alledging that Ray is milking Kirk’s vast wealth from Growing Pains (yeah, right).
In case you’ve never travelled, religion (and yes, Christianity) operates under very different social situations in different cultures, hence some of Ray’s New Zealand/Australian eccentricies may offend some more “traditional” “Christians” in America (yes, both terms are in quotes).
Regardless, don’t fault the dudes for sharing what’s on their hearts and minds, in the way they feel they should. Props for speaking what’s on your mind. Ms. Streisand does the same.
But don’t you know that Kirk had to realize this whole thing brings his career and life into the limelight, and that people would ridicule it? It’s not a message a lot of people want to hear, and he’s basically put any future career on the line with this, knowing he’ll get labeled a whack-job by many. Especially in Hollywood.
Give the man some credit for putting his money and career where his mouth is. How many of us would be willing to do the same?
There are a lot of hypocritical people in this world, and sadly, many of them fall under the label of Christianity. This is not Christ’s problem though. This is humanity’s problem.
Before we pop-off and condemn Kirk and his efforts and Christianity, and rattle off one-liners about AIDS and Africa and Christianity’s lack of “good deeds,” let’s explore…
Hope HIV,
Blood Water Mission,
Erace,
and of course, Salvation Army.
All organizations operating in the Name of Christ.
I won’t explain each of them, but a little exploration (I know you have time) will tell you a lot.
Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater because you disagree or feel threatened by another’s beliefs.
For my part, drop by Yellowlane, download some icons… perhaps Café Macintosh. Peruse the “read me” file. You’ll find something written when I was 19. I’m free to express my beliefs… and you’re free to take them or leave them.
Christ Himself never forced anyone to believe what He said. That, in the end, is up to you and me.
Josh, you rock.
As a one-liner rattler, I should point out that I’m fully aware of Christians who are out there, ministering and providing services ala the links Josh listed. Some of which are in my own immediate family, some who have ventured to Kenya and some who venture to former communist countries to minister _and_ provide aid. So, be aware that when I rattle on, I do so from a standpoint of understanding. An understanding of the amazing power and benefit that those who are willing to sacrifice to do tremendous good can provide. Which is exactly why I brought Africa and AIDS up because those opportunities do exist for someone who has both fame and wealth, since I have seen great difference made by those without either.
I intended my comments to relate specifically to the site and not Christianity or Christians as a whole, and hopefully this comment will clear up that confusion (which is understandable given the context of the other comments and the flip tone of my own words). My second comment, specifically, was meant to point out that my criticism of the wealthy does not exist exclusively for those who are Christian, but for anyone, it’s an actively that I, as a decidedly non-wealthy person engage in. Would I practice what I preach? I don’t know, but I hope so.
Yes, it is wonderful to have a medium and freedom to express one’s inner convictions; it is admirable for someone to standup for what they believe in, in such a public manner. However, that noble action does not preclude one from criticism, whether that exists as well informed, thought out criticism or just plain rattling. Personally, I don’t condemn what Kirk’s doing, but since I share in that same freedom and happen question his methods, I will.
In addition, given the overwhelming success of The Passion of the Christ, I would imagine Hollywood’s distaste for Christianity is shifting. I mean, 400 million dollars can’t be wrong, right?
Josh —
I totally appreciate your thoughtful comments, and I agree — standing up for convictions is a admirable thing. I also agree that people who like to pretend that Christianity hasn’t been a huge force for positive social change (focusing only on the damage done in the name of God), are being intellectually dishonest.
But I do disagree with the manner with which Kirk et al have done so with this site. It is a message that only people who possess a Christian world-view would understand, let alone respond to. I think that it does more harm then good in sharing the love of Christ. . .
True Christianity is inherently offensive. Jesus himself said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). And someone said about him “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed… so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed”. That’s the point of Christian witness—to use the Bible to reveal people’s hearts to them so as to offer salvation. Even from a completely secular standpoint wouldn’t Cameron and Comfort be the worst of people if they believed you were going to Hell and that they could keep you from going there but didn’t tell you? The love of Jesus isn’t health care or social reform. The soul is more important than the body. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). And ya know what? If you’re a perfect person… well then “my bad”. I guess you don’t need that, and you can go ahead and flame me now. (I’ve provided my actual email address for your convenience. ;)
“God wants you to do stuff”
“Prove it”
“Ok, see there’s this book that says you have to”
“Who says the book is accurate?”
“Oh, this passage right here in the book that says it’s the word of God, and so the book must be accurate”
“Apart from a book that claims it’s correct, is there any other proof?”
“Just look around! That the world exists is proof enough that God exists, wants you to do what’s in this book, and wants you to send me money!”