No, I'm really not.
Quickly the impact of the killings in Paris on 7 January begins to
fade. The effects may be far-reaching, but the news caravan moves on.
The massacre was a shocking event, but what does the reaction
throughout France and beyond tell us? The satirical magazine Charlie
Hebdo subtitles itself 'Journal Irresponsable', and I really
wonder what the millions of eager buyers of the post-massacre edition
made of it. My guess is that many felt they had done their bit for
freedom by buying a copy, but after a cursory glance at it threw it
away. Maybe some are keeping their copies as souvenirs. But my guess
is too that few feel that the contents of satire and cartoons have a
great role in improving society.
God gave the prophet
Jeremiah this commission: “Look, today I have set you over the
nations and kingdoms, to uproot and to knock down, to destroy and to
overthrow, to build and to plant.” Satire is generally good at
uprooting, knocking down, possibly even destroying and overthrowing,
but it does not build and plant. It can have a certain positive role
in exposing corruption, but it sets nothing better in its place. It
sets itself at odds with the political and other establishments, as a
counterweight, but not as an alternative establishment with something
to offer beyond a wry smile.The prophetic word of God has an entirely different tone, hard-hitting, offensive and difficult to hear as it may be.
Many, David Cameron
included, have defended the right of all to say what they want. This
has extended to the point of saying that whatever insults may be
offered are good. That cannot be right. Not everything that is legal
is good. Not everything that can be done should be done. Adultery is
not a crime, but it is generally and rightly regarded as a wrong, and
its destructive effects are almost universally recognised. Gambling,
smoking, and drinking are all legal within controlled limits, but
addiction is an evil that controls people and destroys them.
There is a wider point too about the value of respect. Respect should be our default position with regard to people and institutions.We should be open to listen to others, to give them time and attention in the way we would value being given those things. We should avoid being deliberately or even inadvertently offensive and disrespectful.
Satirists usually seek
to raise a laugh. It is an effective way of puncturing pomposity, and
drawing attention to absurdities, corruption and the unexamined
exercise of power. And some are very funny indeed. Just beware! What
do you feed on? Does it lead you to a general disrespect of people,
authorities and institutions? Does it lead you to a general dismissal
of things without thought and examination, just as the general
population will accept the established order without thought and
examination?
I have enjoyed Private Eye in the past, and still enjoy a
glimpse of their covers. But I became a bit uncomfortable in the
light of Philippians 4:8 “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on
whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t
ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of
praise.” There are a lot of good books out there instead, and you
can find quite a few on www.worldmissionbooks.com
Well written, and I like your thoughts :)
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