The Daily Show takes on God

[Josh]

In a recent episode of "The Daily Show," host Jon Stewart (inadvertently, I'm sure) made some good points on God's sovereignty. Amid a flurry of rather distasteful punchlines ("For the past forty years, the Supreme Court has been slapping God around like a school girl"), Stewart addressed Pat Robertson's recent prayer for God to turn his face toward the Court's decision to legalize sodomy. Stewart astutely pointed out that God is supposed to see everything, and thus His face has been turned toward this issue all along. Stewart went on to assert that, if God is in control of evertyhing, then he must have had a reason for allowing the Supreme Court to reach the decision that they did.

Surprisingly insightful. It's a sad day indeed when Comedy Central seems to have a better grasp of theology than the nation's leading evangelists.

[bloop]

*sigh* I loved the Daily Show back when I had cable, and Pat Robertson is such a pompous umm butt.

[Josh]

The Daily Show is such good satire. I used to think it was a pale imitation of Weekend Update from SNL, but now that SNL has turned to crap, The Daily Show is actually much better.

[bloop]

Yeah, SNL is not good.  I think it all started with the "Dog Show" skit.  "If you're laughing at a new skit at 2:30 in the morning, sleep on it and see if it's still funny when you wake up" rule applies.  The only reason to watch that show is if a particularly good artist is on, which does happen from time to time.  

Springsteen is on tonight, so I might try to check out the performances.  I'll just be on the computer ignoring it during the skits.

[Josh]

The Boss is on? Yeah, I might have to catch that, myself. It'll be the only time I've watched the show since Will Ferrell left, besides the one with Jennifer Garner as host (which had Beck on as an added bonus).

Moving this to "Off-Topic"... not really sure why I put it here to begin with.  =)  

[PriestofDasani]

What I like about The Daily show is it is unbiased: they make fun of everybody.

[Josh]

Exactly.

[Vlad!]

Can't say I'm a real fan of Pat Robertson.

Stewart went on to assert that, if God is in control of evertyhing, then he must have had a reason for allowing the Supreme Court to reach the decision that they did

I don't think that God takes an active hand in every supreme court decision. I have never been of the opinion that God controls every aspect of daily life: that's as much of a superstition as when people believed God personally controlled the path of the sun and the earth. So while I don't think Robertson is a great example of Christian tolerance and love (and humility), the Bible does say that we should pray for God's will to manifest itself on earth. Since there is ample evidence in the Bible that sodomy isn't within God's will, praying for it to be outlawed is praying that the United States will uphold God's laws, something that a reasonable person might easily believe is in God's will.
 

[Josh]

God doesn't control every Supreme Court case in the sense that He pushes around the judges like little pawns and forces them to do his bidding, but he obviously is aware of what's going on, and he either allows them to make their decisions or He intervenes. So he ordains everything that comes to pass, even if He doesn't always force it to happen.