Comments on: Laughing With

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:20:44 +0000

Mike,

I think the point she is making is this: in real life tragedy – no one thinks the idea of god is trivial. It’s only when people talk about god theoretically and unintentionally reduce him to a joke that it gets hilarious.

Why? Because they, in the very process of trying to take him seriously, do so much to trivialize him. So it’s only when we are powerless that we find out how much we need God, and not just any god, but a God who cares and responds and shares in our suffering – like our Lord Jesus.

To those who mourn… who hunger… who are persecuted… to the least of these… to the last… to the hurting… to those who take up their cross and follow him….

Thanks for this song!

By: john ball (Liverpool,England)

john ball (Liverpool,England) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:59:51 +0000

She’s right. My Grandfather was in the trenches during the Battle of the Somme, and believe me no one was laughing at God then.

By: Regina Spektor’s Laughing With « West Coast Witness

Regina Spektor’s Laughing With « West Coast Witness — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:48:09 +0000

[...] Spektor’s Laughing With Jump to Comments Thanks to Mike Cope of the heads up on this [...]

By: Wes Woodell

Wes Woodell — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:36:03 +0000

Wow … that is very good. Reposting.

By: Geezer

Geezer — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:04:35 +0000

I read the lyrics yesterday and I listened to the song today. For what it is worth, I liked the song both/either way.
Peace,
Geezer

By: C.

C. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:44:43 +0000

If someone doesn’t believe God is real, then how would they know if He is present or not? If no belief in the reality of God, they won’t even be looking.

Might it be reliance on mankind that is creating the problems/sufferings?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:19:32 +0000

Martin – Please hang around. My new work with Landon Saunders is going to try to communicate with people all over the faith map — but especially those for whom faith isn’t exactly working. Obviously, we’re going to be doing it as believers. But we don’t want to stereotype; we don’t want to make false claims; we want to be honest to the core. Even when there are disagreements! We’ll need people like you who can speak openly and honestly. Thanks.

By: Martin F.

Martin F. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:09:57 +0000

Mike,
I understand what you are saying and do agree with you that there are certain times when one reflects more deeply on one’s mortality than others. Thankfully, in my opinion, fewer and fewer people are thinking of “God” or “Zeus” or whoever else might live in the sky during those times and more and more people are accepting their mortality and humble place in this vast, mysterious universe. Thanks for thought-provoking blog entries and for treating those who disagree with you with respect. That helps people like me (one who disagrees with you the majority of the time) continue to come back.
Martin

By: L

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:50:14 +0000

C
If he were real (as Christians describe:Mercy, Love,etc…) we would need him all the time. But right now we just need a few more people to believe in the goodness of mankind to solve his/her problems. We are waiting for the “God” stimulus package to restore us to some preconceived ideal state. As a humanity, we need to get off the holy crapper or poop.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:18:14 +0000

Martin – I’m not offended at all, and I doubt that she’s making the “no atheists in a foxhole” argument. More that our graven images (e.g., God The Great Giver of tv evangelism) are exposed in those moments. I do think we’d agree that those are the moments when one has to reflect as deeply as possible on the big questions.

By: C.

C. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:13:42 +0000

When are our times of “not needing” God?

By: clint

clint — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:01:32 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tggZlm8zv4I

This is how I in vision our discussion with God sounds like to God. Is he laughing with us or at us?

By: Martin F.

Martin F. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:56:17 +0000

This is a thought-provoking song, but to be fair: no one is laughing at anything when “…in a hospital” or “…in a war”, etc. I know, I know: the point for many here is that “there are no atheists in foxholes”. But there are. Not everyone relies on divinities or crutches or grasps for other-worldly help in time of need. Some do the difficult thing and find the strength within or in a community. When using this song as an “intro into a discussion”, please don’t be offended by those who can’t believe you actually believe what you do.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:27:31 +0000

I like Spektor’s music. The students I teach love her music.

This one is profound. Just when I think I’ve finally understood it . . . another line throws me. I do think it’s a helpful intro into a discussion about God, suffering, theodicy, idolatry, etc.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:25:14 +0000

Enjoy, qb. I’m just surprised my flight left this morning for DFW . . . just in time to arrive and find out that my DFW-Nashville flight has been cancelled. No one seems to know why. I think it’s the mysterious “mechanical problem” (which, since it was discovered 3 hours before the flight, makes me wonder why they didn’t get another plane).