It's probably a weird concept that a Christian such as myself, and I make that disclaimer ("such as myself") because I'm speaking for myself...the facetious, sometime wine sipping, pizza loving believer that I am...even dares to admit that he has a favorite atheist. Well, I did...until Christopher Hitchens died, which disqualifies him, because he's no longer an atheist.
But I do have a favorite type of heterodoxy (Oneness Pentecostalism).
I have a favorite type of heretic (usually the over zealous Oneness Pentecostal).
I have a favorite type of preacher (the kind that the only time they're not spewing silly stuff is when they're using conjunctions)
And, I have a favorite type of prophet (the kind that call people out).
So I have favorite categories of folk that, even when I don't agree with them, I can still find learning moments hidden behind all of the junk.
And if you give me a month I'm sure I can come up with who my favorite liberal is.
Ok...give me two months.
On second thought...give me a year.
Oh, just never mind.
I have a favorite band (U2).
I have a favorite singer (Elvis).
I have a favorite president (Reagan)
And I have a favorite "president whom I'd like to see become an ex-president" (Obama).
So I have numerous favorite people with certain attributes that appeal to me aesthtetically, morally, theologically, or politically. But not every thing about such a person could be called "favorable", nor could every view they have be considered "favorable", but they possess just enough for me to apply the label of "favorite" upon them...within their own distinct category, of course.
But just like a person has to wipe the mayo off of a hamburger if he doesn't like mayo...you have to filter between views you appreciate and views you don't.
And when it comes to atheists I appreciate their moments of clarity and brilliance...such as Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes a couple of years ago and his character in the British version of The Office. Other than that, he's kind of a weasel.
I think Penn Jillette is a very nice guy...but he's one of the most evangelistic of the atheists so he's, obviously, not my fave.
The smarmy meter goes out of whack when it comes to Blah Maher...so it's not him. He's most likely my least favorite atheist.
So who is my favorite atheist?
Well, he recently said this:
His name.
Adam Carolla.
He's funny, he's witty, and he's right...not about everything (wiping the mayo off) but enough to make him my favorite atheist.
So, holding my nose at the vulgarity that sometimes ensues from his mouth, Adam Carolla takes the place of the theist Christopher Hitchens.
Cigar?
*http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/03/12/adam-carolla-demonizing-wealthy-citizens
** http://www.adamcarolla.com/aneveningwithadamcarollaanddennisprager/
But I do have a favorite type of heterodoxy (Oneness Pentecostalism).
I have a favorite type of heretic (usually the over zealous Oneness Pentecostal).
I have a favorite type of preacher (the kind that the only time they're not spewing silly stuff is when they're using conjunctions)
And, I have a favorite type of prophet (the kind that call people out).
So I have favorite categories of folk that, even when I don't agree with them, I can still find learning moments hidden behind all of the junk.
And if you give me a month I'm sure I can come up with who my favorite liberal is.
Ok...give me two months.
On second thought...give me a year.
Oh, just never mind.
I have a favorite band (U2).
I have a favorite singer (Elvis).
I have a favorite president (Reagan)
And I have a favorite "president whom I'd like to see become an ex-president" (Obama).
So I have numerous favorite people with certain attributes that appeal to me aesthtetically, morally, theologically, or politically. But not every thing about such a person could be called "favorable", nor could every view they have be considered "favorable", but they possess just enough for me to apply the label of "favorite" upon them...within their own distinct category, of course.
But just like a person has to wipe the mayo off of a hamburger if he doesn't like mayo...you have to filter between views you appreciate and views you don't.
And when it comes to atheists I appreciate their moments of clarity and brilliance...such as Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes a couple of years ago and his character in the British version of The Office. Other than that, he's kind of a weasel.
I think Penn Jillette is a very nice guy...but he's one of the most evangelistic of the atheists so he's, obviously, not my fave.
The smarmy meter goes out of whack when it comes to Blah Maher...so it's not him. He's most likely my least favorite atheist.
So who is my favorite atheist?
Well, he recently said this:
"Yes, it's envy that has turned into resentment that has turned into anger and essentially shame. It's pretty simple psycho dynamic which is, "I wish I had that guy's expensive car, good looking wife, big house, whatever it is."He also recently did a sit down with Dennis Prager that was very illuminating and hilarious. You can purchase that conversation on his website.**
Then the next feeling is shame. Because I... I can't do it. I'm not smart enough. I don't work hard enough.
And then turns to anger. I'm going to throw a rock at that guy's car or his wife's fake boobies or whatever it is I can hit....
We've lost the eye of the tiger. We're not hungry anymore. I mean our grandparents or great-grandparents, whoever came over here in a boat came over here hungry, ready to roll their sleeves up and get to work."*
His name.
Adam Carolla.
He's funny, he's witty, and he's right...not about everything (wiping the mayo off) but enough to make him my favorite atheist.
So, holding my nose at the vulgarity that sometimes ensues from his mouth, Adam Carolla takes the place of the theist Christopher Hitchens.
Cigar?
*http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/03/12/adam-carolla-demonizing-wealthy-citizens
** http://www.adamcarolla.com/aneveningwithadamcarollaanddennisprager/
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