“some giant see-through George Lucas” : Pharyngula

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« The gloves are off! | Main | Brian Goodwin, 1931-2009 »

“some giant see-through George Lucas”

Category: Godlessness • Humor
Posted on: July 17, 2009 6:39 PM, by PZ Myers

I laughed. I laughed loudly.

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Comments

Posted by: Levi in NY | July 17, 2009 6:49 PM

That. Is. Hilarious. Thanks for sharing!

Posted by: 'Tis Himself | July 17, 2009 6:50 PM

snortle

Posted by: Sir Craig | July 17, 2009 7:02 PM

If all the fables of the bible were done up this way and presented at churches, I think there would be more than a few embarrassed coughs and sheepish looks.

Or at least I would hope so...

Posted by: Souljacker | July 17, 2009 7:03 PM

Mitchell and Webb are pretty hit and miss but that was a good one. Their classic sketch is the doubting Nazi sketch. Not exactly relevant in topic to this blog but worth watching if you enjoyed that one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5WoLnOOlU&feature=related

Posted by: Richie P | July 17, 2009 7:07 PM

"No Lord, I am your bitch"- what a great line!!!!!!!

Posted by: Canuck | July 17, 2009 7:13 PM

Excellent. Loved that "I am your bitch" line.

Posted by: Brian | July 17, 2009 7:17 PM

That was simply hilarious.

Posted by: SciencePundit | July 17, 2009 7:26 PM

They're quickly becoming my favorites. The doubting Nazi sketch is good, but I realy like the green clarinet. The brain surgeon sketch (which Orac posted a couple weeks ago) is also hilarious.

Posted by: Justin Wagner | July 17, 2009 7:29 PM

One of my favorite Mitchell & Webb Look skits is The Good Samaritan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS_Uvg56U_o

#10

Posted by: Screechy Monkey | July 17, 2009 7:33 PM

/militant faitheist mode on

This is wrong! It's bullying! And how is ridicule going to get people to change their minds about anything? We should be telling people how much we respect their views, and then they'll like us so much that ... uh ... [mumble mumble mumble, waving of hands] ... and then they'll change their minds!

/militant faitheist mode off

Whew. I feel so unclean.

#11

Posted by: Sili | July 17, 2009 7:34 PM

How shrill!

How on earth are we supposed to have a dignified discussion with the faithful if Dawkypoo and his fleas insist on this sort of rude mockery! It's a charicature of true christianity(tm). No serious, apophatic, kenotic theologian holds any such primitive beliefs! To say that that is what people believe is rude!

#12

Posted by: Ryan F Stello | July 17, 2009 7:48 PM

Never heard of these people before, but absolutely brilliant, it is!

More godless comedy from them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfqht0LEOWQ&NR=1

#13

Posted by: «bønez_brigade» | July 17, 2009 7:55 PM

Entertaining, indeed!

#14

Posted by: Levi in NY | July 17, 2009 7:57 PM

Another sketch of interest for the skeptical crowd: Homeopathic A&E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

I can't believe I've never heard of these guys before.

#15

Posted by: NewEnglandBob | July 17, 2009 8:09 PM

Bravo! Outstandingly witty.

#16

Posted by: Bronze Dog | July 17, 2009 8:19 PM

Concentrated awesome.

#17

Posted by: Zeno | July 17, 2009 8:26 PM

Mitchell & Webb are utterly fearless in taking on religion and they show it no mercy. (Mooney wouldn't like them, would he?)

I took a poke at the Abraham-Isaac fable a couple of years back (Holy homicide) and promptly got "explanations" in comments that God was simply testing Abraham (heard that one before) and was revealing himself to be the epitome of mercy because he spared Isaac's life at the last second (hadn't heard that one before!). Gee. All praise to the glorious God who insists on setting up a child murder so that he can thwart it! Big faker.

In British parlance, I think we can say that such a God is a right wanker.

#18

Posted by: Felix | July 17, 2009 8:31 PM

Very good. I wish comedians would make more of the implications of leaving a child with a damaged psyche, but maybe that's just me.

Hmmm, does the Bible give any context about how old Isaac was? Let's see what our trustworthy and wise apologists know about this:

The Bible does not give a direct answer to the question of Isaac’s age when he was about to be offered as a sacrifice by his father. We therefore must conclude that neither our understanding of the passage nor our grasp of the points that God wants us to learn depend on knowing his age.

Ah, that's handy. I'm not supposed to ask because the lack of an explanation must mean that it's irrelevant. Godd logic, chaps.

However, some linguistic data are available that shed some light on the matter by pointing us in the direction of Isaac being older than we normally think, i.e., 20+

Ok. We don't need to know, but just to make sure nobody complains about child abuse, we'll try to find a possible translation and exegesis that makes him an adult. Just like that bears/baldyhead story. Clever. Nobody will even think about asking again.

In the first place, consider the details pertaining to chronology. Sarah gave birth to Isaac when she was 90 years old (Genesis 17:17).

WTF? Oh, it says so in the Bible. Why was I asking? Of course it's true.

... These allusions would suggest that some time had elapsed prior to the offering of Isaac.

Ah, allusions would suggest. Remind me of this little piece the next time you say that scientists are untrustworthy for going around with 'probably', 'likely' or 'could' all the time.

So, reading the rest of the carefully selected quotes, he was anywhere from 18 to 33 years old. Since the selcted disagreement doesn't give an answer, let's just take an average of the various speculative numbers in our favored age range and go with that. Apparently this must be true if the text doesn't allow a reading of 5-7 years of age, and since we know that 8 year olds to sixteen year olds wont be bothered much by an attempted execution carried out by their father, it's not a problem after all.

Isn't the methodological rigor of theology a beauty to behold?

#19

Posted by: Felix | July 17, 2009 8:35 PM

source: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2319

sorry about the typos. when do we get a submission-error free and editable scienceblogs?

#20

Posted by: Jonathan | July 17, 2009 8:44 PM

By far my favourite Mitchell and Webb is the Numberwang series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjOZtWZ56lc

#21

Posted by: Sili | July 17, 2009 8:52 PM

My my my, Zeno.

Methinks the blog is starting to rub off on you.

#22

Posted by: Ken Cope | July 17, 2009 8:59 PM

The big three Abrahamic religions are all based on some tosser who's clearly 5150, a danger to himself and others. There is nothing about his actions, and what he thought he was doing and why, that should have merited anything more than involuntary confinement in a holding cell. The notion that he should be released because what he was doing was dictated by God should have gotten him kept for another 2 weeks, at least.

Faitheists would chastise me for such an accurate characterization, but they're beneath contempt.

#23

Posted by: jose | July 17, 2009 9:30 PM

HOW TO COOK A CHRIST:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bTFn-T85Xw

#24

Posted by: Dale_Husband | July 17, 2009 9:33 PM

Sorry to bother people here, but the news outlets are buzzing about the death of Walter Cronkite today.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30988078/ns/entertainment-television/

And here's a pointless poll if there ever was one:
http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/07/17/3035636-was-walter-cronkite-the-greatest-news-anchor-ever

#25

Posted by: bastion of sass | July 17, 2009 9:41 PM

What is wrong with you, PZ?!

If you're trying to get the god-believers to understand that you are willing to work towards the necessary middle ground--that the faith they hold so dear, like science, can lead to truths about creation--posting this is offensive, counterproductive, not to mention shrill, and is the epitome of why you and the other new atheists--but especially you--are responsible for people choosing to believe silly irrational myths and other made-up stuff and reject science.

You've set the cause of harmony between science and belief in silly irrational beliefs backward yet ANOTHER zillion years by posting this!

And you obviously still don't see why Pluto is so important to the discussion!!

#26

Posted by: John H | July 17, 2009 9:44 PM

Mitchell and Webb are teh awesum!!

I've noticed more and more recently that a lot of my favourite comedians seem to be Atheist, not sure why that is.

#27

Posted by: John Morales | July 17, 2009 10:15 PM

Yeah, not bad — but I reckon NonStampCollector is the grouse at this stuff.

#28

Posted by: Rorschach | July 17, 2009 10:34 PM

That's funny shit !

Googling "godless comedy" also brought up Pat Condell's latest video,talk about offending religion !

#29

Posted by: Steve LaBonne | July 17, 2009 11:11 PM

Oh, to have the green clarinet when Mooney is around.

"I make shit up then forget what I wrote,
forget what I wrote, forget what I wrote.
I make shit up then forget what I wrote
"Cause I'm a u-oose-less wanker."

#30

Posted by: Brock | July 18, 2009 1:00 AM

^^ Good one, LaBonne :)

#31

Posted by: Joe | July 18, 2009 1:27 AM

"If I thought it was wrong? Like I'd know. Like I have any chance of forming an independent basis of right and wrong outside of the instructions of some supervisory being."

Ah, classic god botherer reasoning. "Hurr, the bible is a moral absolute. I am totally incapable of determining moral standards for myself, so you must be too"

#32

Posted by: Simon B | July 18, 2009 2:27 AM

Truly irreverent but absolutely hilarious with it.

#33

Posted by: Simon B | July 18, 2009 2:29 AM

Truly irreverent but absolutely hilarious with it.

#34

Posted by: Happy Tentacles | July 18, 2009 2:57 AM

Mitchell & Webb just get better and better! Can we adopt them, or send them an award or something?

#35

Posted by: diddler10 | July 18, 2009 3:06 AM

These sketches reminded me of the classic 'Sunday Heroes' sketches from Lee and Herring. More British sketch comedy poking fun at Chrisitianity by exploring what it would be like it in real life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9_1RFAcjMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70IAwHTzrHI&feature=related

"Will you stop going 'ahhh' for once in your stupid Jesus life"

#36

Posted by: diddler10 | July 18, 2009 3:23 AM

These sketches reminded me of the classic 'Sunday Heroes' sketches from Lee and Herring. More British sketch comedy poking fun at Chrisitianity by exploring what it would be like it in real life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9_1RFAcjMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70IAwHTzrHI&feature=related

"Will you stop going 'ahhh' for once in your stupid Jesus life"

#37

Posted by: Katkinkate | July 18, 2009 3:47 AM

Irreverent is good! I thought it had a Monty Python air.

#38

Posted by: Raye | July 18, 2009 4:01 AM

Re #18:

"So, reading the rest of the carefully selected quotes, he was anywhere from 18 to 33 years old. Since the selcted disagreement doesn't give an answer, let's just take an average of the various speculative numbers in our favored age range and go with that. Apparently this must be true if the text doesn't allow a reading of 5-7 years of age, and since we know that 8 year olds to sixteen year olds wont be bothered much by an attempted execution carried out by their father, it's not a problem after all."

Though if his mother was 90 when she gave birth to him, and some people in the Old Testament lived to be over 900, who's to say 20-30 years old ISN'T still a child? If they (supposedly) lived so much longer back then, wouldn't it be plausible that their childhood lasted longer as well?

#39

Posted by: Raye | July 18, 2009 4:09 AM

Oh yeah, and some people think the stupid high ages are due to a mis-translation/misunderstanding... that they were counting LUNAR cycles, not solar ones, so divide all the ages by 12.37. which makes him 1-2 years old(ish)... though that also makes his mother 7 when she gave birth to him, which clearly isn't right.

#40

Posted by: Rorschach | July 18, 2009 4:48 AM

Mabus,
there is a blog just for you, full of brilliant people like yourself,discussing the evil of PZ Myers here !

#41

Posted by: Kel, OM | July 18, 2009 4:52 AM

You're evil Rorshach ;)

#42

Posted by: Rorschach | July 18, 2009 5:09 AM

Hehehe...

#43

Posted by: Andyo | July 18, 2009 5:39 AM

I watched the 30 episodes of Peep Show (a series starring them), after watching all of That M & W Look, all in like a week. These guys are damn hilarious.

#44

Posted by: Cowcakes | July 18, 2009 5:50 AM

Thanks PZ. I laughed so hard I cried. Busily sharing the mirth now.

#45

Posted by: TwinIonEngines | July 18, 2009 5:50 AM

@Raye:

Genesis 17:17 and 18:11-18:14 make it pretty clear that Sarah was supposed to have been well beyond child-bearing age. It's definitely alleged to have been a miraculous birth, only possible through divine intervention.

I don't see how it's possible to make any definite conclusions with regards to Isaac's age. He's old enough to carry wood for a sacrificial pyre and younger than 37. The apologetic you link to primarily relies on the opinion of "commentators" - I can with as much authority claim that he was 13, with the justification that it makes a nice poetic counterpoint to Hagar's age of circumcision.

One hell of a bar mitzvah, eh?

#46

Posted by: catta | July 18, 2009 5:52 AM

Psst... Dennis the wannabe menace is back (and still claiming nonexistent victories by linking to his own forum trolling). Any chance of getting rid of him for good?

#47

Posted by: Cosmic Teapot | July 18, 2009 5:54 AM

Just seeing David Mitchell playing god made my day.

Now back to work. Ah sod it, I think I'll look at some of the other links for these two.

#48

Posted by: Jack | July 18, 2009 6:09 AM

I'm becoming more and more impressed with M & W, particularly their sometimes subversive jabs at religion. This is a lovely case in point and is now my standard response to any idiot who tries the old "How can we be moral without God?" line.

#49

Posted by: Jafafa Hots | July 18, 2009 6:47 AM

I can't deal with sketch shows for some reason, I'm too impatient or whatever... (though Peter Serefiniwicz's "Duke's Barrel Cheese - the Cheese for Liars" is one of my favorite things in the universe)

But I have watched all of Peep Show and it's one of my favorites, I highly recommend it.

Also, Webb was great in "The Smoking Room," a series that many overlooked. And last month there was a one-off documentary with him "My life in verse..." which was good but not comedy. It should still be available on the usenet.

Oh, and there's a "Who do you Think You Are" episode featuring David Mitchell coming up soon, should be interesting!

(I'm in the US but I don't watch any US shows really, dunno why but thank goodness for the internet.)

#50

Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 18, 2009 6:57 AM

Oh, and there's a "Who do you Think You Are" episode featuring David Mitchell coming up soon, should be interesting!

He is also on Desert Island Discs this Sunday.

#51

Posted by: Grant | July 18, 2009 8:29 AM

I've been a big fan of both Mitchell and Webb since I started watching Peep Show a couple of years back, but for anyone eager for more clips, here's Robert Webb dancing to 'What a Feeling' from earlier this year - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lz6k5Zg2wA

Makes one proud to be British, don't you know :)

#52

Posted by: Grant | July 18, 2009 8:33 AM

Makes one proud to be British, don't you know :)

#53

Posted by: DLC | July 18, 2009 10:26 AM

Very funny. "I am your bitch!" he says.
I guess God is alright with sycophants.

#54

Posted by: rnb | July 18, 2009 11:16 AM

Strange, I was reading some speculation yesterday that the substitution of the sheep for Issac was a later addition to the story.

#55

Posted by: Porky Pine | July 18, 2009 11:19 AM

Dammit! Why do the Brits get the best comedies? The comedies over here in the states suck!

#56

Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 18, 2009 11:39 AM

Dammit! Why do the Brits get the best comedies? The comedies over here in the states suck!

I have read suggestions that it is because there is less acceptance of irreverence in the US.

Back in the 80s there used to be a program called Spitting Image on British TV which was hugely popular. It used to lay into public figures without mercy, including the then Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope. There was an on-going gag featuring Reagan called "The President's Brain is Missing".

They tried to make a US version, but it did not even last one series. It seems the US public simply did not like they way the program took the piss out of American politicians, especially Reagan.

#57

Posted by: Matt | July 18, 2009 12:27 PM

I severely miss spitting image...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCQa4iFmkW4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_uydoMGKwQ

#58

Posted by: Lee Brimmicombe-Wood | July 18, 2009 12:50 PM

David Mitchell is a funny and rare critical thinker. His humourous columns in the Grauniad are worth reading.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/davidmitchell

#59

Posted by: Lee Brimmicombe-Wood | July 18, 2009 12:55 PM

David Mitchell, which is an atheist, has a column poking fun at Dawkins this week.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/05/atheists-camp-dawkins-somerset

#60

Posted by: gaypaganunitarianagnostic | July 18, 2009 1:20 PM

Some say that the Abraham - Issac story symbolizes the banning of human sacrifice.

#61

Posted by: Jack | July 18, 2009 6:50 PM

Re #59... gotta say, the whole "camp" thing creeps me out, but then I'm a Brit, and to us the notion of sending kids away to be assailed by well-meaning dickheads and bullied by the cool kids except in the country for a change never really made any more sense than "dating", which is another weird American thing we just don't get, or do.

Having said that, it really is tiresome to se Mitchell falling for the Daily Mail lie that RD is in some way behind Camp Quest.

#62

Posted by: Magnetar Runner | July 18, 2009 9:20 PM

Re #60

Those people might want to take a crack at the book of Judges.

#63

Posted by: Porky Pine | July 18, 2009 11:15 PM

"gotta say, the whole "camp" thing creeps me out, but then I'm a Brit, and to us the notion of sending kids away to be assailed by well-meaning dickheads and bullied by the cool kids except in the country for a change never really made any more sense than "dating", which is another weird American thing we just don't get, or do."

Brits don't go on dates?

#64

Posted by: viverravid | July 19, 2009 2:43 AM

Nah, Brits don't do dates, so neither do we Australians as we seem to have inherited everything from them.

I actually think dating is a good idea, as it's a relationship stage that involves less commitment (and no exclusivity). Without dating, things get serious too fast.

#65

Posted by: DingoJack | July 19, 2009 12:05 PM

Porky Pine - Can you explain the whole "Butlin's" thing to me? = :) DJ

#66

Posted by: Mac | July 19, 2009 1:01 PM

Bob Dylan's version is still my favorite.

Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."

#67

Posted by: Tim Danaher | July 20, 2009 6:43 AM

Bog, I LOVE Mitchell & Webb... every time I see something like this I'm reminded of just how utterly shit German telly is...

My fave M&W sketch (also Nazi themed):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pje5ROe5Y_w

Second favourite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGDndcxH-O4&feature=PlayList&p=DE0D7A750C973BB1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=44

#68

Posted by: Postman | July 20, 2009 11:41 AM

I love those guys. And, yes, the Good Samaritan sketch, (#9 above), is brilliant.

#69

Posted by: charles rinehart | July 20, 2009 1:21 PM

I have found that there IS no middle ground when you deal with the lunacy that is religion.We need more people showing the nonsense like this clip does. I also laughed outloud.