Edit note 30/1/09 – Just found out that the Youtube user mentioned below,  “iamannointed” is a fake atheist fraud.  Makes him even more sick then Pat Condell.  Here’s one to due diligence for next time…

I recently posted a provocative and completely sarcastic video on my YouTube channel called “Boycott Israel.” It’s a tongue in cheek video showcasing just how brilliant Jewish people are when it comes to inventions and business. Suffice to say, I had that many people making comments thinking I was anti-Jewish, that I deleted all comments and disabled this feature.

So now I’m copping personal messages and friend request from all sorts of people.  One was from Pat Condell – an atheist who takes it upon himself to slander all religions – and Christianity seems to take the brunt of his verbal diarrhea.

In his “try hard, look at me, I’m trying to be funny at the expense of religion” Video Blog, he focuses on the stereotypical mindsets people have towards religion and tears them down one by one.  Of course, what this results in is death threats from Muslims (makes for vulgar reading so be warned) and mass evangelism efforts from Christians. And of course Condell plays on this and posts more and more video’s to ridicule both tribes.

So what we have here is an articulate man voicing his opinion on religion, and echoing what many stay silent about – especially when political correctness demands us to shut up.  A lot of what he bags Christianity for,  I actually agree with – a lot of what Christianity is “known for” as opposed to “truly practiced,” is truly stupid and simply religiously bizarre.  But his witty comments and body language give him away as a man who truly hates my King and for this I simply cannot stand the man.  Sorry Jesus.

Here is an example of what I’m talking about…

In the other corner are many well meaning Christians who probably pray for Condell”s darkened soul – which is a beautiful thing – especially when compared to what the Muslims would want to do to him.  But this is what gets me.  Enter the weirdo Christian – the likes of which help set the mindset that Condell bags and dissects.

One such character is YouTube user “iamannointed” – check out his cliched and, what seemingly looks like drunk response to what Randell said above.

I’m sure Condell said the “sinners prayer” after watching that response.  And just in case he didn’t, iamannointed follows up with a song he personally wrote, and infused with “the gift of tongues” between versus and at the end of the song as he stairs down the camera for effect the TBN would be proud of…

And finally in case his song was a flop on Condell’s iPod, iamannointed “prays” for him “in the spirit”…

OK, if you’re not a christian and have watched all this, take a chill pill and realise that not all of us are like this.  In fact many Christians would see this as totally bizarre.  To my Pentecostal and Charismatic friends reading this, I am not a cessationalist either – I do believe in the gifts of the Spirit – but I also believe they are to be exercised in the right way.  So what’s my take on this?  My response could probably best be summarised by the following Proverb:

“O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.” Proverbs 8:5

Let’s start with the fool – sorry Condell but the Scriptures you bag actually label you as a fool.  (Ps14:1 et al) Hey, you have your beliefs which apparently make me out to be an ignorant idiot but my beliefs label you as a fool – but enough of the name calling already.  To people such as Condell, scriptures paint as having no sense, wise in their own ways, puffed up, arrogant.  Sure, we should pray for such people but also remember the words of our King when He spoke about them – you know the pearls to swine, walking all over you and attack you bit?  See Mat 7:6 if you don’t know what I mean.  And Condell does just this.

Mat 10:14 even suggests to walk away from people not wanting to listen to what we have to say about them.  By all means, engage.  But if rejected and ridiculed, walk away – there may be others our King wants us to engage.  If God wants Condell saved, He will accomplish it with His Spirit – and not by our antics.

To the simple one -  iamannointed, I’m afraid I’m talking about you (in case you asked, “who’s that?”), Scripture suggests learning prudence which is defined as:

“The exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters.”

I appreciate your concern over Condell’s situation, but you seriously lack good judgement or common sense in your dealing with him and, in doing so, make the rest of us look pretty silly.  In addition, you’ve probably just supplied the material for Condell’s next video message bagging those who love Jesus.

When you speak in tongues, the following Scriptures offer great advice.

“Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?” 1 Cor 14:6

“So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.” 1 Cor 14:9

“If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?” 1 Cor 14:23

None of the above was shown in your video’s and this is my point.  Christians are seen as strange by an unbelieving world.  But we bring this down on ourselves and we amplify this when we do “religion” and pursue this with a selfish and egotistical “look at me” motive.

This world hates us for what we stand for – and it will find any reason to ridicule.  But let’s stand for what we believe in with our heads held high knowing that we are observing Scripture and seeking God’s glory – seriously – it’s all about His glory and should have nothing to do with us.  That way, the likes of Condell can ridicule all they want – what a waste of a life.