 Put simply, shipmates, your response to David Parsons' letter has been just a tad overwhelming. The issue of humour (not to mention church leadership and authority) clearly reaches to the profound depths of the Foolish psyche. The self-deprecating irony with which we launched the good ship just a few short weeks ago has created a touching loyalty among you. For that we are grateful to God. However, because of the sheer welter of response, directed exclusively at David Parsons for his trenchant view that SOF is unsuitable for wider public consumption, we feel the whole thing has become just a little too personal. In fairness, David wrote his letter to the editorial team, rather than the SOF crew at large. He feels we have 'hoisted him to the mainstay to be ridiculed'. We have no agenda for that at all – merely a desire for rigorous, objective debate on crucial matters when no such platform is available in most Christian circles. We emphasise: this is not a personal matter. It was in David's professional and public capacity, as a media 'gatekeeper', that we sought his opinion and endorsement. Nevertheless, perhaps decades of intense frustration are being vented at David, who, in spite of it all, remains a brother in Christ. The final batch of letters follows, and the results of the vote will be announced on Friday 17th July. From now on, all contributions to the great debate should be directed to the Letters Page and ought to deal objectively with the subjects in hand rather than the person. We sense that David has seen and heard enough of Ship of Fools for a very long time...  Christ was pretty sarcastic at times. This means you are being obedient to the command to be like Christ!
Please don't change your name. I've only just found you, and I have enough difficulty finding things on the web anyway!
I like it the way it is. (From a well disposed unbeliever.)line space God created a sense of humour (in some people) and frankly when you're on the train to Dorksville, as I often feel as a Christian, it is pleasant to have some decent reading material.
Without your 'sarcasm', I would drown in this sea of self-righteous arrogance which is a theological college. 'All power to your computers', I say.
A light heart that doesn't take things too seriously is good for the soul. We should be serious about our relationship with Christ, but we've got to laugh at ourselves sometimes too.
Ship of Fools cheers me up when my church/job/life is at screaming pitch. The same cannot be said for 'more worthy' Christian publications. Keep it as it is. A voice of (in)sanity in the (in)sane Christian world (delete brackets where you feel appropriate).
What is salvation but a safe place – an ark, a ship – in which those who are content to be counted fools for the sake of Christ are safe? So in serious mode I think Ship of Fools is a good, meaningful name. However, whether the content is good and meaningful also remains to be proven! I reserve judgement at present.
Isn't there something in the Bible somewhere or other (being a liberal, I don't know the precise reference) about being 'fools for Christ'? I'm also pretty sure that the writer travelled by ship a lot...
Who says there's no sarcasm in the Bible? Wasn't it Peter's mother-in-law who was first to be healed? That seems jokey enough for my taste. What *did* Peter say? 'Actually, Lord, that wasn't quite what I had in mind...'
Yes, I think he has a point!line space I wouldn't begin to presume that I could judge God's response to these pages, but I can find social and moral values in them. Anyway, they're fun!
Any organisation that cannot laugh at itself, whether commercial, social, religious or whatever, is a sick organisation.
Keep up the good work - if we cannot view ourselves and our brothers in Christ with a healthy dose of humour then we risk becoming stuffy and boring – not a good advertisement for the Church...
A letter that proves that Ship of Fools needs to exist, and needs to exist the way it is. The problem with Christians is that they tend to forget the last 1500 years or so of Christianity, which show that our worst sins come not in frivolity, but when we get so wrapped up in purity that we look down on others who don't fit our standards. Then little children get burned to death for 'religious liberty', or the Holocaust happens, or the Crusades.
All of us 'fools' need transportation... and the ship is the best thing to come down the pike in a LONG time. Well... it's a damn shame... ain't everybody got a sense of humor... gotta gotta gotta have it!
I personally enjoy s-o-f, and have pointed out the site to both Christian and non-Christian friends. Our pal David may have a point, but I don't take s-o-f as my gospel, nor does s-o-f appear to make itself out to be anything other than 'insider's humor/criticism'.If David's magazine listings are intended only for those 'inside the walls' – fine. Then s-o-f would do nothing but ruffle the feathers of those so comfortably caged. No thanks. I'll be out here, serving and doing the work Jesus asked me to do, and laughing/wincing/crying with the things I find in s-o-f! 'Ow Lawd sayve urs'. The Churchosaurus still roams the earth.I'm convinced that being a Christian means to be dedicated to a partnership with Christ in changing the world so it becomes the Kingdom of God. It seems to me that Mr Parsons would like things to stay nice and cosy, so that the world he occupies is sanctified. I for one don't listen to the 'Old Time Gospel Hour' and I want to be aware of all that is going on around me – both the pure and the inherently evil. Ignorance is a poor excuse. And talking of poor excuses, why criticise humour and overstatement – it's biblical after all! Wasn't it the Apostle Paul who told his critics to go away and cut off their willies? Look up 'emasculate' in your dictionaries or concordances! – Richard Cross, Televangelist (in training). The 700 Club is more redeeming than Ship of Fools? At least you have a (wonderful) sense of humor, and are not merely nasty to those who might differ from your thoughts and worldview.And I have to say, their choice of scripture to back up their decision is classic American proof-texting. Apparently, in their world, God has no use for the foolish... Is my Bible a different version than theirs? – Sheri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The Lord gave us minds and fully expects us to use them. The ability to question, to laugh and to discuss are all gifts of the Lord. I do find Ship of Fools sarcastic, but never mean-spirited. Please keep up the good work.
As someone who is exploring the Celtic expression of the faith, I am often struck by how some believers, in an effort to be fully committed to Christ, deny important aspects of their humanity – their *God-given* humanity. It seems to me that God has given us the grace to be able to laugh at ourselves – a most loving way of putting us straight when we are in danger of sinning through pride or pomposity! – Rev Gordon McGuinness, Nottingham, UK.
Sounds like you have received a dose of solemnity from Gringolandia! Unfortunately you are not the first to suffer the indignity of the Great Bible Belt(ers). I prefer St Paul's attitude: 'If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise' (1 Corinthians 3:18, KJV). We Brits understand that your humour is not sarcasm. Keep up the good work – Steve MacLean.
It's my first visit to the magazine. It's got bits that have made me laugh, informed me and bits I've disagree with. But for me, the title 'Ship of Fools' sums up some of the isolation I feel and also speaks of my 'foolishness'. Great title. I first heard about the magazine years ago at Greenbelt, but never bought it. The fact that when I heard it had been relaunched, I recognised its name, says a lot.
God didn't choose the wise things, now, did he!? I recently (most accidentally I assure you) wound up watching the 'God' channel. They were showing a dramatization of the life of Jesus. Something bugged me about it, but it took me a while to figure out what. Then it clicked. This Jesus (besides the 1970s hair-do that made him look like an especially feminine member of Lynard Skynard) didn't laugh... didn't crack a smile... not a chuckle or an ounce of mirth. He was the Jesus I think the man who sent you the letter may believe in – Brett Gray, Loudwater, UK.Top of Page | Archive | Ship of Fools Central © Ship of Fools 1998 |