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George Carlin and Facing Eternity
By Marc | June 25, 2008
Unless you hadn’t heard by now, George Carlin died Sunday. I’m not going to go into his life story or how he was such a landmark figure for comedy or any of that other stuff almost every blog or news site gives you.
Sure, I really liked his stuff. I really liked him when I was an atheist, but I still like him now, although I don’t like some of his act. Back then, I would say, “He’s someone who’s really saying what he thinks.” In the last few years, I think on most of what his act and books consist of and I think, “He’s a very bitter man, but maybe he’s doing it for the controversy factor, in which case it makes him also very shallow.”
I didn’t know Mr. Carlin. I didn’t know his personal life. All I can really know is what he chose to reveal publicly (unless someone writes a biography). If he was really the bitter skeptic he revealed himself to be, I’m sad that he left this world in that state.
Last night, at a Bible study, someone made the comment along the lines of, “What do you think his reaction was when he found out?” Found out, meaning found out God is real. I wonder also. We should all wonder what our reaction will be when we really find out.
Whatever we choose to believe now, here, floating on this planet. If we choose to reject even the notion of God, are we prepared to back that decision up? What’s at stake isn’t just a matter of “oh, well, I guess I was wrong”; it’s eternity.
One of the things that made me question my beliefs about God a few years ago was the question of “what happens next?” I had said that I’ll just admit I was wrong and that would be the end of it. The consequences aren’t just a slap on the wrist. Was I prepared to live my few short years living my life in a way that was comfortable to my ego when my placement in the rest of eternity was at risk? I could be cocky, arrogant, and rebellious toward God all I wanted, but what if I was wrong? Is all that cockiness worth it? Also, who am I that I think I know everything?
Maybe George Carlin had those same thoughts run through his head every once in a while. If he did, how did he handle them? If not, why?
Also, at the Bible study, another person, in relation to Mr. Carlin, brought up the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20:
“…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Did Carlin have someone close to him who was that to him? Did someone try to reach out to him? Not just a dunk and release, but a true Christian close to him who was a true friend and prayed for him every day.
Is there someone in your life who you fear for?
Or are you someone, like I was, who wants to hold on so badly to what you think is true even though there was a chance you are wrong?
Maybe put it this way if it helps: If you follow Christ and find out it’s not true, what do you have to lose besides a life of Christian living. If you don’t follow him and find out it is true, are you prepared for what may come next? What was George Carlin’s reaction?
Topics: Awesome People, Faith, In the News, Life and Living |
June 25th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
A buddy of mine in college had a bumper sticker that read, “If you’re living your life like there is no God, you better be right.”
Exactly the kind of thing you are talking about. We lose absolutely nothing by living our lives as Christians. The atheist or non-believer tells us we are missing out on all the fun parts of life - drinking, drugs, sex, yada, yada, yada.
But we can look at those people through the happiness and fulfillment we get from Christ and recognize that they are not actually happy with their lives. That’s why they think all that stuff is what makes up the “good stuff” in life, because they don’t have any genuine really good stuff going for them.
Personally, by my thinking, if we Christians turn out wrong and there is no God, what have we lost? Nothing. We won’t even realize that we were wrong because as soon as our consciousness blinks out for the last time, it will be gone forever. But if we are right, we get to have that blink be the first instant of the rest of eternity, and we get to spend it with the one who created each and every one of us.
I think I will pass up on the booze and casual sex and wait for that glorious day standing before Him.
I feel really bad for George Carlin that he now has to suffer the effects of what his lifestyle and beliefs bought him.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Well said, The Bald Monkey.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Maybe I’m a softy, and hate the thought of hell. But when I hear someone has passed away, especially someone who was not a believe I remember the verse saying, not even a sparrow falls without the Father. I like to think that many people, in those final moments, have felt him, and Jesus took them home. I hope we’ll have a lot of pleasant surprises when we get to heaven.