Looking back on Ye Olde Blogge, it seems like December has brought out the rant in me in years past. I thought this year might be different seeing as I am now retired and living in Chillax Central (AKA Vancouver Island, British Columbia). Pandemic notwithstanding, I have little to rant about.
Or so I thought.
Yesterday I happened on Facebook (I know, my first mistake…sigh) and up in my feed came a cartoon meme being shared by a female pastor I know and respect, despite not sharing her Christian belief system.
Here it is, with the original poster’s details erased, to protect the guilty:
Well, at least the shepherd looks happy to be spreading this news…
I was shocked, hurt and dismayed to see this being paraded around as humour. By someone I thought would be as offended by this as I was. And I was just a wee bit TRIGGERED OUTTA MY EVER-LOVIN’ MIND.
I let the pastor poster (sorry!) know that this was upsetting to me and she made a general response that it was only a joke and we all could use a laugh these days. Stockholm Syndrome, much? I wonder…especially since a lot of other females joined in to reassure her that it was indeed VERY FUNNY. YES, A VERITABLE LAFF RIOT. Har dee fucking har har.
The Patriarchy is strong with these ones.
Which only triggered me further because I wish I had a dollar for every time a man told me (after insulting me or my gender) that it was only a joke, how about lightening up?; and by the way, you look way prettier when you smile.
So guess what, dear Bloggie? You’re gettin’ a rant for Christmas this year after all! It’s a Christmas-fucking-miracle. HAH!
I just couldn’t explain to this pastor how offensive and inappropriate I find this cartoon to be. (I was too upset. I still am.) How it reads that having a girl baby Jesus is lumped right up there with all of the terrible things that have happened in 2020.
What else could possibly go wrong? What next? OMG – YES! How very wrong – a girl is born to Mary and Joseph instead of a boy!!! Will this fucking year of horrors never end?!?!?
Or maybe – just maybe – the cartoon is saying that Jesus couldn’t possibly be born into a female body. How ludicrous, after all! I mean, really. The Daughter of God? It is not to be borne. Therefore a punchline of “It’s a girl!” means “no soup saviour for you”?
Well, gosh golly gee shucks, that ain’t funny to me either.
I wonder what the pastor would say if a little girl from her congregation came to her and asked her to explain where the humour is in this cartoon.
“I want in on the joke. What’s funny/awful/wrong about Mary having a girl baby instead of a boy?”
I want to know too. I’ll wait. I love a good laugh!
Well, while we’re waiting – Let’s play a game.
Let us imagine a world where Jesus was born as and/or identified as a girl. I know, I know. Awful, right? Bear with me. Hold my hand if necessary. How would that world look? I think the chatter around Girl Jesus would go something like this:
Girl Jesus throws over the moneychangers’ tables in the temple: Why do they always have to get so emotional? This is why you can’t put them in positions of authority. Looks like someone’s on the rag, again. Yeah, someone needs to get laid.
Girl Jesus changes water into wine: That’s not how you do it. Here, let me show you how it’s supposed to be done. I’m the expert on this type of miracle. What could you possibly know about this?
Girl Jesus enacts the miracle of the loaves and the fishes: This is nothing. You should see how my wife can stretch a meal when my cousins drop by. You call this a miracle?
Girl Jesus hangs out with prostitutes and the poor, not mention all of those male disciples: She’s a slut. I bet she spreads her legs for those followers of her every night. I heard she told them “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” I’d like to enter HER gate – know what I mean? C’mon, baby! Come on over here and “save” your daddy.
Girl Jesus explains how she will be betrayed, at the Last Supper: As if! What a drama queen! Someone please put this bitch on The Real Housewives of Gethsemane.
Girl Jesus rises from the dead after 3 days: I told you she was faking. It was all in her head. She wasn’t really dying on that cross. She just wanted the attention. Crazy bitch!
Yeah, yeah, I know. None of this would ever likely come to pass.
BECAUSE GIRL JESUS WOULD HAVE BEEN STONED TO DEATH FOR BEING A WITCH AFTER THE FIRST MIRACLE. THAT’S WHY.
You know I’m right.
Because 2020! Amiright??? 😉
Whew! I don’t know about you, but I feel better now. Ranting IS so good for my damned the soul. HAH!
Rock your merry little selves on,
The WB
Rant on! You have the unique talent for being outraged, informative, and entertaining all at the same time. Oh … and I almost left out the fact you are absolutely correct. I guess I don’t have a sense of humour either.
Yes, it’s a Christmas fucking miracle.
Thank you, my friend 💕 I almost didn’t pull the trigger on this one, thinking this time I’ve gone that step too far. But then I remembered who I was and that this is my platform for whatever bugs or bores or enthralls me and I let ‘er fly.
“The Patriarchy is strong with these ones” – oh, yes indeed it is! And also elsewhere on the planet – like south of the 45 parallel, for example, or across the pond. Drives me nuts.
Rant on, rant on, rant on.
As I wrote in my last missive, if what enrages you is beyond your realm of influence, you blog.
um. that would be 49th parallel. I am apparently drawing parallels to another 45.
Hehehe…I thought it was a brilliant and deliberate dig! Thank you, Maggie. Love it!
I think the meme creator was trying too hard to come up with something to beat the 2020 locust and the killer bees and it not only fell flat but added the insult element to women. .
Sure, why not added Jesus being born a girl to the 2020 bingo card of horrors! Apparently Mary delivering a girl child is right up there with the invasion of murder hornets and people dying from Corona. So many people agreed with this cartoon and thought IT JUST SO FUNNY that we must be libtard snowflakes for not seeing the humour. Thanks Jean 💕
I am madly in love with you. That is it. I AM moving to Canada.
You had me when you shared a Monty Python clip within a post.
No, you had me at the beginning of the entire post.
Thank you, Kari 💕Canada and I welcome you with open arms!
Oh Deb, time for a hot toddy, what say you?
Leslie xoxo
Thank you, Leslie 💕 Yes, a drink is in order. Or maybe a tranquilizer. Isn’t that is what is generally prescribed for “hysterical” women? Or am I getting that confused with a lobotomy? So many options available for troubled women…
We’re not troubled – just tiny bit annoyed?
Leslie
Just a tad! 🤣
do you think?
Oh, I KNOW.😉
😉
I say rant on! The cartoon doesn’t bother me. As I see it, the whole Jesus thing is folklore anyway, and they made a little joke about the folklore not turning out the way they expected.
A joke that hurts women and little girls reading it, making them feel like a disappointment because of their gender. My last husband fancied himself a good…nay, exemplary…Christian and would want me to pray with him and get so fucking annoyed when I chimed in with “Our Mother, who art in Heaven” and refer to his sky god as “She”. I could never get him to see how this religion made me feel like a minor character inhabiting a world that clearly was created for and to be ruled by men. If only more people thought of religion as folklore. Thanks, Donna 💕
Solid rant. The cartoon is not funny and is yet another reminder that the Divine Feminine has been removed from religion. I often wonder why in religious texts women are reduced to cooks, housekeepers or whores.
Let’s not forget Handmaidens of the Lord 😉 Blessed be the fruit! Thanks for adding to the conversation, Sarah 💕
Hi Deb! A rant now and then IS good for the soul! And you are absolutely correct that the underlying misogyny in this cartoon is like so many subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at how women are automatically less-than in our world. Unfortunately those digs are so prevalent (and we’ve become so used to them being ignored) that we have anesthetized ourselves to them happening all around us. Good for you for pointing it out and ranting about it–because how else will we ever overcome it. A far better caption could be, “Look at some really good news for a change at the end of such a crazy year!” ~Kathy
I love what you have done with this cartoon, Kathy 😁 Thank you!!! 💕
Yeah, that’s not funny at all. AT ALL. And I appreciated your rant and your reimagining of those crucial events.
I am so glad you are enjoying your new home and community! And I love the last meme you shared.
Thank you, Akilah 💕 I appreciate your support!
One of my favorite Christmas stories is that it there would have been three wise women instead of three wise men, the gifts would have been much more practical. In the past year I’ve done so much “scrolling by” because I get frustrated that people believe the things they do. Rant on!
Thank you, Kate 💕 I love that one too.
That’s the best blog I’ve read all year! Your rant was good for me! Here in the US it’s all the blah blah blah about our President Elect’s wife’s PHD not being a “real” PHD. I’m really surprised a female pastor wouldn’t get this…..
Thank you, Tracey 💕 I’m baffled too. She’s contacted me privately and we’ve had some discussions and she still doesn’t see what’s wrong with the cartoon. I give up. Don’t even get me started on the Dr. Biden thing…argh!
I like this rant. Most religions seem to be patriarchies, and if anyone would be painfully aware of that, it would be a female pastor. Perhaps she forgot how hard she had to struggle just to get where she’s at.
I don’t know why women don’t get together and start their own religion, with a female god or savior, or whatnot. That would show the Pope and other male religious authorities a thing or two.
Thank you, TG 💕 I don’t know why the pastor is not bothered by this cartoon. It makes no sense to me whatsoever. Maybe a female-centric religion would make the world stand up and take notice, but I’m not holding out any hope. It would just end up being a rallying-point for all the misogynists (closeted and otherwise) to focus on, I feel. And women would end up getting hurt, I fear. I wouldn’t join anyways. I feel organized religion is a bad thing in general for anyone’s relationship with the Divine, as well as with other humans.
I’m with you. I don’t like organized religion either. Even the disorganized stuff can bother me.
Great rant! I’m sure Girl Jesus would have had to put up with disciple-splaining as she did her work. I also hate when I hear things like “It’s only a joke… geeze… lighten up” as if there is something wrong with the person who didn’t find it funny.
I’m not religious at all (so, apparently not recyclable) and this sort of thing doesn’t make me question my lack of faith.
Yes, imagine disciple-splaining x 12! Thanks, Janis 💕
I truly have no words!
Girl, I got enough words for everyone! 🤣 Thanks, Donna💕
I’m still in shock from the pastor’s post.
You are an entertaining writer and have a wonderful sense of humour. I understand how the cartoon offended you. Humour on some subjects is dangerous. I hope that your pastor friend never feels they cannot be themselves with you – we are all human, male and female and I know that one of the gifts we can give our friends is to let them be themselves.
No problem on my end. Thanks for commenting.
My thinking on this is: Go ahead and be yourself but if I catch you spreading shit that is hurtful to others you’re going to hear from me. Choose the behaviour; accept the fall-out from said behaviour.
Great post! It’s your blog and because of that you can never go too far! Loved this rant and how you put things in perspective!
Thank you, Liesbet 💕 You’re right. I tried to put things in perspective but I don’t think I opened the eyes of anyone who didn’t already see the harm in this cartoon, and that makes me sad.
You nailed this Rant! Bravo! There are also many other It’s a _________ that could be inserted to be equally offensive and try to be passed off as ‘humor’. And the irony always is that when confronted with how offensive something was, whoever still stands by the ‘Joke’ will attempt to justify it and we should all just then go along??? WTF!
Yeah, I’ve been told that to rant about this is adding to the levels of rage and hatred in the world. I was also told I shouldn’t write about this because I’m not a Christian and this isn’t my community 🤷♀️. I’ve also asked the pastor if she would have found it funny and still share this post if it said “It’s a boy with Down’s Syndrome!” Or “It’s intersex!” Or “It’s a boy and he’s Chinese!” Or anything other than “It’s a girl!” Not making any headway and I have given up. Thanks, Bohemian 💕
Hi Deb – I agree with you … I’m being careful this year – it’s just not ‘funny’ to be careless – way too many other things going on. But I do love your rant and understand … We’ve a few more months to tangle with – but for now have a restful seasonal time – all the best – Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 I believe my pastor friend didn’t think it through before sharing. She would never want to hurt anyone. But since I pointed out that this cartoon hurts women and girls, she has done nothing but go into defending mode. Doubly disappointed in her now.
Oooh, I now see what you mean about the cartoon meme. And, misogyny. I have just started reading “The Caste” and the “Soul sorting center” unfortunately applies in real life over many generations. I like Joanne’s comment “…outraged, informative and entertaining all at the same time.
Thank you, Erica 💕 I just received the audio version of Caste from the library.
Rant or not, you bring out so many great points here. The fact that she has now gone into “defending mode” only makes it worse. Not funny Pastor, not funny.
Thank you, Lynn 💕 It’s lovely to get so much support. I was feeling a bit gas-lighted by the exchanges with the pastor.
I’ve been thinking about this post for a couple of days and considering how to respond after my blood pressure returned to normal. Not sure it will stay normal after I write this but I’m going to write it anyway. A female pastor is not necessarily going to understand the joke isn’t funny because first and foremost she is heavily invested in the patriarchal system that girds Christianity (and other religions) and keeps her employed. It starts with the Adam and Eve story (blaming lust on the woman because men can’t control themselves in their presence) and goes back even further if you consider Greek and Roman mythology. eg. Why is there evil in the world? Pandora of course. Curiosity killed the cat and all that. Women must never, ever be curious, including female Christian pastors. The indoctrination transcends religion and is constant, consistent and ever present in pop culture and daily life. And that’s all I can say. Blood is returning to boil. Props to you for raising it with the pastor. You are a brave and fantastically curious woman!
Thank you, Susanne 💕 Hear, hear to all your points! So far I have failed in waking her the fuck up. The best I can hope for at this point is that some other women (or even a man!) have the guts to challenge her on this or at least let her know the cartoon made them uncomfortable as well.
The Real Housewives of Gethsemane? Now there’s reality tv worth watching. As for the cartoon… what the utter hell? We all know the decided lack of double ply Charmin is way worse than a female Jesus.
EXACTLY! Thank you for putting a smile on my face this morning, Rivergirl 💕
Ditto that. I think you’re my people.
😈
I believe we very well could be each others’ people. Off to check out your blog!
I found you from Kari’s blog post and sweet baby (girl) Jesus, this post made my day. Thank you for this rant.
And your comment made mine! Thank you, Kate 💕
OMG I love The Life of Brian. In fact, I used to sing over and over in my head “always look at the bright side of life” when I was sitting in my high school exams and looking at my exam paper with a completely blank brain.
I’m sorry this cartoon got to you. I am trying to adopt a “shrug and ignore” approach to things I have no control over and put my effort into the things I can do something about, otherwise I let too many things eat at me. But every so often, something will still get to me like this has to you. I can’t do anything about that cartoon, but I can make sure my Barbarians grow up understanding why it isn’t funny. (For the record, they have got the message).
Thank you, AJ 💕 I can usually scroll past stupidity but when a woman in a leadership role is passing this misogynistic shit on and other women chime in that they think it’s funny, I have to point out that this ain’t right. I love The Life of Brian and that song as well. Thank you for raising your Barbarians to look at the patriarchy and what is/has been done to women and girls.
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Some time ago, I wrote a post titled “No sense of humour” which was about the way ‘jokes’ are used as an excuse for misogynistic bullying. Same topic, but not nearly as funny and creative as your rant…
Jude
Thanks, Jude 💕 I’m going to look up your post.
Omg. I can’t love this enough. My sister and I always talk about how different our jewelry and the churches would be if Jesus had been burned at the stake instead of crucified. Would we be wearing a fireball necklace? Would every church have a flame instead of a cross? Same with if he had been stoned. Would we all have a pet rock? Our favorite – because we’re going to hell – was what if he had been hung? Would the jewelry be called swingin’ Jesus? Would we have nooses on every church? If so, would Jesus be called a racist? The possibilities are endless. – Happy New Year Mizz D. This post rocks and so do you!
The possibilities are indeed endless! So many what-ifs! Thanks, Meems 💕
I love everything about this post. At the beginning, Ben next to me, I’m reading aloud to him, is gasping and saying “this cartoon is fucking offensive!!” So he is right in there, revving up his anger at one more case of misogyny and then you let it rip with “what if Jesus WAS a girl?” and every variant is just superb. Love the attitude. You had us both in stitches!!!
Ben does want to circle back. It is completely incomprehensible that a pastor, a female pastor no less, would think this cartoon is funny and that you should lighten up! Seriously? After the “me too movement” has claimed so many (but not enough), after the church is engulfed in a global gut wrenching scandal about sexual abuses of children, to lighten up about equating a female baby Jesus as yet another catastrophy is just sad.
Loved the video….as yet another layer of the humour filled post.
Bravo. Great one.
Peta & Ben
Thank you very much, you two 💕 Every commenter on ye olde blogge seeing and feeling the same things I did make me feel that my reactions are valid. I admit I did doubt myself when I saw so many likes for the original post of this cartoon, and so many commenters (on the pastor’s post) telling her how funny this was. It IS completely incomprehensible to me too…especially since I thought of this pastor (and female!) as usually quite liberal and sensitive. 🤷♀️
Hello you Badass Widow, ye! I just found your blog after a comment on my friend Kieran’s Bullshit Blog. Thought I would check you out. I think I may be following if that’s ok! Loved (and appreciate) this rant… if I had a dollar for everytime I was told by men (and women!) that I should lighten up and not be so offended, I would be off on my own little island far, far away from the patriarchal world we are subjected to on the daily. What drives me most insane is how many women are brainwashed to a point that they are part of the problem. So many mysogynistic women (and they don’t have a clue!) out there that they wreaked havoc with our 2016 election in the USA and subjected us to the tragedy we have had on our hands for the last 4 years… and it will only continue unless we stand up and say “No. This is wrong.” and we stop treating any one part of our society as if they don’t matter. Thank you for not backing down. We can only hope your pastor friend understands the error of her ways, even if she is not admitting it. Don’t give up!
Why hello there Kiki, and thank you 💕 Of course you may follow!!! The more the merrier. I totes agree with you about the brainwashing. When you’re raised in the patriarchy, it’s hard to see the forest from the trees. Throw in some good ol’ time religion, and well…it’s hard to think for yourself when society and your bible both tell you to let the man make the decisions and you be his little “helpmeet” 🤢🤮. As for the pastor, I didn’t change her mind and she didn’t change mine, and we’ve both moved on and remain friendly.