Don't Mock My Book!

Here a self proclaimed bible thumper calls the site I administer, the LOLCat Bible Translation Project, a "new low." Of course, this is based purely on her sensibilities as an outstanding Christian, no?

It would appear to me that the offensive level of the lolcat bible is fairly low. A few verses here and there are altered into something less desirable for a Christian but nothing stops them from altering it to suit their own needs. In fact, I would guess that most of the people translating are Christian themselves. Why is it that this one Christian feels the need to feel outraged?

'You just don't make a mockery of God's Word! They truly do not know what they do,' she proclaims. She offers no supporting reasons for why we don't make a mockery of the supposed Word of God. She just states that it is something you just don't do. Furthermore, she doesn't state why she finds it a mockery. I must say, it is very hard to argue with that impeccable logic.

This leads me to a puzzling point I've always wondered. Why do Christians throw around convictions without actual thought? Why is it "simply this way" without any reasoning as to why? Is it because their convictions falter under scrutiny? Worse yet, they call to arms often times under the weakest of pretences.

This blogger fell short of calling to arms.

I do wonder how much more backlash I'll get. I've received one email in similar tone to this blog spot. These are the first truly negative reactions I've gotten about the lolcat bible project. While I don't mind the controversy I do wish they'd at least give more reasoning than simply stating their disgust.

To clarify further, the LOLCat Bible Translation project is not meant to be a mockery in of itself. It is an interpretation of the Bible as we imagine it would be viewed by cats. That is it. Some people may mock in their translation and that is their right. Parody is an important part of internet culture.

I imagine the shock comes from seeing something usually only in print form and in physical reverence reduced to something freely manipulated and not as respected. However, isn't it truly a sign of maturity to live and let live? What exactly are you defending? Does God need little foot soldiers to protect him from an amusing translation that makes light of a serious work?

My personal stance on the Bible has always been that I don't believe in it literally. I believe it is a collection of myths surrounded with historical events. That said, I also believe it is an important cultural literary work and something that must be revered in that context. That doesn't exempt it from manipulation though.

So the creator of the site doesn't view it as a mockery per se and the vast majority of the translators aren't doing it as a mockery either. Where does this lead us? A group of people non-mockingly mocking a deity who is concerned about a small corner niche website that translates his words into cat speak.

Can we get realistic please?