Thursday, 25 March 2004
God does work in mysterious ways - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER - Kinky Friedman, who's running for Governor of Texas, had an infamous song called "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore." There's a line in it that says, "They ain't makin' carpenters who know what nails are for."
There's a young man in Hartland, Maine, who thought there was something to the crucifixion of Christ. He was a delusional young man, who wanted to commit suicide. Seeing visions of Christ on his computer and everywhere he looked, he decided to string two pieces of board together to make a makeshift cross. After putting up a suicide sign on the cross, he used a hammer to drive a 14-penny nail through his hand, attaching it to the intersected pieces of wood. Realising there was no way to hammer his other hand, he soon gave up his effort, to run and call 911. He should have called a carpenter, no?
The news report lifted from the AP says, "It was unclear whether the man was seeking assistance for his injury or help in nailing down his other hand." You can't make this stuff up.
While God may not have led on that poor fellow in Maine, there was a rather odd man who was. American Airlines Capt. Roger Findiesen, on a Friday morning flight last month from Los Angeles to New York, took to the PA system of Flight 34 right before takeoff. He asked for the Christian passengers on the flight to raise their hands. He then said that he wanted the non-Christians on board to note the hands and see how evidently "crazy" they were. He suggested that they could make good use of the flight and discuss their faith with the folks who hesitantly raised their hands in the air, or read the paper, or watch the movie.
I'm not anti-religion whatsoever. I think religion has a place in our society, but in a post-September 11th world, tolerance for others' faith or lack thereof remains vital if we are to live with one another in relative peace and comfort. Capt. Findiesen, obviously a deeply religious man, wanted to witness his faith. There's nothing wrong with that, but using the PA system on a long-haul flight from Los Angeles to New York, in a post-September 11th world is nonsense and devoid of any logic or consideration.
It's funny though, you must admit. What with Southwest Airlines pilots getting drunk before flights, picture this American Airlines pilot operating the plane with a lampshade over his head. It wouldn't have been funny for those on the flight, obviously. Several passengers on board got on their cellular phones to alert family and people on the ground. Flight attendants were submerged with complaints and questions about the pilot's actions.
Speaking to The Advocate, a gay and lesbian publication, whose editor Bruce C. Steele happened to be on board, Findiesen said, "I just wanted to give Christians a chance to talk about why they're Christians. I obviously couldn't go back there and address everyone directly, so I used the PA." Speaking with Steele, as the flight dispersed, Findiesen made himself available to passengers as they emptied out of the plane into JFK airport in New York. Glares and sneers were lobbed the captain's way as passengers passed him on their way out. American Airlines hasn't made public the punishment that the proselytizing pilot would receive, if any. The irony of it all is that his only interview was given to a gay journalist.
Findiesen told Steele, that he wouldn't do it again. I hope to God he wouldn't.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .