Comments on: God hates figs http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: wylkyn http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-927232 wylkyn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-927232 I'm pretty sure this parable was put in here later by some pope or other as a slam against the Jewish faith. They are the unripe figs who haven't met Jesus' expectations. At least, that is the interpretation that I was taught. I'm not saying it's true or right - just an interpretation. And a pretty good example of why people who take the bible as literal truth are idiots. A book filled with parables where one of the main characters speaks in parables is obviously not meant as literal truth. See, the fish aren't really fish and the seeds aren't really seeds...etc. I’m pretty sure this parable was put in here later by some pope or other as a slam against the Jewish faith. They are the unripe figs who haven’t met Jesus’ expectations. At least, that is the interpretation that I was taught. I’m not saying it’s true or right – just an interpretation. And a pretty good example of why people who take the bible as literal truth are idiots. A book filled with parables where one of the main characters speaks in parables is obviously not meant as literal truth. See, the fish aren’t really fish and the seeds aren’t really seeds…etc.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924675 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924675 This Jesus dude seems spiteful. This Jesus dude seems spiteful.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924676 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924676 God throwing a temper tantrum? How uncharacteristic of the normally wonderful fellow. God throwing a temper tantrum? How uncharacteristic of the normally wonderful fellow.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924678 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924678 Wow, the difference between ASCII 'A' and 'I' really is just one bit (0x08)! Wow, the difference between ASCII ‘A’ and ‘I’ really is just one bit (0×08)!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-1106953 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1106953 Jesus condemning the figs was much more than him condemning religious leaders at the time. His actions in the passage are a "signpost," if you will, of what he was about to do. Short-term, yes, he was about to cleanse the temple at Jerusalem; but ultimately, he was about to fulfill Old Testament prophecies of God "pouring out his spirit" upon Israel. He would do this through his death and resurrection. Jesus condemned the fig tree that bore no fruit as a sign of condemnation of Israel. Israel failed to live up to her calling to be a blessing to other nations, so God's taking the reigns and fulfilling the requirements of the law and sacrifices himself. Jesus is saying through this parable that the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple was no longer the goal of redemptive history. Jesus condemning the figs was much more than him condemning religious leaders at the time. His actions in the passage are a “signpost,” if you will, of what he was about to do. Short-term, yes, he was about to cleanse the temple at Jerusalem; but ultimately, he was about to fulfill Old Testament prophecies of God “pouring out his spirit” upon Israel. He would do this through his death and resurrection.

Jesus condemned the fig tree that bore no fruit as a sign of condemnation of Israel. Israel failed to live up to her calling to be a blessing to other nations, so God’s taking the reigns and fulfilling the requirements of the law and sacrifices himself. Jesus is saying through this parable that the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple was no longer the goal of redemptive history.

]]> By: agonist http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924684 agonist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924684 That has "T-Shirt" written all over it. That has “T-Shirt” written all over it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924688 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924688 loves them yes, but is very poorly educated when it comes to their growing patterns. loves them yes, but is very poorly educated when it comes to their growing patterns.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-925200 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-925200 Replying to "Anon in reply to Markle": "Grant it states it wasn't the season for figs, but the fig tree nominated itself in appearance as having figs." So...You're saying that a FIG TREE was ASKING FOR IT?! Replying to “Anon in reply to Markle”:

“Grant it states it wasn’t the season for figs, but the fig tree nominated itself in appearance as having figs.”

So…You’re saying that a FIG TREE was ASKING FOR IT?!

]]> By: Moriarty http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924689 Moriarty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924689 Love or hate, it's definitely an unhealthy relationship. "If I can't have you, no one can!" Love or hate, it’s definitely an unhealthy relationship. “If I can’t have you, no one can!”

]]> By: Marya http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924948 Marya Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924948 Nooo, god hates Sycophants. Nooo, god hates Sycophants.

]]> By: d15724c710n http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924694 d15724c710n Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924694 You know, public fighaters often turn out to be crypto-figlovers... You know, public fighaters often turn out to be crypto-figlovers…

]]> By: featherboa http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924951 featherboa Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924951 I don't think this verse is really about figs, guys. I don’t think this verse is really about figs, guys.

]]> By: thecheat http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924697 thecheat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924697 Jesus = Jerk Jesus = Jerk

]]> By: takebackthecake http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-926745 takebackthecake Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-926745 Talking to a tree nowadays will get you medicated. Talking to a tree nowadays will get you medicated.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924955 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924955 Fig trees come into foliage when their figs appear. In this case the tree had foliage but no fruit. Jesus cursing the tree was allegorical of the leaders of the time. Like the religious leaders the fig tree had foliage (IE richly dressed) but no fruit. All pomp but no substance. This is what Jesus despised. Fig trees come into foliage when their figs appear. In this case the tree had foliage but no fruit.

Jesus cursing the tree was allegorical of the leaders of the time. Like the religious leaders the fig tree had foliage (IE richly dressed) but no fruit. All pomp but no substance. This is what Jesus despised.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924700 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924700 Just imagine Jesus stomping with his foot and screaming: "I want figs! Nowww!!!!111!" Just imagine Jesus stomping with his foot and screaming: “I want figs! Nowww!!!!111!”

]]> By: bob d http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924960 bob d Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924960 No, it's way, way more disturbing than that. No, it’s way, way more disturbing than that.

]]> By: bob d http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924961 bob d Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924961 That interpretation is very kind... but also doesn't fit the text too well. That interpretation is very kind… but also doesn’t fit the text too well.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-926754 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-926754 It won't if you keep your mouth shut while doing so. It won’t if you keep your mouth shut while doing so.

]]> By: Phikus http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924710 Phikus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924710 Go fig. Go fig.

]]> By: IPFREELY http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924714 IPFREELY Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924714 So has all the religious gay rhetoric been possibly based on a typo or misnomer? So has all the religious gay rhetoric been possibly based on a typo or misnomer?

]]> By: Joe MommaSan http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924979 Joe MommaSan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924979 I agree with Anon - why didn't he . . . er, excuse me, He just whip out one of those miracles and miracle himself a fig? You're telling me he^H^HHe can raise both Himself and somebody else from the dead, walk on water, turn water into wine, etc. etc. but can't make a fig tree cough up a couple of figs out of season? What kind of lame-ass Messiah is this guy? I was the original owner of the domain godhatesfred.com, which now redirects to the godhatesshrimp site. Nice to see someone putting the name to good use - I lost it during a spell of bad finances a few years back. I agree with Anon – why didn’t he . . . er, excuse me, He just whip out one of those miracles and miracle himself a fig? You’re telling me he^H^HHe can raise both Himself and somebody else from the dead, walk on water, turn water into wine, etc. etc. but can’t make a fig tree cough up a couple of figs out of season? What kind of lame-ass Messiah is this guy?

I was the original owner of the domain godhatesfred.com, which now redirects to the godhatesshrimp site. Nice to see someone putting the name to good use – I lost it during a spell of bad finances a few years back.

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-925491 teapot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-925491 Ah, Anti - even after 50 comments you can still manage to out-dry all the other smart-asses. Impressive. As others have pointed out, <i>I</i> am just happy that we finally have a comprehensive answer to WWJD?: Neuter it. Ah, Anti – even after 50 comments you can still manage to out-dry all the other smart-asses. Impressive.

As others have pointed out, I am just happy that we finally have a comprehensive answer to WWJD?:

Neuter it.

]]> By: benher http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924980 benher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924980 So... you have the power to make the tree barren, but no power to make it bear fruit? What's with all the willy-nilly miracle usage? If you're going to curse the tree, at least do it like old school god and open up a chasm to swallow it up or something. I have often wondered if the Internet age would usher in an era where Abrahamic religion was sidelined by an onslaught of Information debunking it... or simply by good humor. Are we getting any closer? So… you have the power to make the tree barren, but no power to make it bear fruit?

What’s with all the willy-nilly miracle usage?

If you’re going to curse the tree, at least do it like old school god and open up a chasm to swallow it up or something.

I have often wondered if the Internet age would usher in an era where Abrahamic religion was sidelined by an onslaught of Information debunking it… or simply by good humor. Are we getting any closer?

]]> By: Spekkio http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924729 Spekkio Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924729 There used to be a "God Hates Figs" website, but it went bye-bye. There's still a website for "God Hates Shrimp," though. There used to be a “God Hates Figs” website, but it went bye-bye. There’s still a website for “God Hates Shrimp,” though.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924736 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924736 Well, not the first time Christian doctrine has been confused by an iota. Well, not the first time Christian doctrine has been confused by an iota.

]]> By: diginferno http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924743 diginferno Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924743 Oh, goody. More figs for the rest of us. Oh, goody. More figs for the rest of us.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924749 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924749 Not just a website, we at God Hates Shrimp also have a FB group and the beginnings of a movement. It's pretty wacky. :) Not just a website, we at God Hates Shrimp also have a FB group and the beginnings of a movement. It’s pretty wacky. :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-1018959 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1018959 apparently it wasn't even the season for figs. So Jesus got cranky because a fig tree was being true to it's nature apparently it wasn’t even the season for figs. So Jesus got cranky because a fig tree was being true to it’s nature

]]> By: LightningRose http://boingboing.net/2010/10/30/god-hates-figs.html#comment-924752 LightningRose Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-924752 Charlie Jane Anders (Managing editor of io9.com) used to own the godhatesfigs.com domain. I don't know why she let the registration lapse, but it's archived here: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://godhatesfigs.com IIRC, someone once managed to steal the Phelps site and register it in Charlie's name. However, she wisely wanted no part in the shenanigans and immediately helped the Phelps get it back. Charlie Jane Anders (Managing editor of io9.com) used to own the godhatesfigs.com domain. I don’t know why she let the registration lapse, but it’s archived here:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://godhatesfigs.com

IIRC, someone once managed to steal the Phelps site and register it in Charlie’s name. However, she wisely wanted no part in the shenanigans and immediately helped the Phelps get it back.

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