Making Fun of Death
“Some things are too sacred to joke about.” – Dr. Robert E. Woodard
“You can tell a lot about a man’s character by what makes them laugh and what makes them cry” – Dr. Robert E. Woodard
The first time I heard the above quotations was about 10 years ago when I began my college experience. While I’m sure I haven’t always lived up to the principles found in those two statements, I haven’t forgotten his impression. I do think there is a lot to be said as they are great words to live by. Dr. Woodard, though a tough professor, was a great encourager and had a heart of gold. I am thankful for the relationship I have with him.
Death would be one of those issues Dr. Woodard would have placed into the sacred category. Death is not just the termination of life here on earth, but it is a beginning of eternity in one of two destinations. Anytime we attend a funeral or learn of somebody dying (celebrity or not), it ought to be a sobering thought.
Surely if you have any sense of awareness of what’s happening in the world around you, you are then well aware of the iconic deaths that have taken place in recent days. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Billy Mays all have stepped out into eternity over the last 3-4 days. Where they are, I do not know, however, I do know that Christ was the only avenue into the Father’s paradise for them; I hope they made that discovery.
Making Fun of Death – It took only a few minutes after the pronouncement of death for the jokes to begin circulating concerning the deaths of Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, and especially Michael Jackson (mostly coming from friends who heard them first). In my humble opinion, I think it’s absurd. ”Some things are too sacred to joke about.”
Side Thought 1: While there is great rejoicing that takes place after the deaths of the most notorious evildoers a.k.a. Saddam Hussein or Adolf Hitler, it is still a sobering thought to know that these stood before their creator and all was revealed.
Side Thought 2: Thousands of people step out into eternity every day, notorious or not. That’s sobering or at least it should be.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Agreed. Oh and once I made a 96 on a woodard test. I was thrilled!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
A 96 is commendable!
He asked us one time to rate how well we read our textbook on a scale of 1-10. The first time I put 9 because he told us that know one can ever read it perfectly for a 10. I got ‘B’. The next time I gave me a 9.3… would you believe that he gave me an ‘A’?!?! Ha!
June 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I do agree anytime we hear of someone’s death it should be sobering. That being said, I think there should be varying degrees of how death affects people depending on circumstances. (That is probably one of the dumbest things I have ever said. DUH)