George Carlin, meet Jesus Christ

by Michael G. Mickey
(6-23-08)

Before anyone thinks I'm writing a Christian version of something like some who openly hate God did in the aftermath of Dr. Jerry Falwell's death, allow me to state that I am not, in any manner whatsoever, celebrating the death of comedian George Carlin who died yesterday at the age of 71. Truly, along with all those who loved him, his family, friends and fans, I am sorry to hear that he is no longer here with us, the last curtain of the stage that was his life now closed.

Having gotten that out of the way, if George Carlin's life on earth came to its end yesterday with him still believing that the Christian faith is nothing more than "religious superstition", he knows today what he chose not to know in the past - that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also knows that, without Christ as one's Savior, a great wit and sense of humor is of no benefit when it comes to avoiding an eternity of suffering and anguish that begins the very instant that an unrepentant sinner's life ends.

Death No Longer Funny

As seen in an Associated Press article, Carlin once poked fun at the widspread use of euphemisms in society today by saying that one can not simply "die" anymore:

"...thanks to our fear of death in this country I won't have to die. I'll 'pass away.' Or I'll 'expire,' like a magazine subscription. If it happens in the hospital they'll call it a 'terminal episode.' The insurance company will refer to it as 'negative patient care outcome.' And if it's the result of malpractice they'll say it was a 'therapeutic misadventure.'"

If Carlin, who once drew attention to himself by getting arrested in Milwaukee in 1972 for performing a comedy routine during which he spoke "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television", died without Jesus Christ as His Savior, there's another term we could use to describe his death. It's not a euphemism but it's fitting. We could call it a tragedy.

Although I never cared a great deal for his brand of comedy as it was most often too colorful for my liking, not to mention godless, I'd be lying if I said George Carlin had never said anything that made me laugh, the above being a prime example. More than once, although I never sought him out as someone to entertain me, something of his I saw, heard or read connected with me and left me chuckling, sometimes out loud. Not only could he say funny words, like all the comedic greats, his face and body language added to his spoken words. Never once did I, nor do I today, question that George Carlin was fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God. (Psalm 139:14) That is, for me at the very least, the most troubling aspect of Carlin's 'terminal episode.'

Like many lost souls in the world around us today, any of whom could be in eternity by this time tomorrow awaiting the day when they will stand in judgment before Jesus Christ, George Carlin was very talented. He had the bull by the horns for many years of his life and will be remembered positively by many. Even so, in spite of all his successes, if he left this world lost in his sins - and I hope with all my heart he didn't - he would today give away all the wealth he acquired and all the fame he knew for decades to have just one moment here in this world to repent of his sins and acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. And why is that?

Because George Carlin is, as of yesterday, no longer an atheist. And Jesus Christ? He's anything but a "religious superstition" to him now!

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?