Disgusted that I ever was a fan

Sharabella wrote:

but he has always shown all the all-boys-club sensitivity of a just-learning-about-sex 12 year old.

That's it, exactly! Peter Pan Syndrome with no editing.

I'm sorry to hear this, Kay. This is something that I've mentioned long before and I always felt like others outside this group thought I was overreacting. Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't.

It's sad that ignorance has to be a joke. An intelligent person would know how to make others laugh without offense.

Yeah, sure, we know the man is crass, rude, etc. I don't find that attractive. I find that problematic. Maybe it works in Hollywood, but it doesn't work in the real world.

Hugs to you all.

Hugs Alice! Hugs EVERY-Y'ALL!!!!

Hey Alice! I have been wondering about you! I hope you are well!

Men are okay. Boys are the problem.

I agree with Julie. There are so FEW men around.

And true "gentlemen" are even harder to find.

You can never be cold, Nay. Well thought out post. And you're right...GB's opinion means nothing to me either, but the fact that it was said turned me off to him and anything having to do with him. And like I said before, I'm here for the great people on this site and will be proud to continue to be so.

I know this is kind of an old topic at this point, but I was waiting until I had the time to tackle it because it's an important one.

First of all, I want to echo Donna's comments and say I also wish I could have heard the joke myself and in its complete context.

Second of all, since I'm inclined to think it most likely did happen, let me say I was also disgusted with the joke. It's not that I think religion and humor can't go together from time to time. I truly believe God has a sense of humor. But there's a limit. To me this test is usually whether or not I feel like a religious joke is intended to laugh WITH God or to laugh AT Him. This is purely a subjective test on my part based on my own perceptions of a joke.

Having said that, I don't think that test really helps me figure this situation out too much. I don't think for the most part Gerry was really laughing at OR with God. I think it more just boils down to that it was a vulgar joke about something sacred. Someone crossing the line and wildly misjudging what would be funny or appropriate. I agree with some of the comments y'all have made about why it offended you. I too see images of Jesus nailed to a cross and think of the horrific torture and death he sustained in an act of love. Therefore, to use that graphic and profound image in a vulgar joke was just so disappointing.

I have thought a lot about how I feel about Gerry after this. Yes, I am ashamed of Gerry for telling this joke (if it's true this actually happened or in the way the poster described, I really wish we could see for ourselves). I was disillusioned with him for a little bit.

Now, my perspective is this. While he should be ashamed of himself for the joke and exercised such poor judgement in telling it, especially while promoting a movie where Christianity is a central part of the story, I've decided I don't want to give up on the guy.

Sometimes it's easy to only look at his screw-ups. What I feel is getting lost in the scandal of all this is the fact that this man spent a year researching and portraying a preacher, his faith, his redemption, his cause, and immersed himself in order to tell a story that champions faith and its power to transform a person. Which tells me in my gut instinct, Gerry, at least on some level, has a respect for faith and what it did in this man's life, regardless of whether or not he agrees with everything Childers has done. It is not too often that Hollywood puts a movie out there that shows Christianity so openly without mocking it in the process. I think Gerry deserves a little credit for putting his heart and soul into this movie. That says more to me about his overall true heart and character (possibly, I don't know him, this is just an instinct) than a moment of stupidity on a talk show where he thought a joke was funny and appropriate to tell that wasn't.

Although I respect and agree with the anger and offense behind it, I don't agree with the idea of boycotting this movie in an attempt to punish Gerry or hold him accountable for his joke.

This movie is bigger than Gerry Butler. This movie shows faith in a positive light. And it gets the message out about an important cause that is really going on in the life of the real man and the people he helps, Sam Childers. I would hate to see this movie fail when it can do so much good. (I know I haven't actually seen the movie, but I think there's a good chance it is everything I've come to gather about the content, focus, etc.)

Just my two cents. (Actually, it was more like five cents. I know I get wordy. LOL) Like Nay, I agree about how great it is that we get to have a voice on this forum. We may disagree sometimes, but all opinions are valid and respected. Y'all are a special group of ladies.

I don't know quite what to add here, so maybe I won't just yet.

I will say this: I am very glad to have found Donna and this site, and you ladies. You guys are the best! Intelligent, witty, articulate and fun~ I love love the banter.

Wouldn't trade y'all for anything. And, I feel at home here. Cherish the witticisms and insights and count you among my friends

It's a shame Gerry has to be so dang immature and insensitive at times. From his frathouse behavior to his sometimes unnecessary aggressiveness to his vuglarity....sometimes it is too much and I find myself disappointed. Majorly.

But, there again, I'm willing to give him yet another shot. I suppose I don't think he's all bad, but shoot, sometimes he just doesn't think!

You all were much more articulate in your insights and opinions, so I guess I will leave it at that.

Thanks for being you and for being here. It's always been and will be a pleasure!
~amanda

You know, I want to say that I think most of us have a great sense of humor. DK is one of my favs when it comes to funny people and I laugh along side her jokes.

I can just hear people saying, "Oh, he was just joking, can't you take a joke?" (yikes, just heard my sister's voice whenever she'd joke around and I'd get upset...it really wasn't funny, it was rude).

I love good jokes, clever jokes, and relevant jokes.

Yes.

And now that I have watched the video on You Tube with the offensive joke edited out, it seems like Gerry was taken aback a bit...like "what did I do"? as if he really didn't realize his error.

And still he did not apologize.

I'm sure like mentioned earlier, the joke was more sexual in nature. Goofball just needs to think before opening his trap.

Nay wrote:

Bravo Emily!

Thank you, Nay!

Peege88 wrote:

But, there again, I'm willing to give him yet another shot. I suppose I don't think he's all bad, but shoot, sometimes he just doesn't think!

That kind of sums up what I was trying to say too, Amanda. Yet again, great minds think alike!

Peege88 wrote:

You all were much more articulate in your insights and opinions, so I guess I will leave it at that.

Never sell yourself short like this. Your comments are just as articulate and appreciated as ours.

Nay wrote:

Thanks for your kind words for the site, Amanda. I have to say it is really great to see you here. Post more often! I like reading what you think.