Ricky Gervais... Obviously.

Last Christmas I wrote a little essay entitled: "A Holiday Message from Ricky Gervais: Why I'm an atheist."
The Wall Street Journal ran it, and it caused quite a stir. I was even asked to answer some of the comments.
So for Easter I thought I'd do another one. Here it is.

A Holiday Message from Ricky Gervais: Why I'm a good Christian.

The title of this one is a little misleading, or at least cryptic. I am of course not a good Christian in the sense that I believe that Jesus was half man, half God, but I do believe I am a good Christian compared to a lot of Christians.

It's not that I don't believe that the teachings of Jesus wouldn't make this a better world if they were followed. It's just that they are rarely followed.

Gandhi summed it up really. He said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I have always felt this way, even when I believed in God, and in a weird way I feel I am still a pretty good "Christian" who doesn't believe in God.

So many Christians think that because they believe in the right God, they are automatically good and have a one-way ticket to everlasting life. Dare I say it but I suspect this is their main reason for believing. I've heard so many "believers" say, "Well, since there is no way of being sure whether there is a God or not, it's better to believe in God than not, because that way, if you're wrong it doesn't matter and if you're right you get everlasting life." Win:win.

This is of course Pascal's Wager, which assumes that God if he exists would reward blind faith above logic and living a good life as an atheist.

To the Christians' God by the way, it's just as bad to believe in the wrong God as no God at all. The idea of other Gods is of course ridiculous to Christians. Supernatural poppycock. As if there was ever a Zeus; stupid, ancient, unenlightened superstition. And even if there are other Gods (which of course there aren't) then the Christians' God is the best. Hardest, smartest... just better. He would laugh at Zeus and call him a Greek bender. (I doubt that God is racist and homophobic but the Bible isn't clear. Some bits go on about love and equality and others say you shouldn't trust certain types and that laying down with a man as you would with a woman is punishable by death and is a bit sick and evil.)

So remember. If you are gay you are "Bumming for Satan" basically. (That would make quite a good T-shirt.)

Jesus was a man. (And if you forget all that rubbish about being half God, and believe the non-supernatural acts accredited to him, he was a man whose wise words many other men would still follow.) His message was usually one of forgiveness and kindness. These are wonderful virtues but I have seen them discarded by many so-called God-fearers when it suits them. They cherry pick from their "rulebook" basically. I have seen such cruelty and prejudice performed in the name of Christianity (and many other religions for that matter) that it makes me wonder if there has been a bit too much selective reading and reinterpretation of the doctrines.

God or not, if I could change one thing for a better world, it would be for all mankind to adhere to this little gem: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I assure you, no more stones would ever be thrown.

So maybe we should go back to basics to find out where it all got confused.

The Ten Commandments The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible's Old Testament; Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt: "And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God.'" So let's take the test. How many of these have you broken?
ONE 'You shall have no other gods before Me.' I definitely do not. Excellent. I get one point.	TWO 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.' This basically means don't make or worship a religious statue or bow to it thinking that it's holy. Tick. Another point to me.
THREE 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' I never do. But let me explain something. Most people think that The Third Commandment means that they shouldn't use his name as a swear word, e.g. shouting, "Oh God!" when they stub their toe instead of, "Oh Fuck!" This is not the case (although I love the idea that God would rather them shout "Fuck" than "God". That makes him cool in my book. But no.) The commandment could equally be, You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in "vanity" e.g. when your enemy is hurt or defeated saying, "that's God's wrath," or when you win an award saying, "thank God." This is using his name in vanity. It's suggesting that you KNOW that God helped you win that award because you deserved it more, or because he was on your side. It's always tickled me that God would have a favourite actor at The Golden Globes. Anyway I get another point. I think most non-atheists will lose a point here.	FOUR 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.' Before we score this we need to discover what it really means when God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy. In understanding our answer, and the true intent of God's word, it doesn't matter what day of the week we celebrate the Sabbath. There were no calendars when God created the heavens and the earth so we don't know what day he stated and ended. Don't let the 'day' become more important than the 'intent'. If we look at the portion of The Ten Commandments which refers to this, Exodus 20:8-11, it seems to be very specific; 8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 "Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. 10 "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. 11 "The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. According to the Bible, God commanded us to keep it holy. But what does that really mean? Work is basically referring to that which we do to earn a living, or in working around the house, or any labour we participate in daily. So, if we never worked at all would that mean every day was holy? No. This absolutely is not being holy. In various places in the Bible we are told of our need to work, for in our work we honor God. So... basically you have to work for the equivalent of six days a week with a day off. I do this. I get another point.
FIVE 'Honour your father and your mother.' I think I get a point if anyone does with this one.	SIX 'You shall not murder.' Nope. Tick.
SEVEN 'You shall not commit adultery.' Nope. Tick.	EIGHT 'You shall not steal.' Nope. Tick.
NINE 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.' Nope. Tick.	TEN 'You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour's.' Nope. Tick. Another point for me.

Not bad for an atheist.

I make that 10 out of 10.

How did you do?

Even if this doesn't prove I am a good Christian it does prove that the Bible is a bit inconsistent, open to interpretation, and a little intolerant.

This is not peculiar to Christianity to be fair. And I like to be fair. Because unlike ALL religions, as an atheist, I treat ALL religions equally.



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		Sunday Times on Derek The Sunday Times' Minette Marrin gives her verdict on Derek. Read here.

		Critics critiqued The Independent's Ian O'Doherty points out the problem with the views expressed by some people who didn't like Derek. Read here.

		The Ricky Gervais Show Returns The Vancouver Sun chats to Ricky and previews the new season - starting April 20th on HBO. Read here.

		'Derek' in review The Telegraph is impressed by Ricky's Channel 4 comedy drama. Read here. And Metro calls it "sharp, yet sweetly observed" Read here.

		Letterman XXII Ricky makes his 22nd appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. Watch here.

		The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 Cinema Blend has the new artwork and more clips from the new season of The Ricky Gervais Show - starting April 20 on HBO. Read and watch here.

		More 'Derek' Previews The Independent considers whether Derek has 'a condition' or not; Ricky clarifies. [Read here] And the Daily Mail looks forward to Ricky at 'his irreverent best'. [Read here]

		"Gervais Comes Up Big" NBC Chicago praises Ricky's self-penned role in Life's Too Short. Read here.

		Comedy with heart Ricky talks to the Irish Independent about his new comedy 'Derek' and its potential for controversy. Read here.

		A distant perspective on Derek US website CinemaBlend ponders whether Derek will make it on to American TV screens and shares some clips in anticipation. Read and watch here.

		Age Concern The Sun looks at 'Derek', Ricky's new comdey set in an old people's home, and Ricky takes the opportunity to point out how youth-centric today's society has become. Read here.

		Derek reviewed Heat World's verdict on Ricky's new show is in. Derek premieres on Channel 4 in the UK on April 12. Read here.

		Go Derek Digital Spy offers an in-depth appraisal of Ricky's new project, Derek, which airs on Channel 4 in the UK on April 12. Read here.

		America prepares The third season of The Ricky Gervais Show premieres on HBO 30 April at 9pm. Watch the teaser and TV spots here at Cinemablend.

		Derek on the telly Ricky's latest project in which he stars as Derek Noakes, who works in a nursing home, will have its pilot episode broadcast on Channel 4 in April. Read more here.

		Campaign against animal testing Ricky's launched a campaign, Cruelty Free International, aimed at ending the testing of cosmetics on animals. Read more here.

		Life's Too Short nominated for Rose d'Or The prestigious Swiss TV awards will be announced May 10. Life's Too Short is nominated in the best sitcom category. Read more here.

		Life's Too Short More online reviews of the US run of Ricky's latest series... Read the reviews here at; Boston Herald. UncleBarky.com. Wall Street Journal. Hollywood Reporter. Denver Post.

		Life's Too Short in the US Ahead of Sunday 19 Feb's premiere on HBO, previews have started appearing... Read the reviews here at; SF Gate. Cinema Blend. Toronto Sun.

		No day off for Ricky's conscience US news site Salon interviews Ricky and asks about taking on taboos and why people are so quick to take offence. Read here.

		A sense of porpoise The Sun reports on Ricky's appearance as a dolphin in Family Guy. Read here.

		Reasonable request Ricky's been invited to join the advisory board of Project Reason. Read more here.

		Action! Ricky talks about his day as an action hero. Watch here. And here's the finished article.

		On cheese and wine... Ricky chats with Men's Health magazine and goes for a jog. Read here.

		Ricky writes... ...about fame for the Huffington Post. Read here.

		Ricky Gervais esq. Esquire has a Q&A with Ricky in this month's issue... Click here for the PDF in a new window.

		Next, The Oscars? Someone thinks Ricky ought to host The Oscars... Read here.

		Ratings Winner An Idiot Abroad 2 tops ratings for US TV channel Science. Watch here.

		Mong's the word Ofcom, the official people who decide whether offended people should be ignored or not, have said Ricky's use of 'mong' on TV was fine... Read here.

		Action on overreaction PopWatch points the finger at people who easily outraged... Read here.

		21 Today... ...appearances on Letterman, that is. Watch here.

		Mail Perspective The Daily Mail gives a blow by blow account of Ricky's gags. Read here.

		Best Bits Shortlist presents a short list of favourite moments from the Globes. Read here.

		"Up to his old quips" USA Today runs through Ricky's one-liners from the Globes. Read here.

		Globes show better than Oscars New York Post says Ricky's hosting of the Golden Globes beats the Oscars hands down. Read here.

		Ricky talks to Esquire Ricky does an extensive Q&A in Esquire. Read here.

		Life's Too Short - US date set The Huffington Post covers Life's Too Short's premiere on HBO in the US - Sunday 19 Feb. Read here.

		Last minute preparations Ricky has posed for some photographs outside a Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery clinic. Read here.

		Repeat Offender Sydney Morning Herald looks forward to Ricky's hosting of the Globes and asks some pertinent questions. Read here.

		No holds barred for Globes Today's Matt Lauer talks to Ricky about next weekend's Golden Globe Awards and gleans that there are no restrictions on Ricky's hosting duties. Read and watch here.

		Vote For Karl An Idiot Abroad has been nominated for a National TV Award. You can vote here.

		Twitten in the Scriptures Ricky has been engaging with some fundamentalists. Read here.

		Global Warm-up In anticipation of Ricky's hosting of the 2012 Golden Globes award show in January, here's a look back at reactions to his last outing. Watch here.

		Outrageous Newspapers have been excited by Ricky's recent tweets. Read here.

		It's a rap Ricky is featured in a track on YouTube. Watch here.

		Friends United Ricky and Karl give their own accounts of how they both first met. Read here.

		Warwick in The Sun Warwick Davis talks about Life's Too Short and the positive side of being short. Read here.

		AOL Anticipates AOL TV looks forwards to Ricky's third outing at the Golden Globes with a spot of guess work on what to expect. Read here.

		AIA2 DVD Out Now An Idiot Abroad is available now on DVD and Bluray. Order via Amazon here.

		Ricky Hosts Golden Globes 2012 Ricky returns for a third time to host the US awards ceremony - watch on TV January 15th. And hear Ricky's thoughts on this year's v. last year's here on YouTube.

		While you wait TV Blend offers a clip from the first episode of Life's Too Short to viewers in the US who'll have to hold on till early next year for its premiere on HBO. Watch here.

		Warwick Davis in Shortlist The star of Ricky's new comedy, Life's Too Short, talks about working with Ricky and Steve. Read here.

		Another Interview The Sun talks to Ricky about Life's Too Short and also revisits "mong". Read here.

		Interview The Guardian asks Ricky about Life's Too Short and revisits "mong". Read here.

		Ricky and Johnny in Life's Too Short The Huff Post has a new clip from Life's Too Short with Johnny Depp facing off with Ricky. Read and watch more here.

		Quality Street SF Gate chooses its 5 favourite celebrity appearances on Sesame Street... Read more here.

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