Does God have a sense of humor? What is the role of comedy within society? Craig and Jason Mock are joined by comedian Rodney Norman for a fun(sometimes funny) conversation on comedy, politics, and Christianity. In this episode we are reminded of the importance and the power of joy and laughter. God wants us to be happy, to love one another and be joyous, but politics and fear can get in the way. Rodney helps us remember to laugh and to take life less seriously through comedy and a never ending curiosity.
TIMESTAMPS AND STARTING POINTS:
00:22 Episode Intro
Rodney Norman Video - A Sunday Sermon
02:20 Jason’s go to comics
02:53 Rodney’s (fake) Background
Member of Q
3:36 Rodney’s Real Background
20 years in comedy
Alcoholic grandfather acts
Philosophy
Role of Comedian
Nietzsche is big inspiration
5:57 Inspiration behind Sunday Sermon Video
State of the world, battles of who is a “real christian”
All comes down to treating others with love and respect - if we could do this, governments become unnecessary
Kill the idiots to stop idiots?
Gospel isn’t about being right it’s about being nice and loving one another as ourselves
8:38 Message of Jesus and how government blocks us from attaining the truth of the message
It’s in our best interest to live in peace with one another
How much power do you want to give anyone over your life?
When you have a final authority, they’re the only authority
10:54 Why having more Christians in office won’t make things better
Christians are called to the fringes of society the the centers of power
12:09 How Rodney uses comedy to spread the message of loving your neighbor
Comedy vs. fear mongering
Censorship, manipulation, and control
16:52 Untangling from the american media-political machine
Faith in God vs. fear of finite political leaders
Christ and stoicism
Straw-God, we have watered down and oversimplified who God is and made him into an impossible version
22:22 Politics or WWE - which is more real?
25:22 Why the rise in comedians challenging the system, and how does it affect how Rodney sees the future or social media(censorship, maintaining audience, free speech ect.)
Comedian is supposed to mock the things in the system to beat the system
When social media creates taboo, it give the comedian more material
Allegory and similes
Some are trying to be the smart guy vs. a comedian
Lenny Bruce and George Carlin
If your playing safe you're not getting anywhere
32:22 Social media and life
Enjoy our lives vs. let others control it
33:25 Founders of America and what they fought for
3% tax
Patrick Henry, George Mason\
Oath of to protect Constitution to protect from “enemies foreign and domestic”
36:21 Jesus was a snark
Laughter as medicine
39:50 Comedy as medicine
45:17 Mitch Hedberg
Jokes
Working with him
48:43 Rodney’s Plugs