Aren’t we getting a little silly about God?

Phil Hartman, the late comedian, played Jesus Christ in a 1990s “Saturday Night Live” skit with Sally Field. Field played a young, mother constantly praying for her daughter’s safe walk to the bus stop and her husband’s carefree commute.

Hartman’s “Jesus” magically appears before the astonished mother, commending, but gently asking her to limit heavenly requests to life and death or temptation concerns. The mom is confused and upset since she was raised to pray often. Jesus gently explains that perhaps she might cut back on the “Please don’t let the rice get sticky” type prayers.

Is it sacrilegious, or at least impolitic to imply that Jesus might literally be tempted to counsel certain followers thusly?

A New Yorker magazine cartoon once showed God and an angel looking down on earth. Wearily, God tells the angel, “I’m starting to prefer the ones who don’t believe in me.” The cartoon, of course, is a mortal viewpoint, but aren’t we getting a little silly about “Godly” things?

I’ve heard professional boxers praise God for the talent to knock their opponent senseless.

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert offered that Jesus wouldn’t have been crucified if he had an AR-15. And now, a presidential candidate is selling his own Bible and the U.S. Constitution all in one.

Some clergy and politicians aren’t fond of what we call “separation of church and state,” but is there proof that everyone else agrees with them?

Maybe we mortals finally have all this figured out. Has anyone told God?

Jim Newton

Itasca