A reader asks that I comment on a recent episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm during which one of the characters urinates on a painting of Christ. . .
I worked in an adolescent psychiatric hospital for about four years. As the unit team leader, I dealt with emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually abused teens who acted out in violent ways to get adult attention. The unit staff always responded to these outbursts by pointing out the difference between positive and negative attention. Seeking after positive attention was praised as progress in treatment. Seeking after negative attention was treated with clinical coolness and swift negative consequences.
Peeing on a painting of Christ on TV is a cry for attention. "Look at me! Look at how avante garde I am!"
When I read about this urination incident, my first thought was: "Someone needs a time out." Now, I think this incident doesn't deserve any sort of attention at all. Why? First, it was designed to provoke exactly the kind of response it's getting--outrage and calls for condemnation. Lots of attention that does nothing but boost the show's media profile. Second, it's a cowardly act. The show's writers would never have a character urinate on a copy of the Koran. Since Christians don't declare fatwas, we're a safe and easy target. Third, what harm was done? Jesus suffered much worse in real life. As Christians, we are certainly offended, but Christ promised us a tough road if we chose to follow him. Fourth, within a few days the show's producers will apologize and come out looking like heroes who have decided to 'fess up and acknowledge the sputtering indignation of thin-skinned Christians.
They win on every front. Points to them from their equally adolescent fans for bravery in taking on a controversial issue. Points to them for being mature enough to admit a mistake and apologize.
The best response to adolescent attention-seeking behavior like this is to glance at it, sigh a little, shake your head, and keep on doing what you're doing. Anything more than that reinforces the behavior as an effective means of tweaking the safely tweaked.
For someone who worked in a psychiatric hospital you sometimes seem a tad immature.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, your blog is working definition of circlejerk.
David
hear hear and well said!
ReplyDeletecourse I tend to give my 2 yr old acting lessons during such attention seeking tantrums.
maybe not the best mommy response, but it does help me keep from being drawn in. So far she's getting the stuck out lip down pretty well, I'm still working on getting her to make it quiver just right though
David, HA! Now that's funny.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDelete"The best response to adolescent attention-seeking behavior like this is to glance at it, sigh a little, shake your head, and keep on doing what you're doing. Anything more than that reinforces the behavior as an effective means of tweaking the safely tweaked."
Enough said.
Thanks for your comments. I was a tad surprised by your answer.
ReplyDeleteI figured that since no actual urine was placed on the image of Christ (I'm assuming they used water), and the fictional Larry David did not intend to urinate on the image, there would be no reason to be offended.
The joke wasn't that Christ was urinated on, rather that some faithful thought Christ was crying.
Admitedly a crude joke, but I saw some humor in it. I am pretty immature though, is this something I should work on?
Don't worry David; there won't be freedom of speech on the internet for too much longer.
ReplyDeleteKayla
Well said, Father.
ReplyDelete