I know the lights are often dark around here, and I'm still running low on gas (or high on laziness, depending on how I choose to interpret my unplanned and, I admit, welcome sabbatical). Every night, before falling asleep. I remind myself to take out a subscription to the New York Review of Books, but you know what they say about good intentions and the road to hell ...

Speaking of the road to hell, according to one Christian I met in a local coffeeshop, "If you keep reading that shit, you're going to go to hell."

"That shit," in this case, happened to be Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses. Admit it: Rushdie is a much better writer than God could ever hope to be. Jealous deity, indeed.

So I did the math, and this is what I came up with: Man + God = Ignorance.

Comments

[Christopher]

I am just curious, did the Christian know you, or what the work is about? Or was it a kneejerk reaction by another ignorant fool?

Love you site.

[Nonanon]

Well, Brandon, we've had this argument before, but don't assume all Christians are total asses. Did you tell them they'd be going to hell for such profanity? Or, better yet: next time Christians swear at you, bring this one out: "Swearing makes the baby Jesus cry." Come on, admit you totally can't wait to do that. I can't.

Also, if reading Rushdie sends you to hell, I'll see you there!

[Nonanon]

Although maybe I escape your equation because I'm a woman? :)

[Dorothy W.]

Oh, this makes me want to read the Rushdie novel!

[Eva]

lol at the "Rushdie writes better than God" idea. I totally second it! Love, love, love Rushdie.

Too bad about that guy (? maybe it was a girl) in the coffeeshop. My friends who're Christians would be totally horrified to hear that.

[Andi]

Someone already beat me to the comment about this swearing Christian. I bet his toes are toasty already.

[J.S. Peyton]

I would love it if someone said that to me. It would be the comedic highlight of my week.

[verbivore]

Your calculations make me laugh and so does the idea that Rushdie might write better than god. I haven't read anything by Rushdie yet, which I think is a big mistake thus far.