Or – can anyone tell me the significance of the teabags on the new banner? Come on – Someone!…
I thought it might be fairly self evident, but Gaz (who is just a young lad) has been wondering what they are about. Is it difficult to ‘get’, or am I just from a different generation?
Similarly Fletch asked me about the term ‘God botherer’. Is that a tag from a past generation also?…
While on names for Christians, one of my favourite reads was Manning Clark’s autobiography Quest for Grace. I found it in a garage sale in Busselton and the quote on the inside cover was enough to get my wallet out:
“I want to be there when everyone suddenly understands what it has all been for” (From Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky)
It was interesting reading about the life of one of Australia’s best known historians, but also a man who didn’t seem to like Christians much. Amongst the names for them that I remember were ‘God botherers’, ‘straighteners’, ‘life deniers’, ‘miserables, ‘frowners’ and ‘wowsers’. Its a pretty sad collection of tags, but maybe it reflects the world he grew up in and the spirit of the times!
I wonder what tags people would give us now?…
Any thoughts anyone?…
Here‘s a link to a Rowland Croucher article on Clark’s book. And an exceprt:
Manning Clark was attracted to Christ – ‘the Galilean fisherman’ (sic several times!) – but not Christian dogma. The words of Christ and the ideals of the Russian revolution were, for him, the great hopes of humanity.
He holds a mirror so that we wowsers may see ourselves as we appear to be to many others.
Well, I didn’t get it straight out, but once I knew that there was “something” about the tea-bags, I got it no worries. And I’m only 23 so hopefully that helps you out.
I don’t know that I’d use the term God-botherer, but I certainly understand it
Oh, sorry, just realised that you did want someone to “spoil” the teabags thing. You send old teabags to missionaries.
????Im lost…and im 23 too geoff!
i dont get the whole god botherer thing either…maybe im either really ignorant or naive, or both!
God Botherer – one who bother’s God with prayers, inane comments about one’s neighbours and their faults etc – i.e. a Christian.
Technically God should love atheists more because we leave him in peace.
Well done Geoff!
One of the legendary stories of how people used to support overseas missionaries was by sending them used teabags.
Because… well… they’re ‘missionaries’ and they are supposed to be doing it tough.
A common phrase when something was worn out, was ‘give it to the missionaries’ – hence part of the reason missionaries used to dress like they had just escaped Gilligan’s island
Crap…
I just realised Gareth and co may not have heard of Gilligan’s island!
It isn’t the age, Hamo, because I am NOT 23 and didn’t know “God botherer”…I am old enough to have 23 year-old offspring if I got an early start… Maybe it is cultural/linguistic. I am a nomad who seeks a city, and this one isn’t my point of origin. (TRANSLATION: I’m a Yank.)
I know the used tea bag deal. The descriptions listed above are the reasons why I think they aren’t relevant to your situation, and reason enough to drop the whole motif.
(Who is opinionated?!)
“The descriptions listed above are the reasons why I think they aren’t relevant to your situation, and reason enough to drop the whole motif.
(Who is opinionated?!)”
You lost me there Fletch…
Which ‘reasons’ and ‘situation’?
I think he means to drop the whole teabag thing because your not a missionary overseas dressed like your from giligans island…
correct me if from wrong fletch?
I didn’t get the tea bag thing at all. And I am older than 23. But I have heard the God-botherer phrase on account of having been called one….
Oh, they’re tea bags – couldn’t make it out properly.
Mike, I can’t resist. God’s not at all bothered about us ‘bothering’ him. Kind of like my kids and me, I guess. I’d get more than a little worried if they never spoke to me.
I have never heard of that and I grew up in evangelical Christianity and am definitely older than 23. I also haven’t heard of “God bothered” – – that word “bothered” always makes me think of British comedy…bovvered.
I think it probably is dialectical
it’s a way cool image though.
So the brit slang for a pastor is ‘dog-collar bovver boy’ then eh?
Alex – I’m sure you’re right, but have you ever met one of those really whiny kids that just won’t shut up. . .
Yeah Bek, that’s it. Hamo doesn’t dress like he’s from Gilligan’s Island, and he isn’t in any danger of getting sent a package of used teabags. So used teabags really aren’t relevant. I know people “out there” who have gotten used teabags and….used wholey undies too… Yep. We call that “support”.
Grendel, you might miss Alex’s point. You see, he isn’t pointing to the quality of the kids. He is pointing to the quality of the Dad.
Our Dad is never bothered by our talking to him. I reckon he is bothered by our blemished sacrifices, but never by our coming to him to talk to him…or even to ask him YET AGAIN for something.
I didn’t realize those were teabags, but I’m quite familiar with the teabags for missionaries thing. I’ve never seen it done, but I’ve heard of it. As for the God botherers, I’ve never heard of that one, but it is interesting if the name was one given by those who don’t follow Christ.
I hadn’t missed Alex’s point but my somewhat facetious comment was in danger of being lost beneath the serious debate!
Not wanting to start a debate…or continue one…
But I agree with Grendel….the friendly athiest…
God got sick of the Israelites whinging….and loving dads do get sick of their own kids whinging…they get sent to their room…:)
Ah, it makes sense now oh wise, old Hamo.
And yes I do know what Gilligan’s Island is!!!!
OH YEAH Mark E?? Yeah? Well….well….
Yeah.
If god lacks patience doesn’t that result in an imperfect being?
oh so your banner wasn’t a call for help?
i’ve been collecting all the used tea bags at work all week – mailed them yesterday…
you won’t be waiting their arrival excitedly?
If God is angry, does that make Him less than perfect? No….The definition of perfection is God, however He acts, well, thats perfection… Problem solved
I think it is perfectly good to get impatient at times, and there are plenty of examples of that.
Could someone please name one time God was impatient?
Ahhhhh the logical fallacy awakes!
Deano – likewise except I’ve been saving my used coffee grounds in a bucket in case Hamo is in need of them over the weekend.
I’m imagining this scenario
Danelle comes home from international trip. House is filled with used teabags, coffee grounds, toilet paper, old undies and other junk.
Danelle says, “Andrew, why is our house filled with rubbish?”
Hamo tries to explain.
Priceless.
I reckon he should have another plane ticket ready for her – so she can deliver the goods.
funny buggers!!