# Christian propoganda author dies in car accident -- grieve, or celebrate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 29, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163 "2011-04-29T14:43:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/21 "2011-04-29T16:47:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The “head on, wrong lane” thing kind of speaks for itself, no? (a) That wasn’t in the OP’s link, so I wondered where the OP was getting his information. (b) I picture “veering into the wrong lane” and “driving down the wrong lane of the freeway” as two separate things. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/22 "2011-04-29T16:47:19Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Greive because he is human. Same here. I ready _The Cross and the Switchblade_ many years ago - when I was in high school, I think - and found it somewhat inspiring although a little too Charismatic for me; there was a great deal of emphasis on speaking in tongues IIRC which I didn’t believe in. Then, years later, Wilkerson made a big to-do about how rock and roll was evil and Christian rock, especially, was satanic and heretical. That disappointed me and I basically tuned him out after that. In retrospect, much of _TC&TSB_ was probably exaggerated for effect. But no matter how much I thought the guy was off his rocker, I didn’t hate him. And he apparently did help a number of young men escape the street gang culture. So I have a twinge of sadness that he died, but not really more than for any other stranger who dies in a bad traffic accident. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/23 "2011-04-29T17:30:19Z")
Wilkerson was the founder of Teen Challenge which ministers to people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. This program is responsible for thousands of people overcoming their dependence on drugs and alcohol. This man left a comfortable life to minister in the inner city to society’s most wretched and some people want to celebrate his death. Celebrate his life and grieve for the people he left behind. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/24 "2011-04-29T17:50:35Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > Wilkerson was the founder of Teen Challenge which ministers to people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. This program is responsible for thousands of people overcoming their dependence on drugs and alcohol. > This man left a comfortable life to minister in the inner city to society’s most wretched and some people want to celebrate his death. > Celebrate his life and grieve for the people he left behind. Actually, the stated purpose of Teen Challenge is “To evangelize and disciple those with life-controlling problems.” The main purpose isn’t to help them overcome their addictions(among which they include homosexuality), but to convert them to Christianity, which has caused some controversy in countries where Christianity isn’t the main religion. As far as the effectiveness of this program is concerned, please note that most of the clients have already gone through a detoxification program before being admitted, and their purported 86% success rate doesn’t include those that drop out before completing it. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/25 "2011-04-29T21:01:01Z")
Any who celebrates or takes any amount of delight in the death of someone else has serious issues. ---
**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/26 "2011-04-29T21:17:28Z")
What I see in this thread is religious bigotry directed against Evangelical Christians. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/27 "2011-04-29T21:22:19Z")
> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#): > > What I see in this thread is religious bigotry directed against Evangelical Christians. That’s funny-what I see is disdain for Evangelical Christians who openly promote bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/28 "2011-04-29T21:23:11Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > [David Wilkerson](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/nyregion/rev-david-wilkerson-79-evangelist-dies-in-crash.html?partner=rss&emc=rss), author of _The Cross and the Switchblade_ and evangelist for the Assemblies of God, was killed this week by [smashing head-on into an oncoming truck](http://www.christianpost.com/news/times-square-church-founder-david-wilkerson-dies-in-accident-50018/), while driving the wrong way down the freeway. His wife, who was wearing her seat belt (Rev. Wilkerson was not) was airlifted to the hospital but survived with serious injuries. > > Despite his apparent community service by working with inner city gangs, Rev. Wilkerson continued to spread Christian lies & pro-apocalyptic propoganda – his [final blog post](http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message.html), from March 2009, claims that “an earth-shattering calamity” is about to happen, with “riots and fires and looting worldwide, especially in New York City.” > > We’re still waiting. > > So…how should wise people react to this apparent tragedy? Should we grieve because he’s only human, or should we be thankful that the number of dangerous Christian nutjobs in this world has been reduced by one? Would the decision be any easier if he were Hindu (ref. [Sathya Sai Baba](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=605941)), Buddhist, Muslim, New Age, or even Mormon? > > Discuss. A man died, probably in considerable pain, and left behind a grieving widow and loved ones. He’s never done anything to me or mine, and so far as I know never committed a murder, a rape, or an assault, or condoned same. I think I’ll feel pity for his wife and those others who will mourn for him. I decline to be indifferent to human suffering. One day I may need sympathy from a stranger; it behooves me to be willing to give it to others. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/29 "2011-04-29T21:23:37Z")
My standard is that only if the guy who died was committing actions that generated the deaths of others, and was glad for doing it, then I would celebrate. Jesse Helms was the last one I celebrated as he not only voted to continue funding murdering military thugs in Central America, he was even unconcerned if other people rather than commies were going to die thanks to that support. So, unless I find that this Christian propagandist was part of a group (Considering how old he was) that supported military thugs in the past or the Iraq war, I have to also say Meh, If OTOH he was involved to prevent those military involvements, then I would grieve. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/30 "2011-04-29T21:26:10Z")
Why can’t we do both!? Mourn the loss of life and the impact this has on his surviving family and friends _ **and** _ be thankful that unsubstantiated asshattery has gone down by 0.000037% ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/31 "2011-04-29T21:27:12Z")
> [@OP](#): > > …his final blog post, from March 2009, claims that “an earth-shattering calamity” is about to happen… And from his perspective, it did. Dude could foretell the future. We will not see his like again. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/32 "2011-04-29T21:40:52Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Dude could foretell the future. We will not see his like again. Um, I, uh, see what you did there, I think. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/33 "2011-04-29T22:05:25Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve always been skeptical of that whole Nicky Cruz/Cross and the Switchblade story. It smacks of the penchant so many BAC’s have (especially males) to create ridiculously exaggerated stories of what evil badasses they used to be before they found Jesus. They were always the baddest around. The leader of the gang/cult/drug ring, etc. The more macho swagger they put into their backstories, the less I believe them. Maybe Cruz was in a gang, but I doubt he was the “Warlord,” or anything. The worst thing he ever did was probably steal a pack of smokes or break a window. That doesn’t make for a good story or impress the chicks, though. Reminds me very much of 80s Christian comedian [Mike Warnke](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Warnke) - was (and still is, I assume) a funny guy, but his over-the-top stories of his Satanic background were more and more over the top and even I, in my more fundamentalist days, would question it. Was exposed by a Christian magazine. Most of his humour and routine didn’t even need the “I was a Satanist high priest” to work, though, and there are plenty of “Christian comedians” who don’t have an elaborate hook (and are still funny). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/34 "2011-04-29T23:35:10Z")
“It’s funny because I don’t know him.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/35 "2011-04-29T23:39:11Z")
> [@dhkendall](#): > > Reminds me very much of 80s Christian comedian [Mike Warnke](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Warnke) - was (and still is, I assume) a funny guy, but his over-the-top stories of his Satanic background were more and more over the top and even I, in my more fundamentalist days, would question it. Was exposed by a Christian magazine. Most of his humour and routine didn’t even need the “I was a Satanist high priest” to work, though, and there are plenty of “Christian comedians” who don’t have an elaborate hook (and are still funny). Warnke is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/36 "2011-04-29T23:41:45Z")
Yes a member of the human species has died, regardless of who or what he was, it is a tragedy, for we are all God’s children. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/37 "2011-04-29T23:46:57Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Yes a member of the human species has died, regardless of who or what he was, it is a tragedy, for we are all God’s children. Not really. First, being human isn’t enough to qualify the death of someone as a tragedy; we can start with Hitler and work our way down for a list of humans whose death wasn’t a tragedy. And second, if you actually buy that religious nonsense you should be happy for him because he’s in heaven with his bigoted God. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/38 "2011-04-30T00:05:34Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Not really. First, being human isn’t enough to qualify the death of someone as a tragedy; we can start with Hitler and work our way down for a list of humans whose death wasn’t a tragedy. And second, if you actually buy that religious nonsense you should be happy for him because he’s in heaven with his bigoted God. Can you be bigoted if you’re all-knowing? Interesting thought… ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/39 "2011-04-30T00:12:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Can you be bigoted if you’re all-knowing? Sure. It just means that when you condemn someone without a rational reason you’ll know it for certain. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163/40 "2011-04-30T00:12:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Can you be bigoted if you’re all-knowing? Interesting thought… Well the God described in the bible is clearly not all knowing. That’s just something that his fans ascribe to Him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-propoganda-author-dies-in-car-accident-grieve-or-celebrate/580163.md?page=3)