# Oliphant cartoon lampoons "speaking in tongues" ... out of bounds? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 17, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049 "2008-09-17T21:38:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/1 "2008-09-17T21:38:53Z")
[http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2008/09/readers\_say\_was.html](http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2008/09/readers_say_was.html) > [@](#): > > The Washington Post is taking heat for posting a cartoon caricaturing Sarah Palin speaking in tongues and God telling St. Peter “All I can hear is some dam’ right-wing politician spouting gibberish.” > > The Washington Post Ombudsman Deborah Howell wrote on Sunday that 350 readers have complained since the cartoon was posted online September 9, saying the cartoon lampooned their faith. > > Cartoonist Pat Oliphant depicts John McCain saying, “She’s a Pentecostal and speaks in tongues, and only God can understand what she’s saying, but it gives my campaign a direct line to the almighty.” [The WP Ombudsman wrote:](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202597.html) > [@](#): > > …Speaking of overdoing it, a political cartoon by Pat Oliphant that appeared on [washingtonpost.com](http://washingtonpost.com) Wednesday prompted complaints from about 350 readers who said he lampooned their faith. The cartoon showed Palin speaking in tongues, an aspect of worship in some Pentecostal churches, and then God telling St. Peter that he didn’t understand what she was saying – “All I can hear is some dam’ right-wing politician spouting gibberish.” > > Readers were right to complain; I will deal with political cartooning in another column. Political cartoons and comics aren’t selected at [washingtonpost.com](http://washingtonpost.com) the way they are for The Post in print; they are automatically posted. Was this really so far out of bounds? It is certainly, to borrow the word Pat Oliphant’s syndicate uses to describe him, “acidic.” But are ALL religious practices unlampoonable? Now, I’m not a Pentecostal. I know Pentecostalism is one of the biggest and fastest-growing denominations in the world. But to me, “speaking in tongues” is utter nonsense. Sorry, that’s just the way I see it. Just as, to me, strict Biblical creationism that says that God created the world a few thousand years ago is nonsense. So I don’t think that this cartoon was out of bounds. However, the bright light of satire could make (and has made) mincemeat out of ANY faith’s traditions/beliefs/practices. The whole “transubstantiation = cannibalism” thing has been done to death. And I would have a hard time putting up with a mainstream political cartoonist who made fun of devout Jews for wearing “beanies” or ripped on them for being “afraid of eating a cheeseburger”, for example. But speaking in tongues …? I dunno. I somehow can’t work up any outrage at Oliphant. Maybe it’s just because I’m on the other side of the belief. What do you all think? Was Oliphant way out of line with his cartoon? ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/2 "2008-09-17T21:43:58Z")
I just can’t see the harm here. Everything should be available for satire. Including the things you said made you uncomfortable. And including my own beliefs (okay so there are no religious beliefs in my set but satirize anything else you like). It’s healthy. It’s funny --even when directed at you. At worst it can make people question themselves, as they should. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/3 "2008-09-17T21:45:00Z")
I wonder if the outrage level would be different if God was saying “All I can hear is some politician spouting gibberish” instead of “All I can hear is some dam’ right-wing politician spouting gibberish”? And what’s with dam’ instead of damn or damned? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/4 "2008-09-17T21:46:30Z")
As a staunch atheist who believes that _all_ religious beliefs should be met with mockery by everyone (_especially_ by their adherents), I am clearly an unbiased commentator on this subject. No. The cartoon was not out of line. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/5 "2008-09-17T21:47:12Z")
Much as I thought the Obama’s _New Yorker_ cover thing (with the Angela Davis fro, the terrorist fist-bump, and the burning American flag) was a totally fair game thing to do, I think this is too. Except I think this one is actually funny. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/6 "2008-09-17T21:53:41Z")
I find it interesting that they cited the outrage over the Danish cartoon as an example of how Pentacostal’s are fair game but Muslims aren’t. IIRC all the outrage came from Muslims in the Muslim world and Europeans were more of a screw them attitude…it’s a cartoon. I’d be interested to see if that same blogger (Ken Gurley) mustered up righteous rage over the Danish cartoons or let that slip. No outrage here…particularly for absurdities like speaking in tongues. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/7 "2008-09-17T21:54:02Z")
> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#): > > At worst it can make people question themselves, as they should. However, that is one of the major things that religions have in common… “DO NOT QUESTION YOUR BELIEFS! You in the back there - stop thinking!!” So from that point of view, I can see why religions would be upset. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/8 "2008-09-17T22:01:59Z")
I think newspapers have every right to insult their customers. I would encourage them to do so. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/9 "2008-09-17T22:02:43Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Much as I thought the Obama’s _New Yorker_ cover thing (with the Angela Davis fro, the terrorist fist-bump, and the burning American flag) was a totally fair game thing to do, I think this is too. > > Except I think this one is actually funny. I never understood this terrorist fist bump thing. What separates a terrorist fist bump from a regular fist bump? ---
**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:** [September 17, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/10 "2008-09-17T22:03:04Z")
Palin does belong to a Pentacostal church that speaks in tongues. No religious belief or practice is out of bounds for satire. Check that – NOTHING is out of bounds for satire. People are entitled to free belief and practice of religion. They are not entitled to mandatory _respect_ for those practices, and there is no such thing as a right to not be offended. The people whining about this would not be complaining about a strip that ridiculed Muslims or Raelians or Scientologists or “liberals.” ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/11 "2008-09-17T22:10:03Z")
I am all for freedom of speechifyin’ but that cartoon is about as funny as the side of a cereal box. Terrible, long-winded political cartoons should be protected regardless of the target. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/12 "2008-09-17T22:10:56Z")
Christian Sunday school teacher checking in… > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > No religious belief or practice is out of bounds for satire. Check that – NOTHING is out of bounds for satire. Word. It’s a free country. Everything is ripe for satire. ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/13 "2008-09-17T22:12:42Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I never understood this terrorist fist bump thing. What separates a terrorist fist bump from a regular fist bump? Depends on whether you’re a Muslim or not. And Obama is clearly a Muslim. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/14 "2008-09-17T22:14:46Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I never understood this terrorist fist bump thing. What separates a terrorist fist bump from a regular fist bump? 72 virgins? ---
**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:** [September 17, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/15 "2008-09-17T22:16:12Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > But to me, “speaking in tongues” is utter nonsense. Aw, c’mon, man: it’s got some good songs on it! “Burning Down the House,” “This Must Be the Place”… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/16 "2008-09-17T22:16:25Z")
For that matter, what about the blasphemy of depicting God as old white guy in serious need of a barber? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/17 "2008-09-17T22:17:08Z")
Well since “speaking in tongues” comes from a mis-reading of the bible, I vote fair game. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/18 "2008-09-17T22:20:43Z")
We may take it for Gospel that the Lord of Hosts has an excellent sense of humor. I cite: the creation of the platypus, and Mark Twain. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/19 "2008-09-17T22:34:45Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I think newspapers have every right to insult their customers. I would encourage them to do so. And everyone knows that a large portion of WaPo readers are Pentacostals who speak in tongues. They should be happy, actually - the cartoon shows that their words do get through to God. Maybe they’re pissed at the thought of God not being a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049/20 "2008-09-17T23:41:19Z")
Palin does not now attend a Pentecostal (Assembly of God) church. She did when she was younger, but she now attends an independent Evangelical church. She still has a good relationship with her former church, but I think one of the reasons she left the AoG was because it was too “Pentecostal” for her. And as one of the few Dopers who does speak in tongues, I’ll say- the cartoon is stupid & offensive, but Oliphant & the WaPo are certainly within their rights to print it & people are certainly within their rights to complain about it. Of course (obligatory parallel made here-) I’m sure Oliphant & WaPo will be printing Mohammed cartoons any day now. 😃 Edit: Ah heck, the Mohammed thing already got mentioned- oh well, I already posted it. I’ll let it stand. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049.md?page=2)