# The Babylon Bee **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 24, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152 "2019-08-24T12:12:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/21 "2019-08-27T03:55:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > This is more a commentary on the intelligence of the typical Babylon Bee reader than it is on Snopes. The typical Onion reader doesn’t need somebody to explain to him that the things he reads on the website aren’t real. Oh, you haven’t seen the comments on The Onion’s facebook page. ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/22 "2019-08-27T05:25:20Z")
The point isn’t that _Babylon Bee_ is as good as _A Modest Proposal_. Rather, both are examples of satire. Good grief, even that has to be explained. As for claims that fact-checking satire is needed for readers of such, that makes no sense at all. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/23 "2019-08-27T05:39:08Z")
> [@ralfy](#): > > [“Snopes and other humorless media liberals hate the Babylon Bee and forget the purpose of satire”](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/snopes-and-other-humorless-media-liberals-hate-the-babylon-bee-and-forget-the-purpose-of-satire) It amuses me that it’s the _Washington Examiner_ running that story. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/24 "2019-08-27T09:53:45Z")
> [@ralfy](#): > > The point isn’t that _Babylon Bee_ is as good as _A Modest Proposal_. Rather, both are examples of satire. Good grief, even that has to be explained. > > As for claims that fact-checking satire is needed for readers of such, that makes no sense at all. Not for those who read it on purpose, but for those who do things such as choose “Born in the USA” for their walk-in song or “Every Breath You Take” as their first dance… yep. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/25 "2019-08-27T10:06:42Z")
> [@ralfy](#): > > As for claims that fact-checking satire is needed for readers of such, that makes no sense at all. It’s not needed for the people who read it _intentionally_, it’s needed for all the people who clicked a link on Facebook, or didn’t click a link and just read a headline. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/26 "2019-08-27T11:32:25Z")
There’s a dude here on the boards who totally bought an Onion story about Biden tearing shit up on his Harley, cussing and drinking with iirc Sarah freaking Palin on the back. Needless to say, that dude ain’t the brightest bulb. That story even featured an obviously photoshopped picture. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/27 "2019-08-27T18:21:19Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > “today”? People were frothing about how offensive it was when he wrote it. > > Technology may change. People generally don’t. Wrong. Everyone knows people have been getting stupider over time. It’s a matter of dogmatic fact, and bringing up facts to the contrary merely proves you have no respect. > [@ralfy](#): > > [“Snopes and other humorless media liberals hate the Babylon Bee and forget the purpose of satire”](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/snopes-and-other-humorless-media-liberals-hate-the-babylon-bee-and-forget-the-purpose-of-satire) “Satire” being “Whatever blatant lies I can spread to get clicks, whether or not they’re funny, just so long as I can accuse you of being humorless when you call me on it.” ---
**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:** [August 27, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/28 "2019-08-27T19:11:11Z")
These days, jokes are harder to get than a Christian cheerleader. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/29 "2019-08-27T20:22:08Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > These days, jokes are harder to get than a Christian cheerleader. It would help if they weren’t flat on their backs. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/30 "2019-08-27T21:59:50Z")
The Bee seems to be an attempt by white evangelicals to be hip. They probably succeed, relative to white evangelicals generally, which probably suffices for them. Stories like: > **[Nation's Chick-Fil-A Employees Begin Marching Around Popeyes Restaurants...](https://babylonbee.com/news/chick-fil-a-employees-begin-marching-around-popeyes-restaurant-blowing-trumpets)** > > U.S. —The war between God's chosen chicken sandwich restaurant and the heathen chicken restaurant Popeyes continues to heat up. Early Monday morning, the nation's Chick-fil-A employees were seen marching around nearby Popeyes restaurants blowing... and > **[Jesus Condemned On Twitter For Saying 'Love Your Enemies'](https://babylonbee.com/news/jesus-ratioed-on-twitter-for-saying-love-your-enemies)** > > RIGHT HAND OF GOD—Jesus Christ, Messiah and Son of God, put a rather controversial statement on Twitter, tweeting out, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The tweet received few retweets and likes and instead was responded to... pretty much give the game away. ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/31 "2019-08-28T05:07:46Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Not for those who read it on purpose, but for those who do things such as choose “Born in the USA” for their walk-in song or “Every Breath You Take” as their first dance… yep. In this case, you don’t fact-check but just point out that it’s a satire. ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/32 "2019-08-28T05:10:30Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > It’s not needed for the people who read it _intentionally_, it’s needed for all the people who clicked a link on Facebook, or didn’t click a link and just read a headline. Anyone who reads it intentionally will either see it as fact or do something ridiculous like fact-check. Just say that it’s made-up info meant to make fun of others. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/33 "2019-08-28T12:23:00Z")
It’s worth repeating that lies — and let’s face it: “satire” is just another term for lie when it’s humorless and intended to gull the dumb — degrades American discourse _even if everyone figures out that they’re lies!_ Why? _ **Because when lying is expected, truth no longer even seems truthy.** _ It does no good to explain to FoxPotatoes that the cutesy blondes are lying at them: _“Sure! They have to lie **in self-defense**. CNN lies, NBC lies, Everybody lies. I watch FoxNews because their lies are truthier.”_ :smack: ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/34 "2019-08-29T02:55:28Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > It’s worth repeating that lies — and let’s face it: “satire” is just another term for lie when it’s humorless and intended to gull the dumb — degrades American discourse _even if everyone figures out that they’re lies!_ > > Why? _ **Because when lying is expected, truth no longer even seems truthy.** _ It does no good to explain to FoxPotatoes that the cutesy blondes are lying at them: _“Sure! They have to lie **in self-defense**. CNN lies, NBC lies, Everybody lies. I watch FoxNews because their lies are truthier.”_ :smack: Who decides what is humorless or not? Who decides who is dumb, and who decides on the measure for that? If the reader sees the satirical piece as humorous and is not dumb (which is probably why he saw the piece as humorous because he knows it’s made-up), then is it still a lie? (Perhaps you meant an intentional lie?) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/35 "2021-02-08T16:47:44Z")
> **['Constantly owning yourself': Marjorie Taylor Greene mocked for promoting...](https://www.rawstory.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-fake-news/)** > > Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was mocked on Monday after she shared a transphobic article from a satirical news website.In a Monday morning tweet, Greene included a link from "The Babylon Bee," which bills itself as "fake news you can trust."The... ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/36 "2021-02-08T19:13:46Z")
This might be the first time that the Babylon Bee (indirectly) made me laugh. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/37 "2021-02-10T14:23:28Z")
The Babylon Bee needs to convert to a political cartoon format as a hint that, in theory, it’s intended as irony. You know, like _Mallard Fillmore_ or _Prickly City_. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/38 "2021-03-20T17:56:47Z")
> **[Nonreligious Questions](https://www.patheos.com/nonreligious-questions/)** > > Whether you’ve been turned off by religion in the past or have a question about one of the world’s religions, check out what Patheos has to offer. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/39 "2021-03-20T20:24:31Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > If Jonathan Swift wrote _A Modest Proposal_ today, Snopes would probably **need** to explain it because sheep would be sharing it on social media platforms and frothing about how offensive it is. Jonathan Swifties: “I’ll have another Po’ Boy, please,” he said hungrily. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152/40 "2021-03-20T22:43:06Z")
> [@ralfy](#): > > > [@Nava](#): > > > > Not for those who read it on purpose, but for those who do things such as choose “Born in the USA” for their walk-in song or “Every Breath You Take” as their first dance… yep. > > In this case, you don’t fact-check but just point out that it’s a satire. That is generally what a fact check in these cases amounts to. Snopes tracks the rumor back to the satire site, so they can say it’s satire. The problem is that many who spread these things don’t include the source. That’s how they become something that has to be fact-checked. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-babylon-bee/839152.md?page=3)