TMUP Live 70: Getting Religious about Mac Development
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Tonight’s show is brought to you by:
This show is a member of Friends In Tech
Tonight co-host is Scotty from the Late Night Cocoa Podcast, and the Mac Developer Network . During the show we discuss Mac programing basics, the iPhone SDK, Cocoa programing, shareware and much more. Thanks to Scotty for joining us from the U.K. so early in the morning to do this show.
Also support Scotty by taking a look and trying out one of the software tittles he sells Track Time . He has graciously donated some licenses for me to give away, so look for that in the next few weeks.
A special thanks to The Reverend Doctor Bobby Newton of The Church Of Mac for the wonderful intro. Please check out his great video iPodcast, he is very talented and a devoted and very faithful follower of all things Mac.
Next Sunday Join me and Allison Sheridan from the NosillaCast
Show Notes
Victor, making fun of salvation is not funny. You wouldn't make fun of Islam or the Koran.
The Church of Mac is a tragedy. Christ died for you whether you accept him or not. Show some respect.
Comment by Dennis — March 17, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Dennis, thanks for giving your opinion. I respect it.
Comment by typicalmacuser — March 17, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
I signed up for the C/Cocoa bootcamp at Big Nerd Ranch this week. Heading to class in October.
Comment by georgestarcher — March 18, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
I'd agree with Dennis! Sac-religious talk is for the birds. If you want to hear some truth about how faith applies to our using technology these days come and let us know what you think of our podcast at http://www.GodsMac.com.
Comment by GodsMac — March 19, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Dennis good for you promoting your podcast.
Comment by typicalmacuser — March 19, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
Dennis and GodsMac,
Hi. Tony/Dr. Bobby here. I wanted to take a moment to respond to your posts. I feel that some clarification is necessary.
Though it may not seem so, (and though you may not believe me) I actually have great respect for everyone's personal choice in faith, what ever it may be. Before I started “The Church of Mac”, I approached several Christian Mac users and friends to ask them what they thought. Overwhelmingly, they thought that TCOM was funny, but had reservevations but about it's implications. But when I explained what I was trying to do, all were cool with it.
Dennis, when I refer to salvation, I am referring to salvation of your “digital life”, not your spiritual life. When one does not choose Apple as their personal computing platform, the alternative is “Hell”, i.e., Windows. Surely I am not the first person to use the phrase 'being in Windows Hell”.
I know that I walk a fine line in what I do. But, that line is there and I try not to cross it. That is why there are certain words that Dr. Bobby will never use: Jesus, Christ, Bible, Christian (or, for that matter, Jehovah or Mohammed), Holy Spirit (which is why Mac OS X is the “Mighty Spirit”) or anything else that I think might be considered a blaspheme.
I recognize that we live in a Christian country. For comedy to work, there must be a cultural common denominator, something that everyone listening can relate to. That's why, Dennis, I don't make fun of Islam or the Koran. So, TCOM does rely on the religious touch points that my audience can relate to and couches itself in them. Dr. Bobby is an amalgam of many religious leaders, especially those in the media spotlight. If Dr. Bobby is a parody, it is of them, not the personal beliefs of those who follow them.
Not long after I first posted my podcasts, I received an email from a woman in Hawaii. She wrote:
“Looks like great fun! I sincerely do appreciate your invitation. I am as rabid a Mac enthusiast as they come.
I also realize that your “Church of Mac” is as real a church as the jackalope is a real animal, just playing fun with the idea of Mac devotion. In fact, I well understand the Biblical references on your site.
However, even though I know it's all for fun, I prefer to avoid the idea association of being a Mac user to the idea of belonging to a cult or a religion. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses who adheres strictly to the two greatest commandments, especially the first:
Jesus answered: “The first is, 'Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’
(Mark 22:28-31; Exodus 20:1-6)
I have an acute sense of humor, and I am perfectly capable of understanding the difference between real worship and the parody you are having fun with. There are, however, enough people in the world who take the “cult of Mac” or the religion of Mac a bit more seriously, enough to make sure that you give them no reason for stumbling. I have an acutely Bible-trained conscience, so I personally choose to draw a clear distinction for others between the day-to-day Christian practice of my life and my Mac usage, no matter how delightful it in fact is!
Thank you again for your invitation. Enjoy your fun in the meantime!
With cordial respect,
Melanie”
Dennis and GodsMac, I respect you and your strong convictions to your faith. I thank you for your feedback and hope that you will read this and respond. As I said, I know that I walk a fine line and I would welcome your input in redrawing it if need be.
By the way, GodsMac, I listened to your podcast and greatly enjoyed it. Keep up the good work!
Tony
Comment by drbobby — March 20, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Wow Tony (Rev. Bobby) I could not have said better and I didn't. Thanks for the good words. I am a man of faith and humor and I appreciate great comedy and parody writting.
Comment by typicalmacuser — March 20, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Thanks. I hope that GodsMac and Dennis read it as well.
Comment by drbobby — March 20, 2008 @ 11:29 am
I understand what you are trying to do by walking the fine line between faith and technology by the “play on words” method. Sort of like what the Born Again Mac User Show is doing over at http://www.pixelheadsnetwork.com.
The only thing I can say is that you are doing something much different than podcasters who are also followers of Christ are doing. As a follower of Christ it is my desire than people come to know Him and what He did for them as we celebrate that this weekend. Using the relationship we have with God is as serious of a matter in life as their can be.
I strongly believe that followers of Christ can be great comedians, and even joke about things in a clean way. Life is made to be enjoyable, but I just don't think at the expense of using what the Lord has done for us in a joking manner just to get the point across that using a PC is like going to hell.
My walk with the Lord is the most important thing in my life, even above my relationship with my spouse. My first guess would be that those who do not have a relationship with Christ might really find your irony interesting, while those of us that do find it to be maybe sac-religious. You really are walking a very thin line when trying to make light of salvation just to prove the greatness of Apple computers.
Comment by GodsMac — March 20, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Thanks for your quick response. Although I really didn't expect to change your mind (or your heart) about TCOM, I do truly appreciate your feedback. I will continue to follow your podcasts and your posts and would respect your decision not to follow mine, if that be the case. I do have one request, though. What is your name? I like referring to people by their names, if that's okay.
Tony
Comment by drbobby — March 20, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Thanks Bobby. The one question I would have for you is if you have shared anything about true conversion or salvation on your podcast before? Seems like if you're a follower of Christ and bring some spirituality into the mix that it might not be a bad idea to share truth that deserves top priority in our lives.
My name is Gabe Taviano – personal site is over at http://www.taviano.com
Thanks for asking, and I'll definitely listen through more of your podcasts. I don't intend to build a wall between us, just trying to understand why it is you do what you do, or maybe even challenge each other on things that actually matter in life. Have a great weekend!
Comment by GodsMac — March 20, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Well, I for one thank you guys for this great discussion on this important topic. I like when something that could be so negative turns into a real discussion. Thanks.
Comment by typicalmacuser — March 20, 2008 @ 2:22 pm