D'you Remember Joseph?

What happens when biblical literalism become biblical forgetfulness? Odd things certainly. Herewith a brief, heart-rending excerpt from an opinion piece by Chuck Norris (via Tinyfrog because I hate to link to the original):

What would have happened if Mother Mary had been covered by Obamacare? What if that young, poor and uninsured teenage woman had been provided the federal funds (via Obamacare) and facilities (via Planned Parenthood, etc.) to avoid the ridicule, ostracizing, persecution and possible stoning because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy?
— Chuck Norris

The funny thing to me is this: Mary, as related in the book itself, did in fact have a husband, she was not a poor, out-of-wedlock pregnancy tragedy. His name was Joseph.

Don't most of those nativity scenes, the ones that aren't allowed on courthouse lawns, show the Jesus, Mary, and Joseph trio? I'm sure I've seen an image or two or three of all of them, the happy Joseph beaming at the bambino even though it's not his. Even though I think of Joseph as the first cuckold, Mary most definitely had a husband. Big Daddy, it seems, planned for that out-of-wedlock contingency.

Why is it that these traditional-family-first types keep forgetting about Joseph? What is he: chopped liver? (Yes, the title is sort of an allusion to Woody Allen in "Annie Hall".)

Posted on December 19, 2009 at 14.06 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Laughing Matters, Raised Eyebrows Dept.

One Response

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Wednesday, 23 December 2009 at 04.11
    Permalink

    Chuck Norris has clearly overexercised the muscle between his ears.

    Regarding Joseph, the Catholic Church keeps his memory alive all over the place, naming everything from prayer groups to schools, hospitals, churches and cemeteries after him.

    Now, somewhat fittingly, I'll wish you and Isaac happy holidays and a fine new year.

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