In the last two days, my news feed has been filled with many posts of Robin Williams. 95% of those posts were messages of shock, loss, and sadness, along with memories of laughter that he shared with the world. However, 5% of the posts consisted of the most judgmental and most disrespectful thoughts I have ever read about someone’s death.
One post, in particular, truly struck a nerve with me (even more than others). And because of that, I felt compelled to comment. Within minutes, I found that my comment had been removed and that I had been unfriended. I am not sure if my comment just upset him, if he felt that my comment proved him to be wrong in his words, or if he just couldn’t handle someone else’s thoughts on the matter. I will let you be the judge of that.
I will not use his real name, but will refer to him as “Critic,” as not to cause him further embarrassment.
Critic’s post:
I do not wish to be controversial in fact in all honesty I told myself I wasn’t going to comment on this. The Lord saw otherwise. I’m both alarmed and disturbed by the amount of Christian posts wishing Robin Williams to rest in peace even with the REPORTS that he committed suicide. (Even while it is reported that he did, in my eyes, only the Lord knows, and now a days who can trust the Media to be true?)
Nevertheless, the fact that it is reported and Gods people still say #RIP (REST IN PEACE) to him leads me to a few questions, do we even believe in hell anymore? Do we even believe in John 3:3-5 anymore? Do we even take literal the words of Jesus anymore?
I grew up watching Robin Williams as a child, so for me the initial news made my heart sank, then the scripture came to mind “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful” (Proverbs 14:13). Yes he made us laugh, but was he really smiling on the inside while entertaining millions? The obvious answer maybe NO! And as a result we celebrate and bid his eternal life god speed? Let me ask a question then, exactly WHAT are we celebrating if eternity is supposed to be more important than this life? And If in laughter the heart is still sorrowful? How can one rest in peace in eternity if they could not on earth? It is possible that Robin Williams was born again of water and Spirit and we never knew it, however there may be an even stronger possibility he was not. I am not advocating that we walk around pronouncing people into hell, but what I AM saying is that we should not automatically put blatant sinners in heaven (eternal peace) either. Wake up CHURCH! Who’s side are you on! I’m not judging Robin Williams but I am the church.
1st Cor 5:12
“For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?”
Two comments from others:
Kimberly – “Once a person crosses over into eternity, I try not to speak of it.”
Rachel – ” Critic while I understand where you are coming from there is a such this as WISDOM and in these situations the better part of WISDOM is to simply state “He is now in the hands of a just and merciful God” where his fate will be decided and leave it at that. Anything besides that comes across like we know everything and as very judgmental. We don’t know it ALL! Only God does. As you said yourself media reposts are not always correct which reiterates that God and ONLY God knows what truly happened therefore God and ONLY God can condemn or save his soul. The bible says only God sees and knows a mans heart so why don’t we leave the decision of where his final resting place is to the one that actually bled and died to save him. Hope you have a good rest of your day my brother.”
My response:
“I could not agree more, Kimberly and Rachel! Otherwise it comes off as cunning judgement. We do not know his level of spirituality, nor where he stood in the plan of salvation in his last days on earth. Only he and God know what occurred from the day of his birth to his last dying breath.
I personally do not use the phrase “Rest in Peace” or “RIP,” because I’ve just never been a fan of it. However, I am quite aware that many do, as a term/phrase of endearment, especially when they don’t know what else to say. It is not necessarily that it is always used literally — positive or negative knowledge in where the soul will rest. Those words are just words of hope and comfort.
The reason that there has been so many posts about him is because he made us all laugh — from Mork & Mindy to Mrs. Doubtfire and many, many more. It is not about the life he led outside of the film industry, it is about the way he made us feel and the way he pulled us “out of the trenches” through laughter. If only we could have done the same for him.
Yes, I celebrated his life and I bid his eternal life god speed… for it should be everyone’s wish and desire to go to Heaven as well as for everyone else to go to Heaven. I will not wish anyone hell speed! I am NOT God and CANNOT nor WILL NOT judge!
Yes, Critic, even in laughter the heart is sorrowful. Yes, he made us laugh, and he apparently he wasn’t smiling inside. However, I do not understand the point you’re trying to make, because no man is completely happy on this earth. We all long for that perfect place without sickness, pain, and death – a lifetime of love and comfort; happiness and peace.
Robin Williams was a father, son, uncle, brother, and friend. He and his family deserve the respect of everyone, ESPECIALLY Christians. It does not matter how he died. Death is death and loss is loss. His family does not need to hear the negative, nor the judgements. They are already struggling with enough pain.
And I’m sorry, Critic, but you made this controversial with your choice of words. Had God been behind your post, He would’ve chosen your words with such eloquence and love, rather than with such judgment and condemnation as were yours. There should be a wisdom in those words, as Rachel said in her comment.”
Your words:
“It is possible that Robin Williams was born again of water and Spirit and we never knew it, however there may be an even stronger possibility he was not.”
“I am not advocating that we walk around pronouncing people to hell, but I AM saying is that we should not automatically put blatant sinners in Heaven (eternal peace) either.”
In your words, I find nothing but condemnation and lack of hope.
God’s Words:
Titus 3:2-7
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Luke 6:36-37
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”
In God’s words, I find the TRUTH…the truth of hope, grace, and mercy…without condemnation.
Robin Williams will be forever remembered as the world’s funny man. He will be greatly missed by so many.
THANK YOU FOR YEARS OF LAUGHTER!!!
1951-2014
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