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Former SNL Star Caves and Apologizes Over Pro-Faith Tweets, Affirms ‘Separation of Church and Comedy’

Mar. 20, 2013 10:51am Billy Hallowell

First, comedian Norm Macdonald frustrated atheists and now he’s disappointing religious adherents. Following his highly-publicized Twitter spat with non-believers over the weekend — a dialogue during which the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member said that he studies Biblical scriptures and believes in God — the entertainer now is backtracking.

Atheist Victory? Norm Macdonald, Former SNL Comedian, Apologizes Over Pro Faith Tweets

Former “Saturday Night Live” star Norm Macdonald (Credit: AP)

Here’s how Twitchy explains Macdonald’s new-found apology which apparently includes a pledge, in the future, to stay away from controversial subjects like religion:

As Twitchy reported, “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Norm Macdonald deleted a series of tweets on religion and faith after atheists piled on, informing him that “religion is the worst thing to ever happen to this planet.” We were disappointed to see the tweets disappear in a flood of intolerance, and now Macdonald has said he’ll stick to “jokes and golf.” Macdonald is a comedian, and we hope he’s just kidding about censoring himself to appease the tolerance bullies.

On Monday, the comic returned to Twitter, where he explicitly addressed the controversy that unfolded the day before.

“I believe in the separation of church and comedy. Religious comics bore me. Athiest comics bore me,” he wrote. “I am completely apolitical and am Canadian and support neither party.”

I believe in the separation of church and comedy. Religious comics bore me. Athiest comics bore me.

March 19, 2013 8:06pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@normmacdonald

Norm Macdonald

I am completely apolitical and am Canadian and support neither party.

March 19, 2013 8:08pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@normmacdonald

Norm Macdonald

And he wasn’t done there. MacDonald went on to describe his belief in God as something that isn’t always definitive.

“If you want to know if I believe in God, sometimes I do and sometimes I do not. Such is Faith,” he tweeted.

Later he also clarified that he doesn’t necessarily believe scripture, but that he studies the Bible. While he sometimes embraces its teachings, other times the comedian apparently doesn’t.

“Faith is a choice one makes, like everything else,” he added.

If you want to know if I believe in God, sometimes I do and sometimes I do not. Such is Faith.

March 19, 2013 8:09pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@normmacdonald

Norm Macdonald

But the message that probably seemed the most surprising to the Christians and religious individuals who initially supported him was the tweet that followed — an apology for discussing faith on the social media platform.

In it, he said that he didn’t intend to make people angry by discussing his scripture studies and he pledged to leave the subject out of Twitter in the future, sticking instead to “jokes and golf.”

I apologize for making people angry for my study of scriptures. and will leave them out of twitter.Twitter is for 2 things,jokes and gollf

March 19, 2013 8:11pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@normmacdonald

Norm Macdonald

Macdonald concluded his Twitter explanation by noting that he wasn’t apologizing for making his statements, but that, instead, he said he was sorry “for what people think” he said (a confusing explanation, to a degree). Some will dismiss this as an atheist victory in shutting the entertainer down, while others will see it merely as a clarification that provides deeper meaning to what was originally intended.

He also noted, “I delete almost everything I post, as you know,” clearly referencing questions surrounding why he removed his faith-based posts that ignited the original controversy.

So, for now, it looks like it’s strictly golf and comedy for Macdonald.

(H/T: Twitchy)

–

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Comments (89)

denkat56
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:03pm
Didn’t one of the apostles deny christ three times. Norm make a stand, whether its popular or not.

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- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:30pm
  What a Dork you are Norm – To deny your faith is just sad ! It’s not they threw you in the Lion’s Den you Coward !
  
  Report this comment
- grimjack3791
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:07pm
  Norm, you are a wuss.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:09pm
  Just another twit on twitter.
  
  Report this comment
- jblaze
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:53pm
  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
  
  Luke 9:26
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:59pm
  always good to see billy covering the really important issues of our time
  
  Report this comment
- Secret Squirrel
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 5:28pm
  SNL? Is that still on the air?
  It hasn’t been funny since Belushi left.
  
  Report this comment
- ltb
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:08pm
  “If you want to know if I believe in God, sometimes I do and sometimes I do not. Such is Faith.”
  
  —–
  
  No, such is not faith. Sometimes I get mad at God, sometimes I wonder how he could allow certain things to happen and sometimes I wonder why he is silent, but I always believe God exists. Faith for the believer is not about questioning God’s existence, it’s about trusting him even though you don’t understand what he is doing.
  
  Report this comment
- worldwatcher
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 1:48am
  That was Peter. He was a disciple, a man taught directly by Jesus. Even though he denied Christ three times, he did go on to be an amazing worker for the Kingdom of God. History records that Peter was crucified upside-down because he didn’t feel he had the right to be crucified in the same manner Christ was. The disciples and apostles were killed in horrendous ways for standing up for their faith. We can only pray for Mr. McDonald. He needs to get off the fence. Jesus said we cannot be lukewarm. It is not enough to believe in Him. Heaven is for those that LOVE Him.
  
  Report this comment
- milez5
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 3:30am
  While it is sad to see him delete his comments, one must remember that not everyone wants to take the heat from the radical, atheist left. To paraphrase the adage, he didn’t want to take the heat so he left the kitchen. It wasn’t a brave choice, but he did have the right to make it.
  
  Report this comment
Bamagal0007
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:52am
Well that’s weak. SAY what you mean man…don’t pander.

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- kalli
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:27pm
  Yes, he’s made himself look as a fool. But, he’s made the headlines 2 days in a row which was probably more than he hoped for.
  
  Report this comment
- BryanB
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:27pm
  I just spent the last two months going on to different liberal progressive web-sites and social media sites talking with these people about politics, religion, history,and the Constitution.
  
  And let me tell you, the people on these sites don’t have a clue, in fact their ignorant. They believe every thing people like Bill Maher and John Stewart tell them without question. And the beliefs they are learning is intolerance and hate of anyone that believes or thinks differently then what their told.
  
  Norm Macdonald just happen to mention his personal beliefs in public, and will most likely be destroyed as a result, no matter what back-pedalling he does, after all the liberal progressives will have to make an example out of him…………..
  
  Report this comment
tharpdevenport
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:45am
On “The Norm Show” he also had this hilarious scene where his friend Laurie, who’s running against a dirty politician, is trying to decide if she has to play dirty to win and Norm tells everybody to bow their heads in prayers while he asks for God’s wisdom.

So he asks God if she should be righteous or crush her enemy and if he wants her to follow the path of righteousness, just give us a sign. Suddenly, a dove flies down and lands on a dresser next to him. He jumps a little upon seeing it; everybody still has their eyes closed and bowing, so he quickly grabs the dove and shoves it in a drawer and pretends there was no sign.

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:05pm
  That’s funny…
  
  Report this comment
John2261
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:45am
I would like to know how religion is such a controversial subject? Is it because others may be offended? I am so tired of the PC in this country it makes me sick. I think when I get off work today I am going to pray.. Do any of you trolls have an issue with that? If so, get over it.

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- Winedude
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:52am
  John, you are certainly free to pray all you like. All I ask is that you keep it out of a public forum as I’m really not very interested you your God or any other. Not certain that I could totally disagree that religion is probably the worst thing that ever happened on this planet. Organized religion = cult…
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:10pm
  It’s only a controversial subject
  when some people INSIST
  there is a god and he’s on THEIR side.
  
  Everyone else is going to hell.
  
  Report this comment
- termyt
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:15pm
  And when people demand there is no God an any hint of anyone’s belief in Him is upsetting and proof they the religious are out to get them.
  
  Report this comment
- TX_Ag_Engineer
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:59pm
  ““If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’” -John 15:18-25
  
  Report this comment
- abefij
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 3:52pm
  WINEDUDE,
  
  When do we tell the priests they can’t use a pubic drinking fountain?
  Do you really think about the implications of what you wrote?
  The Bill Of Rights includes freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Are you really advocating those rights be done away with if the speech is about religion? Also, this is a private forum, owned in whole by a private company which chooses its own rules. If it were a public forum, or a public space then they would have to allow religious speech.
  The Government isn’t supposed to police religious speech, they are only to “make no law regarding an establishment of religion”.
  
  Report this comment
termyt
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:33am
Ah, finally. I was confused about the previous story. Now it makes sense. Norm struggles to stay irrelevant while lobbing bons mots from the sidelines. That’s the Norm I know.

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RAMJR
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:32am
Revelations 3:16

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truth hurtz 3000
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:31am
He must be a watered down christian if he is a christian at all. He’s doesn’t wanna offend people, he just wants to be liked. He has no conviction!!!

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DeavonReye
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:30am
Praised by christians one day, . . . slammed the next.

Whatever his beliefs are, his personal tweets should be just that. Personal thoughts. They can be agreed with, critiqued, criticized, or even maligned. But whatever you believe, stick to it . . . IF it is something you are strong about. If not, then say so [as he apparently did].

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- searching for the Truth
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:40am
  Never stick to anything that is wrong – God forgives, man doesn’t.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:46am
  I’ll have to revise what I said. Too many people stick to a belief that is quite harmful [ie. Radical Jihad]. I was speaking specifically about Norm’s case. Benign as it was, if he feels like tweeting about “reading the bible”, . . . it should have been just that. There was no reason for others to speak down to him about it, but it happened. Apparently, he wasn’t one who was strong enough about it to continue. That’s his “stick to it”, of sorts.
  
  Report this comment
- searching for the Truth
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:22pm
  God made a promise to King Solomon thousands of years ago – God never breaks His Promises, and He always leaves us a way to escape – such beauty in His Word.
  
  Report this comment
SquidVetOhio
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:29am
Norm just wants to make people laugh. I don’t think he wants to get caught up in a religious debate. He’s one of my favorite comedians but, some of his stuff is pretty blue. He’s not exactly a warrior of the faith. I think he was surprised by the ridiculous backlash for posting something so innocent by those who accuse us “fairy tale believers” as being bigoted, close-minded censors.

Jon Lovitz found out similar intolerance when he criticized Obama.

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Buck99
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:28am
Norm just spoke his mind but obviously was not aware of the bullying tactics of the Left. He knows now, and like most normal people, would rather not have that vitriol come their way. I’d cut him some slack. He doesn’t claim to be a Christian and it seems to me from his posts that he is still searching.

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BlasberryStrat
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:21am
I “demand” my 2nd amendmant rights(!), but you better keep YOUR damm mouth shut about that God and crap, or “my friends” will bury you!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta love the Left and the smart mouth youth.

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- jcldwl
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:29am
  I have recently seen him on billboards advertising for something. I would bet he got pressure from them to apologize or lose. Satan loves it when he wins. To bad for Norm that he doesn’t have strong enough faith to stand up for it. Jesus said we would be persecuted for his name. Does anyone doubt that is going on? It is the anti-christ movement.
  
  Report this comment
- vendingdude
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 3:13am
  jcl – It’s for SafeAuto, a budget auto insurance company based in Ohio, if that means anything. Hmmm
  
  Report this comment
Locked
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:21am
Whatever. It’s his belief – it’s personal. Shame on the anti-Christians who insulted him… but whether or not some former SNL comedian believes in God or not makes no difference to me. I hope he does – but what he believes is between only himself and God.

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Cavallo
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:13am
It seemed like a sarcastic shot at his critics, almost. I wouldn’t expect an actor comedian to be the best holy warrior for faith anyway. I wonder though, would he have been attacked by these atheist fascists if he had expressed his love of the Koran?

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- TheEDGE
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:23am
  Atheists who have a pair, you’re asking? LOLZ!!!!!!!
  
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deblues44
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:07am
A lot of very derogatory comments regarding Mr. MacDonald. I’ve never been a fan of his comedy or acting, but for you bible-driven haters out there, what ever happened to “judge not lest ye be judged?”

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:18am
  “A lot of very derogatory comments”……..Huh??? Perhaps you just couldn’t wait to jump on folks here…Either that or you have no idea what a “Very derogatory” comment even is…
  
  Report this comment
- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:23am
  “what ever happened to “judge not lest ye be judged?”
  
  Yawn… Whatever happend to knowing the context of a quote before requoting it? Besides genius, it was atheists who were attacking him on Twitter not Christians.
  
  Reading comprehension: you should give it a go.
  
  Report this comment
- AmericanStrega
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:35am
  Isn’t “bible-driven haters” a derogatory comment?
  
  Report this comment
- deblues44
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 2:13pm
  Hey Squid… first off, I’m a Navy Vet too, so thanks for you service. I also happen to be an English teacher (one of the few conservative ones in existence) so I happen to know about comprehension. The sentiment remains the same. Get off the guy’s back. He’s a freaking entertainer (not a very good one) and his thoughts and tweets should have no value or significance to anyone else. First amendment, and all that, right?
  
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AmericanStrega
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:07am
Cavey McCavester.

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IndyGuy
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:06am
“I am completely apolitical and am Canadian and support neither party.”

Canadian ay???…Well then…Take off…Hoser…

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Southerner01
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:05am
When I play, golf and comedy are the same thing.

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:41am
  Fore…Fore…I said (bink)…never mind…
  
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Texas Hills Patriot
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:04am
Coward!

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searching for the Truth
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:59am
I guess I don’t have to tell him about what Jesus said of those who deny Him before men then, since he is so well read.

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Gonzo
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:59am
Disappointing Norm. He must be French Canadian, he sure has the surrender thing down pat.

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- 4xeverything
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:08am
  Ha ha ha…touche.
  
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- Locked
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:18am
  Ha! Good one Gonzo!
  
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- hauschild
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:25am
  It’s sad, but the sadder thing is that we all expect people to cave in at some point, so it is no longer shockingly disappointing.
  
  It might be one thing if the dude was 25 and still had to consider his wage earning years, but a dude north of 50??? Would have hoped he has a nice stash bankrolled by now, but it is obvious that he does not. Dependency kills the traditional American spirit (or, in this case, Americanized Canuck).
  
  Report this comment
- Bellini
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:27am
  I’ve been here for a while and every time Canada or France is mentioned you just have to plug in something about “surrender”. This time it’s particularly gratuitous so please allow me to educate you on a few things:
  
  - French Canadians have had no direct ties to France since 1763 so it’s rather pointless to compare them regarding 20th century events.
  - There would be no USA without Pierre-Auguste de Beaumarchais, Lafayette, Louis XV and XVI, and many other Frenchmen.
  - It’s not like the USA has only had brilliant military successes either.
  - Macdonald is no French name.
  
  There, I’m sure you’ll stand corrected :)
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:14pm
  Sorry Pierre, don’t get your beret in knot. I was only joking.
  
  Report this comment
- Bellini
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:26pm
  No offense taken, Gonzo. I was just following the French custom of making a show of my knowledge.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:33pm
  Good job. :-)
  
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publicas
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:59am
No need to backtrack Norm. You, were just expressing your GOD GIVEN RIGHT OF FREE THOUGHT AND SPEECH!

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kdshell1
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:57am
Shame on him. This is no separation of God from life.

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- justangry
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:01am
  You don’t reckon it’s possible a sarcastic comedian would use sarcasm, do ya?
  
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marvlus
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:56am
Unprincipled.

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- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 11:14am
  He should run for office, fish and game commissioner- the flip flop department!
  
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Beachmastermax
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:55am
I wonder what it is like to live in the jail cell of love of money, apologizing for thinking.

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progdrum
Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:55am
Weakling…

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