I receieved an interesting e-mail from Shane “Smikwily” McWilliams in regard to Raiders of the Lost Ark and why one should not look into The Ark of the Covenant. Apparently, it’s actually mentioned in The Bible! Not being a Christian scholar, I always figured it to be Hollywood tacking on a solution that seemed to fit the situation a little too easily, but I guess I was wrong. Here’s Steve’s e-mail:
I did a little digging for something to back this up. I remember hearing this when I was younger, but had a hard time finding an actual page to back it up. I did understand the reasoning for looking away from the ark as it was opened.
1 Samuel 6:19
But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them.
2 Samuel 2:6-7 (also 1 Chr 13:7-10)
He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord , with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.
http://www.rationalchristianity.net/touch_ark.html
Remember, most of the Trilogy deals with Christian artifacts, so I’m sure Indy knew all the details going in.
I never was one to doubt Indiana Jones and his level of research. He always seemed like of of the most competent, composed and, most importantly HUMAN action hero in modern cinema. I guess I just underestimated Hollywood’s ability to inject secular history into mainstream cinema and retain some level of truth.
Show Shane your appreciation for his research by visiting his site http://www.playmoreconsoles.com/
As you can see, there is no comic today and there will likely be no comic until next Monday, August 7.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances at work, I ended up at the office for about 12 hours yesterday and I am likely to repeat the stunt again on Wednesday. Thus, I didn’t have enough time to put together a comic for you today and I won’t have enough time to work in advance on a comic for Friday.
I won’t get into the details about the work situation except to say that I have a *VERY* important project due next Monday and I can’t leave for Wizard World Chicago with it hanging over my head. This is just one of those situations where real-life takes priority over my hobby.
It’s bad timing. Especially because of Wizard World Chicago. I’m going to do the whole meet-and-greet from Friday until Sunday and people will check out the site to be greated with this message. Well, if you’re one of those people, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to check out our archives. Heck, start from the begining! I’m certain you’ll find something you like.
I feel bad because I think this is the first time where I’ve had to blow off the comic due to serious life stuff getting in the way. I typically pride myself on my adherence to the schedule. But you guys know how I feel about deadlines and I wouldn’t reprioritize things if it wasn’t of the utmost importance.
All I want to say is that this is not a trend. Right now work has got the better of me. If I’m going to keep the job that pays the bills, I have to show it the attention it deserves.
I appreciate everyone’s understanding. I promise that next Monday you will see a fresh comic from yours truly. And if it follows in the tradition of post-convention comics of yore, it will likely be a little tale about how me and my fellow web comic cronies went to see a movie togeher. Most likely Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
In the meantime, if you want to capitolize on my screw up and want to submit a guest strip to help me pad out the week, I’m gladly taking submissions. I realize it’s short notice, but if you want to whip something together real quick to help score a little extra publicity for your site while I’m off the reservation, e-mail me and we’ll work something out!
Don’t forget to find me at table #3143 A in Artist’s Alley at Wizard World Chicago this weekend! I will be selling copies of my first book "Theater Hopper: Year One" (which, incidentally, you can also buy here) as well as handing out invitations to a book release party I’m having Saturday night in my hotel room at the Doubletree. It’s going to be a blast.
Thanks again for everyone’s support, patience and understanding. I sincerely appreciate it!