6/27/13

From Gary... Qwopping


From the Urban Dictionary:



1.qwop


QWOP(pronounced KWOP) is a south African olympian runner whos low IQ technically qualifies him as mentally retarded. He is, however, not required to participate in the special olympics. QWOP is known for his persistance. Due to his low IQ, he doesnt have full control of his motor functions, therefore he can usually only move about .5 meters before falling over(source, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWOP). Despite this handicap, QWOP refuses to use a wheel chair. Atleast... thats what we think. QWOP is unable to form coherent sentences, but due to his facial expression(s) it is assumed that he doesnt want a wheel chair.

In 2002, a study by the Pennsylvania state university on QWOP determined that his IQ is comparable to that of a 2 year old... rat.

QWOP has gained a cult following over the years. His people are very supportive. Fans have created a flash game in his honor hosted at Foddy.net. It is used to help mentally retarded people procrastinate.


Qwopping is a new word for me.  Urban slang is not high on my list of new things to do today and I doubt if it will ever be.  Most of the definitions included four letter words, so that tells me a lot about those who use Qwopping.  I was thinking about language this morning because yesterday I read Acts 2 as part of my normal reading through the Bible plan.  And I remember the discussion in school about the true nature of the miracle- Is it one of speaking or hearing (or both).  At this point, it would be a good idea to read the relevant texts below... 

Acts, Chapter 2
 1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.  2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.  4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.  5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.  6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.  7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans?  8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?  9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,  10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,  11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”  12 They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?”  13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” 


  14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.  15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.  16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 
  17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions.
Your old men will dream dreams.
  18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
  19 I will show wonders in the sky above,
and signs on the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
  20 The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
  21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Ephesians, Chapter 4
 17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,  18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;  19 who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  20 But you did not learn Christ that way;  21 if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:  22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 


  25  Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.  26 “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,  27 neither give place to the devil.  28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.  29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

I think the miracle is BOTH one of speaking AND hearing, but the fact that it occurred via the power of the Holy Spirit is the important thing to me.  But, when I came to the picture of Qwopping and started looking its definitions, I couldn't get over how casually obscenities have crept into our language. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot is used to add emphasis by some people who really don't care what they say, but to me, I prefer to think of it as the center of my medicine dispenser- you know S-M-T-W-T-F-S.  I know that language changes over time, but I really don't see the need to be crass or vulgar. Frankly, we are all known by the way we speak and if you claim to be a Christian-  read the last verse from Ephesians once again and try to control what you say. Besides, using things like Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot can lead to confusion.  For instance, today, as I write this I am wearing a blue ball-cap with C.I.A. on it.  No, I am not affiliated with the government- it stands for Christian In Action!!!