Annoying the Overly-Serious for Decades

The Door stands alone in its field, a religious satire magazine written by Christians. Unlike most so-called Christian humor it's actually funny, and doesn't take easy answers or cheap shots. One of their mottos--"Sacred cows make the best hamburger"--is descriptive, but only of part of their absolutely marvelous nature.

I first came across the magazine in my Christian private school's library, right next to "Focus on the Family" and "Charismatic". Only a junior high student at the time, I read the funny parts and skipped the more serious interviews and articles. It was a nearly guilty pleasure to laugh at the ridiculousness of some Protestant church traditions and 'Godstuff' that had always seemed a little cheesy to me anyway. A few years later, prompted by offended parents, the magazine was moved into the teacher's lounge so that impressionable young minds couldn't be corrupted by its witty and occasionally cynical take on religion. I followed it faithfully, and eventually got my own subscription so I could peruse it at my leisure. Having read every issue I've been able to find, I think I have a pretty good grasp on the magazine by now.

Originally founded in order to provide a counter view to the self-congratulatory and narrow-minded Christian magazines of the day, The Door has taken on a life of its own. (All who wish to cry "It lives! It lives!" and rush out the door are courteously granted a brief pause for that purpose....pause over.) The original purpose of its parent organization, the Trinity Foundation, was to expose fraudulent and manipulative televangelists, so that remains a focus of the magazine. Its ever-popular "Godstuff" videos remain the most evident part of their work in that direction, collecting the most ridiculous unfabricated clips of televangelists to be found anywhere.

The Door is generally quite adept and dividing actual Christianity from the religious accounterments some confuse with the real thing; their WWJD handy reference guide, for example, lists things that Jesus would and wouldn't do for confused Christians. For examples; he would go to Promise Keepers, but only if Mary and Martha could come too. He would visit fast food places, but prefer mom and pop joints. He would root for the Cubs. He would go to Disneyland, but only on Gay Day. And so forth. The latest recurring feature, Chicken Soup for the Damned Soul, has to be read to be believed. Best of all, The Door never crosses the line from criticizing Christian culture to attacking Christianity; this is a magazine for intellectual Christians, those who wish to follow God without owning Jesus night-lights and handing out idiotic tracts to complete strangers.

The less obvious side is the more serious part, and it's just as important to the magazine. Foremost are the interviews, mostly unbiased chances for people from all sides--from the atheist Scott Adams to the ultra-conservative abortion protesters--to tell their own side of the story. The Back Door, the editor's column, is a refreshingly honest opinion piece, sometimes painfully so. Few other Christian magazine editors are willing to write an article about their own alcoholism where it doesn't end with a 'praise the lord but I'm saved and over that now, completely cured' testimonial.

Self-deprecating and seldom arrogant in any way, the Door magazine is satirical without being cruel. They are evidence of what many people seem to have forgotten: humor and religion are not mutually incompatible. I would highly recommend this magazine to Christians, agnostics, atheists, Zoroastrians, and anyone else who has half a brain and likes to use it. (Yes, blatant promotion. Live with it. I like the magazine.) Thank you for reading and good night. Drive safely.