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Chester Brown discusses his graphic novel, Louis Riel, with Dave Sim

Postscript

There was a full-page article/review of Chester [Brown]s new book [Mary Wept Over The Feet Of Jesus] in the NATIONAL POST that I was going to make reference to at some point, at the end of the first column of which David Berry announced that Chester is the ONLY person to do religious commentary in a comic book. But then, I just thought, Why bother? I already know how the discussion is going to go on AMOC. Chester Brown GOOD Dave Sim EVIL as opposed to the tenor of the article: Chester Brown GOOD Dave Sim NON-EXISTENT.

Yes I do think that demonic possession exists and that its the same as its been since Biblical times, "we"ve just decided to call it by other names. Its particularly noticeable for someone like myself who prays five times a day, reads Scripture aloud and fasts most days (and 24 hours on Sunday). For ME, thats just basic self-protection. Its pretty apparent what a complete LACK of self-protection looks like. I definitely dont look at people who dont protect themselves and go "Wow! Theyre so carefree and happy! I must be seriously deluded!"

There comes a point where you just accept that youre not getting a fair hearing and that you wont get a fair hearing in a world where a major cartooning presence like Chester Brown is, basically, saying that Jesus agrees with him that prostitution is a good thing. Canada has certainly opted for Chester Browns view of prostitution THAT isnt considered misogynistic or... anything pejorative. 

I think two things worth pointing out: 1) Chester, according to Joe Matt, mischaracterized Joes disapproval of Chesters whore-mongering as "Joe is too cheap to pay for a prostitute". That may be true, but in all of the conversations that Joe and Chester and I had, Joes objections were always on moral grounds. Chester did the same thing with me: mischaracterizing my disapproval as being "Dave doesnt believe that women should have jobs." [Interview: A Johns Gospel, TCJ.com, 9 May 2011] I definitely dont believe that 86% of women working outside the home is a sensible... or sustainable... percentage but -- like Joe Matt -- I just think that prostitution is morally wrong. And thats certainly what I always said to Chester. "You CANT believe that prostitution is harmless or, even worse, beneficial." He definitely did. I would clip and mail articles to him about prostitution when they appeared in the NATIONAL POST -- pro and con -- because I wanted to help with his research. What he did with it was up to him.  

The 2) thing is that Chester is definitely one of the most -- if not THE most -- unique whore-mongers on the planet, as far as Im concerned. I infer from the reviews and commentaries on PAYING FOR IT that people sent to me that Chester is continuing in his relationship (or "relationship" or Relationship) with his favourite prostitute and that they have now become virtually an old, settled, married couple.

I know at the time that Chester and I were hanging out that she would bake him cookies for Christmas, so it isnt a COMPLETELY one-sided thing.

Personally, I wouldnt be wanting to defend that on Judgement Day, but Ill be very interested to see how that does "shake out" on Judgement Day.

And I can certainly admire Chester for his advocacy (as I understand it): that if more men treated prostitutes the way they do a girlfriend or a wife that they cherish -- as Chester definitely cherished and cherishes his favourite prostitute -- the world in general and the world of prostitution specifically would probably be improved. Or be made less unhappy (not necessarily the same thing).

I dont agree and, as far as I know, Joe Matt doesnt agree, but there you go.