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Below the Bible Belt
Warning! Self induced furry drama. Sensitive viewers need not read further.
"Why [else] should we worship God? Because He knows we need to."
For me, those are the saddest words that have ever been put into print. I think I read them in a Watchtower somewhere.
The point of those words is that God has given us everything and therefore is deserving of our worship. Fair enough, but not good enough, because the article brings out a sinister truth:
Namely, that God put into us an innate need, or dependence, on Him. Yes, the premise that people should WANT to worship him out of love for all he has done for us is not enough. Instead, God has hedged His bets, insuring our loyalty by creating us with the NEED to worship him.
It is revealed by that nagging feeling that our lives are meaningless unless we are connected to Him somehow. That God has a plan. That we need a purpose. It's bred in the bone. This explains why even rational people support this utter nonsense called religion. There is no need for any other explanation. Hell, even Madonna was caught up in this crap, calling herself Esther Richie. Remember that? I do. It was horrible. Much like Madonna, I now try to pretend it never happened. But the ridiculous things done in the name of religion are hard to ignore.
The giant phallic cross above, located in Groom, Texas is a glaring example of the expression of this unfortunate truth. A whopping 190 or so feet high, erected in 1995, it dominates the landscape.
This crap seems to start around southern Ohio and Indiana. You drive from Columbus to the Indiana border and you are... assaulted, pummeled by groupings of crosses. Billboards that say: "He paid it all" and "Read the Bible" grow mind-numbing. The farther south you go, the more obnoxious it becomes.
The Bible mentions: "By the use of their many words they imagine they will get a hearing." Some things never change. Perhaps they think if they build these things big enough, he will come. And he will come, darlings. But only to judge those who put their faith in these things as unfit for anything but the Lake of Fire, the second death. They have had their reward in full for their... public displays of piety. Do they actually imagine the showy spectacle of these idols will bring them closer to God?
Yes, I'm humming Nine Inch Nails now.
Story time!
Do you remember that "Little House on the Prairie" episode where the baby dies? Which baby, you ask? Baby Charles. Which baby Charles, you ask? (There were, like three. The male offspring in that family had a short life expectancy, apparently). Let me be more specific: When baby Charles dies and Laura blames herself because she didn't pray for him and she asks the Reverend for guidance? Rather than give her something helpful, he gives her some meaningless advice about the closer you are to God, the more likely He is to hear your prayers.
She takes it literally and climbs the highest mountain to get God's attention. Then, after days of being ignored, she plays with matches and builds a massive bonfire because He will HAVE to notice her now. And, I suppose, He did notice her. Although a young girl stranded on a mountain with a creepy old guy who thinks he's an angel wouldn't work in today's sensibilities. But the seventies were a kinder, gentler time- when molesters were still under the radar.
People get all warm and weepy over the ending of that episode... but they forget... Laura didn't get what she wanted from God. Oh, sure her prayers were answered. With a big fat "no". Just like the rest of us. Baby Charles was still dead. Daddy was just happy he didn't have two dead children on his hands. If you want to call that "closure" you have my pity. She put herself and others through a bunch of crap for nothing. Just like Madonna. And all those people who erected those silly phallic crosses. And all those people who strapped an explosive vest on and blew themselves up- thinking that surely He will HAVE to notice us now.
God does notice. He just doesn't give a f*ck about anyone but Himself. I think it's called "Doing His will" in polite society. Unfortunately for God, and my readers, I don't give a f*ck either.
P.S.
If you're gonna have a cross, at least hang a body on it. As Jesus will tell you, an empty cross is hardly the way to salvation.
Love, -D.
Warning! Self induced furry drama. Sensitive viewers need not read further.
"Why [else] should we worship God? Because He knows we need to."
For me, those are the saddest words that have ever been put into print. I think I read them in a Watchtower somewhere.
The point of those words is that God has given us everything and therefore is deserving of our worship. Fair enough, but not good enough, because the article brings out a sinister truth:
Namely, that God put into us an innate need, or dependence, on Him. Yes, the premise that people should WANT to worship him out of love for all he has done for us is not enough. Instead, God has hedged His bets, insuring our loyalty by creating us with the NEED to worship him.
It is revealed by that nagging feeling that our lives are meaningless unless we are connected to Him somehow. That God has a plan. That we need a purpose. It's bred in the bone. This explains why even rational people support this utter nonsense called religion. There is no need for any other explanation. Hell, even Madonna was caught up in this crap, calling herself Esther Richie. Remember that? I do. It was horrible. Much like Madonna, I now try to pretend it never happened. But the ridiculous things done in the name of religion are hard to ignore.
The giant phallic cross above, located in Groom, Texas is a glaring example of the expression of this unfortunate truth. A whopping 190 or so feet high, erected in 1995, it dominates the landscape.
This crap seems to start around southern Ohio and Indiana. You drive from Columbus to the Indiana border and you are... assaulted, pummeled by groupings of crosses. Billboards that say: "He paid it all" and "Read the Bible" grow mind-numbing. The farther south you go, the more obnoxious it becomes.
The Bible mentions: "By the use of their many words they imagine they will get a hearing." Some things never change. Perhaps they think if they build these things big enough, he will come. And he will come, darlings. But only to judge those who put their faith in these things as unfit for anything but the Lake of Fire, the second death. They have had their reward in full for their... public displays of piety. Do they actually imagine the showy spectacle of these idols will bring them closer to God?
Yes, I'm humming Nine Inch Nails now.
Story time!
Do you remember that "Little House on the Prairie" episode where the baby dies? Which baby, you ask? Baby Charles. Which baby Charles, you ask? (There were, like three. The male offspring in that family had a short life expectancy, apparently). Let me be more specific: When baby Charles dies and Laura blames herself because she didn't pray for him and she asks the Reverend for guidance? Rather than give her something helpful, he gives her some meaningless advice about the closer you are to God, the more likely He is to hear your prayers.
She takes it literally and climbs the highest mountain to get God's attention. Then, after days of being ignored, she plays with matches and builds a massive bonfire because He will HAVE to notice her now. And, I suppose, He did notice her. Although a young girl stranded on a mountain with a creepy old guy who thinks he's an angel wouldn't work in today's sensibilities. But the seventies were a kinder, gentler time- when molesters were still under the radar.
People get all warm and weepy over the ending of that episode... but they forget... Laura didn't get what she wanted from God. Oh, sure her prayers were answered. With a big fat "no". Just like the rest of us. Baby Charles was still dead. Daddy was just happy he didn't have two dead children on his hands. If you want to call that "closure" you have my pity. She put herself and others through a bunch of crap for nothing. Just like Madonna. And all those people who erected those silly phallic crosses. And all those people who strapped an explosive vest on and blew themselves up- thinking that surely He will HAVE to notice us now.
God does notice. He just doesn't give a f*ck about anyone but Himself. I think it's called "Doing His will" in polite society. Unfortunately for God, and my readers, I don't give a f*ck either.
P.S.
If you're gonna have a cross, at least hang a body on it. As Jesus will tell you, an empty cross is hardly the way to salvation.
Love, -D.
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 401 x 700px
File Size 56 kB
Having just moved from California to Texas and then to North Carolina. I've seen some annoying crud. From people talking about how homosexuals are the abomination of the earth to religious billboards to religitards banning Target. It irks me to no end that they love to pick and choose their preferences while trying to force their idiologies onto people. Even by legal means.
As one Christian, speaking on the behalf of others, I have to say "I appologize for ill will and treatment by other proclaimed believers in Christ." Anyone who truly understands and practices the teachings of Jesus would not act in that manner. You have to understand that many people these days who call themselves "Christians" are christian in name only. So please do not put us all into a box. Secondly, we are not perfect and anyone who acts or claims that they are holier than though because they proclaim to be a Christian, politely ask them to read/recite the Book of John: Chapter 8, Versus 1-7. Or John: Chapter 4, Versus 7-21. So again. I appologize on behalf of those who have hardened thier hearts in fear or arrgogance.
Granted that when this nation was formed our founders built its foundation of bibical ideals, that our rights come from our creator, that people have free will, religion, expression, protest, etc. We, not as Chrsitians, but Americans... do not retain the right to pass laws that establish or detain religion. I've had these debates many time with my friends, many of whom support the idea and freedom homosexual marraige and trans genders using bathrooms. The problem is we stop looking at each other as Americans and instead look at each others race, religion, sexuality, gender, class, postion, etc. In essence we should be able to come up with reasonable compromises to these issues that we have been so divided on. And why the division? Because years of policies and laws that have favored one group over another and with each swing of democrat and republican leadership it has become games, revenge and backlash instead of truth, compromise and reconciliation...
I'm a chrsitian... some homosexuals want to get married? Go ahead, God gave you free will, your life, your soul, your consequences, my prayers are with them regardless. But in turn, don't try to force my church to partake in something that infringes their free will. Find a church/facility, a licensed wedder, and bakery that doesnt care to cater your wedding. Believe me, there are plenty out there. They get their wedding, and the chrisitan gets their peace of mind and spirit.
Same thing with the trans gender bathroom issue. Wanna be trans gender? Good for you, your body, your free will, have at it. Want to pass a law that allows trans gender to use bathrooms and dont even have to provide proof? Just have to say "I identify as [Insert noun here] today" Well, now we have problem. And it's not the trans genders I have an issue with. Honestly, if you look the part, most aren't even gonna ask, I sure as hell wont, I don't even liek to share the bathroom with my own gender let alone others. I dont even make eye contact in bathrooms, its creepy... The problem here is all the perverts, pedophiles, and psychopaths out there, Do they effect me? No I'm a grown, mildly unattractive male in his mid 20's, but it makes me worried for my grilfriend and her child. Now before, they still tried to do stuff but it wasn't as easy as it is now. Now you don't even have to look the part, all you have to say is "Hey, I'm a female. I need to pee." walk in, slip a camera phone under the stall and they got their 30 seconds of creepy pleasure. My solution? Pass a law that requires businesses and public places to build multiple Individual, one person bathroom units. Just like the fitting rooms at stores, small, one person, lockable rooms. No Gender Segregation, No invasion of privacy, no perverts. Just you, a toliet, a sink, a baby change station, and maybe a can of air freshner for heaven's sake... do your business and get out. Maybe make two of the bathrooms handicap accessable. Everyone gets to use the bathroom, everyone gets 100% privacy and piece of mind, No more feeling embarassed when you or the person next to you drops a mega deuce of in-escapabled death. Everyone poop's comfortably, everyone wins, everyone is happy.
Compromise is key... We just have to remind ourselves that we're in this together, we live in a big country and their is plenty of everything to go around. We're all human beings, We all have different beliefs, standards, tastes, dialiects, habbits and lifestyles... but in the end we all want one thing. To live our lives happily, freely, and comfortably. There is no reason we can't all get along and find solutions to these devisive problems.
Oh and one last thing. I know many non christians find the chrisitian paraphernalia to be annoying or perhaps an eyesore. But this a free country... Allow me to put it in perspective. When I go to Detroit and ride the People Mover, everytime I made my return trip I am faced with a giant statue of Baphomet, A goat headed idol sitting a chair accompanied by two small children at his side and pentagram behind it, dedicated to the Church of Satanism. To me, it's an abosolute eye sore and a worrying reminder of darkness in our society... However... It is privately owned, on private property. They displayed it openly until the construction of their temple was finished where it now stands, they have right to put it up and should anyone try to take it down, I'd be first to defend that right for if one loses the right to openly practice then we all lose our right. Imagine what life would be like if Christians stripped the rights of others away, and turned us into a theocracy. Or Islamists, or Buddists, Or Athiests, or any Scientologists or whatever other sect/religion/cult you dred or can't stand. It would be the dark ages or the holy roman empire, or the ottoman empire all over again. Death, Tyranny, and Stagnation... Just remember that the next time you see something that offends you. That feeling should remind and give you comfort in knowing that we live in a truly Free Nation.
I would rather feel offended by something than to lose the right to feel anything at all.
Granted that when this nation was formed our founders built its foundation of bibical ideals, that our rights come from our creator, that people have free will, religion, expression, protest, etc. We, not as Chrsitians, but Americans... do not retain the right to pass laws that establish or detain religion. I've had these debates many time with my friends, many of whom support the idea and freedom homosexual marraige and trans genders using bathrooms. The problem is we stop looking at each other as Americans and instead look at each others race, religion, sexuality, gender, class, postion, etc. In essence we should be able to come up with reasonable compromises to these issues that we have been so divided on. And why the division? Because years of policies and laws that have favored one group over another and with each swing of democrat and republican leadership it has become games, revenge and backlash instead of truth, compromise and reconciliation...
I'm a chrsitian... some homosexuals want to get married? Go ahead, God gave you free will, your life, your soul, your consequences, my prayers are with them regardless. But in turn, don't try to force my church to partake in something that infringes their free will. Find a church/facility, a licensed wedder, and bakery that doesnt care to cater your wedding. Believe me, there are plenty out there. They get their wedding, and the chrisitan gets their peace of mind and spirit.
Same thing with the trans gender bathroom issue. Wanna be trans gender? Good for you, your body, your free will, have at it. Want to pass a law that allows trans gender to use bathrooms and dont even have to provide proof? Just have to say "I identify as [Insert noun here] today" Well, now we have problem. And it's not the trans genders I have an issue with. Honestly, if you look the part, most aren't even gonna ask, I sure as hell wont, I don't even liek to share the bathroom with my own gender let alone others. I dont even make eye contact in bathrooms, its creepy... The problem here is all the perverts, pedophiles, and psychopaths out there, Do they effect me? No I'm a grown, mildly unattractive male in his mid 20's, but it makes me worried for my grilfriend and her child. Now before, they still tried to do stuff but it wasn't as easy as it is now. Now you don't even have to look the part, all you have to say is "Hey, I'm a female. I need to pee." walk in, slip a camera phone under the stall and they got their 30 seconds of creepy pleasure. My solution? Pass a law that requires businesses and public places to build multiple Individual, one person bathroom units. Just like the fitting rooms at stores, small, one person, lockable rooms. No Gender Segregation, No invasion of privacy, no perverts. Just you, a toliet, a sink, a baby change station, and maybe a can of air freshner for heaven's sake... do your business and get out. Maybe make two of the bathrooms handicap accessable. Everyone gets to use the bathroom, everyone gets 100% privacy and piece of mind, No more feeling embarassed when you or the person next to you drops a mega deuce of in-escapabled death. Everyone poop's comfortably, everyone wins, everyone is happy.
Compromise is key... We just have to remind ourselves that we're in this together, we live in a big country and their is plenty of everything to go around. We're all human beings, We all have different beliefs, standards, tastes, dialiects, habbits and lifestyles... but in the end we all want one thing. To live our lives happily, freely, and comfortably. There is no reason we can't all get along and find solutions to these devisive problems.
Oh and one last thing. I know many non christians find the chrisitian paraphernalia to be annoying or perhaps an eyesore. But this a free country... Allow me to put it in perspective. When I go to Detroit and ride the People Mover, everytime I made my return trip I am faced with a giant statue of Baphomet, A goat headed idol sitting a chair accompanied by two small children at his side and pentagram behind it, dedicated to the Church of Satanism. To me, it's an abosolute eye sore and a worrying reminder of darkness in our society... However... It is privately owned, on private property. They displayed it openly until the construction of their temple was finished where it now stands, they have right to put it up and should anyone try to take it down, I'd be first to defend that right for if one loses the right to openly practice then we all lose our right. Imagine what life would be like if Christians stripped the rights of others away, and turned us into a theocracy. Or Islamists, or Buddists, Or Athiests, or any Scientologists or whatever other sect/religion/cult you dred or can't stand. It would be the dark ages or the holy roman empire, or the ottoman empire all over again. Death, Tyranny, and Stagnation... Just remember that the next time you see something that offends you. That feeling should remind and give you comfort in knowing that we live in a truly Free Nation.
I would rather feel offended by something than to lose the right to feel anything at all.
"Granted that when this nation was formed our founders built its foundation of bibical ideals"
Some of it may have been but not all of it. To oppose the constitution was made.
"that our rights come from our creator"
That's only an opinion.
This isn't about forcing your churches to give out marriages if they don't want to (Some churches are willing to) or forcing your privately owned businesses to bake cakes if the don't want to. But when it is your job to do certain tasks by law and you don't privately own that service then you can't say "I won't issue out marriage licenses." without getting fired.
I don't see a law about this. Where you simply have to state what gender you are and get free access to whatever bathroom you want. I only hear about a third bathroom being made for transgendered folks.
"Imagine what life would be like if Christians stripped the rights of others away, and turned us into a theocracy. Or Islamists, or Buddists, Or Athiests, or any Scientologists or whatever other sect/religion/cult you dred or can't stand. It would be the dark ages or the holy roman empire, or the ottoman empire all over again. Death, Tyranny, and Stagnation... Just remember that the next time you see something that offends you. That feeling should remind and give you comfort in knowing that we live in a truly Free Nation."
No we do not live in a truly free nation. The states themselves are still pretty segregated and laws have already been passed to allow employers to fire their employees simply for being gay.
Some of it may have been but not all of it. To oppose the constitution was made.
"that our rights come from our creator"
That's only an opinion.
This isn't about forcing your churches to give out marriages if they don't want to (Some churches are willing to) or forcing your privately owned businesses to bake cakes if the don't want to. But when it is your job to do certain tasks by law and you don't privately own that service then you can't say "I won't issue out marriage licenses." without getting fired.
I don't see a law about this. Where you simply have to state what gender you are and get free access to whatever bathroom you want. I only hear about a third bathroom being made for transgendered folks.
"Imagine what life would be like if Christians stripped the rights of others away, and turned us into a theocracy. Or Islamists, or Buddists, Or Athiests, or any Scientologists or whatever other sect/religion/cult you dred or can't stand. It would be the dark ages or the holy roman empire, or the ottoman empire all over again. Death, Tyranny, and Stagnation... Just remember that the next time you see something that offends you. That feeling should remind and give you comfort in knowing that we live in a truly Free Nation."
No we do not live in a truly free nation. The states themselves are still pretty segregated and laws have already been passed to allow employers to fire their employees simply for being gay.
This was somewhat something that I wrote in an essay awhile back. (I do plan on posting it here again eventually). It discussed false teachings and doctrines that people teach others, but are not even mentioned in the bible. One was displaying and wearing religious symbols like crosses. Now there really isn't anything wrong with that. However when people begin to depend on those, then it becomes a problem because they choose to rely on those 'man made' objects rather than on God Himself. Some people actually believe that those symbols will make them closer to God and/or keep the Devil away, which isn't true at all. Only faith in Jesus will make us ALL closer to God. There is no other way but through Christ Himself. And God knows our hearts and true motives, he knows if we are truly faithful to Him or not. God cannot be fooled.
So symbols, like this cross, can be a remember of Christ's love and sacrifice for everyone. But only the acceptance of Christ in our hearts can save us from God's Judgment.
So symbols, like this cross, can be a remember of Christ's love and sacrifice for everyone. But only the acceptance of Christ in our hearts can save us from God's Judgment.
Look, you was right about something, God certainly do his will.
Just consider the actual fact, that some Christians do believe, not only, on his existence but on his position as the creator of the universe, the human beings, life itself... He does have a plan indeed. And if he need to take a decision that either envolves the actual condition of death, or cannot be comprehended by us... He DOES have an reason.
His knowledge is beyond the human race, and it is far more easy and reasonable for us, human beings, consider him as a jerk for his will.
Now, simply tell me... Is really that bad be "submissive" to Christ? People these days are submissive to money, material good such as smart phones, sex... And the list just goes on and on... However, when it come to religion: "the horror!" or "what is wrong with you?"... Well, that's totally fair. By the way, if you pay attention to the bible, closely, I'll notice that Christ allows us the right to choose. EVEN the right to choose either be subordinated to him or not... If that's not the case... I guess humanity would totally be exterminated years ago...
About the cross, I don't think that is necessary a body in there. Everyone, even if read the bible or not, knows his sacrifice. It is one of the most memorable examples of suffering western culture, maybe in some eastern countries too.
Just consider the actual fact, that some Christians do believe, not only, on his existence but on his position as the creator of the universe, the human beings, life itself... He does have a plan indeed. And if he need to take a decision that either envolves the actual condition of death, or cannot be comprehended by us... He DOES have an reason.
His knowledge is beyond the human race, and it is far more easy and reasonable for us, human beings, consider him as a jerk for his will.
Now, simply tell me... Is really that bad be "submissive" to Christ? People these days are submissive to money, material good such as smart phones, sex... And the list just goes on and on... However, when it come to religion: "the horror!" or "what is wrong with you?"... Well, that's totally fair. By the way, if you pay attention to the bible, closely, I'll notice that Christ allows us the right to choose. EVEN the right to choose either be subordinated to him or not... If that's not the case... I guess humanity would totally be exterminated years ago...
About the cross, I don't think that is necessary a body in there. Everyone, even if read the bible or not, knows his sacrifice. It is one of the most memorable examples of suffering western culture, maybe in some eastern countries too.
I believe you hit the nail on the head. As I stated in a post above to another commenter, we are given free will, the freedom to choose. God does grant divine providence, but only to those who choose it. Many of us in the Christian community believe that God can provide a greater life with him, than we ever could on our own.
To dreamwindow. I understand the christian paraphernalia is a bit much, and feel somewhat empathetic in regards that it really is unnecessary. Frankly in my view the money to build and construct that could of served a greater purpose, and who knows, perhaps God will question the ones who constructed it upon their judgement. But it's a free country and clearly those people chose to build a giant mega cross of ultimate mega holiness to/for his holiness. Lol
P.S. You said "As Jesus will tell you, an empty cross is hardly the way to salvation." Is that something that was paraphrased? Because I'm having difficulty finding that quote anywhere in my bible or the web. :S
To dreamwindow. I understand the christian paraphernalia is a bit much, and feel somewhat empathetic in regards that it really is unnecessary. Frankly in my view the money to build and construct that could of served a greater purpose, and who knows, perhaps God will question the ones who constructed it upon their judgement. But it's a free country and clearly those people chose to build a giant mega cross of ultimate mega holiness to/for his holiness. Lol
P.S. You said "As Jesus will tell you, an empty cross is hardly the way to salvation." Is that something that was paraphrased? Because I'm having difficulty finding that quote anywhere in my bible or the web. :S
Seems to get stronger the closer to the northwest and southeast corners of the country. Roughly San Diego to New England, far less so. Groom's giant cross is about the first sign you're about to transition from the free-wheeling hedonism of Route 66 and into the bible belt soon.
That said, I'm like, not even a mile from Oral Roberts University, the Buckle of the Bible Belt, and save for a few weird billboards most people shake their heads at (and a few just batshit crazy ones everyone shakes their head at), ORU seems to be where Oklahoma puts it's crazy. Heck, it's walking distance to a giant row of casinos and 24-hour bars. ORU seems to stay safely confined on it's Victory Christian/ORU Campus, even having Lewis Avenue and 81st Streets as...alarmingly normal refuge from the campus in a way that gives me the creeps for the same reason going down Gilman Springs Road through Scientology's headquarters is weird (and weird enough for Caltrans to reroute CA 79 around that instead of down Gilman Springs).
That said, I'm like, not even a mile from Oral Roberts University, the Buckle of the Bible Belt, and save for a few weird billboards most people shake their heads at (and a few just batshit crazy ones everyone shakes their head at), ORU seems to be where Oklahoma puts it's crazy. Heck, it's walking distance to a giant row of casinos and 24-hour bars. ORU seems to stay safely confined on it's Victory Christian/ORU Campus, even having Lewis Avenue and 81st Streets as...alarmingly normal refuge from the campus in a way that gives me the creeps for the same reason going down Gilman Springs Road through Scientology's headquarters is weird (and weird enough for Caltrans to reroute CA 79 around that instead of down Gilman Springs).
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