Proclaimed the bumper sticker on the back of the rattly red pickup.
We live on the edge of Ithaca, NY, a place some have called the most liberal town in the US, and in the other direction? Farm country that except for the snow would seem a lot like Alabama or West Virginia to some people.
I cruised a few websites to check out the mutterings and rumors you hear of: Obama is the anti-Christ and gay marriage in Iowa heralds the end times. Makes me sick, frankly, because God and Jesus surely don't condone hate. I am certain God has better things to do and more important things to worry about, like why millions of people in the world don't have proper food and medical care and Good Christians are worried about other people's business and the color of the president's skin rather than doing something to help. That is why Jesus may weep, that people with so much to be thankful for chose to hate rather than do some good in this world.
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24 comments:
Living in a country where religion became a non-issue (Belgians secularized, with most churches turned into tourist attractions), we offen look with some amazement at the US bible belt Gary.
But ignorance and religious fanaticism is basically universal I suppose - rest assured we have our fair share of fanatic nut cases in Antwerp, Belgium.
Why is it acceptable to call otherwise good people "fanatic nut cases", yet I assume you would recoil if someone used a lur to refer to other minority groups?
It's odd that secular humanism promotes itself as tolerant and open, but it has a doctrine as entrenched as any recognized religion. It effectively says "everyone that feels like I do is correct, and if you disagree, you're wrong".
And that differs from religious fanaticism how?
Amen! and while we're complaining about religious fanatics worrying about other people's business...I want to know when we'll finally be able to purchase beer and wine on Sundays here in GA?
I'd like to clarify:
I don't know Peter and it wasn't my intent to make a personal attack out of my email.
My point is only that we all hold "religious" beliefs of some sort. Some are "fanatic" about human rights. Why? Some are "fanatic" about Jesus. Why? We each have base beliefs that are very often totally unexamined, and they inform our outlook.
So Peter, please accept my apology for singling out your particular comment and putting you on the spot. I only wanted to bring up an alternate way of looking at things.
Oh, I have so much to say and want to phrase it clearly...I firmly believe in a higher power and know that my spiritual life is of the utmost importance to me, however, "religion" is not the path I choose. BUT, I don't condemn another for their spiritual path - religious or not. I don't understand intolerance of others... cannot wrap my mind around how it can be justified by religion or in the name of God. In my opinion, God is not exclusionary...we all have the spark...shine on!
Thanks for your comments. I was having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. let the comments ROLL.
gr
I beg to differ: A Good Christian cares about proper food and medical care for everyone. Good Christians don't care about skin color one way or the other. "Other people's business" can be taken many different ways; for instance, folks who beat their spouses and children want everyone to keep their noses out of "other people's business.
And even Jesus questioned those who called him "good" - saying only his heavenly father is Good.
Just saying your point can be turned around.
Fanatics of all sorts see only black and white, whether they are sports fanatics, food fanatics, religious fanatics...
God sees the heart.
I think you did a great job of putting the words out there. I'm in your boat.
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
Oh I knew there was a reason why I like Kcinnova. :-) Great post, Gary! :-)
Well said Gary - there has been so much damage done in the name of religion in all its guises. What happened to respect, tolerance, caring and sharing?
Oh thanks. I guess I could sum it up at this point by trying to point out that end times believers sometimes seem a little mean spirited.
I know many good Christians (here in the West Coast's most liberal city) who believe in all the same things I do - and I agree with you. My problem is when religious people use their religion as an absolute reason they are right - that their opinions come from a higher power and, as such, are unassailable.
This is a bumper sticker I see from time to time:
Dear God save me from your followers
Amen Brother Amen
I found Jesus.
He was behind the couch.
LOL! You go Celeste! LOL!
I have another one:
Jesus loves you. (Everyone else thinks you're an .....)
and:
Jesus is coming. Look busy.
Well said, Gary.
Well, Gary, you know how I feel on this issue. In spite of all of the controversy, I am simply grateful to live in a time when only half of the people choose to discriminate, rather than eighty or ninety percent.
I am happy to say that I am gay, married, out at work, out in my neighborhood, and the only intolerance I have ever felt was back in November when all of those yellow "Yes on 8" signs were being waved in my face all over town.
Other than that? I'm happy.
Thanks for this post. You're an awesome friend.
(I make it sound like you posted this just for me!)
In the words of the preacher man's congregation. "You said it, man!")
I think God musthreelightsgallery.comt be having a good laugh over all of this and patting himself on the back for having started it all; meanwhile hoping we manage to get it figured out before we leave earth and do whatever it is we have to do afterwards. In between now and then, a little love, wrapped in kindness, and topped with a generoous topping of help when neede by your fellow man, should do the trick. Or so it seems to me! Other than that believe what you want, do what's good for you, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, and be happy!
Don't know how that mention of 3light gallery got inere. It's an address of another artist friend's latest pulished art work and poetry which I'd read earlier but surely did NOT add here. Sorry! Gremlins, I gues,
You preacher, me choir!
I know what you're saying. Things do seem to get muddled don't they.
You live your life well...just keep on keeping on.
:)
While this may be beating a dead horse at this point, I'm going to toss in my two cents here. For all intent and purposes I am a Christian, which is perhaps why I am so irritated by all of these other "Christians" going around giving real Christians a bad name. They claim to follow the word of God, but it appears they really only follow the parts that make them feel superior to others. If people would pay attention to everything that is in the Bible they would see that God also says to forgive, accept and love everyone and that no one can judge people except God. And since this is the major tenent of most major religions, why do people feel it is right to attack others in the name of religion? I think people judge others so they dont feel as bad about their own misdeeds, and they hide behind religion so they feel justified in their actions. It would be nice if things were different, but religious fanatics have been causing problems for thousands of years and will probably be causing problems for thousands of years to come. Ok, that was more like 7 cents, but whose counting?
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