Oh. My. God. Because I'm afraid of YOUR God.

[stoney321]

So, I'm driving home from the library and have a big, honking (EMPTY) SUV in front of me with the following sticker on the back window:

1 Hammer
+ 3 Nails
4 Given

And there's a cross and what looks like barbed-wire all around it. (Crown of thorns.) Now, granted, I have no belief in deity and pretty much loathe all organized religion, but COME ON! How is that respectful of the story of Jesus? How is that acceptable? So that got me to thinking...


Oh My God. Well, not *my* God, because I defy him and all his works.
(For new folks, that's from "Buffy.")

Now, this is not meant as a Christian bashing post. At all. Because the text? The whole mission-statement that Jesus laid out?

Recap:
1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2. Judge not, lest ye be judged.
3. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...
4. Turn the other cheek
And the biggie:
5. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Summed up = be kind, follow the golden rule - #1, quit putting on airs - you both pull your pants up one leg at a time. No one is better than any one else.)


See how nowhere up there did it say: hate queers, blacks, Muslims, Jews, or that women should stay at home, that Corporate greed is good, or how Americans need to go to war in Iraq.... We'll get to that in a bit. Back to the selling-out of your faith. Or maybe not *your* faith, but you get my meaning.

So why not go all the way with this whole horrific/bloody imagery? Because The Passion of the Christ wasn't explicit enough, nosiree! How about bumper stickers with buckets of blood, and a rubber ducky and sponge? "Get washed in the blood of Christ!" Or better yet, a picture of Jesus, face contorted into horrific agony, and a picture of someone super-imposed with a beatific grin plastered on their face. (Almost orgasmic.) His Agony = Your Rapture!

On our drive through the Deep South earlier this month, we saw small, washed-up towns with stores displaying signs that read: "We Believe in Christ. If you don't, Keep driving." Yes, Jesus was nothing if not exclusionary. We turned the radio on to catch some "local color" and heard some half-wit (quarter-wit, we later determined) talk about how evolution was a lie because... where were the half-monkey/half-men walking around? o_O Like this dip-wad expects to find monkeys in the jungle with an abacus and a Day Planner. You know, as proof. And caller after caller just sucked this up. "Yes! Oh, Laws, Praise Him!"

I've suspected for several years, and have been proven right over and over again that the majority of "Christians" have absolutely no clue about their own faith. Signs? God/Jesus said quit asking for them - they're offensive to Him. Public displays of your "faith" or praying out loud to the irritation of others to show how "righteous" you really are? Jesus mocked you and said it was displeasing. Then there was that whole, crazy thing where Jesus spent a few days telling people how awesome and loved the downtrodden and lowest of mankind was. How special they were. How those who HAVE should care for the HAVE NOTS. And went so far as to say that whatever you DID to the lowest common denominator (be it good or bad) was like doing it to the Big Guy - Jesus. I'll let you draw your own parallels to the Republican Party's starvation and denying basic human services to these Least of These of Jesus'. Can't wait for Rove to meet His Maker.

Jesus was big on NOT bragging. On NOT trying to prove how righteous you were. I'm not going to get into Pharicees vs. Sadducees, jots and tittles. But Jesus was BIG on praying in "secret," on quiet reflection, on modesty. There's this word... humility?

Big, nasty SUV, monster sticker that covers the back window making sure you know that they love Jesus. Did you know? We're righteous. Are you? And the driver of the car could have been a lovely person. But dammit, if you are going to FOLLOW a faith, can you please LEARN it? I wonder how many of these "Christians" voted to block gay marriage? Jesus cared a LOT more about poverty than homosexuals. Mainly because in the New Testament? JESUS MADE NO REFERENCES TO GAYS. Talked a hell of a lot about the poor and sick, though.

Now, Paul? Once. But Paul ain't Jesus. I wonder how many of those people with those bumper stickers, T-Shirts, etc., voted for Bush. Voted for legislation to deny poor people an education. Health care. Clean frickin' air and water.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me."

I've met a lot of people that claim to be "Christian." I've only known of a few that actually were.

Wearing a T-Shirt with his name doesn't make you one.

Buying a sticker for your car doesn't make you one.

Man, just showing up on Sunday and nodding along doesn't make you one.

Keeping the least of our fellow humans in suffering and pain should automatically exclude you from the roster.

Voting for a man that makes all of the above happen, and sullies the name of a wonderful philosopher who tried to help the poor (and if you believe the tale, ALL of mankind - not just the rich, white ones) should also exclude you from the roster.

Those of you out there that DO believe in Christ? That DO want to be good Christians? Learn your religion. Take it back. The philosophy is a good one. But for now, your religion has been hijacked by mean, cruel people who preach exclusionary politics, separatism, hate, and bigotry. Go read the Sermon on the Mount. It's all you need to know. Some of the best, most lovely prose out there.

Christian means Christ-like. Period. If you're not trying, you aren't one.
[/rant]

For the record? I'd love for this to get spread everywhere. I'd welcome an open debate/discussion on religion. I will not tolerate hatred, bigotry, or name calling in the comments. Feel free to quote scripture aaaalllll you want. I can guarantee that I can palaver with the best of them.

Comments

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

But here's the thing about that religion there, that gets the folks all confused. It's got this whole moral hazard thing going down. Jesus suffered for your sins. So, really, I guess if you're a Christian you don't really have to, right? As long as you profess love, you're covered and don't really have to do all that humility stuff he talks about.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

And it's funny you mentioned that bit: about the whole "I proclaim faith, I'm good to go" mentality.

Because when Jesus was preaching on the earth? When he had his robes rolled up, hunkered down, talking to the masses? It was all about works. Not in: fill enough ticky boxes and you get in, but more like: God gave you the very breath you breath. From clay you were made. How about you frickin' put your hand out and pull up your brother? Share a bite. Hug a child. Quit competing with your fellow man on who shows Me their love more. There's a sick guy dying behind you.

And it just furthers my point that people who claim to be Christians don't know their own religion. They pick and choose what they want to believe, mold it to suit their needs, and call it a day.

Feh.

And as to the suffering of sins, it kills me that the cross has such importance, when the pain felt for the sins of mankind happened in GETHSEMANE. How he died was insignificant. All the bloody cross imagery makes me think of scare tactics employed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Jesus cared a LOT more about poverty than homosexuals. Mainly because in the New Testament? JESUS MADE NO REFERENCES TO GAYS. Talked a hell of a lot about the poor and sick, though.

Lord, yes. I am a (semi)practicing Christian who has been an uber!Christian.

Ask people to donate or help out for a bake sale to benefit the homeless, the invalid, the single parent, the widowed? About 20 of your faithful will show up to help out.

Ask people to participate in rally to protest the Pride parade route passing near the church? 500 will show, and they'll bring their friends.

Hate's more fun, right? Gets the blood pumping, gets the righteousness flowing. It amazes me how many people claim to have found Jesus and lost everything but his picture.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Because when Jesus was preaching on the earth? When he had his robes rolled up, hunkered down, talking to the masses? It was all about works.

Yeah, but where's the fun in "works"? That's the great thing about being a contemporary religious nutball - you get all the fun of holding onto that persecution and martyrdom, without actually having to be martyred.

If the whole point of the religion was spiritual enrichment and nurturing and whatnot, the fellow in the truck (or lady as the case may be) seems to have missed it. But, if what they signed on for was tribalism, they certainly got that.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It amazes me how many people claim to have found Jesus and lost everything but his picture.

Sue. You just typed the greatest line of the 21rst century. Do you know that?

WHy can't someone make bumper stickers that say: If you use the word "hate?" You AREN'T a Christian.

Or something. Quarter-wits make my head ache.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I know, right? Modern-day religious-types would rather wallow in vats of blood, stand up, rend their faces, then pass slices of jello-salad down the table. Oh, and talk about the "queers" ruining marriage. I can't remember the last time any of the religious folks in my life talked about the Sermon on the Mount. The Beattitudes. No, it's all the hate speech.

Tribalism. How perfect that is. The funny thing is, the early Christians (formed in 43AD in Antioch, called that as an insult) wanted to remove themselves from the Hebrews, to NOT follow the letter of the law and ignore the MESSAGE. And they've turned into exactly what they used to revile.

If Jesus showed up in one of the Mega-Churches, he'd be thrown out. Hell, at THIS stage, they'd crucify their own lord.

[zinnydark.livejournal.com]

JESUS MADE NO REFERENCES TO GAYS. Talked a hell of a lot about the poor and sick, though. Now, Peter? Once. Peter ain't Jesus.

Oh oh oh, but you see, he was Inspired, and therefore, his Word is as good as the Word of God. (Note the capitals)

I really want to send this to the Christian group who called me gay for pointing out that literalism is just another form of interpretation and therefore, they cannot say that they are the absolute right, and besides, the quotes you use to justify some of the things you're saying mean different things when taken in context...

But I'm sure they blocked my e-mail.

[viciouswishes.livejournal.com]

*nods* I'm still amused that the $400-plus vinyl signs carried by the protesters of the Seattle pride parade this weekend had grammar mistakes. I'm all for free speech (which has it's drawbacks), but you look like a bigger moran when your sign's misspelled.

When I edited letters to the editor for my hometown newspaper, there was a big letter war with anti-abortion people when someone with logic (which is very hard to find in letter writers) wanted to know if the people who protested Planned Parenthood helped out with underprivileged children. We'll go with a big 'no.'

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You can send this anywhere you want.

And I would be curious to see how many of those folks (who take the "literal" words of their books, books that have been translated from a translation of a translation, etc.) are able to to read Greek. Or ancient Hebrew. And have copies of the original translation from the old scrolls.

Because if they aren't? Their whole "literalism" is absolutely moot.

And I just realized: Peter is a Fanfic Writer.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

And I just realized: Peter is a Fanfic Writer.

Now *that* is the greatest line of any century!

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

I'm still amused that the $400-plus vinyl signs carried by the protesters of the Seattle pride parade this weekend had grammar mistakes. - That's awesome.

[zinnydark.livejournal.com]

No, you see, when I pointed that out, he helpfully reminded me that they too were Inspired, and that God helped them to get his Word to the modern times in the exact way it was meant to be.


And Bwee! THAT's what I call a BNF!

[crayonbreakygal.livejournal.com]

Amen to all of that. Why is it that the many "religious" people are the ones who are the most judgmental? I don't get it either.

So sorry that you've never met the priest at my church. The priest is a she, has two kids, has best friends who are gay, talks about cute guys, but always, always does the good deed and doesn't want to get credit for it. Talk about living the way one should. Talk about role model for my kids too.

Is the Jewish faith better equipped at dealing with gays? It's just that my sister-in-law was joined with her partner, the service being done by a rabbi. It was so moving.

Didn't the Governor of Texas just sign some bill in a church? WTF was that all about anyway? Am I opening up a can of worms?

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

amen!

can I get a witness???

[desoto-hia873.livejournal.com]

Sing it, sistah.

[inlovewithnight.livejournal.com]

Word. Can I print this at and throw it at certain people?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well... If it weren't spoken by Jesus, it ain't canon.

HA HA HA HA!! And eeeeeverything comes around full circle. (Um, the Books of Moses are the Canon.) It's very possible that I need a nap.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, but I defy the Gov and all his works. Ha ha! What an ass. Kinky Friedman for Guv!

Now, I do *know* people who are thoughtful and reflective and live their life as Christians. One of them isn't one by name, but she's more christ-like than most people on the earth.

I believe in the credo of Jesus' philosophies, I just don't believe in deity.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Jalapeno!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, solo, mio....

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Feel free. I just got off the phone with my husband and we're thinking of creating an anti-religion religion. Where no one joins but you send me all your money. It's like regular religion, but without any effort!

[lumenara.livejournal.com]

I realized this was required.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, there's no arguing with morons.

God might want to check the part he forgot about where Abraham gives a blessing to his grandsons and lays hands on their THIGHS. I'm pretty sure Abraham was supposed to lay hands on their HEADS. Or maybe molesting is okay? Rape was okay: just ask Lot about his girls.

Oh, and God repeated himself at the end of Revelations (how cool is it that THAT ended up as the last verse?) about not adding anything? 'Cause that's in Deuteronomy, so I'm confused as to whether anything after Moses' books count? I mean, if I'm supposed to be literal. Just asking.

:-D

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I... I have nothing further than a glitter pony and cake made of pony.

I offer them unto you. In servitude.

(OMG, shareable????)

[winterlive.livejournal.com]

Had a VERY long convo with a friend of mine about Christianity. He does all kinds of things that his faith would consider immoral (but which, incidentally, I wouldn't). When asked to explain this, he tells me that all people are sinners, and therefore one cannot expect to be perfect, but only to try to do good things. In theory, he's big on not judging others, but in practice, he does it constantly. The man takes pride in aspiring toward elitism and aristocracy. There is no humility in him.

Christians baffle me. It seems that for a people who have such a strict moral code - or seem to - they just never practice what they preach. That original sin thing, what a loophole. I don't believe in morality having loopholes, y'know? I think what's right and wrong is 100% solid, and when you do something wrong, you have to ask forgiveness, instead of morality going - oh, well, you tried, I guess it's okay. And if you don't ask, then yeah, you're being a bad person. End of story.

Am I stricter than Christians? O.o