Monday, April 28, 2008

Because the Bible tells me so

Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things He does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, He has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where He will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time........ But He loves you!
George Carlin
OK, this drives me crazy. On the news yesterday they interviewed this man who was shot by a home intruder. He was OK, and he was all thankful because obviously God was watching over him. Dude. You got shot in the face. I think that was kind of lame of God. How about the bullet hits a lamp or something?Awwwwwww! So cute!

18 comments:

Mel said...

My grandmother loves to tell a story about her father when he was in the last weeks of his life. A visitor came to see and asked if she should pray for him. His response was, "Well, if it'll make you feel better."

Michael said...

Love it, Mel.

I don't begrudge anyone their beliefs, except when they try to foist them on me.

It's on my mind more as I'm reading Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion, which is most entertaining and informative.

IamKnitGuy said...

I think the younger girl has that look on her face because she already knows she a lesbian and this photo is going to come back and haunt her adulthood! If nothing else there's years of hopeful therapy ahead for her as she tries to exorcise her mother's insanity from her own! Why don't you need a license to be a parent?

The Other Andrew said...

I had similar thoughts when I was watching footage of that Christian rock concert where the ground opened up and about 70 kids into the basement below. While not happy that they got hurt by the collapsing floor, I was screaming at my tv THAT'S YOUR 'ACT OF GOD' RIGHT THERE!!

sam said...

I too got a very distinct lesbo vibe from the younger female. *Sips tea*

Anonymous said...

That photo sends a shiver down my spine. What the fuck is wrong with people?

On a lighter note, I had the exact same thought, knitguyla.

Michael said...

knitguyla, she likes Susan Sarandon movies already, she just doesn't know why yet. And yes, parent licenses. This is an extreme case, but any kind of religious indoctrination is a lil' bit abusive, I think (spoken like a Catholic boy who realized early on he was doomed to burn). Oh, and nice lid.

Andrew, get the message, right? If there were a god, surely he'd be ironic (or at least a little funny).

Sam, can I top that off for you?

Susie, did you see the video of those Phelps-loony kids on Rich's site?

freakgirl said...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080429/ap_on_re_us/prayer_death

Michael said...

It's horrendous abuse.

And isn't it strange that, even in this extreme case, there'll be those who argue that we need to respect their religion. Why? It's one thing when your delusions don't impact anyone else, but when they endanger a child's wellbeing (or my rights), I can't fathom it.

It's EASY to be outraged by something like this case, but every day, in seemingly benign ways, religion infects free thinking, to the detriment of all of us.

OK, this might be a sore spot for me right now.

freakgirl said...

I'll respect their religion. When it comes to THEIR medical decisions. Let yourself die, I don't care. But a child? A child isn't old enough to decide whether or not god is going to save her. Awful. Every time I read that story, I get more and more upset.

If I read that book you're reading, my head will most certainly screw itself off my neck and fly around the room.

Michael said...

Even though it's a highly entertaining read, I understand what you're saying.

If anyone has an interest, and has ten minutes or so, check out this interview Dawkins did on BBC. He's so soft-spoken and assured and logical and convincing (not that I needed convincing).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=a1WCpUvjLE4

Michael said...

One of the most interesting things he says in the interview is that a great number of people who consider themselves religious, really haven't given it much thought. I agree with that. For most, we're indoctrinated in the religion of our parents (as they were) and almost without exception that religion teaches us that UNQUESTIONING faith is required by God. Convenient. Ignore the man behind the curtain!

And, like any good scientist, he doesn't discount the possibility that God exists. No one can prove or disprove it (except, of course, God)(which, dude, why so shy?). He just explains why it's highly unlikely. And, more importantly, how organized religion is so damaging on an individual and societal level.

OK, I'll shutup now.

freakgirl said...

Don't stop. I totally agree. Part of the reason I can be so objectionable about religion is that I find most people are so THOUGHTLESS about it. I will gladly respect and listen to any belief you have, as long as you've given it some thought and understand what you believe in. You know?

I'm not anti-religion as much as I'm anti-sheep. Oh, I'm going to have to read this book now.

Michael said...

Yes! For starters, if you're going to base your life on what's written in an old book (and use it to marginalize mine) how about knowing WHERE that book comes from, WHO wrote it, WHEN they wrote it,and WHY. I am willing to bet most "religious" people can't answer those questions.

IamKnitGuy said...

I'm a little on a tangent but I'm reminded of a Phil Donahue show where a mother was defending her choice to not seek medical intervention for her child (who subsequently died from a treatable condition). She cried and cried and insisted that through prayer Jesus would provide. Phil was crazed, looked her straight in the eye and asked her flatly, "Did Jesus pick out those glasses for you?"

The hypocrisy astounds!

Ur-spo said...

i barely remember a great uncle quoting the Bible to give support to why segregation was God's will.
I forget what part of the Bible he used. Even as a boy i smelled a rat - what sort of God would do that? I suspected he was misusing God, which must piss Him off greatly.

jason said...

God hates cigarettes?

jason said...

Well, thank goodness he can ressurect.