"You hear the voices, do what they say."
A few months ago, I was driving by a church with this sign on the front (you know, the kind of sign they change from week to week). I have no idea what the intended message this statement has - are they referring to God talking? Saints? Satan? My immediate thought was that a person with auditory hallucinations is going to walk right by this sign, read it, and do something horrible.
I normally would let it go, but you know what I see on inpatient. I decided to immediately call the church instead. I left a message telling them I work with people who hear voices and recommended they remove the sign. I felt like an idiot, but I guess I was doing what my voices were telling me.
Last night on TV, I happened upon some preacher who looked ugly and weird. So of course, I stopped for a moment. He was saying how he had told his parishioners to give over a month's mortgage, and they would have unimaginable blessings. Several months later, a gentleman contacted him and said that after giving the $$ to church, his property skyrocketed. Now he is giving over twice the mortgage on his other house so God can yield even more blessings. Uh, yeah. Sure. Good for this guy (if he exists which I doubt he does). I can imagine a lot of hard working people making and then not being able to overcome that sacrifice, and feeling guilty for not giving more. Why did the preacher have to go with Mortgage? Why not ask for the clothes off our backs?
I'm a Catholic Convert, my kids go to Catholic School. I was raised Born-Again Fanatical Christian, a lot of weird and crossed messages in my house. There's a lot of stories there, believe me. Untapped horizons. I take religion with a grain of salt - take what works, leave the rest. To me, much of it is stories, symbolically giving us direction, and I like the ritual and respect they offer. To give Catholics credit, they pretty much leave you alone - not too much bible thumping.
Sometimes, all I can do is shake my head and say, "What are they thinking?? Do they even know what they are doing?"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Religions are ultimately businesses. They sell reassurance of an afterlife. According to this article as many as fifty new religions spring up in the U.S. each year.
This kind of stuff makes my blood boil.
I'm glad you made that call about the sign. You're right--it's confusing and possibly offensive.
I believe in a higher power, but not the one most people try to force on me. I've learned it's better not to discuss religion with most people because it's something they really need to be right about.
Good for you for making the call. Did they change the sign?
Stephen, that's a great article. Fun school assignment. I think I'll join up for the church of Sertaism & ZZZ's.
Christine, Sizzle. I'm right there with you.
Anti-Wife, I've never been down that one street, it was a fluke of fate & I didn't go back to check. I'll never know. Religion is definitely a hot button.
Post a Comment