BigJim
07-22-2004, 02:14 AM
PRE-POST NOTE
The theme of this post is something that has been gurgling around in the vase of my skull for months now. It occured to me in greater detail whilst driving home from work this morning. Whilst sitting down to type it out, the darn thing started to write itself. What eventually ended up on the screen was more confrontational, and some may say insulting, than even I usually write. Bear in mind that this "article" is un-edited for consideration to people's feelings. When it was finished I thought it stood out as a point-maker even if it's satirical bite was rather sharp and unkind. For that reason I've left it the way it wrote itself. If you are a religious person then quite possibly you will find this offensive and rude. Bear in mind what I've said in the past about how I believe everyone's personal belief is up to them and no-one else has the right to try and change them from it by force or co-ercion. I still believe that and mean no offence to any of you. If it makes it easier, imagine that this was written by a third party whose words and thoughts I have conveyed here for the sake of discussion. That's pretty much the way I regard it myself.
Leave some comments on the floor. Whatever comes into your heads after you've read it. And remember, believe what you will and I'll meet you in the middle for a soda and a hot dog.
Jim - Who is rather confused where this shit came from.
I remember seeing a TV feature about this guy who was heading a campaign to persuade teenagers to stay virgins till marriage. (Male and female.) They turn up for a talk and are treated to some funky music, laser lights and a tit in a suit trying his best to act like a cool dude on the stage. It emphasises the benefites of "faith" and says a Christian approach helps you stay chaste. At the end of the talk, you stump up $15 and get a Bible and a silver ring to wear as a sign of your vow to stay a card carrying member of the V-Club until the day you walk up the aisle.
He was enthusing during an interview about how he was going to tour Britain and how high his hopes were than British teenagers would respond to his call.
Well he's toured Britain now and guess what? Two people took him up on his offer. One was a geek who couldn't get a shag if he wanted one, the other was a Satanist doing it for a bet. And why this lack of sucess? Largely because no-one in Britain gives a shit about religion. In America it's a fact of everyday life to millions that Christ died to save us all, that He'll come back, and how long the winter goes on is "up to the Lord". (Something I heard an Appalachian mountains farmer say on the radio.) But in Britain your atypical church population consists of old biddys who skipped the 60's and went straight to the 70's and recovering alcoholics who like any lame person, have found a crutch to help them walk.
General view of the deep American belief in religion is one of amusement and cultural tolerance in Britain. Most people feel as if it's something we've evolved beyond and that Americans are quaint and rather medieval in sticking to a thought pattern we left behind just after the Second World War. (And probably felt embarrassed about holding onto for that long anyway.)
I wonder if this preacher-dude is resignedly disappointed, or shocked beyond words? I for one am not in the least surprised. Those who did join when he toured this country will more likely than not have joined for the novelty, and will be far less likely to keep their dicks in their pants than their American counterparts once an opportunity presents itself. We've gone to the Devil! :manicd:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmmm. Odd little diatribe. I'm not sure exactly why it's phrased like it is, unless it's some schizophrenic corner of my mind having a laugh by winding people up. Personally though, I think it could be the start of some decent debate. Why do you think this religious divide between the UK and USA is so wide? Why is religion and Christianity in particular something that is now a minority "hobby" in Britain? Drop your thoughts gators, and let's see what develops. :)
The theme of this post is something that has been gurgling around in the vase of my skull for months now. It occured to me in greater detail whilst driving home from work this morning. Whilst sitting down to type it out, the darn thing started to write itself. What eventually ended up on the screen was more confrontational, and some may say insulting, than even I usually write. Bear in mind that this "article" is un-edited for consideration to people's feelings. When it was finished I thought it stood out as a point-maker even if it's satirical bite was rather sharp and unkind. For that reason I've left it the way it wrote itself. If you are a religious person then quite possibly you will find this offensive and rude. Bear in mind what I've said in the past about how I believe everyone's personal belief is up to them and no-one else has the right to try and change them from it by force or co-ercion. I still believe that and mean no offence to any of you. If it makes it easier, imagine that this was written by a third party whose words and thoughts I have conveyed here for the sake of discussion. That's pretty much the way I regard it myself.
Leave some comments on the floor. Whatever comes into your heads after you've read it. And remember, believe what you will and I'll meet you in the middle for a soda and a hot dog.
Jim - Who is rather confused where this shit came from.
I remember seeing a TV feature about this guy who was heading a campaign to persuade teenagers to stay virgins till marriage. (Male and female.) They turn up for a talk and are treated to some funky music, laser lights and a tit in a suit trying his best to act like a cool dude on the stage. It emphasises the benefites of "faith" and says a Christian approach helps you stay chaste. At the end of the talk, you stump up $15 and get a Bible and a silver ring to wear as a sign of your vow to stay a card carrying member of the V-Club until the day you walk up the aisle.
He was enthusing during an interview about how he was going to tour Britain and how high his hopes were than British teenagers would respond to his call.
Well he's toured Britain now and guess what? Two people took him up on his offer. One was a geek who couldn't get a shag if he wanted one, the other was a Satanist doing it for a bet. And why this lack of sucess? Largely because no-one in Britain gives a shit about religion. In America it's a fact of everyday life to millions that Christ died to save us all, that He'll come back, and how long the winter goes on is "up to the Lord". (Something I heard an Appalachian mountains farmer say on the radio.) But in Britain your atypical church population consists of old biddys who skipped the 60's and went straight to the 70's and recovering alcoholics who like any lame person, have found a crutch to help them walk.
General view of the deep American belief in religion is one of amusement and cultural tolerance in Britain. Most people feel as if it's something we've evolved beyond and that Americans are quaint and rather medieval in sticking to a thought pattern we left behind just after the Second World War. (And probably felt embarrassed about holding onto for that long anyway.)
I wonder if this preacher-dude is resignedly disappointed, or shocked beyond words? I for one am not in the least surprised. Those who did join when he toured this country will more likely than not have joined for the novelty, and will be far less likely to keep their dicks in their pants than their American counterparts once an opportunity presents itself. We've gone to the Devil! :manicd:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmmm. Odd little diatribe. I'm not sure exactly why it's phrased like it is, unless it's some schizophrenic corner of my mind having a laugh by winding people up. Personally though, I think it could be the start of some decent debate. Why do you think this religious divide between the UK and USA is so wide? Why is religion and Christianity in particular something that is now a minority "hobby" in Britain? Drop your thoughts gators, and let's see what develops. :)