Yesterday, my nuclear family and I attended the Christmas parade in one of the better “to do” suburbs of the smallish city we inhabit.
By mere happenstance we claimed a spot of sidewalk in front of one of the many minor mediocrities of architecture that operate as a church. Early in the proceedings a man who had been handing free hot chocolate gave me the most ridiculous little pamphlet called, “Which Way Are You Going?” published by the Liberty Gospel Tracts; an Orwellian name for an organization whose main goal was to invite you into slavery.
(On their website, they offer an "Ask a Question" section. The section has some helpful advice for female visitors, "If you are married, we must biblically direct you to your husband first. I Corinthians 14:35 deals with women having questions in church, and instructs them to ask their husbands at home. If your husband does not know the answer, you might encourage him to write to us here. The Bible also instructs the older women to teach the younger women, in Titus 2:3,4. If you write to us with a question, we will pass it along to one of our ladies here, who will help you to find the answer from the Bible." For it's awful humor, read previous responses to questions...)
This will teach me to accept free drinks from strange men.
As simple and bald as the little broadside is, it really does encapsulate the entire position of the religious establishment. Specifically, after establishing that there are no other options in life other than subservience to the celestial “capriciously malevolent bully” or to suffer for aninfinite time in a torture shop run by his enemy on page 1, page 2 ensures us that we are unable to help ourselves lead better lives, page 3 says that even if we are successful through talent, education and self-discipline, that such personal victories are without meaning unless we abase ourselves are the non-existent feet of a jealous god.
I was very tempted to refuse his offer of “literature” or at least tell him that I had already decided, at least in general terms, my course of life; thanks but no thanks. My inherent politeness forced me to mumble a thank you and turn away. I had after all taken the drink.
However, the question one is confronted with is what if the roles were reversed?
This will teach me to accept free drinks from strange men.
As simple and bald as the little broadside is, it really does encapsulate the entire position of the religious establishment. Specifically, after establishing that there are no other options in life other than subservience to the celestial “capriciously malevolent bully” or to suffer for aninfinite time in a torture shop run by his enemy on page 1, page 2 ensures us that we are unable to help ourselves lead better lives, page 3 says that even if we are successful through talent, education and self-discipline, that such personal victories are without meaning unless we abase ourselves are the non-existent feet of a jealous god.
I was very tempted to refuse his offer of “literature” or at least tell him that I had already decided, at least in general terms, my course of life; thanks but no thanks. My inherent politeness forced me to mumble a thank you and turn away. I had after all taken the drink.
However, the question one is confronted with is what if the roles were reversed?
Would a dedicated Christian accept a free hot chocolate on a cold day in exchange for a pamphlet extolling the virtues of logic, reason and humanistic compassion, during their attendance at a Darwin Day parade?
I am guessing that the whole scenario would be unlikely.
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