#yes there are passages in the bible that are conservative | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

rubywines · 9 months

Text

(Sorry in advance: unfortunately, English is not my first language but I felt the urge to speak up)

Everyone’s talking about how badly Crowley is hurt, and, God & others, I can imagine; it must be extremely hard time for him! Not with one single thought I ever underestimated his pain, I love Crowley so much and just hope that everything will get better. However, I really wonder why so few people talk about Aziraphale’s feelings? I doubt very much that he is completely on cloud nine – I mean, well, you get it.

We all agreed with the fact that heaven for him are like parents-abusers who have religiously traumatized him so much that he doesn’t even realize their toxicity now. And most of us also agreed that the following came out of the previous agreement – it was worth heaven ("parents") to throw him literally a grain of attention, say a couple of nice words and he rushed to them immediately. Not right away, of course, but think about it: your terribly conservative parents, who literally retell you Bible passages instead of giving real family advices, suddenly say, like, come home, our dear, we allow you to rearrange your room, hang a couple of posters and, oh, you can even bring your demon-boyfriend! (I'm sure for heaven and hell this kind of relationship is equal to homophobia on Earth, so forgive me for using gender so bluntly)

Doesn't that sound amazing? You don't even think about how many millimeters you now allowed to move your desk lamp, because they said you can take your demon-boyfriend with you who will – wait for it – cease to be demon and you will finally have a chance together! Hurray! But stop, it seems you forgot that your demon-boyfriend doesn't want your heaven-room, which you will gladly rebuild just for him, or the opportunity to draw stars on the ceiling again. He just wants to be with you, on "your" side.

And you can't do that.

Aziraphale is an angel who saw all the crimes of heaven, did not agree with them and still continued to believe that "it’s the side of truth, of light". "Of good". Though he himself was absolutely petrified with all this killing of Job’s children theme, for example. He just can't stop. After all, it’s only for us 6,000 years – a hella lot of time, when he is sorely lacking it. He didn’t fall like Crowley, heaven hasn’t yet rejected him "truly" to see everything. And every day, every hour that he spends next to Crowley is at the same time great, fun, exciting but also damn hard: he has to adjust to the person (demon!!) who is "too fast" for him to have an opportunity to just continue their communication. I'm actually lucky not to know how Aziraphale really feels, but I can imagine how hard it is to convince yourself that there is nothing wrong with such suspiciously pleasant interactions with Crowley, because, think, he does good things too! Demons don't do good but he does, so it means that he's good, right, perfect, and that maybe God made a tiny little mista—

I'm sure when he first came to this idea, he was afraid for his life. How could he think SUCH a thing about God, really? And can everything that is happening be a test – although God ("parent") obviously wouldn’t ever waste her time just to test him, of course, yes, but still, is it possible..? Is Crowley really his "apple"?

To Aziraphale's surprise, no matter how many times he "refuses" Crowley, they still get closer, stay together, gravitate towards each other; haha, it can't be that Aziraphale, an angel (!!), really do likes— Oh, Crowley saved his books, how un-demonic! 🥰🤗

Aziraphale loves his life on Earth so much, everything is fine with him, just wonderful, but does he think deep down that he deserves it? All his comfortable existence, and books, and music, and delicious food, and everything that he adores, he’s ready to sacrifice without hesitation for someone's happiness, because he has not ceased to be an angel – in our case, he sacrifices "himself" for Crowley's happiness, because when did he see him genuinely happy last time? Oh, right, when he was an angel and created stars. So fine, be it – they will go to a white skyscraper, where there is absolutely nothing that Aziraphale loves, but at least they finally can love each other, right? Is that… Is that right?

Turns out – no, unfortunately.

Aziraphale cannot so easily turn himself inside out and free from what makes him consider himself "just one of the other angels", he needs to finally see with his own eyes how toxic heaven is. And only then will he be able to escape and begin to change (and not only acquire interests and hobbies).

Crowley seems to be trying to explain to the child of abusive parents that no, you absolutely must not feel obliged to return to them at the first call after everything they have done, no, "you are better than that, angel". In vain. But I think deep down he understands.

And the most painful thing is that Aziraphale loves Crowley, really does. He loves him so much, infinitely, but doesn’t dare to admit it even to himself, fearing that God he is supposed to serve will hear these "shameful" thoughts and get angry. When he can get rid of the fear that the heavens are watching his slightest movement, then he will probably understand what Crowley was trying to tell him.

In the meantime, he believes that Crowley's hatred of heaven is greater than love for him. So do you truly think it doesn't hurt Aziraphale at all?

#good omens #go #go2 #go2 spoilers #good omens 2 #aziraphale #crowley #azicrow #ineffable husbands #i literally gonna cry

7 notes · View notes

tempobrucera · 1 year

Note

How about a director's cut for Tainted Church? 😊

Oh, yes, definitely.

Sacred Heart - Tainted Church is probably one of my favourite smut stories that I wrote? And after that (you know which one) photoshoot I had to.

I started (and have one in the middle and ended) it with a bible passage because it's smut that plays in an actual church, it's not a prayer or something, it's just something that is in the bible and is about sin, kind of

It has more metaphors in it than some other stories again by default. Thomas "dresses up" (which is a stretch, lol, he wears a clerical collar) as priest in this fic to seduce Reader to fuck in a church. Because he's quite desperate to get Reader to sin and be the one who gets Reader into that position in the first place and he isn't afraid to take some more, lets say, drastic measures, to get his way here

Even tho he dresses up as a priest and a religious kink was definitely the main reason why I wrote this, one of the first notes I made was: "What if Thomas is the personification of the devil?" And I kept to it, and I hinted at it through the whole fic (will come back to it) and also made more notes for this for the second part

I needed them to get to a church in the first place. I was thinking about a wedding invitation, about a confirmation, anything like that, first. But Italy is a really conservative Christian country actually, so I thought maybe I don't have to go that far but with that also go further, because Thomas wouldn't say no to his parents asking if they join him to go to church for some holiday (in my head it was something around Easter btw) and he knows that Reader wouldn't say no either even when they don't like churches or the concept or the concept of god and that they would never say no to something where Thomas tells them to do the opposite. He knows all that, so he takes it as his advantage

Reader loves the architecture in churches though which is really me. I love the architecture in religious buildings in general, it's something breathtaking. Old buildings in general and how much they have seen as they'll get to an age a human being could never

"You don’t like being judged by something so intangible as god, you know that he doesn’t either." -> I have said it before already but it can take a while to write sentences like this. Like there are probably 10 versions of this sentence and it's the only version that stuck. Also I found it an interesting concept to put two people who might be nonbelievers but still feel uncomfortable being judged by something that might be not exist into this scenario

"The deal is sealed. Oh, if you would have known that you just signed a contract with the devil, maybe you would have taken the way out." -> That Reader is saying yes to Thomas and the church visit is like a deal / a contract with the devil, just that Thomas was cheeky enough to not make it clear that this is in fact a deal, because he isn't planning on letting Reader off the hook now

"There’s nothing sacred to Thomas; you should have known." -> I love that little sentence here so much. It's like Reader should have known better, blaming themselves, because Reader knows Thomas

Thomas actually asks Reader to be honest with him when he asks if Reader is getting aroused. And the natural reaction of Reader is to still lie, even when it's really clear that it's a lie, especially to Thomas. But Reader lies because that's a normal reaction, or would you just be truthful from the start when you're ashamed of something? They are on a way to a church, and Reader desperately tries not to be desperate, while Thomas tries to get Reader desperate before they even reach the church and he wants Reader to be honest about their arousal

"In the distance you can hear a bell ringing; you should have taken it as a warning." -> Church bells have been rung as a warning throughout history. For example as a warning of invasion or as a warning when there's a flood

"“I don’t like starting things and not ending them.”" - He is lying, maybe not the first time, maybe not the last time. But in this case Reader is aware that it could be one

"Its disingenuously sweet. Too sweet for such a hellish tongue." -> You know, the devil and hell

"“You really are the devil,” you say. “Maybe.” He takes another drag and blows the smoke into your face. “But we will see who is going to go up flames when we step over the threshold. You or me.” -> He isn't denying it, or saying it's true. But he is having a lot of fun with playing with that shameful arousal of Reader with the things he does and says. Like, what he's saying is, yeah, maybe I am the devil but when time comes to tell, Reader might also go up in flames, end up in inferno because Reader is that sinful right now

"“I’m a sinner disguised as a saint, always.”" -> Actually there's a passage in the bible "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

He lies about his parents, and maybe he lied about his parents from the start. Who knows. Only Thomas can tell

Thomas is praying next to Reader and all Reader can think about is getting between his legs, on her knees, which is a place of worship, kneeling but probably not sucking Thomas off

"A bouquet, made of arum lilies, twigs of cypress, red orchids and baby’s breath, that Thomas got you a while ago." -> I love love love the symbolism of flowers

"It’s such a shame you think, that they don’t survive long after they’ve been cut. How the flowers decay from a beautiful wonder of nature to a wilted bunch of sad looking creatures." -> Don't ask me how I wrote this because I can't tell you, I re-read it and was like how did that come out of my head, I really like it

Same goes for the memento mori part, no clue how I wrote this. But I know why I wrote it, both of it, because these two parts go together actually. The flowers that die and people die as well, much later, but that you have to consider it, you only have an estimated timespan on this earth and you have to enjoy your time. For Thomas that means, because death is around the corner, that it's okay to sin while being on earth. And obviously the link between that, the devil and Reader saying that Thomas is the death of her

The fire is coming up through the whole fic, like going up in flames, the warmth, the inferno in Readers stomach, ect.

Even tho I wanted to have Thomas a certain way, to get Reader certain places, I always wanted him to be gentle in the small gestures

But still when Thomas gets Reader where he wants to have her, it's also uncomfortable, it hurts a bit and they think maybe it should, because Reader knows what they are doing is a sin, that was Thomas is doing is shameful, but Reader is sosososo aroused by Thomas, and Thomas is still so soft to lure them, Reader would do anything, Reader would believe Thomas anything in that moment. And they both love each other deeply because they otherwise wouldn't do this together

Thomas leaves half moon shaped marks on Reader with his nails -> The half moon symbolises life and death as well

"“Pray.” For the first time you can see the shame in his eyes. Thomas kisses your forehead gently." -> As I said, Thomas despite everything is gentle, he's in love. And in the end, he's ashamed as well, of what he just did. He can't pray it away but Reader might can, that's why as shameful as it is, he has Reader do it. Also there's the saying: "Tell the truth and shame the devil". Reader is being honest, praying because they sinned, and Thomas can only look on feel all the shame in that moment

#ask #anon #fic director's cut

2 notes · View notes

ginger-snaps014 · 2 years

Text

Trigger warning: long post and SCOUS abortion opinion thoughts

Time to scream into the void… aka tumblr. Or way too public way to deal with the internal spiraling after the leak of the Supreme Court draft option overturning roe v wade.

1. I know it is not final… that does not make me more comfortable. It was still drafted. It is an official court document. I never thought I would see women’s rights destroyed in my country. I just saw a document that would make it possible.

2. If the right to bodily autonomy is eroded for women… what happens to others in vulnerable positions. Will being trans become illegal. Cosmetic plastic surgery. Birth control. If you no longer have the right to control your own body, who does?

3. This will also limit the right to privacy. How will this affect Texas v. Lawrence (makes it unconstitutional to make gay sex illegal) or Virginia v loving (makes it unconditional to make interracial marriage illegal). Griswold v. Connecticut (makes it unconstitutional to make birth control illegal). Yes birth control was illegal in some states. The government should not be in my uterus or my bedroom

4. I am a woman who is single and grey ace. The effect won’t hit me has hard as my friends who are sexually active. It still affects my rights. I care. I am straight. I could still be affected. I could be raped.

5. I have the resources to travel and get the procedure elsewhere if needed. Like the woman in the lives of the people making these laws. Not every American has that option. That makes me nauseous. The future of all citizens, not just the wealthy, should matter.

6. It’s my body

7. The Bible literally permits abortion (at least in the case of adultery) Numbers 5:27-28

8. The Bible literally holds the value of a living woman over that of an unborn fetus (Exodus 21:22-25) and they would only know back then once a woman had pregnancy symptoms

9. Most pro-life people point to psalms or Jeremiah which just have to do with god’s omnipotence. He knew me in the womb. Aka he knew me before I existed. Poetry is pretty. Not a reason to turn me into a broodmare (horse kept around to reproduce. An animal with no bodily autonomy. Not a voluntary mom. Those are moms)

10. Other pro-life people just look at passages about spilling innocent blood. News flash you can’t kill that which is not yet alive. No blood spilled.

11. Jewish people say breath of life motif mean life starts at birth aka when the baby breaths.

12. Items 7-11 are irrelevant because of freedom of religion. You cannot make me practice your religious beliefs. Fuck you

13. Child support doesn’t start until birth. Yet giving birth requires a huge financial penalty (Dr. Visits, vitamin, ultrasounds, missed work for Dr, 100ks for actual birth in a hospital, recovery and more missed work). Women bear that responsibility alone. It took two to tango. Where is the man’s responsibility

14. Not to mention the toll of pregnancy and birth on an actually living persons body.

15. Citizenship also doesn’t happen until you are born.

16. Miscarriages are common. Some conservative leaders are drafting laws that would result in a criminal penalty… for nature.

17. If you drive drunk and get into an accident that results in a second person needing a kidney transplant or dying, You would not be required by law to give up your own kidney if you were a match. A drunk accident does not give someone else rights to your body. Even if that person is actually alive. Even if you were at fault.

18. A fetus is not viable until the 3rd trimester. Women are not life support machines. We are people. If the fetus is not human enough or formed enough to exist, why force it.

19. I would not want to be kept on life support if I lacked higher brain function. Regardless of whether I had a heartbeat or fingernails (F you Juno). In my view a vegetable is not alive. My essence. My soul. What makes me Me is gone. If I would not consider myself alive without that brain function, I do not consider the fetus alive either. While electrical impulses start early, higher brain function occurs at the end of the 2nd trimester or beginning of the 3rd. I think therefore I am - descarte bitches!

20. Per physics, potential motion and actual motion are different. Per the English language potential is not the same as actual. As such, potential life and actual life are different. Let’s protect the actual life.

21. “But you could be killing the next president.” Bitch, it’s not alive so there is no killing. And it might be the next H.H. Holmes. Keep your completely unfounded manipulation away from me. And I will keep the next potential serial killer away from you.

22. This could result in so many women stuck in abusive households.

23. The economy better improve. Because almost all millennials are in 2 income households. If you expect women to be 1950 housewives, our men better be able to take care of the entire household on a single salary. Oh wait. They can’t.

24. If you were a fertility clinic that was on fire and you could either save (a) an unconscious, living person with a broken leg, or (b) a small two handled refrigerator with 1000000000000000000000000 fertilized eggs (or more), which do you save? I’m saving the person. Fertilized eggs are not the same as people. End of story.

25. Babies born into dangerous situations is a bad thing. Such situations could include poverty, abusive household, unloving mother, etc. Why don’t we fix the current education, healthcare, foster care, etc. systems first. Rather that put people and babies at risk

26. Children are expensive. Especially, if you want to give them everything they need to succeed (more easily) - like education. Some people want to wait until they are ready. Some know they can’t provide what they would like to.

27. To all my “social liberal, financially conservative” peeps…. Guess you should have voted for your rights and not your pocketbook.

28. People who says it’s the woman’s fault because she shouldn’t be having sex. (A) again takes two to tango. (B) sounds like you are interested in regulating and controlling women than anything else

29. Women are usually only fertile around 2 days a month and then only from our teens until middle age. Men a fertile from puberty until death, every day of the year and can get multiple people pregnant in a day. If you wanted to stop abortion you would go for them. Especially, vasectomies are reversible. Instead you punish woman.

30. To dates in the Bible Belt passed heartbeat bills - Strange how you don’t care about ensuring decent sex ed in schools to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place

31. I’m pro choice. Because the only other option is anti-choice. Is force. Is wrong.

#abortion #supreme court #scous #someone help #the handmaid's tale #it’s starting #long post

10 notes · View notes

hymnonlips · 2 years

Text

God Favored Her: An Introduction + Three Photos Tag Game

Due to recent (and at the same time ancient) events, I’ve taken it upon myself to try to repurpose my frustration into something creative.

Enter: God Favored Her

(details, moodboards, and playlists under the cut!)

*TW: Sexual Harassment & Assault, Abortion, Stalking, Conversion Therapy, Incest

God Favored Her is a collection of short stories about the lives of different modern day women inspired by the women from the bible. Currently, there are four planned installments:

Eve🗧

Synopsis: Eve navigates her desire to have sex with her boyfriend within a highly conservative environment. Ultimately, she decides to give into her desires, but is later punished harshly, now facing the future she never wanted to have.

Spotify Link: Here.

Note: In this interpretation, the apple is now a cherry, a representation of losing your virginity. The whole Fall of Man story is all about the loss of innocence, so I thought it would be interesting to take it in this direction.

Bathsheba🗧

Synopsis: Bathsheba, a woman who lives with her veteran husband (who is mostly away), discovers that naked photos of herself were taken without her consent when someone across the street begins stalking her. She feels ashamed of her forgetfulness to close her blinds and realizes that she can’t ask for help. Faced with his money and power, she feels pressured into giving into his advances. Ultimately, Bathsheba becomes pregnant with his child and she contemplates on living in a man’s world as a woman without a man.

Spotify Link: Here.

Note: I really hated how the bible passages never went into how Bathsheba felt about David watching her and impregnating her. Honest to god, it sounded like she enjoyed it because of her silence. (We’re not even getting into him murdering her husband.)

Mary Magdalene🗧

Synopsis: A disciple at a conversion camp battles inner turmoil when she finds out her lover is soon to leave the camp. She contemplates her status of being the lowly sinner and her lover, the praised saint. She remembers how her love seems to be a completely different person around her—human, even—and wonders which side of her is real—if their love was ever real. Ultimately, when her lover leaves to go on the mission, she is left alone with her prayers to god, begging that he would change her.

Spotify Link: Here.

Note: Alexa, play I Don’t Know How To Love Him.

Honestly, this story is an outlier because this is the only one where she doesn’t get pregnant, which puts into perspective the role women play in the bible. Still, I wanted to tackle this because of the supposed rumor that Magdalene and Jesus had a secret romance (omg I sound so gossipy). I wondered what kind of dynamic would a sinner and a saint have and I realized that this would be worth exploring through a queer lens.

Virgin Mary🗧

Synopsis: A pregnant teenage girl reflects on the mystery of her pregnancy. She navigates family dynamics, trying to amend her innocent youth with the expectation to be as innocent after everything that’s happened. Now a mother, she tries to understand her responsibilities, realizing, as a sixteen-year-old, she’s not ready. Ultimately, with family and morals in mind, she takes it upon herself to have the baby—regardless of her fears and uncertainty surrounding her pregnancy.

Spotify Link: Here.

Notes: This one, I’d say, is the most controversial story as it paints Mary to be an unwilling mother. However, I must say, that Mary was sixteen when she said yes to God, and as a child listening to that story, I was terrified. I’d imagine that at that age, if a god were to ask me to bear his child, I can’t say no. And so, I wanna give a more humanistic lens into the youth of Mary and the expectation, as women, to remain innocent.

Also, Mary’s decision at the end shouldn’t be seen as her disregarding her feelings for the “greater good.” It should be seen as a complicated decision that Mary had to make.

Final Notes🗧

@loveimogen has previously tagged me in a three photos tag game where you find three photos/images (they can be anything at all, memes, vintage photographs, quotes, anything) that you feel describe your wip. Coincidentally, I was working on this post when I was tagged, so I thought I’ll just put it under that. You can find xyr post here!

Also I’ll be tagging @the-writing-moon @thepixiediaries @the-orangeauthor and whoever else wants to join! :DD (No pressure to the ones I tagged tho!)

#EllyOC #EllyGodFavoredHer #biblical themes #feminism #creative writing #WIP #wip intro #writing wip #writers on tumblr #writeblr #im scared to post this ngl #i hope you enjoy it tho!#EllyTA

4 notes · View notes

wutbju · 19 hours

Photo

Joseph Crespino in his history, In Search of Another Country, documents how white Protestant ministers in the South viewed those Northerner ministers who were trying to get Black folks registered to vote. We still repeat these same stories, yes?

A story--possibly apocryphal--recounted in the conservative Presbyterian Journal, which followed NCC activity in the state closely, captured the view of many conservative white Mississippians. A visiting ministerial "missionary" to Mississippi called up a local Presbyterian minister for a conference. The local minister begged off, weary of "the weekly necessity to hear a sermon on the subject of his ministerial failings by each newly arrived contingent of young clergymen." But he invited the visiting minister to come see him at the Vacation Bible school he was running. Vacation Bible school?-the visiting liberal minister had never heard of such a thing. Neither had he heard of Wednesday evening prayer meeting, which the visiting minister eagerly attended. Out of deference to his visitor, the local minister asked him to read the evening's scripture passage from Ephesians. He handed the man a Bible, and the congregation waited. The silence grew awkward as the visiting minister feebly thumbed the pages. Finally, he looked over to his host. "Where do you find Ephesians?" he asked.

#Bob Jones University #Archive #Ephemera #Joseph Crespino #in search of another Country #Klandamentalism #Freedom Riders

0 notes

donveinot · 8 months

Link

0 notes

discoveringthebible · 2 years

Text

Speechless

It isn’t very often I become speechless. On Friday, June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned a 49 year decision: Row vs. Wade. In 1973, the Court made it a constitutional right for women in the US to have access to abortions.

My Christians heart is conflicted at this decision to leave such a controversial topic to the States. At 10 am when it was overturned, 8 of our 50 states immediately made abortions illegal. Currently (at the time of the writing of this post) there are 18 states who are limiting women’s access to abortions, even 2 making it a criminal offense for the woman and the doctor who performs the abortion. It is believed that even more states are working at legislation to reduce women’s access to abortion. There are six states that are making abortion even more accessible during this time, including: New York, California, Oregon and Washington.

When I become speechless, I try to find someone else’s words that I agree with--I try not to say anything in the heat of the moment. If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you’ll see many posts I have shared on this topic; many are very wise Christians pastors, and there are also a few really good memes out there.

As I think about the two groups of people who either hate or love the repeal, what does the Bible say at how we should be treating our fellow human beings?

First it says “to love.” There is no condition here. And yet, I have never in my life, seen more Conservative Christians have conditional love as they praise the repeal.

Below is a collection of Scripture passages ALL Christians need to remember in our post-Row vs. Wade world. All passages are from the New Living Translation (my default translation)

1 John 4:7-8, 16-21: 7: Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8: But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 16: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17: And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18: Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear or punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19: We love each other because he loved us first. 20: If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21: And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

Luke 6:37: [Jesus said], “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”

James 1:22: But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 1:26: If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

James 2:8-9: 8: Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9: But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James 2:14, 17: 14: What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 17: So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 3:7-12: 7: People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8: but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9: Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10: And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11: Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12: Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

James 3:17-18: 17: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18: And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 4:5-10: 5: Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6: And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Referencing Proverbs 3:34). 7: So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8: Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9: Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

James 4:11-12: 11: Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12: God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

James 4:17: Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

(Bolded Scripture emphasis is mine)

So, what do we learn from these passages of Scripture?

Prioritizing the lives of the unborn over the lives of the women who carry them is a sin. Prioritizing the lives of the women who abort the unborn is a sin. To “love the sinner, but hate the sin” isn’t Biblical. We all sin. (Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) Looking down on others for the same sins we commit, is a sin. To curse humanity and praise God, is a sin. I reap for the Christian Church and their praise of the repeal of Row vs. Wade. Because of this praise of the repeal, we have damaged the reputation of the Christian Church and its ministry. May God forgive us for our sins.

To judge another person, who was created out of God’s image (Genesis 1:26a), is a right only reserved for God. We must stop our judgments upon others and extend God’s unconditional love for all.

Let us do better as a Christian Church.

Peace and Blessings,

Cody Marie

#row vs wade #thebible #book of james #jesus brother james

1 note · View note

imaginesmai · 4 years

Text

Arvin Russell - The preacher’s sins (1/2)

Requested by an anon, please enjoy it! It was too long, so I divided it in two parts. I’ll post the next one tomorrow!

Plot: there is nothing bigger for you than the love you feel for Arvin Russell. Not a lot of people can awaken what he does in you, with his cheeky smile and chocolate eyes. Now, a stranger threatens to break that bond, manipulating where it hurts the most.

Warnings: It’s the devil all the time, and you know the preacher. So if you’re reading this, it’s because you’re alright with what’s about to happen. Anyway, violence and manipulation.

Arvin’s car was waiting for you when your shift at the café ended. You couldn’t keep the smile off your face when you thought about the upcoming events; a whole weekend just for the two of you, in your house since your parents were away in a business travel. That meant you could sleep in the same bed, have your own space and dream about finally moving in together. As you crossed the street jogging, your bag hanging from your left shoulder, you thought you could get used to it.

He was smoking, looking ahead and lost in his thoughts. Some wild strands of hair had fallen on his face, making him look a bit more childish that usually. Arvin Russell looked as handsome as ever, and for two whole days, would be handsome only for you.

“Arv” you announced your presence when you climbed in the seat beside him, rubbing your arms in an attempt to get ride of the rain’s coldness.

“Hey, pretty girl”

Arvin dropped his denim jacket over you, and while you put it on, he threw his cigarrete through the window’s car, moving his hand around to get ride of the smoke. Once he made sure you wouldn’t choke with it, he closed the car’s windows and looked at you with a half-smile.

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening” you giggled softly, enjoying that moment of excitement and peace.

“Hope ya haven’ changed your mind” Arvin quickly pressed his lips against your cheek, before starting the car. “How was work?”

As you started talking about a cute dog which owner had let you pet, Arvin drove you to your house. He managed to listen to the story, drive safely and sneak a hand so that he could hold yours.

During most of the weeks, it was hard to see him. He was busy with his family and his part times job, taking what he could to earn a little money. Lenora took a lot of his time too, because she often got picked up by the bullies at highschool and Arvin insisted in picking her up every day. Then, he went with her to the grave yard to visit his mother, and he stayed with her until she finished. Sometimes, he would sneak for a few minutes and come visit you in the café, ordering the cheapest thing in the menu and watching you for afar.

Neither of you had a lot of free time. Your family, humble and hard-working, was also very conservative, so even if they accepted your relationship with Arvin, they didn’t like when he stayed at night. His family didn’t have a lot of free space neither, and if they had they didn’t see with good eyes sleeping together before marriage.

That week hadn’t been different. You had been working every afternoon until the sun came down, and then drove back home. The only difference was that you had been stopping briefly at the church, to talk with the new preacher. You knew Arvin didn’t like him – which was why the mood darkened on the way to your house.

“He ain’t good, Y/N” he grumbled, briefly looking at you.

“You don’t know him, it’s just – he’s new here, he needs a chance to prove himself” you defended. “I know what he did to your grandma was wrong, but we can’t judge him by one mistake!”

“It wasn’ just one mistake. He talks and talks ‘bout how everyone is a sinner but ‘im” Arvin protested.

“Arvin, please” you shifted closer to him and placed a hand on his arm. “It’ll be just a few minutes. He told me he needed my help with something, you don’t even have to see him.”

The preacher, indeed, had told you the previous day that he wanted to meet you in the church on Friday. You hadn’t told him your plans with Arvin, even if he was kind of interrupting your peaceful weekend with your boyfriend; probably, because you knew he wouldn’t approve you spending the night with him.

Deep inside, you knew that Arvin was probably right; he always was at the end, no matter what he was talking about. He was the one who said that the boy who Lenora’s was after wasn’t a good man, and now he had fun chasing her with a bag and awful words. There was something about the preacher that you didn’t like either, but you still didn’t know what. For now, you wanted to be on his good side.

“So? Can we stop?”

“I’d feel better if not” Arvin scoffed. “But I guess that’s a yes”

Arvin stopped on the graveyard, an empty place where the sun was setting already. It was dark and silent, and even you, who wanted to stop, were starting to reconsider the decision. You looked out the window, seeing that the church’s door was open and a dim light could be seen from the inside. Arvin exited the car without another word, and you knew he was pissed. He wasn’t too keen on sharing his feelings, even more when they weren’t of love or happiness.

You had been dating for seven months officially, and it had been ten since he asked you for a date after your shift at the café. There was no way you could make him talk about it and comfort him before the sun disappeared completely, so you decided to ignore him and walk towards the church. Still, before entering you looked back, half expecting him to be ready to leave and pick you later. But he had lighted up another smoke and was leaning against the car, looking to his feet.

Much less happier than before, you entered the church. You wanted nothing more than Arvin to be happy, and if you were up to wish anything, for him to have a better relationship with the rest of Knockemstiff; starting with the preacher.

He was sitting in the first row, reading from a small book. The faint lights you had seen came from the candles, which made the place much more scarier than usually. You didn’t think anything about it, not even when you made yourself heard by calling him and he told you to close the door. It was a cold, October day, so you guessed there was nothing wrong with it. After looking at Arvin once more, and receiving no smiles, you closed the door behind you.

“What did you want me for, preacher?”

“Come sit with me, Y/N” he patted the bench beside him, and you approached him. “You ever read the bible?”

“Um, a little. Lenora reads to me sometimes, a-and from what I hear on Sundays” you explained, not really wanting to say it out loud.

The truth was that you had never learned how to read. You had had to drop out of highschool at a young age because your mother had fallen ill, and your father couldn’t manage the family business on his own. With no money to buy books or material, your father had you help in on the shop. You were good with numbers, from years of experience, and you were starting to know what some words were written like thanks to Lenora and Arvin. But not a lot of people in Knockemstiff knew that you didn’t write the orders down in the café because you didn’t know how.

The preacher hummed, finally raising his eyes from the small book on his lap. He shifted closer to you, until you were sure you could hear his heartbeat. He showed you what he had been so focused on, and while you knew some of the letters, it all looked like garbage.

“This is my favourite part” he said, his voice soft but with a sharp edge. “Mom used to read it to me every night, too. You know it?”

“U-um, yeah” you said. Quickly, you tried to search for a word that you could understand. Lenora always read to you a passage of the bible when you went to their house, and maybe you could know what was it about. However, the preacher closed the bible before you had time to find it.

“God is merciful and benevolent, Y/N” he stretched one arm behind your shoulders, and you felt tears run to your eyes when you understood he knew it. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of – Arvin had managed to convince you it wasn’t, but you felt embarrassment crawl through your spine. “He forgives us all, all of our sins. But you know what is what he doesn’t forgive? Lies”

The back of your hair was grabbed with so much force that you emitted a low cry. If the door had been open, maybe Arvin would have heard you. But he angrily pacing around the graveyard, thinking about how he shouldn’t be so hard with you, and you were too afraid and embarrassed to scream any louder.

You were met with the preacher’s hard eyes, hateful and unforgivable. The back of your head throbbed from how hard he was gripping it, and finally a lonely tear made its way down your cheek. It seemed to offend him more, because he squeezed harder.

“You think you’re worthy of stepping into this temple?” he hissed, his hot breath making you shudder. “You think I wouldn’t find out that you can’t read? Or that you spend the nights with that boyfriend of yours?”

“Preacher –“

“Shut the fuck up!”

The nice man who you had been talking to the rest of the week disappeared in thin air, and you were thrown to the ground with a force you didn’t know the kind preacher had. A small cry of pain left your lips as your right wrist bent awkwardly against the edge of the bench, and you tried to move away. But the preacher had other ideas, because he hoisted you up until his face was inches away from you again.

You were sure he would just bash your head against the bench and Arvin would only have your cold body for the weekend when his face morphed, and that calm that always surrounded him was back. He sat on the bench again, and put his head against his hands, as if he was in deep thinking. Before you could think about running out of there screaming Arvin’s name, the preacher talked.

“Get naked”

Want to read more? Check out my side blog @imaginesmaimasterlists, where I keep all the masterlists! Feedback is always appreciated

Tom Holland and Peter Parker Taglist

@delicately-important-trash

@lexxxistrips

@smilexcaptainx

@aikaterrina

@zalladane

@gypsystuf (since you didn’t answer me, I just put you on the general taglist. Let me know if you want to change!)

@nikkixostan

@galaxystern08

@justifymyfeelings

601 notes · View notes

in-christalone · 2 years

Note

Thank you for your response, I appreciate you not being degrading or dismissive. To answer your first question (about my thoughts on Jesus as a nonbeliever) I do think he seemed like a compassionate figure, which I appreciate, but I still don't trust him since I know he and God are still technically the same person and there's no real difference between them outside of the forms they take. And to answer your second one, yes, I am familiar with the Ten Commandments. I'm not a biblical expert by any means, but I grew up in a very conservative Christian family, and until pretty recently I used to read my Bible every morning when I woke up, every night before I went to sleep, and I carried a couple different ones with me (one for underlining and one for note-taking lol, I was a little extra about it) that I would read every free moment I had.

I didn't know if I was presenting God in a way where Christ was apart from Him, I was a little worried about that, so I am glad you have seen my point.

It's understandable to not trust someone you don't know. The biggest problem I believe people without Christ face is the judgment. We can go after religions that conform to our own ideals, but that would be living a comfort lie, and would end in the justice we deserve for our unrepentant transgressions. Truth is we have all fallen short and God only provided one way for freedom, and that was through Christ.

Can you point me to specific passages where you've witnessed the OT God being 'less than reasonable' ? I would personally like to study these if you don't mind!

7 notes · View notes

lost-in-time-marie · 4 years

Text

Into the Shadows: Chapter Six

I stared at my reflection in the mirror attempting to recognize myself underneath the black bandit style mask (a replica of my shadowy hero’s) and knee length black dress. There was the familiar splash of brown hair, falling in loose careful waves to my shoulder. My hazel eyes could be seen, somehow more striking than before, thanks to the black mask surrounding them. My pale skin glowed in stark contrast to the plain dress. Perhaps it was just the fact that I was going to a haunted house that made my stomach curl or maybe the mask was giving me PTSD about the two times I’d been attacked and then rescued by some unknown hero, but I knew in my bones, without room for doubt, that tonight would not be fun as Natasha, James, and Aleks had promised.

Halloween had finally arrived, a fact I would normally be overjoyed by, Halloween being my second favorite holiday, the only day all year you could be anyone but yourself and no one could judge you for it. The haunted house our school was putting on was making me uneasy, that’s what I kept telling myself anyways. I even forced Natasha, Sam, Aleks, and Katy to join the set-up committee with me, that way I would know all the surprises and plans so I couldn’t really get frightened when I actually went.

“Pull yourself together, Kristin. You’re being ridiculous. Nothing is going to happen, it’s just a haunted house!” I muttered to myself, forcing myself to take three deep breaths. That helped, by the time Natasha honked her horn out front, I was marginally calmer and managed some excitement for tonight. This would be a great Halloween; I silenced any thought or feeling that disputed that fact.

“You excited to see you lover?” Natasha teased, as I slid easily into the black, leather interior of her car. Natasha had been nearly incorrigible since I announced my impending date with James.

I rolled my eyes, “You’re hilarious,” I muttered, in no mood for such cracks about James.

“So, are you crazy excited for tonight?” She grinned, her whole face lighting with excitement.

“Woo!” I said, monotonous and unenthusiastic. Natasha scowled at me, but she didn’t have time for a lecture, as we pulled into the school then and hunted for a parking space. I groaned internally. This was going to be bad, I don’t know why and I don’t know how, but it’s going to be bad.

“Hey, I’m going to hunt down Aleks. Wait right here,” said Natasha as we arrived at the now spooky main hall of the school, before snaking through the pack of awaiting students. I sighed and hugged myself in the cramped corner of the dim, cobweb covered entrance. This wasn’t the part of the school I had decorated, but I could see they really went all out for this. Spiders hung from the ceiling, eerie music played in the background, skeletons’ creepy grins poked around corners; even peoples’ costumes were done to the nines. There were vampires, witches, zombies; every horror movie flick imaginable met in this cramped hall waiting to be unleashed upon the rest of the school. The whole thing made my skin crawl. The brick building suddenly seemed even more imposing in the dark, it didn’t feel natural to be on campus at 8pm at night.

“Hey, don’t you look comfortable,” Katy teased with a bright smile, coming to stand beside me.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling in return. “Well, you know how I’m so fond of cramped spaces and scary movies. It’s like my two favorite things collided,” I joked sarcastically, already feeling better with her there.

Katy laughed, “Don’t be a baby. Have a little fun. So, what do you think of my costume?” she asked, giving a small twirl in the room allowed. I realized her black hair was pulled back by a simple black headband, and her round figure concealed by a conservative, white church dress, topped off with a leather-bound Bible in her arms.

I busted out laughing. “I see you were feeling ironic this Halloween,” I said. Katy was a well-known atheist, constantly spouting religious arguments and disproving Bible passages. She played up the Bible-thumping, churchgoer to a T.

Katy smiled pleasantly and curtseyed. “And what are you supposed to be?” she asked, eyeing my simple ensemble.

I rolled my eyes, recognizing the I-should-have-dressed-you look. “A masked figure,” I beamed, enjoying my own private joke. Katy simply raised a brow and shook her head, accustomed to my odd tendencies.

“So what’s been going on with you and James?” She asked, winking and giggling. I sighed. Katy and Natasha hated each other, but they were remarkably similar. I wasn’t ready for round two of this interrogation.

“Why is everyone suddenly determined to get me a boyfriend? I don’t date, Katy, you know that,” I snapped at her unintentionally. It wasn’t her fault this was the second time I was hearing this, I reminded myself, trying to reign in my annoyance. She groaned.

“Yeah, but you could. James sounds absolutely perfect for you. You couldn’t possibly be afraid of dating him; it’s all just too perfect! Practically what you wished for on a silver platter,” She argued with a deep scowl.

“James is really great, but I don’t know…I just can’t,” I hedged, shrugging. Katy narrowed her eyes at me, clearly suspecting something was afoot, but thankfully Natasha was approaching us with Aleks- feigning mock annoyance to hide his delight- in tow. That was all the signal Katy needed, she jetted away with a quick goodbye.

“Eww, were you talking to Katy?” Natasha asked, wrinkling her nose.

I rolled my eyes and ignored her. “Aleks, are you seriously dressed as Vladimir Lenin?” I asked, laughing.

“He was a great leader of Mother Russia,” Aleks replied with a grin, flashing all his pearly white teeth, and emphasizing his thick Russian accent. Sure enough, he stood before me in a fake beard and suit. I shook my head and laughed.

“Hey, Natasha’s dressed like a hippy, so you can’t really make fun of me,” Aleks teased her, nudging her shoulder, and pulling the attention off himself. I took in Natasha’s costume for the first time. She wore a tie-dyed t-shirt and bell bottoms, had her unruly hair wrangled by a headband, and a peace sign necklace hung from her neck.

“That is true,” I agreed. Natasha batted my arm playfully; we bantered like that for only a minute or so more before a teacher announced on the intercom several rules of conduct for the evening, and finally, the long awaited go ahead to explore our haunted campus.

I had to admit, we did a pretty good job decorating the school, it was seriously sinister. Despite having helped set up, I still screamed a few times at different monsters jumping out and fake spiders touching me. It was a lot of fun, I enjoyed the company of my friends, I almost forgot the sense of impending doom I had started the night with. As the night went on, I noticed Natasha drawing nearer and nearer to Aleks and took that as my cue to leave.

“Why don’t you guys head to the cafeteria for food and whatnot while I see if I can find James?” I suggested. Natasha smiled and nodded gratefully while Aleks just shrugged, okay with anything. We said our goodbyes and promised to meet up soon. I headed in the opposite direction, not really looking for James, just wanting to give Natasha some space and alone time with Aleks. A tight sensation snaked around my chest, strangely suffocating, an unexpected, yet familiar, side effect of being around such sickly-sweet romance and purely innocent puppy love. I could tell she liked him dearly, and, to be honest, seeing people all lovey-dovey in relationships made me want to hurl these days.

While wandering aimlessly, lost in thought, through the dark halls and classrooms filled with costumed students, coffins, skeletons, ghosts, and other monstrous props, I ran smack into something. Something hard and sturdy, I fell right on my butt and what I ran into did not even budge. For half a second, I wondered if I’d gotten so lost in thought I’d actually run into a wall, but then I heard a familiar small, high voice.

“Is she going to be okay?” The familiar voice asked.

“Yes, she’ll be just fine. Believe it or not, this is actually the second time she’s run into me because she wasn’t paying attention,” Another deeper, even more familiar voice teased. My eyes snapped open.

“It’s not my fault you don’t say anything, you just stand there and let me crash into you,” I fumed, staring up at the identical faces of Ryder and Robbie. I might have found it comical how they were looking down at me and making the same bemused facial expression, but I was too embarrassed to really appreciate it. Ryder rolled his eyes, but was unable to hide the smallest smile turning up the corner of his lips. He grabbed underneath my arms and easily hoisted me upright, before quickly letting go and stepping back.

“Hello, Kristin, are you having fun?” Robbie asked unusually bright, grabbing my hand and then Ryder’s, tugging us along with him.

“Robbie, Kristin might have somewhere else to go, don’t just drag her along,” Ryder chastised, halting Robbie and casting him a disapproving look. “Aww, do you have somewhere to go?” Robbie asked glumly, his pink bottom lip puckering, sad, blue eyes devoid of the happiness I previously saw there.

“No, it’s okay, Robbie, I’ll come along with you guys if you want,” I said, looking at Ryder with a raised brow. He shrugged nonchalantly and looked to Robbie to make the decision. Robbie grinned, instantly happy again.

“Yay! Let’s go get candy!” exclaimed Robbie, releasing our hands and running ahead of us in the direction of the cafeteria, his one-track mind already fleeting to another subject.

“You can have a little bit, but don’t run ahead too far, stay where I can see you!” Ryder called after Robbie, sounding, and looking, very much like a concerned father. There was something intriguing about the little flashes of the real Ryder I got see behind the mask he always wore. I could tell that this Ryder was truly him, that every day he walked around with a solid, emotionless mask on. For what reason I was still unsure, but I was certain the real Ryder was fun and beautiful, the kind of person that attracted other people, like a moth to flame. I wanted to know that person. I never could back down from a challenge. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Ryder and I were not friends, I still harbored a strong dislike for him, and he for me, but curiosity often got the best of me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ryder asked, amused. I realized I’d been staring at him and felt a blush creep up my face.

“Sorry, I was just thinking,” I said, sheepish, turning my gaze to the floor.

“About what?” Ryder asked, curious, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking ahead after Robbie, who was winding his way through the crowd.

“Lots of things, like always; this event, school, things like that,” I responded with a shrug. Ryder chuckled. My head snapped to him in shock, it was rare for him to show any emotion, even in private, but at a public function such as this? It had never happened as far as I knew. He pretended not to notice. A full smile warmed his sharp, pale face and melted his usually hard eyes into glowing green embers.

“You have this remarkable way of answering questions without actually sharing any information about yourself,” He commented, casting me a wry look. I laughed.

“You are more perceptive than most. I was thinking about how you act very much like a father to Robbie, more so than an older brother,” I answered more honestly this time. Ryder’s face darkened instantly, like a storm cloud covering the sun. Regret instantly panged my stomach. I had allowed myself to enjoy Ryder’s company for a brief moment, and I managed to ruin it just as quickly. I wondered after a minute of suffocating silence if he would respond.

“Our parents…died,” he said, voice thick and heavy with sorrow, “it wasn’t very long ago. We lived in Washington, D.C, before this. My father was a scientist in a military lab, there was an accident and he was just gone. My mother died of a broken heart; they were so in love; she just couldn’t deal. She became so sick. My uncle and father were very close, he lives here on Long Island; he took us in. He truly is a great man; I owe him so much. Robbie was very upset, we all were, but he was missing something in his life, he was missing a father, and my uncle tried his best, but he just isn’t the same as our dad. I’ve tried very hard ever since then to fill that hole for Robbie. He’s gotten better, especially lately,” Ryder finished, struggling to keep his voice even. I stared for a minute just trying to process this tragedy, the hurt and depression were evident in Ryder’s hollow voice, dark eyes, and pained face, even his stance grew more hunched, as if some unknown weight were beating upon him, and as I studied him, I realized I recognized that feeling. The feeling of a weight you cannot hope to bear on your own, so obvious to you, but invisible to the world, the kind of burden that seeped into your bones until you were made of cement just trudging along, fighting for every breath, every moving muscle. This overwhelming emotion nearly made me double over, suddenly sitting heavy on my chest.

I fought for composure before answering. “I can’t even begin to imagine having to bear all that for your brother, it sounds as though you were very close to your parents,” I attempted, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. We stared at each other for a moment, somehow kindred spirits in our unknown tragedies.

Suddenly Ryder smiled, a small, sad smile, just the slightest lifting of the corners of his pink lips. “Thank you,” he said in a soft voice, “For understanding and not saying sorry. I know people are sorry it happened, but sorry sounds too much like pity. I don’t want pity, and neither would my parents. I’m sure I sound crazy, but thank you.” He ranted, all in one breath. I returned his smile with one of equal sadness. He wasn’t crazy; I understood exactly what he meant. Everyone said sorry when someone died, but it didn’t make anything better and they didn’t really understand. Sorry was often just disguised pity, and I never, no matter what tragedies I endured, wanted pity. And if I didn’t want that pity, I didn’t really imagine too many other people were deserving of it either. I think Ryder could see that somewhere in my face.

I cleared my throat, attempting to change the subject. “So where’s your costume?” I asked, scrutinizing his casual jeans, grey t-shirt, and black converse.

“I’m a stone statue of course, this girl I know told me once that I always look like a statue, frozen and stoic,” Ryder teased, pausing in place and hardening his face and tensing his muscles, transforming before my eyes into the familiar cold Ryder I’d grown so used to. I laughed, and though he kept his composed face, his lighthearted air remained. I could tell our previous conversation was a very secret subject that would never come up again. I found myself glad. I was curious about Ryder’s past and I spent so many days seeking this kind of explanation for his cold mannerisms, but seeing Ryder in so much pain was almost disturbing. The urge to reach out, to help, was overpowering. Natasha always said I was a sucker for lost causes, the savior of sinners and the damned.

“Oh, well, that girl obviously knew what she was talking about,” I grinned and nudged his shoulder. He laughed. It was a musical sound, oddly comforting and relaxing; I hoped for some bizarre reason that I would hear it more often. I became aware then, that I was the most relaxed I had been all night walking through these halls with Ryder.

“Robbie! Not so much candy, you’ll make yourself sick,” Ryder scolded with a soft smile as we finally entered the cafeteria and found Robbie loading himself down by the fistful with sweets. It was brighter in here and tables all along the walls were covered with sodas, punches, candy, sweets, and other delicious treats. Robbie was quickly darting around and stuffing his face with a little of everything. I laughed as Ryder stole bits of food from Robbie, who would then scowl at him so seriously, as if Ryder were stealing prized jewels from his personal safe.

“Kristin! There you are, I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” Natasha called, pushing through a crowd of people, Aleks following quietly behind.

“Oh, sorry, I got caught up,” I replied, gesturing to Ryder and Robbie, who now ceased bickering and stood beside me in stiff silence. Robbie waved shyly and half hid behind Ryder’s leg, Ryder gave a curt nod, his face and attitude totally reverted to cold, “stone statue” mode.

“We found James by the way; he’s been in the cafeteria the whole time. Sorry you had to spend all that time searching,” Natasha apologized. James slid his way through the crowd then and came to stand with us. Ryder’s face hardened perceptibly, I wondered how his teeth didn’t turn to dust from how hard he was clenching them together. Jeez, if looks could kill.

“We have to be going. See you around, Kristin.” Ryder said harshly, his words like daggers.

“Bye,” I whispered, staring at Ryder’s retreating form. Robbie cast one heartbreaking look at me, almost as if I betrayed him, before fleeing with his brother. I liked to think I was growing accustomed to Ryder’s abrupt shifts in mood, but every time he shifted gears, I found myself whirling in his wake.

“What did he want?” James asked casually, but I detected the slightest edge to his voice.

“Nothing, I ran into him, literally, and we just talked and walked to the cafeteria together,” I responded with a shrug, confused by the sudden change in Ryder’s attitude and the overly harsh, rude way he responded to James. Even James, easygoing and carefree, seemed to aim a certain tense, harshness at Ryder. It was exactly like when the three of us worked together for the Psychology project. James hadn’t liked Ryder from the beginning, and Ryder didn’t like anyone, but their dislike seemed to intensify overnight to sheer hatred of one another. I wondered if perhaps my imagination was getting the better of me again. Surely that was just Ryder’s usual distaste for everyone, and if I could hate Ryder so quickly on the first day of school, James could too. That was it, I was imagining the personal edge to their slights, I tried comforting myself unsuccessfully.

James nodded casually before Natasha expertly steered the conversation to safer waters. I shoved these confusing thoughts from my mind and attempted to enjoy my time with my friends. We stayed in the cafeteria for a little longer, chatting easily and munching on snacks.

“Hey, we should go see the dungeon exhibit, I want to see what it looks like now that it’s all set up,” Aleks suggested after a while.

“I know! We did such a good job replicating those torture devices!” Natasha boasted excitedly, already dragging us to the exit of the cafeteria.

“Natasha, I’m not sure that’s something you should be proud of,” I joked. We bust into laughter and started down the hall to the classroom where that exhibit had been set up.

James casually shrugged his arm over my shoulder as we entered the dungeon exhibit, a gesture I would normally have been delighted by, but today felt somehow heavy and possessive. I distracted myself by watching Natasha and Aleks. A little ahead, I noticed Natasha grab Aleks’s hand when she squealed in surprise at a skeleton jumping out at her. I caught Aleks’ soft gaze directed toward their intwined hands and the small smile of pleasure that briefly flashed across his face. I would have to remember to report my findings to Natasha, lest she accuse me of being derelict in my best friend duties.

James noticed the direction of my gaze, “Would you stop worrying about everyone else for a change and just enjoy yourself?” He chastised with a smile. I gave a small laugh and leaned into him further as we followed the twisting path of the exhibit.

“I’m sorry I can’t help it, what would you have me focus my attention on?” I teased, staring up at him through my thick, black lashes, in a poor attempt at flirting. I still hadn’t made up my mind about James, it seemed I always had more questions for him than I ever did answers, but maybe everyone was right. I should relax and appreciate the attention of an honestly good guy, god knows those are hard to find.

He responded with a seductive smile, leaning over to whisper in my ear in a smooth, low voice, “I can think of a few things.” I smiled and a bright red blush crept up my skin. I let my wavy brown hair cascade around my face, hiding my embarrassment.

“Oh, Kristin, I left my wallet in the car, but I really want to buy a picture of all of us here tonight, can you run back and get it?” Natasha pleaded. I jumped untangling myself from James, not realizing she had turned back for us.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll be right back,” I answered, trying not to look so guilty.

“I can go with you,” James offered, looking a little too pleased with himself.

“Thank you, but I’ll be alright, keep enjoying the exhibits, I’ll meet back up with you guys in just a few minutes,” I quickly waved off his offer, before turning and weaving my way back out of the exhibit to the front of the school. I was thankful for the chance to get some air and organize my very confused and messy thoughts. It was easy to brush off my interactions with James to Natasha and Katy, but another thing entirely when he acted as he did tonight. I found myself unable to control my heart rate and my limbs felt shaky and unsteady. I reached the school’s entrance quickly, without even noticing it, as I was wrapped in my thoughts. James had something going on with his dad and was clearly hitting on me, but as of yet, I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Ryder had a sad past and was just starting to resemble a human being, but he still irritated me with his superior attitude and unwillingness to associate with anyone, not to mention the strange drama playing out between him and James. That was definitely something I had to get to the bottom of. I hadn’t seen my masked hero since my birthday, I was surprised to find I actually missed him and still burned with curiosity about who he was and what he was doing and how he was always saving me, yet another mystery that needed solving. Natasha and Aleks’s relationship also seemed to be heading in a good direction; I wonder how I can help shove that in the right direction for her? The whirlwind taking place inside my mind was quickly making me dizzy and setting me on the brink of panic. I was holding too may loose ends of ropes and didn’t have nearly enough to tie any firm knots.

With so many thoughts on my mind, it didn’t even occur to me to look for cars as I crossed the street to get to Natasha’s Prius, my goal was in sight and I charged after it, foolhardy. Headlights speeding around the corner of the dark, ill-lit road in front of the school blinded me then. I froze and tensed as the speeding car headed right for me. My eyes squeezed shut and braced for impact. A great force slammed into me suddenly, at first, I thought it was the car, but it came from behind me, not my side. All logical thought quickly fled after that. My head slammed into something hard and the breath was knocked from my lungs. I peeled my eyes open in time to see the car speed away down the road, burning rubber in its wake. I realized I was lying on the opposite side of the road in the wet grass, a heavy weight on top of me.

“Are you alright?” A figure asked, from above me. I understood now. Someone pushed me out of the way. And not just someone. I knew that voice, it was the familiar worried voice that always found me when I was in danger. The figure was pinning me to the ground, saving my life for a third time.

“Oh, never better,” I joked, not managing an effective sarcastic voice. My head was splitting, I could barely think through the pain. The figure flashed a bright smile. That was all I could see through the black spots dancing on my eyes.

“Yes, I can see, so I guess you have no need for my assistance then?” He teased lightly.

“Don’t be an ass,” I breathed, attempting to scowl. The blackness was converging on my vision; I couldn’t see even a glimpse of my hero anymore. I heard him chuckle softly. How disappointing, the first time he is close enough to look at and I can’t even get my eyes to work properly.

“You hit your head pretty hard,” The figure said, his musical voice colored with worry now. Cold fingers pressed lightly on my forehead and I gasped as the pain knocked me breathless. “Very hard,” he amended in a tight voice. His cold, muscular arms slid under me, hoisting me up as if I weighed nothing. I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder.

“Thank you,” I muttered under my breath. Then, for the second time that year, my world faded away into a peaceful darkness…

#writing #writers on tumblr #spilled writing #excerpt from a book I'll never write #excerpt from a story i'll never write #excerpt from a book i'll never finish #excerpts from my life #shortstory #short fiction #spilledink #spilled ink #spilled thoughts #spilled poetry #literature #lit #book #bookblr #intotheshadows

6 notes · View notes

spurgie-cousin · 4 years

Note

Are fundies against alcohol? If so, why?

Generally yes, although there’s nothing really about abstaining from alcohol in the bible. There is a passage that discourages abusing alcohol though.

Most conservative Christians view alcohol as a drug, so it’s just kind of an unwritten rule that it’s a no-no.

#faq #fundie rules

8 notes · View notes

beshert-bh · 4 years

Text

My journey to/with Judaism

***This is a super long post, it’s the FULL story, not a brief overview, but it would mean the WORLD to me if you read it***

Upbringing: very much Not Jewish™️

I was born into a Catholic family. I have a goyish last name. I was baptized as an infant, and my parents took me to church each week as a kid.

In kindergarten — back when I still went to a secular private school — one of my best friends was Jewish. He told me all about the traditions his family did...told me all about the kippahs they wear, and how they had their own game called dreidel for this holiday they celebrated, called Hanukkah. (Of course this convo was at a basic-kindergarten-level of knowledge.) When I came home from school I was fascinated with Hanukkah, (this is cringey to admit but my 5-year-old self tried to integrate the traditions together and so in order to do this I drew up a “Christmas dreidel” complete with Santa Claus’ face on one side, a present on another side...you get it)

And that is when I was promptly put in “parochial” schools. I went to Catholic school from 1st grade to 12th grade. I went through Holy Communion and Confirmation like all the other kids did. My elementary soccer team’s mascot was an Angel. My high school’s mascot was a Crusader. Our high school was located on Rome Avenue. I went to a Catholic youth conference. I considered becoming a nun because I was single all throughout high school.

Growing up, around Christmastime we would always travel to visit my grandma, and she would always say we’re “German Jewish” — but I would write her off. In my mind, I was like, Yeah ok like 1%? .....It felt like my grandma was acting like one of those white people who takes a DNA test and says, “Look! We’re 1% African!” So I would dismiss her and remind her how we’re Catholics and she would drop the subject.

Falling away from Xtianity: my first 2 years of college

My freshman year I changed — politically — as I was only conservative in high school because of the ‘pro-life’ agenda being shoved down my throat. I really aligned more with liberal and leftist policies and views, though. Once I became open to new political ideology, I began to question my theological beliefs.

I always had a strong connection to God. My whole life. But I struggled with connecting to Jesus, Mary, the saints, and so on. So obviously my freshman year of college I began to fall away from Catholicism.

You see, Catholics are “bad at the Bible” as I like to say. Other Christians do a better job of teaching and analyzing the writings. They actually require school-aged children to memorize Scripture passages. Catholics mostly just teach the same stuff over and over. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, blah blah blah. Catechism, liturgical calendar, blah blah blah. Parts of the mass, fruits of the spirit, blah blah blah.

So since I was already doubting Catholicism, its corrupt leadership, and its mindless traditions.... I thought maaaaybeeee I would find purpose, truth, clarity, etc. in plain-old Christianity. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The other Christian churches I went to baptized people (which is a BIG LIFE DECISION) on the spot. For example if a newcomer felt on a whim that they wanted to be baptized, the church would do it right then & there. No learning, no planning or preparing, that was it. They promoted blind faith and circular thinking. I began to realize these were both normal attitudes and cognitive patterns within any and every Christian community that I encountered.

Even the Christians who exhibited curiosity mostly just asked questions in order to be able to understand, and then accept, the doctrine as truth. Questions never ever challenged anything.

Oh and let’s throw in the fact that I’m bisexual. Homophobia, transphobia, biphobia (and more) are rampant in the church. So needless to say, with all my observations about the lack of logical thinking in the church (and considering my sexual orientation) I fell away. I stopped going to church unless my family made me when I was home from college.

Enter stage right: Judaism

In retrospect I happened to have a lot of friends in my sorority and my favorite fraternity on campus who were Jewish (the frat happened to be a traditionally-Jewish one). Thought nothing of it at the time. Fast forward to junior year when I met this cute guy on Tinder. He’s now my boyfriend and we’ve been dating for over a year. He didn’t tell me this on Tinder, but when we went on our first date, he revealed that he’s Jewish and wanted to make sure that’s something I was ok with. Clearly I had no problem with that. I wasn’t too into Christianity anymore but I still identified as one (and I was still surrounded by Christian friends in my sorority) so I told him I was Christian/raised Catholic and asked hypothetically if he would be comfortable with a “both” family. He said yes.

We started dating during an October, so of course Hanukkah came up soon. There was a mega challah bake at our local Chabad, which he took me to, and we had a blast. From then on I decided I wanted to show him how supportive I was of his Jewishness. (The last girl he dated dumped him after 3 months BECAUSE he was Jewish... so I felt that I needed to be supportive)

We started going to shabbat services and dinner every week. We did Hanukkah together (we bought our first menorah together, he taught me how to spin a dreidel, his mom bought me Hanukkah socks...lol). At some point in our relationship I told him I may have Jewish ancestry from my grandma but it’s distant and my whole extended family is Christian so it really wouldn’t even matter. I don’t remember when I had that conversation with him.

Eventually, after another few months of Shabbat services and Shabbat dinners, Pesach came around.

We went to the first seder together. The second seder is what changed everything.

Deciding to convert

At first I wasn’t sure if I belonged at this second seder. My boyfriend had always brought me to every event. I had never attended anything alone at Chabad before. But I went anyway. Throughout the night I felt increasingly comfortable. I had never felt more like I was a *part of something* than I did at this seder.

I sat near a friend who I recognized. (He knows I’m raised Catholic.) Then he & his friends welcomed me. We all took turns reading from the Haggadah, we drank the four cups of wine together, and we laughed together as I had maror for the first time.

Then the familiar faces left to go home, and one of them even went to another table to sit with his other friends whom he hadn’t had a chance to see yet that night. Naturally I thought I was alone again. I almost left, but something tugged at my heart to stay until the very end of the second seder. Something told me to keep going and keep taking in this wonderful experience.

The rest of the night consisted of many songs (most likely prayers, in retrospect) I did not know. Everyone stood to sing and we all clapped to the rhythm. I knew none of the words but I still clapped along, alone at my own table. Then one of the boys — the one who had been sitting with my friends and I earlier — motioned at me to come over and join his other friends. I approached this new table full of people I’d never met, feeling awkward as ever, and they not only hoisted me up to stand on the table with them as they chanted, but they also included me in their dance circle. (no, I don’t think it was the Hora, we just spun around over and over. lol.)

This was the first night I felt at home with Judaism. Going through the Jewish history with the Haggadah, remembering the important occurrences and symbolizing them with various foods, ending the night by being welcomed into the community... it was transformative. After attending shabbat services for months and learning about Jewish values, it changed something in me when I observed Pesach for the first time last year. I knew this path would be right for me. I felt as if my soul had found where it belonged. The Jewish history, traditions, beliefs, and customs resonated with me. It all just... made sense.

I told my boyfriend I wanted to convert. I wrote three pages of reasons. But I sat on the idea of converting and did nothing for a while. I did do some more research on Judaism, though, as I continued to attend services each week.

The exploration stage

I began to actually research on my own time. If converting was something I was genuinely considering, it was high time I began actively learning as much as I could possibly learn. It was time to dive deeper than just attending the weekly services and googling the proper greetings for Jewish holidays.

I started digging deeper into Judaism and Christianity so I could compare and contrast the two. I needed to understand the similarities and differences. And BOY are they different. That was surprising at first, but the more I learned about Judaism, the more I loved how different it was from the Christianity I was indoctrinated into.

Not only are the values and teachings of each religion vastly different, but the Tanakh (which is “The Old Testsment” in Christian Bibles) actually contradicts:

The entire “New Testament”

The gospel books specifically

The Pauline letters specifically

How did I realize this? Some bible study of my own, but mostly through online research. And, of course, I would have gotten nowhere without the help of Rabbi Tovia Singer and his YouTube videos. He debunks everything there is to debunk about Christianity.

Here were some things I came across when researching:

It confused me how the four Gospels didn’t align (like, major parts of the story did not align at all...and supposedly they’re divinely inspired...but they don’t even corroborate one another?)

It confused me how the psalms we sang in church were worded completely different from the true wording in the Bible (essentially the Christian church is taking tehillim and altering it to benefit Christian dogma and Christian rhetoric.)

It confused me how we read in the Bible that Jews are ‘God’s chosen people’ and yet in every Catholic Church, every Sunday, there is a Pauline letter being read which depicts proselytization of Jews, as if Jews are lost and need Christians to save them. As if Jews would go to hell if they fail to accept Jesus.

It confused me why we would pray to Mary and the saints, because praying is worship, and worshipping anyone but God themself is idolatry.

It confused me why Christians make, sell, and use graven images. Idolatry. Again.

It confused me why Christians give absolute power to humans. For example, if you crawl up the same steps (Scala Santa) that Jesus supposedly crawled up before he died, you automatically get “saved” because *some old men who have no divine power* said so (they have a term for this and it’s called “plenary indulgence” lol).

It confused me why Jesus was believed to be the messiah considering he had to have biologically been from the line of Joseph. Wasn’t Jesus supposedly conceived without any help from Joseph? Wouldn’t that render Jesus, uh, not messiah by default? Even if he was from Joseph’s blood, he still did not complete all the tasks moshiach is supposed to fulfill. And even if he DID fulfill all the tasks required of moshiach... we still would not worship a messiah as he is human and not GOD.

These were all new thoughts I developed this past year between Pesach and Yom Kippur. New questions that challenged everything I thought I knew. It was like teaching a child 2+2≠22 but rather 2+2=4.

Hillel

This fall, after the High Holy Days, my boyfriend began attending shabbat dinners at a rabbi’s home. His new rav lives in the community and it’s exclusive to be invited, so I never imposed. We do Shabbos separately now (with some exceptions, we do it together sometimes).

I continued to go to Chabad with one of my friends who knew I wanted to convert. But one month, she couldn’t come at all, and I felt a little judged there anyway.

So I began going to Hillel a few months ago. And I honestly have found a home there.

From Hillel’s Springboard Fellow reaching out to me and taking me out for coffee to get to know me... to running into my sorority & fraternity friends at every Hillel event (shabbat or otherwise)... From getting included in various clubs like the women empowerment group and the mental health inclusivity group... to being the only college student to participate in Mitzvah Day (hosted by Hillel) with the elderly and the local Girl Scout troop... I feel truly welcome. I’ve started to attend every week. I even talked briefly with the rabbi about having Jewish lineage and wanting to convert.

Discovering new information

I went home to be with family during Thanksgiving break. My grandma flew in so she was there when I got home. She stayed with us from then until New Years (and she’s actually moving in with us next year.)

Of course, now I have a Jewish boyfriend, Jewish friends, and I’ve done extensive research on Judaism. So this time I had background knowledge when she inevitably said... “You know, we’re German Jewish!”

I inquired a little. I asked her what she meant. How is she Jewish? I know my uncle took a DNA test this year and came back part Ashkenazi. But I needed a deeper explanation than DNA.

She revealed to me that her mom’s mom was Jewish. We believe she married a Christian man. Together they had my great-grandmother, who I believe was Christian. She had my grandma, who had my dad, who had me.

And I immediately felt like that changed things. At first I was (internally) like, Now I definitely need to convert! But then I was like, Wait, does this make me Jewish? Am I Jewish-ish? ...Can you be considered Jewish if you’re only ethnically Jewish but not raised Jewishly? ...Can you be Jewish if your dad is your only Jewish parent? ...Can you be Jewish if your dad never had a bris or a bar mitzvah?

I joined a bunch of Jewbook groups, began learning the Hebrew calendar & holiday schedule, and found some folks who assist with Jewish genealogy. They did some digging for me and apparently I descend from the Rothschild family. THE Rothschild family.

Who is a Jew? Who “counts”?

This is something I’ve been muddling over.

At Hillel, at my school at least, most people are pretty Reform. They’re very liberal with their definitions of Judaism (they believe in patrilineal descent and not only matrilineal descent).

They accept me and see me as actually Jewish ...and the ones who don’t... they at least see me as Jewish-adjacent, an “honorary Jew” or an “ally to the Jewish people”.

My boyfriend, however, still sees me as Not Jewish.™️ (For context he’s Reform but he’s trying to become as observant as possible) I know he only thinks this was because of how we began our relationship and because of how I was raised. But I’m very confused here.

Do I count?

Do I not?

Do I count *enough* but still need to go through a formal conversion process?

So...now what?

I don’t know how to navigate this odd journey but I have felt for a while that I have a Jewish neshama and I feel a strong need to affirm it. I just don’t know how or what is appropriate. Do I learn Hebrew? Sign up for a trip to Israel/Germany/Poland? Put up a mezuzah? Or go toward the other end of the scale, and head down a path of a formal conversion/reaffirmation process?

Thank you in advance for your responses and thanks for reading. 🤎

68 notes · View notes

bisexualterror · 4 years

Text

i was challegened by @queen-of-salt-and-fury to finish the entirety of the 🌼🌿botanical asks🌻🌙 thanks for the tag babe!!😘

jasmine; what mythical creature do you wish actually existed?

mmm, i gotta go with dragons 😆

lavender; soundcloud or vinyls?

vinyls for sure

primrose; what book does everyone right now need to read?

hmm, i don’t know, i read more fanfiction than i do books

lunar mist; do you like wearing other people’s shirts/jackets?

yeah, but i don’t do it very often

bird of paradise; what was the best thing that happened to you this month?

i updated my fanfic not too long ago and my reader's comments were really so sweet

gardenia; what’s a promise you’ve recently made to yourself?

to stop being so hard on myself

lion’s fairytale; would you rather be the sky, the ocean or the forests?

i’m curious about the ocean and what secrets it hides so probably the ocean

whirling butterflies; would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

i was so young i don’t even remember who it was beside the fact it was probably a childhood friend and definitely a girl. so.. no i probably wouldn’t

marmalade skies; do you plan your outfits?

depends on how early i have to wake up on that day and where i’m going. otherwise? nope.

apricot drift; how do you feel right now?

excited

everlasting daisy; what’s the last dream you remember having?

uhm i was living in an underground, scientist lab that kinda looked like my basement but bigger. first i was studying a space parasite and then the next i knew i about to bang Ares from Xena but then i got distracted by daenerys running past us, chasing after baby viserion. my alarm woke me up before it got better.

queen’s cup; what are you craving right now?

rasberry chocolate

lavender dream; turn ons/offs?

same here, intelligence is a big turn on. my turn off would probably be just anyone who is a dick.

water lilly; when was the last time you cried? why?

mm i was probably last month, it was either about dany or another character because i rarely cry about anything else these days 😅

lily of the valley; did the one person who hurt you most in your life apologize?

mm, not really. it didn’t come off as an apology to me, more like an excuse.

winterberry; do you bite or lick your ice cream?

lick

honey perfume; favorite movie ever?

mmm, that’s a hard one, oof. uhm, i guess i’d say the princess bride

desert rose; do you like yourself?

eeeh depends on the day, but i’m trying to be better

snapdragon; have you ever met or seen in person a celebrity?

sjskksk i don’t go out in the world, so no

night owl; how many countries have you visited?

i have sadly only seen america and not even that much of my own country

heliotrope; have you ever been in a castle?

nope never. hmu if you own a castle and want me to haunt it tho

creams and sky; what’s the craziest/bravest thing you’ve done?

i’m a coward. no joke. does helping my mom get her life a little bit better count a brave thing??

lantana; what’s on your mind right now?

the list of things i should be doing. spoiler: i am not doing them today.

pumpkin patch; what’s your zodiac sign?

capricorn bby

tulip; name 5 facts about yourself

i have visual snow

i’m obsessed with cinnamon

my hands are always freezing cold

i love baking

daphne; do you believe in karma?

yeh, kind of

queen of the meadow; ever been in love?

i have confessed my love to many people before, but i don’t think i really was in love with them if only because of how young i was was

wisteria; whom do you admire and why?

i agree that i do admire celebrities who use their fame to help others.

angel’s face; what was your favorite bedtime story as a child?

i don’t remember anyone read me a bedtime story, but if someone did, it was probably also a bible story

remember me; did you make someone laugh today?

yes. my mom and a friend.

iris; do you believe in ghosts?

sometimes i think it’s bullshit, other times i’m like 👀👀

lilac; if you could go back in time which time period would you visit?

lol, as a black woman, this question is always so hard because - racism and sexism. i guess i’d go with 1920′s

caramel kisses; would you want to live forever? why/why not?

yeah, i’m down. i wanna go live on a different planet one day, or at least visit one. and who the fuck knows what kind of crazy shit we humans will have invented by then. and the humor? god our humor is weird and hard to explain now, imagine what it’s gonna be like in a 100 years now.

primula; what makes you sad?

now we don’t have time to unpack all of that. off the top of my head though, it’s sad that so many people choose to be cruel instead of kind and half of those cruel people are in power over entire countries.

rain lily; was today typical? why/why not?

yeah. i just stayed home. took care of my mom. wrote some.

queen anne’s lace; who do you trust the most?

oof..no one. i know it’s pathetic but,,, i don’t have friends in real life right now and i have a complicated relationship with my family. so no one really.

lady’s slipper; what did you have for breakfast today?

cereal and toast with strawberry jam

forget me not; do you have any regrets looking back in your life?

a lot. i wish i had focused more on bettering my life than distracting myself. i also wish i had been a nicer kid online and hadn’t isolated myself from childhood friends who kept trying to be my friend. trying to make up for it now.

lunaria; what’s your favorite fictional universe?

it’s between harry potter or doctor who

violet; favorite tv show?

im obsessing over the witcher and the mandalorian right now, it’s my raging daddy issues coming into play

sunflower; share a favorite quote

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” ― Sarah Williams

snowdrop; what does your ideal day look like?

waking up. reading. showering. eating. taking care of my mom. writing. going for walks.

tiger lily; do you have any hobbies?

painting, writing, drawing

peony; share a small random book passage that means something to you

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” ― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

rose; what’s something you always wanted to do but were too scared?

get a tattoo

honeysuckle; do you usually date people your age or older/younger?

FUN FACT: i have never dated anyone ever. unless you count that one time i had an online boyfriend.

sweet pea; who means the world to you? why?

my online longest online friend, she was the first person i came out to and even tho we don’t talk much anymore i love her and tell her pretty much everything

love in the mist; best books you’ve ever read?

i cannot choose?? how do you choose??

foxglove; who is your favorite cartoon character?

it’s between batman and lisa simpson

magnolia; coffee or tea?

both, but i drink coffee more

crown imperial; would you rather be extremely rich or extremely loved?

on one hand, i need more money, on the other hand i’m an attention whore...hmmmm i gotta go with loved

snowflake; are you a dog or a cat person?

cats

bell flower; what is your biggest addiction?

reading fanfic and creating ocs for every fandom i’m in

cosmos; do you ever think about the galaxy?

fuck yeah!

moonflower; what’s your favorite color?

green or purple. or gold. or red. but mainly purple.

freesia; do you have a good relationship with your parents and siblings? why/why not?

not really. my dad lives barely an hour away from me but i haven’t seen him in years and only hear from him maybe two times a month. enough said.

my mom and i are better than we were before but i’m bisexual and still in the closet and everyone in my family is very homophobic and set in their Ways, so that could change.

both of my siblings are half-siblings. my older sister i haven’t seen in since we were kids or talked to her in years and while i could continue to blame that on our family...she’s older than me and has a car. i’m closer to my brother because we live together he’s almost ten years older than me so we’re not super close

sundrop; are you a morning or a night person?

night person

poppy; have you ever dealt with a mental illness?

yes. my mom.

clover; how would your friends describe you?

idk, clingy?? sksksk probably sweet.

dandelion; do you consider yourself and extrovert or an introvert?

introvert

lilly; what’s something you love watching/reading but you are too embarrassed to admit you do?

fanfic. the thing is, even if i’m embarrassed i’ll probably randomly tell you anyway

anemone; describe yourself in 3 words

tired

horny

smiley

lotus; best memory as a child?

pretending to be a naruto style ninja with my brother

angelonia; what is your eye and hair color?

brown eyes. black hair.

dahlia; do you like crystals?

yesss

buttercup; if you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

but.. but i have so many. i know it sounds cliche, but world hunger.

baby’s breath; what’s your hogwarts house?

i can’t remember the first house i got, but all i remember is getting so upset with my result that i ended up retaking it just so i can be in slytherin.

calendula; biggest pet peeve?

people who talk over me, or people who are just so set in their ways that they’re unwilling to listen to reason

blanker flower; would you rather go to a cocktail party with your best friends or stay home and read a book/watch a movie with your pet?

i’d prefer the second one, but what about a third option, i could invite some friends over to watch a movie and we could drink together while cuddling with pets

blazing star; share a secret

i had bad habit of pretending to be someone i’m not so that people will like me and so sometimes i worry that i’m still doing it and i’m just a fake person who doesn’t have their own opinion

carnation; would you rather live longer or happier?

happier

petunia; who’s story is your biggest inspiration in life?

a long list of fictional characters

bluebell; do you wear glasses?

yes. yes i do.

nymphea; forest or river?

forest

orchid; do you like exercise?

nope, which is why i’m overweight lmao

pansy; do you like poetry?

yeah!

morning glory; any special talent that you have?

i can pick up things with my toes sksksk uhm that was true but i guess i’m good at making people smile(✿◕‿◕✿)

i tag @mutantsandproud and anyone else who wants to join!!

2 notes · View notes

religioused · 5 years

Text

When the Bar is Too High

By Gary Simpson

Luke 10:25-37 - Contemporary Setting

A Biblical scholar asked Jesus, the popular circuit pastor, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus replied with a question. "What do you think the Bible says?"

The Biblical expert drew himself up to full height, thinking, "This is an easy question. Everyone will be impressed with my knowledge of the Bible." The scholar replied, "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus responded. "Correct. Now live that way."

The Bible scholar tried to see if he trick Jesus into saying something wrong. He asked Jesus another question. "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus answered the scholar's question with a story. On a hot summer day, a man drove from Calgary to Dallas. Things were going well until he crossed the border. A gang of robbers forced his car off the road, dragged him out of the car, stole his wallet, his credit cards, his jewelry, his luggage and the designer clothes he was wearing. They beat him up and shot holes in the windows of his car and left him unconscious by the road.

And who happened to drive by?

A prominent Republican politician happened on the scene. He slowed down, saw the man, assuming the man had been killed, he said, "Thoughts and prayers," as he punched his Caddy SUV into passing gear.

Next on the scene was a prominent Democratic politician. The Democrat stopped, took photos of the scene and released a press statement condemning gun violence and requesting stricter gun laws. Then the Democrat got in his Subaru and drove away.

Then a member of the NRA pulled to a stop and with the unconscious man in the background he shot a video of himself explaining how everybody should carry an open holster gun, so gun violence will stop. Feeling quite good about the opportunity to promote gun ownership, he drove away in his Ram 4 x 4 crew cab truck.

Down the road came a sad looking, nondescript minivan with an undocumented family. Then the car stopped and the family piled out to see what happened. The mother knew first aid and administered first aid. They got the injured man to the van and they hooked a line up to his car and took the man into the next town, towing the car as they went. On the way to the hospital, the 10 year old girl held the man's hand and kept saying, "We are getting closer to the hospital. You are going to be okay. You will be in good hands." They dropped the man off at the hospital, paying for his medical expenses, and took the car to a dealership to see what it would cost to repair the car and they left credit card authorization to charge any needed repairs to the credit card.

And Jesus asked the conservative Bible scholar which person was the neighbor. The Bible scholar scowled and answered, "The undocumented workers." The Bible expert had his answer. Those we fear, those we do not understand, those we hate, those we do not like are our neighbors.

Reflection:

I graduated from a small Christian college. Students were required to take four religion courses to graduate. One of the religion courses that students were supposed to take was a course titled "Bible Doctrine". A better title for the course might have been Systematic Theology, because the course included the doctrine that are held by many church denominations, as well as some of the unique doctrine of the denomination. The course was an absolute bear. In the course of a four month semester, the course covered over twenty doctrine. When you subtracted the tests and the long weekends, I am not sure we had more than two 50 minute lectures per doctrine. The teacher would write just the Bible text (like John 3:16) on the board and he would explain how the text supported the doctrine. By the end of the period, the blackboard was full of texts and he would say, "You see it is really quite simple, isn't it!?!" And my mind would be spinning.

The lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Fortunately, I have not inherited anything and I would rather have loved ones in my life than have either their money or their stuff. But on the surface this sounds like a rather stupid question. You do not earn an inheritance. As a general rule, you get an inheritance because you are related to the person who died. In other words, an inheritance is what you get because of who you are, not because of what you do. I know that there are exceptions, because some people are written out of the will, but I don't think that is the norm.

So the lawyer is asking the impossible. The lawyer is asking what he must do to earn a gift. That leaves me wondering what Jesus was thinking and asking myself a lot of questions.

• Was Jesus being sarcastic?

• Did Jesus think that this was the most stupid question he had ever been asked? • Exactly what teaching strategy was Jesus using?

• What Grade would the scholar's theology get in my Bible doctrine class?

Perhaps, my answer comes by looking at a major theme in the Gospel of Luke. A major theme of Luke is inclusion. I believe the inclusion seen in the Gospel of Luke should make this Gospel a favorite of members of oppressed minority groups. In Luke, Jesus "reaches out to bring in those previously excluded", The excluded people who Jesus reaches out to include women, the impoverished, the sick, sinners, outcasts and the ritually impure. Luke emphasizes Jesus' association with those who are on the "fringes of society" more than any other Gospel.1

The theme of inclusion extends beyond Luke's Gospel. The Gospel of Luke is volume 1. The second volume is the book of Acts. In the books of Luke and Acts, the boundaries are extended to include Samaritans, by making a Samaritan the hero of a story2 and the Samaritan leper3 and the conversion of Samaritans, a conversion proven by the converts being baptized in the Spirit.4 I gather that Deborah Broome is a Ministry Educator in an Anglican Diocese in New Zealand. Regarding Luke and even more so Acts, she notes that there is a sense of "universalism that would genuinely accord 'everyone born’ a place at the table.”5

Now, I go back to my questions. Why did Jesus answer the question about what a person must do to receive a gift, an inheritance? You do nothing to get an inheritance. And Jesus' answer was steeped with legalism. What gives?

As I was thinking about my questions, my mind turned to the sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain. The sermon on the mount is in the Gospel of Matthew and the sermon on the plain is in the Gospel of Luke. Some people believe that the sermon on the mount in Matthew’s Gospel is the same sermon as the sermon on the plain in Chapter 6 of Luke’s Gospel. Other people, who believe that the two sermons are different, admit that there are similarities between the two sermons.

Perhaps there is a reason why my mind went to the sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain. I am not a real fan of either sermon. The intensity of legalism and the demands seem overwhelming. The sermon on the mount has the passage, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”6 A command to be as perfect as God is a pretty high standard - read impossible. The sermon on the plain sets the bar pretty high too. "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful".7 Love your neighbors and be as merciful as God is merciful is a tall order. Having mercy equal to God's mercy is impossible.

When I was in graduate school in Southern California, I stumbled across Bible commentaries by Vernon McGee. I enjoyed his commentaries, because they were cheap, and that worked on a student's budget. He is able to take complex ideas and break those ideas down into short, easy-to-understand sentences, using expressions that sounded folksy enough to be used by an old country pastor. You would never guess that he had a Doctor of Theology degree. McGee observes, "if the Sermon on the Mount is your religion, you had better make sure you are keeping it. It is loaded with law."8 I agree with McGee's assessment that the sermon on the mount shows us how far short of the ideal we are.9 The sermon on the mount is intended to make us give up on trying to be good enough to please God and to accept grace. The sermon on the plain has a similar purpose.

Perhaps, Jesus was thinking, "Well, if you are going to try to do the impossible, to earn a gift that is given to you get for just being you, I am going to set the bar high, so high that you simply give up on trying to purchase God's love. I am going to tell this man to love God and to love his neighbors just as he loves himself and then I am going to tell him that the Samaritans, the people he despises and hates are his good neighbors." Then Jesus proceeds to tell the lawyer the story of the good Samaritan. And this approach seems to be in harmony with both theme of the sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain.

Perhaps, Jesus played along with the question, knowing good and well that salvation had everything to do with the love of the one giving the inheritance and nothing to do with a person's efforts to to the right thing to teach an important lesson. That lesson is that the standard to live as a responsible person of faith is very high, but the standard required to receive an inheritance from God is quite low.

The goal for how we should ideally live is really high. And that is meant to encourage us to shoot high, to aim to live as better people. But jumping over the bar is not required for salvation. Luke's gospel, a gospel of inclusion includes you. Your inheritance comes for free, for just being you, a child of God. When you look up and see that the bar is too high to jump, walk under the bar, and, with confidence, collect your inheritance.

Notes:

1 Michael Prior. Jesus the Liberator: Nazareth Liberation Theology (Luke 4:16-30). Sheffield Academic Press. Sheffield. 1995., 50, cited in Deborah Broome. “Who’s at the Table? - Inclusiveness in the Gospel of Luke.” Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Oct 2006, 07 July 2019. <http://wn.anglican.org.nz/files/docs/inclusion-in-luke.pdf>.

2 The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37.

3 Luke 17:11-19.

4 Acts 8,This case is made by J Massyngbaerde Ford. ‘Reconciliation and Forgiveness in Luke’s Gospel’ in Political Issues in Luke-Acts ed Richard J Cassidy & Philip J Scharper. Orbis Books. Maryknoll, New York. 1983. 80-98., 88, cited by Deborah Broome. “Who’s at the Table? - Inclusiveness in the Gospel of Luke.” Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Oct 2006, 07 July 2019. <http://wn.anglican.org.nz/files/docs/inclusion-in-luke.pdf>.

5 Deborah Broome. “Who’s at the Table? - Inclusiveness in the Gospel of Luke.” Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Oct 2006, 07 July 2019. <http://wn.anglican.org.nz/files/docs/inclusion- in-luke.pdf>.

6 Matthew 5:48, KJV.

7 Luke 6:35-36, KJV.

8 J. Vernon McGee. Thru the Bible with J, Vernon McGee. (Pasadena, California: Thru the Bible Radio, 1998), ebook.

9 McGee. (1998), ebook.

#sermon #reflection #The Good Samaritan

11 notes · View notes

trellanyx · 5 years

Text

Scarecrow: Year One Liveblog: Part 2

I’m going to skip the page where Jonathan introduces himself to Pigeon for now. I have a whole separate write-up about their relationship, so I’ll refer back to that moment when I’m writing it. This post is gonna be about…

November 16, year… idefk, this comic goes for aesthetic over historical accuracy. It’s most likely the 1970s if you consider the age range Scarecrow is usually portrayed as. The Keeny women are welcoming the next generation, and none of them seem happy about it.

[transcription: Bury it, Mother. Back there in your atrium. I never want to speak of it again.]

Definitely not happy.

Jonathan is born out of wedlock to what appears to be a teenage mother. He is literally a bastard, and that is the root of his family’s abuse. Illegitimate children and their mothers faced harsh stigma and punishment as late as the 20th century. Some examples of the government-sanctioned abuse toward these families include denial of public benefits and confinement in so-called “baby farms”. Not to mention community shaming and rejection. This shit didn’t get repealed until – wait for it – the early 1970s. And we all know that public opinion always and immediately follows the court of law, ESPECIALLY small towns in the Bible Belt.

Oh, there’s also the small matter of this passage from an obscure little book:

The bastard shall not enter the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation. (Deuteronomy 23:2)

But that line (and others with the word “bastard” in them) was referring to babies born to non-Israelite mothers! Surely a devout Christian family like the Keenys will understand—oh fuck it, let’s move on.

Interestingly, the house already seems to be crumbling. There’re cracks on the window pane, scuffs and scratches along the chair and floor, and whatever that first thing is. Definitely something torn. The reputation and fortunes of the Keenys are on the rocks before Jonathan even enters the picture; Mary confirms this.

[transcription: Hmph! The “family name”, Marion, is nearly as anemic as this emaciated newborn. Such a spindly little spider.]

And ho-lee shit, this line. This fucking line. When the fuck do you ever hear someone describe a newborn as emaciated, anemic, or spindly? Compared to a fucking spider! The worst part is, MARY ISN’T WRONG.

From a creator’s standpoint, Jonathan is colored with a different palette to differentiate him from his surroundings and grandmothers, but OOC reasons are boring. In this universe Jonathan Crane comes into the world with such a sickly pallor that he’s two steps away from gray. And look at his ribs! YOU CAN COUNT HIS RIBS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS IS A FUCKING SICK BABY.

The obvious reason is that Jonathan is born prematurely. He’s drawn too big for it, but I think this is aesthetics coming before accuracy again. You can’t draw a baby of that size while also giving him visible ribs and having a character explicitly use language that identifies him as skinny. Jonathan is born too early and comes out dangerously underweight. In a hospital, he’d be rushed to the NICU and immediately begin receiving nutrients. But Jonathan isn’t born in a hospital; he’s born in a crumbling manor to three women who don’t care whether he lives or dies.

Yes, I said three.

[transcription: Wonder it’s even breathing considering the drug-polluted source.]

My first reaction – and I think the intended one – is that this line is supposed to emphasize the contempt Marion has for her daughter, and by extent her grandson. A cruel lie from a cruel mother.

Cruel, yes. But lie? That depends on how you headcanon Karen Keeny.

Here’s what I think. Karen is obviously a rebel within the family. Jonathan’s existence is proof that she doesn’t follow the Keeny’s dogma, and their utter repulsion toward her supports the fact that she’s long fallen from grace. Only now, her rebellion and recklessness has left her pregnant at 16. Karen has dreams outside of Arlen, and none of them include a baby. But her ultra conservative Christian family will never consider abortion as an option. And, depending on how early in the decade you put Jonathan’s birth, Roe v Wade hasn’t even been passed yet.

Karen has two options. Give birth to her child and live with the consequences… or make sure her child is never born.

Maybe she’s experimented with drugs before. Maybe not. But without anywhere to get information on inducing a miscarriage, Karen is left to try everything she can think of. Her family already plans to disown her – what’s the difference if they do it in 9 months or 2? Only it doesn’t work. The baby, that wretched baby that caused Gerald to leave her, comes anyway. He’s sick and small, but his lungs work and his screaming is painful to listen to. Her mother says that he should be buried, and, god help her, Karen thinks he’d be better off.

In the end, I don’t think Karen puts up much of a fight when Granny Mary decides to keep the child in Keeny Manor.

#batman #jonathan crane #scarecrow #the scarecrow #scarecrow year one #year one liveblog #my meta #my stuff

17 notes · View notes