The first time I saw that bumper sticker it cracked me up. It reminded me of the time when we’d play “Angry Daddy” or whatever the heck we called it when we were kids. One of my siblings or I would grab dad’s belt, fold it over and then smack it on the steps as we walked up. Step-SMACK!-Step-SMACK! I can’t remember what we’d say but I’m sure it was something along the lines of “YOU’RE GONNA GET IT!”
The rest of us would be upstairs hiding and giggling. Don’t ask me where we got that game but I think it’s hilarious in that it so graphically depicts in my mind the “Angry God” picture religion creates in the hearts and minds of its adherents.
Our Heavenly Father is coming up the steps, only he’s wielding a horsewhip….Step-SMACK!-Step-SMACK! “Be ye perfect as your Father-that would be moi- in heaven is perfect! Conform! Perform!” And I’m not sure that Jesus would swear but I can almost hear him saying in this ridiculous picture, “I died on the cross, dammit!” SMACK! “Get your crap together!”
Yes….this is an exaggerated picture. But as I see the fallout from the elections and hear the amount of believers wringing their hands and fretting what went wrong I think it’s grievous. Maybe if we fasted enough…Maybe if just prayed more…maybe IF WE DID fill-in-the-blank.
It’s the same ole same ole religious song and dance. “If we don’t—God can’t” This thinking really makes our loving Heavenly God to be no different than some avenging pagan god.
It’s not about what we do or don’t do…it’s about entering into a relationship with our Loving Creator. I believe God is kinder and more loving beyond what we’re able to comprehend. I believe he has a hilarious sense of humor and a compassion deeper than we’ll ever understand this side of heaven. And I believe that in the midst of our sin and pain…he’s right there in the middle of it with us; not sitting on the sidelines waiting for us to get our act together.
I don’t believe God has allowed Obama to be elected to gives us a good collective whipping. And I don’t believe he’s the antichrist either. Feelings are running quite strong on this one. When I was in an office the other day, politics came up. The receptionist WHISPERED to me, “I dare not say this too loud in here; I voted for Obama.”
Good gracious! We’ll accept you as long as you agree with us is the message that came across loud and clear.(“SMACK!”)
This sort of mean intolerance is religiousity at its worse. But then again, when the Angry Daddy is storming up the steps these are the rules we play by.
Learning to live loved and extending grace and kindness to a hurting world will yield far more fruit than any election result. And you don’t have to smack any belts around either.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | body life, church, living loved, Obama
Hmmm. Would I be flogged for saying, “I’m actually glad Obama won”? Personally, I think McCain isn’t all that disappointed.
Not by me, brother! Actually….as I listened to some of the thoughtful, intelligent reasons some of my friends had for voting for him, I’ve *almost* regretted not voting for him.
And I agree with you on McCain. Poor guy has no energy left I think.
You know, Jesus did curse that fig tree!
Love your blog. I think the most wonderful thing about Obama winning is that, in spite of everything Bush is leaving behind – we still have hope. And that is something we’ve needed for a long time. Hope is positive energy. It’s a good thing.
I’m so tired of tiptoeing around the right wing’s insistence on living under fear. Fear is negative energy. It’s a bad thing.