Thursday, February 2, 2012

In the Hands of God

I've been on pins and needles for about 36 hours, which means I've been playing solitaire on the computer and eating too many snacks, waiting to hear if my second bid on the apartment across the street from Little Cutie has been accepted by the sellers.  Right now, the outcome is entirely in their hands, which means it's (1) beyond my control and (2) nothing personal. Maybe that's why I feel like it's in the hands of God, as He is perceived by those who insist God is Grandpa in the Sky.

If God loves me, then I'll get this apartment.  Of course God loves me - but how does that have anything to do with the people who are selling this apartment?  That's the trouble with the whole notion that God is Grandpa in the Sky, or Santa Claus - besides the fact that tying Christmas to Consumerism supports the idea that we know God loves us because we have lots of stuff.  It's all part and parcel of the same bunch of Bull Shit where the Church works hand in hand with The State to keep the serfs in line.  Back in the olden days, like when Robin Hood was in Sherwood Forest, the State and The Church might have been wrestling for control of the cash, but we seem to have gotten that straightened out in Modern America.  The Church and The State work together to support the 1%.

Be that as it may, I'm eating too many Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds with Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar:


At my house, we mix them with cashew bits, which are much cheaper than whole cashews, so that the snack mix stretches much farther.  I may not be immune to the forces of consumerism in America, but at least I can be frugal.

God is on my mind at the moment because I've been re-working a story I wrote a while ago called, "The Preacher and The Pagan."  It's the story of what happened when that preacher came down from the mountains and into Menopausal Stoners World Headquarters on Central Park West.  Some might say it ended badly - but in my view, it only ended badly for the Preacher and that was because he could never admit that God, as He is known in The World, is a social construct so that any authority a preacher has in the community is not now, and never has been, arranged by The Divine.  Even though that particular preacher spouted progressive politics, his connection to The Divine was much like Michele Bachman's.  Delusional Thinking is not Partisan.

Anyway, that's what I'm reading on February 10 at some bar down on East 9th Street, and I've got to keep it to 10 minutes, max.  Fortunately, my dear friend Gwendolyn Holden Barry (from Roundtree7 and Daughters of Isis) has decided to give me some time on Here Be Monsters this Sunday, February 5th at 6:00.  I'll get a chance to read the story, then we'll be discussing miscellaneous connections between Institutionalized Religion, The Patriarchy and Politics, with anyone who calls into the show.


This link should lead straight to the Sunday show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/here-be-monsters/2012/02/05/occupy-everywhere-the-sunday-show
It would be fun if you guys called in from Blogland because then we could talk in real time like real people
(213) 816-0357.

7 Comments:

Blogger Mr. Charleston said...

Good luck getting people to call in on Super Bowl Sunday, but I will try to remember to call. If not, please forgive me and know I had good intentions. (Here's where I quote some cliche built around good intentions which I have forgotten)

February 2, 2012 at 8:25 AM  
Blogger PENolan said...

Mr C, I hate to tell you this, but there are LOTS of people who don't give a flying fuck about the super bowl. But thanks for the head's up. I didn't even know when it was . . .

February 2, 2012 at 8:27 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Here' me not giving a flying fuck about super .... what?

February 2, 2012 at 9:17 AM  
Blogger ellen abbott said...

I'm so not into super bowl that I thought it was over already.

I've always thought that all those prophets in the bible were just schizophrenic. today we put them on meds. that's why god stopped talking to people. religion...created by man for the sole purpose of controlling other men.

February 2, 2012 at 10:24 AM  
Blogger Susan Tiner said...

Is Mr. Wisdom coming?

As an Episcopalian, I don't really encounter much in the way of church hierarchy/authority.

February 2, 2012 at 2:52 PM  
Blogger Krell said...

Really should be a good show on the radio.

And I for one can say that I don't give a flying fuck about the Super Bowl, don't know who's playing in it and don't really care.
IMHO.. watching football on TV has got to be one of the biggest waste of time for the weekend.

February 2, 2012 at 3:05 PM  
Blogger PENolan said...

Gwen and Krell - see you sunday
ellen, hope you are there too (totally agree on religion was created by man to control other men)

Susan - He was planning to come, but I'm pretty sure he won't be able to in the end due to work and family. His March gig started earlier than expected, so now he has to finish his February gig and work the March one at the same time. Apparently, you can manage that sort of thing in the television business if you're able to work 16 - 20 hours a day for a couple of weeks.

It leaves very little room for recreation, though, and I have no idea when I'll see him again - or talk to him for that matter since, as you know, he's not one to pick up the phone. I'm trying to keep the faith. Sometimes that's easy, and sometimes it isn't.

As for church hierarchy, I think the best thing about church is the fellowship it provides, and for some people it can nurture the spirit. Even though I'm a solitary sort of practitioner, I can see how a lot of people like going to church. It was the preacher's ego I found troublesome ;)

February 5, 2012 at 5:33 AM  

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