Once again I get ear fucked by Jesus at work. I was minding my own business, sitting at my desk (possibly checking my Face book) when my wonderful Office Manager pops her head in. Let me start by explaining something- my office is 264 sq ft room in the middle of a 20,000 sq ft warehouse about 300 yards away from the main office. Sheryl (that's what we'll call her) was diagnosed earlier this year with cancer. She had no qualms at all after the diagnosis about sharing her belief that her god (She's a fundy christian) would determine the outcome of her life and for a short while eluded to the possibility of refusing medical treatments to remove the cancer as that might interfere with gods plan for her. Any whoodle- Sheryl pops her head in my door, and starts with the small talk- How have you been? Is everything going good? Do I have plans for my upcoming vacation? I play nice, despite my outward appearance and my curse laden rants on this blog I'm a pretty polite guy! Next topical stop- her hair growing back. More polite small talk, now I'm just hoping I get outta this whole thing soon because I think I just got a text message... Then, out of nowhere- BAM! "You know Larry, I just thank the all mighty lord for taking this cancer out of my body, through him all things are possible". Que awkward smile for me. "Uhm, okay Sheryl" I reply. Then as she retreats back out the door and I think I just got grazed by the bullet- she pops her head back in. "Heavenly father deserves all the glory Larry, and that's who I give it to. Don't you agree"? Que still awkward, now horrified smile "uhm, sure Sheryl". I had officially been ear fucked by Jesus- again.
Look, I'm not trying to play the poor me card. Such is life in the work place, it's not always ideal. But here's the catch. If I was an office manager, and I walked up to ANYONE under me and through polite conversation tossed in a little "Hey, how bout that whole god thing you believe in being a big ole joke? A fairy tale, a myth, malarkey." or "I'm calling shenanigans on your bible, whats up?". Would I be seen as some insensitive prick? I think so. Maybe I'd be written up, suspended or fired. Who knows. Thing is, I would never do that. My personal life is a matter I prefer to keep to myself. The fact I am an atheist bears absolutely no weight on my ability to do my job (and to do it well I will add). It just pisses me off that the stigma attached to atheism and my attachment to that word could very well be detrimental to my employment. I have bills to pay, kids to feed, and a life to live. Advantage- bullying Christians (and they know it). You should have seen the gleam in her eyes, it was more then a little frightening.
Here's the thing, you guys have churches for that kind of talk. Really, I see em all over the place! Chances are you go to one a few times a week. Unless we car pool to that church together, assume (by all means in this regard) that I think your a fucking idiot and I'm personally offended by your lack of couth. Now, if I happen to walk into your church feel free to bombard me with all the bullshit you can sling. I asked for it, I came to your place. If I walk into your church and start telling you what I think about your beliefs, then I'm the total asshole and I can accept that. Please realize that your house, and your church are really the best places to keep your religion. I don't want to take it away from you, as that right has been afforded to you by the Constitution. Just keep it the fuck out the schools, the government, the work place and especially my office.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Fuck You Michigan
Wow, woke up this morning and read the news- Michigan passes "Anti-bullying Bill" with a loophole so big, the entire Christian nation can fit through. WHAT THE FUCK? By now, you may have caught on to the fact that I have a hard on for the LGBT community (pun intended). I have some very good friends and family who I can't stand to see discriminated against because of their sexual orientation (it's not a fucking "preference"). But this Bill goes much further then just the LGBT's. Simply put, this bill affords anyone the right to bully anyone else if they can justify their speech with moral or religious convictions and or beliefs. Now take a breath, this bill is not unconstitutional. It is worded in a way that it doesn't endorse any specific religion, nor does it name any specific religion or moral conviction that it prohibits. Pretty much stating that "Hey, what ever form of hate you have is cool, as long as you're sincere about it." I'll provide a link to the bill at the bottom, as well as the section in question.
I know what your thinking- "This guy is getting all steamed up again over some shit that doesn't have anything to do with him. That bill passed in Michigan, not in California!" Bullshit, this bill stinks worse then Prop 8 and that one passed here in my home state (which by most maps is considered a "blue" state.) Imagine your daughter being harassed by the PARENTS of a fellow student, being called a whore, and being told that she was going to burn in hell because she was wearing lip gloss. How about your son being told in class by the teacher or principal that he's an idiot for thinking that god doesn't exist (or simply believing in a different one) and that he should repent and accept the lord into his heart to avoid eternal damnation. Hey Mormons- truth is, most born agains and a good percentage of the other Abrahamic factions don't think you're Christian..... So even your kids could get bullied for being different. While I find the irony of that somewhat comforting after the money their organization dumped into the Prop 8 campaign, I will not stand for any child being abused and bullied (not even your Christian kids, which coincidentally aren't protected either.)
The way the bill reads, sincerity is the key to protection. We all should be aware of what Leviticus tells about homosexuality and its consequences (I'm not going to argue the semantics of the scripture, lets just agree that it is generally misrepresented.) Are death threats now tolerable as long as we sincerely have a moral or religious conviction to them? How about hate speech in general? The Ku Klux Klan roots their racism and separatism deep in the bible. How about it being okay for your kid to be called a nigger or a chink or a spic by a teacher, administrator, a fellow student, a fellow students parent, or even the yard supervisor? Sick, sick shit.
Bullying is about power. This bill clearly shows that the Republican Majority (wanna guess what churches they're going to, or which god they're listening to?) in Michigan has the power. Realistically, who is going to suffer because of this bill? Is it going to be the Christian kids? I admit that it's possible but I'd bet my paycheck that it's not likely. As a parent I have an obligation to protect my children. As a human being, and a member of a neighborhood/city/state/country/planet I have an obligation to protect ALL children. This bill does just the opposite as it's written. One simple line shits on the entire premise of the bill by providing the only excuse this country needs to oppress, dehumanize, humiliate, or other wise cause emotional/physical distress and suffering to another human- Religion.
I know what your thinking- "This guy is getting all steamed up again over some shit that doesn't have anything to do with him. That bill passed in Michigan, not in California!" Bullshit, this bill stinks worse then Prop 8 and that one passed here in my home state (which by most maps is considered a "blue" state.) Imagine your daughter being harassed by the PARENTS of a fellow student, being called a whore, and being told that she was going to burn in hell because she was wearing lip gloss. How about your son being told in class by the teacher or principal that he's an idiot for thinking that god doesn't exist (or simply believing in a different one) and that he should repent and accept the lord into his heart to avoid eternal damnation. Hey Mormons- truth is, most born agains and a good percentage of the other Abrahamic factions don't think you're Christian..... So even your kids could get bullied for being different. While I find the irony of that somewhat comforting after the money their organization dumped into the Prop 8 campaign, I will not stand for any child being abused and bullied (not even your Christian kids, which coincidentally aren't protected either.)
The way the bill reads, sincerity is the key to protection. We all should be aware of what Leviticus tells about homosexuality and its consequences (I'm not going to argue the semantics of the scripture, lets just agree that it is generally misrepresented.) Are death threats now tolerable as long as we sincerely have a moral or religious conviction to them? How about hate speech in general? The Ku Klux Klan roots their racism and separatism deep in the bible. How about it being okay for your kid to be called a nigger or a chink or a spic by a teacher, administrator, a fellow student, a fellow students parent, or even the yard supervisor? Sick, sick shit.
Bullying is about power. This bill clearly shows that the Republican Majority (wanna guess what churches they're going to, or which god they're listening to?) in Michigan has the power. Realistically, who is going to suffer because of this bill? Is it going to be the Christian kids? I admit that it's possible but I'd bet my paycheck that it's not likely. As a parent I have an obligation to protect my children. As a human being, and a member of a neighborhood/city/state/country/planet I have an obligation to protect ALL children. This bill does just the opposite as it's written. One simple line shits on the entire premise of the bill by providing the only excuse this country needs to oppress, dehumanize, humiliate, or other wise cause emotional/physical distress and suffering to another human- Religion.
My advice? Contact Senator Gretchen Whitmer (I've included her email, and phone number)and tell her thank you for standing up for YOUR children. Write your own Congressperson and Senator and let them know how much this bill disturbs you. I hope you do. Otherwise, what are you going to do when it's your kid that's being bullied legally by their teacher? This legislation could easily become law in what ever state you happen to be reading this in.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billengrossed/Senate/pdf/2011-SEBS-0137.pdf
SenGWhitmer@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-1734
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billengrossed/Senate/pdf/2011-SEBS-0137.pdf
SenGWhitmer@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-1734
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