Episode Fifty Eight: Christianity, I'm taking it Back.

(*Taking it back is an expression used to sometimes describe the act of reclaiming a fashion, or, for the purpose of this post, a religion)

As an active Christian I hate to admit it, but more often than not, I am embarrassed by how Christians are represented to the rest of world.  It's not just that certain people waving the banner of Christianity are depicting Christians as anti-science, irrational, and anti-progress, but more importantly that our faith is being represented as hateful and judgmental.  The problem is worse than that- the modern Christian is so consumed by politics and hot button issues that the questions of day to day living are ignored.  This is not to say that Christian shouldn't be debating the major issues- but we are forgetting to address the challenges in our daily lives. 

As someone under the age of thirty I'm distressed at the low church attendance by people in my age group.  While one could argue my generation is going to hell, I prefer to question how my generation perceives Christianity.  I've made it a point to have friends of various faiths.  I've had some Christian friends argue that this is a massive faux-pas.  However, Jesus didn't spend the majority of his time with rabbis- he befriended tax collectors and prostitutes.  This is not an excuse for any misguided Christians to start preaching at the local strip club.  Sorry.  The point is, after talking to non-Christians the majority of complaints have nothing to do with a dislike of Jesus or the core virtues of Christianity. More often than not, non-Christians dislike hypocrisy and intolerance displayed by certain Christians.

Let's face it, the crusades, the Salem witch trials, the Spanish inquisition- we do have a lot of less-than-admirable moments in our history as a major branch of religion.  We're not taking the beam out of our eye before mentioning the speck in our brother's eye, as the bible tells us to do.  Christ, it is often said, is love.  Why then are so many Christians insisting on being champions of hate?  We've forgotten how important the virtues of forgiveness and charity are. 

The problem, however, is not Christianity.  "Do onto others as you would have done onto you" is hardly the philosophy of intolerance.  There are also plenty of Christians out there in the world who still love, and who are progressive and intelligent.  There are plenty of Christians out there who are friends with agnostics, pagans, Buddhists, Muslims, and yes, even atheists.  Our task is to take back Christianity as the religion of love and forgiveness.  We must begin to live our lives by example.  Let's drive a little friendlier on the road Christians.  Let your charity not be limited to people of the same denomination or church.  Non-Christians learn about the love of Christ through our actions. 

As the title of this post implies, it's time to take back Christianity.  Let's reclaim it and make it our own again. 

Episode Fifty Seven: The One thing I truly Loathe.

Now I try to keep the Curve Zone clean of hatred and ill will.  I don't want this to be some shrine of ranting or complaining.  It's easy to blog angry- too easy.  Blogging angry seldom achieves anything.  However, I'm tired and won't be posting anything relevant for at least 12 hours.  So it's time for me to admit a long-standing hatred I have.   There is only one thing in the universe I truly hate.

Blood suckers.

Alright, and before I get ripped limb by limb by Twihards, I'm not talking about your disco-ball teen-romances.  Vampires have, if nothing else, given us an amusing array of fiction as well as spread hilariously awful paranoia regarding the red cross.

I'm talking about Mosquitoes, those little, parasitic sons of [censored].  It's actually been a better summer for me this year, but I am always the person they bite the most and my skin breaks out worse than most people.  However, I know they're out there, and like a gritty old hero of a western movie I sit in vigilance for the day I can end their menace to my world. 

Mosquitoes think they can just fly into our country and take our blood and not pay taxes.  I say no more.  Armed with my narrow minded intolerance and my fly swatter I'll be waiting this summer Mosquitoes. 
 

Episode Fifty Six: We're Back and Crafty!

So after the bus broke down 30 miles outside of Denver and I sat tensely for fear that the irate passengers may disembowel our driver, well, I had a renewed passion for writing.  That was my trip to Oregon for my brother's graduation.  And if you're wondering, I did not fail to copy/paste the whole story.  Eventually I will write a post chronicling the horror that was my first bus trip across the United States.  Until then you have the information you need to know readers.

Instead of leading off with the soul searching I did over the past week- I will take the humorous route to revive the Curve Zone. 

When I heard about Newt Gingrinch getting "glittered" by a protester a couple of weeks ago I was inspired.  I try not to get into politics in the Curve Zone.  However, I couldn't help but think that Political Pundits would be made better through arts and crafts.  So I unveil to you, poor readers, Pundits and Crafts.

 

First- Bill O'Reilly.  O'Reilly's staring gaze is part of his drive as a media personality, so I thought "hmm, he needs Googly eyes!". 

Next, Hillary Clinton, whom I decided needed the fun and jazz of craft feathers and a gold star upon her cheek.  The brightly colored craft feathers add a touch of color and whimsy to the former first lady.

While we're on the topic of women in Politics, I decided to give Ann Coulter yarn hair.  Coulter's straight blond hair drains the color away from her face, it is uninspired.  Thanks to the rainbow of colors offered in craft yarn we were able to give Coulter a new, friendly look. 

The last craft project I decided to keep a reference pic on bottom.  Hate his movies or love them, you have to admit there is something familiar about the way Michael Moore looks.  Using felt swatches and craft hair we are able to construct, you guessed it, a Michael Moore Muppet.  If you don't know what a Muppet is, well, look up Kermit the frog on Wikipedia. 

I entreat you to try your own Pundits and Crafts :)