Jesus told my dad to switch countries! (story/rant)

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:07 am

So yeah, on New Years 2007, my father (who is a very liberal pastor), announced to my family that Jesus told him to move to the Dominican Republic and he confirmed it through my step mom. Not only that, but guess where I am now? The Dominican Republic. And trust me, if you think coming out in the states as an atheist is bad, the Dominican Republic is much much worse.The bible is state mandated curriculum, and to get a "good" education, I now have to go to an evangelical christian school, where I have to learn about "scientific" achievements in the bible! 2nd law of thermodynamics my ass!

(oh, and I'm new, so heeeyyy Smile

)

Newbie First Class Joined: May 02, 2008 Posts: 30

Welcome

State mandated Bible classes? That sucks

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:32 am

Indeed. The only good part about it is I'm going to have fun terrorizing the biblical studies class. Twisted Evil

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:52 am

sux--- f--k me. Sympathies. Can I ask how old you are? Can you go back to the states, maybe ask to live with relatives?

Of course, 'in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king', surrounded by gullible xians you could have some fun.

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 549

That sure does suck for you, man.

Just Arrived Joined: Sep 05, 2008 Posts: 2

Now that sounds rough - but think of the entertainment opportunities of debating your classmates! Ah, to be young again...

Hello from Limerick City, Ireland

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:20 am

Partisan wrote:

Indeed. The only good part about it is I'm going to have fun terrorizing the biblical studies class. Twisted Evil

That's looking on the bright side. I'd certainly have a good time in the bible studies class, in fact, there would be so many heretical questions flying they'd probably kick me out Cool

Quote:

So yeah, on New Years 2007, my father (who is a very liberal pastor), announced to my family that Jesus told him to move to the Dominican Republic

Did Jesus give him a reason why?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:27 am

Welcome Partisan! Very Happy

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 549

Make sure you look into the local laws before you terrorize the biblical studies class. There might be some kind of anti blasphemy law. You never know with governments that establish religion.

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:59 am

Cygnus wrote:

Make sure you look into the local laws before you terrorize the biblical studies class. There might be some kind of anti blasphemy law. You never know with governments that establish religion.

yeah, i'll be sure to look into that.

by the way, (i thought you guys/girls would love this), i found out where the origin of languages came from today.

.....I'll give you a hint, its a tower and it rhymes with chapel(well, half rhyme)!

You guessed right! Its the Tower of Babel!

---
(unless otherwise mentioned, my teacher is the speaker)
Excerpt from my biblical studies class:

"Now the evolutionists have a theory (remember, its just a theory*emphasis*), that the origin of languages came from blah and blah and this guy here and there, but that makes no sense, because how could different languages come about if they all mankind originated in one place? Now the Bible say very clearly, God gave everyone different languages at the Tower of Babel. This further proves the bible as historical."

*later*

"Now, before the Fall, the animals all used to not eat each other.But after the Fall, animals began to eat each other."

*kid asks why did God punish the animals*

"Because, everyone suffered from one person so one person could provide salvation for everyone!"

---

Flawless logic.

Quote:

Can I ask how old you are?

I'm 16 going on 17.

Quote:

Of course, 'in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king', surrounded by gullible xians you could have some fun.

yeah, but its also a disadvantage, but on top of my lack of belief in a god, i really dont have many social topics to connect with people with.

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:11 am

Quote:

Welcome Partisan! Very Happy

Thanks!

Quote:

Did Jesus give him a reason why?

To start a religious ministry.

Quote:

Now that sounds rough - but think of the entertainment opportunities of debating your classmates! Ah, to be young again...

Hello from Limerick City, Ireland

Yeah, it will certainly be interesting, however, none of my classmates really examine their faith, its really just indoctrination. And considering my school is evangelical christian, it would very detrimental to be discovered as an atheist(socially). The people in the DR still regard it as taboo to even come out as gay, so I dread to consider how much "love" an atheist would get.[/quote]

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 549

Quote:

"Because, everyone suffered from one person so one person could provide salvation for everyone!"

Are you serious? That's what the teacher actually said?!

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:23 am

Cygnus wrote:

Quote:

"Because, everyone suffered from one person so one person could provide salvation for everyone!"

Are you serious? That's what the teacher actually said?!

Serious as the salvation of your soul!

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 549

Quote:

To start a religious ministry.

In a place that is already uber-religious?

Confident Learner Joined: Jun 16, 2008 Posts: 81

Hello Partisan! Smile

You have my good wishes (for joining up here) , my sympathies (for where you've ended up) and my encouragement - to keep an open mind, think freely without coercion and to question (in your own mind) everything they tell you.

If it's any help here's a true story along similar lines to your own. I tell it to you not to criticize your father but to caution you to keep your own counsel and quietly tolerate your situation until you can make your own way in life.

Anyone who experiences an "inner" communication from god cannot have their experiences questioned or examined. This is a purely personal thing for them and must be taken on trust by those around them.
Think of it this way. Nobody can feel your hope, joy, sadness, frustration or any other emotion for you. I can't know your innermost thoughts and nor can you know mine. The only avenue of communication we have open to us is language. Your father can tell you what he is thinking and feeling and what he believes god has told him to do - that is all. Whatever it meant to him will stay mostly with him.

Patience and tolerance are called for here, right now. The time for openly questioning and debating will come in due time. As long as you continue to think with an open mind you'll be ready for that day.

Anyway, here's the story.

My partner M's doctor, S was also a good friend of hers during their school days. The doctor's sister, L married a very religious man who, several years into their marriage left his job to become a pastor. He made their whole family live, eat and work along strictly biblical lines. So far so good.

Then he claimed that god had told him to take his ministry to Australia.
No problem, I hear you say. Then it got a lot, lot worse.
He announced to his wife that god had declared their marriage null and void. He left for Australia soon after, taking with him...

* A young female member of his congregation (god had blessed their union)
* Almost all the money L's parents had loaned him to help his ministry.

Here's what he left behind...

* His wife and child with no means of support and income.
* Very large debts that he quietly and secretly ran up over a number of years.
* A very bad relationship between L (the abandoned wife) and her sister, S (the doctor) which resulting in them not speaking for almost a decade.

This happened quite some time ago but the situation is still not fully resolved and innocent people are still suffering as a result of god speaking to this man. L's parents have had to sell off the family home to pay the pastor's debts and are now living just above the poverty-line in a trailerpark. Their health insurance and savings are non-existent, which leaves two elderly people living a very vulnerable, anxious life.

L has had to move in with her sister, S , placing additional financial and emotional strain on them and the young child.

As a final, bitterly ironic twist the pastor is now back from Australia (having dumped the wife god blessed him with) and living in the same area. Fortunately he's not practicing his ministry any more - so he can't dupe anyone else on that basis. However, both S, L and their parents cannot avoid seeing him from time to time, which just brings the pain back.

Not a happy tale by any standards. Sad

As you can see, the potential for long-term suffering and strife in these situations is very great. That's why I suggest patience and tolerance as two watchwords in your life.

I wish you well, Partisan.

BornAgainAthiest.


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