Confession
More than he bargained for7 total reviews
Comment from Kenneth Gagne
I like the treatment of the exchange as a sort of chess match. I think the preface gave me some unrealistic expectations because I found myself somewhat let down by how tame the exchange actually was. Granted, that could just be because it brought to mind examples of more caustic language of which I'm aware (the sort that'd likely damage relationships and make any apology seem insincere), so anything else just seems tame by comparison.
That aside, I think people like Bob overlook the impact that their individual circumstances and associated reactions have on their worldviews, leading them to perceive their understanding as innate and therefore to assume that with enough time, everyone can come to that same understanding, as though everyone who hasn't is just being a contrarian (out of ignorance or spite).
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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I like the treatment of the exchange as a sort of chess match. I think the preface gave me some unrealistic expectations because I found myself somewhat let down by how tame the exchange actually was. Granted, that could just be because it brought to mind examples of more caustic language of which I'm aware (the sort that'd likely damage relationships and make any apology seem insincere), so anything else just seems tame by comparison.
That aside, I think people like Bob overlook the impact that their individual circumstances and associated reactions have on their worldviews, leading them to perceive their understanding as innate and therefore to assume that with enough time, everyone can come to that same understanding, as though everyone who hasn't is just being a contrarian (out of ignorance or spite).
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Yes, Kenneth--it was a tame exchange in retrospect! Bob is a paradox; he comes across as intensely focused, then zones out as if he never heard a word I said. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Raffaelina Lowcock
A very well written piece. Your frankness is to be commended. But, where in heaven's name would anyone come up with God as D(evil). It is sacrilegious. Look forward to next Sunday.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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A very well written piece. Your frankness is to be commended. But, where in heaven's name would anyone come up with God as D(evil). It is sacrilegious. Look forward to next Sunday.
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Thanks for stopping by. This piece is the follow-up; its prequel is HOLY TERROR--the first piece I ever posted when I joined in January. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it,
including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from rhymelord
Dear Liz,
As usual, direct, clear and definitive writing, but about what really? I do hope there is a follow up to clarify why you wrote this. By the way, I do not disagree with your "assessment" of God. Just ask the Egyptians and the folk at Sodom and Gomorrah about the way they were treated - that is, if you believe the Bible to be a reliable book of history.
Reg
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Dear Liz,
As usual, direct, clear and definitive writing, but about what really? I do hope there is a follow up to clarify why you wrote this. By the way, I do not disagree with your "assessment" of God. Just ask the Egyptians and the folk at Sodom and Gomorrah about the way they were treated - that is, if you believe the Bible to be a reliable book of history.
Reg
Comment Written 27-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Hi Reg. Thanks for your thoughtful remarks re my "assessment" of God! This piece is the follow-up; its prequel is HOLY TERROR--the first piece I ever posted when I joined in January. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it,
including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from judiverse
I lived in MA for several years and know the Catholic religion was big there. I don't know much about Stoneham. I was wondering how long you had been going to church, if your feelings about religion were as you expressed them. I wonder if you will bring to light why you feel the way you do about God. I also wonder if you are going to add this this story. You have quite a way of expressing yourself. I think you can make your caveat at the beginning clear without the red and yellow. Just my thought. judi
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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I lived in MA for several years and know the Catholic religion was big there. I don't know much about Stoneham. I was wondering how long you had been going to church, if your feelings about religion were as you expressed them. I wonder if you will bring to light why you feel the way you do about God. I also wonder if you are going to add this this story. You have quite a way of expressing yourself. I think you can make your caveat at the beginning clear without the red and yellow. Just my thought. judi
Comment Written 26-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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This piece is the follow-up; its prequel is HOLY TERROR--the first piece I ever posted when I joined in January. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it, including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ (Alas, my colorful caveat backfired: none of the Christians could resist!)
Comment from BethShelby
You were probably hoping I wouldn't read this, but I'm not easily offended nor discouraged by someone telling me not to do something. I'm really not surprised by the way you feel because if I believed for one minute that a God who is supposed to be all love, is planning to torture with fire for eternity everyone who doesn't believe in him as some "Christians" might tell you, I too would flee. I would also believe He is evil. I admire you for expressing your opinion. I would assume Bob would feel the same.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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You were probably hoping I wouldn't read this, but I'm not easily offended nor discouraged by someone telling me not to do something. I'm really not surprised by the way you feel because if I believed for one minute that a God who is supposed to be all love, is planning to torture with fire for eternity everyone who doesn't believe in him as some "Christians" might tell you, I too would flee. I would also believe He is evil. I admire you for expressing your opinion. I would assume Bob would feel the same.
Comment Written 26-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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This piece is the follow-up; its prequel is HOLY TERROR--the first piece I ever posted when I joined in January. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it, including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ (Alas, my colorful caveat backfired: none of the Christians could resist!)
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You're just too good a writer. We're always in for a treat, no matter what your theme.
Beth
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What a lovely thing to say, Beth. You made my day!
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Funny story, I have to admit I read it twice and I laughed as a crazy - regnant pause: as in "expecting." Expecting what? For me to produce the usual pleasantries, perhaps.
Which I do. And which he -- as expected -- boomerangs right back at me.
Stalemate.
Bob's move. He either says a cheery "See you next Sunday" and heads out, leaving me a week's reprieve to formulate my next move, or...
...or he repeats what he said to me last Sunday, and the Sunday before.
And that, in fact, is what Bob does. He tells me once again how I am to be "commended" -- especially considering I am not even Catholic! -- for so faithfully attending church.
Check.
Thank you for sharing and good luck with your next story.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Funny story, I have to admit I read it twice and I laughed as a crazy - regnant pause: as in "expecting." Expecting what? For me to produce the usual pleasantries, perhaps.
Which I do. And which he -- as expected -- boomerangs right back at me.
Stalemate.
Bob's move. He either says a cheery "See you next Sunday" and heads out, leaving me a week's reprieve to formulate my next move, or...
...or he repeats what he said to me last Sunday, and the Sunday before.
And that, in fact, is what Bob does. He tells me once again how I am to be "commended" -- especially considering I am not even Catholic! -- for so faithfully attending church.
Check.
Thank you for sharing and good luck with your next story.
Comment Written 26-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Thanks for stopping by Iza. This piece is the follow-up; its prequel is HOLY TERROR--the first piece I ever posted when I joined in January. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it, including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ (Alas, my colorful caveat backfired: none of the Christians could resist!)
Comment from Margaret Bednar
I am Catholic and I don't have a problem with your beliefs - I'm not here for that - I'm here to assess writing. I find this piece to be interesting - is it an on-going story? I wonder if Chuck shouldn't appear at the end, to kind of wrap up the comment in the beginning? Does Chuck know? How did Bob and the writer (you - as this is non-fiction) come to meet?
If this becomes a full fledged story, I'd like to know why... ""I am not here to find God, much less to worship Him. Indeed, I flee from Him in horror," I tell him, "because He is utterly, monstrously, beyond-all-imagining Evil." It is a very strong statement and leaves the reader curious.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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I am Catholic and I don't have a problem with your beliefs - I'm not here for that - I'm here to assess writing. I find this piece to be interesting - is it an on-going story? I wonder if Chuck shouldn't appear at the end, to kind of wrap up the comment in the beginning? Does Chuck know? How did Bob and the writer (you - as this is non-fiction) come to meet?
If this becomes a full fledged story, I'd like to know why... ""I am not here to find God, much less to worship Him. Indeed, I flee from Him in horror," I tell him, "because He is utterly, monstrously, beyond-all-imagining Evil." It is a very strong statement and leaves the reader curious.
Comment Written 26-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
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Thanks Margaret. I appreciate your open-minded attitude and thoughtful remarks. The prequel to this piece is HOLY TERROR, my very first posting here. Religious torment has been an ongoing theme in my life; much of my fiction has been inspired by it, including four scripts. Cheers. LIZ (My colorful caveat backfired: none of the Christians could resist!)