Is he laughing or crying? Hard to tell.
Well, there is no getting around it… that was me. And, to be quite candid, at the time I really liked playing that role. My job was to give the hapless humans their verdict from “the book!” There they stood, supposedly newly resurrected and awaiting judgment at the foot of the stairway to heaven. If they were “in” they got the angel’s welcome and the heavenly music played. However, if they were unrepentent and remained woeful sinners to the end… well, it was the flames of hellfire for them with the devil and his angels licking their chops.
If there really was such a trumped-up character as “the devil,” plays like this one would surely be his heartless concoction. But no… it is Christians who like these intimidation tactics that promote fear and anxiety in the minds gullible adults and defenseless kids. Believe or burn. Nice.
So, while part of me can look at this old screwy photo and laugh at my ridiculous expression and git-up… my real reaction is to simply shake my head and say, “never again!”
I’m amazed by how open you are and by your courage.
Thanks Michael.
I never actually considered it as any act of courage. And I am sure it won’t change anybody’s mind who’s still in that system. But maybe people reading the perspective of someone who was there so sincerely for so very long, might find it refreshing.
Thanks again for commenting old buddy!
Well, for what it’s worth, I am a better person because of you and your family’s involvement in church and Christianity. Perhaps the fire and brimstone thing is going a bit far, ha!
I hope that you can find some comfort that you did do some good for at least one person even if you own contrary beliefs now. (I’m pretty sure there are more people, but I can only speak for myself.)
Please know that it’s never been my intention to remind you of pain…(my post on your facebook about the guitarist on the worship team) I think I will be more careful in the future!