April 14, 2006
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MY GOOD FRIDAY “SERMON”
If you’ve been reading my blog long, you know I have a strange love/hate relationship with my Christian beliefs. Having been in the ministry for almost 20 years and then going into the business world where my main customers are churches (and other religious institutions) all across the
I had two messages on my voice mail when I came into the office this morning which may help you to understand why I find Christianity to be a perplexing, profound, confusing, and often hilarious belief system.
The first message was from a deacon at a church in which I recently installed a video projection system. This deacon owns a small firm that also does video projection installs. He was upset that his church didn’t give him the contract, and he called me up to tell me the work our firm does is (and I quote) a “fucking mess.”
The second message was from one of my Jewish clients for whom I’m installing a small television studio. He didn’t need anything in particular; he was just calling to wish me and my family a happy Easter. That my friends, is about as classy as you can get.
So…in light of these voice messages, I will now step back into my roll of minister (putting on vestments and pulling out oversized Bible) and offer you this Good Friday sermon:
If you believe that Christ died for your sins on this Friday two thousand years ago…don’t be a fucking prick…show a little class.
Amen.
Comments (26)
Amen to that, and you and your family have a blessed Easter!
Kathi
And the people said…”Amen.”
I’ll add my “Amen” to that too! Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter!
That reminds me of when I was waiting tables. Anyone in the restaurant business can tell you that Sundays are the worst, and it’s because of the “church people.”
It also reminds me of that Soprano’s episode where AJ had his communion, and Tony and Carmella found him smoking pot during the party. Carmella said, “Can’t you be a good fucking catholic on your communion?” Cracked me up.
God help us all, and Happy Easter to you.
That post REALLY summed up the world….and it’s sad. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Easter! Hugs.
Is it bad that I laughed at your post? You are so awesome and brave for posting that. Hope you don’t get a lot of hate comments. Happy Easter.
In my daily life, I remain amazed at the people who put on Christianity (or their religion) like a coat – and take it off when they want to show their true colors. I’d take the Jewish client anyday.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday (somehow, I know you will).
If all sermons were that short and sweet, there would be a lot of happy people on Sundays.
Happy Easter.
^^^ yeah, and it made sense, too.
I got home from a seder and ate easter eggs. I am the product of a Jew and a Catholic. It is funny. And also pretty convenient, as I only celebrate the holidays I feel like. No fasting on Yom Kippur for me.
Happy Easter.
Happy Easter Indeed.
You have summed it up beautifully. Happy Easter to you and yours, Mark.
I have read this post again and again. I read it to my teenage daughter and my husband who laughed wholeheartedly and agreed totally. My husband and I very rarely went to church, we had belonged to a Lutheran church. About a year ago we started going to a Southern Baptist church which we absolutely love. My husband normally goes to breakfast with the church men on Friday at the local restraunt. Now….we choose not to go to church everytime the door opens. We go for business meetings, we go to Sunday school, we got to Sunday morning church and we go to the occasional extra event but that’s about it. We can feel how strongly our faith has grown and I am so happy about that. We both were saved and baptized at this church. We started going there because my 16 year old daughter (who was 15 at the time) kind of “led us the way.” I am proud of how we are becoming more involved, well, at least more than what we were with the other church. When my husband was at a mens breakfast last week, one of the longtime members commented about so many of the church people being “Sunday Christians” because that is the only time some go. My husband was highly offended. Just because we only go one day a week does not mean that we love God any less than those that go every time the door is open and put on their “S” cape because they think they are a super Christian. What do you think?
WOW…unbelievable!!! That is absolutely just par for the course. And no offense to anyone at all, but that my friends is one of the very reasons I have a hard time finding the right church. I know too much of the behind scenes. I just do not wish to be part of at this time. I’ve seen pastors with child porn on their computer, those having affairs and then preaching against it the next Sunday. Those that took money and used it improperly, pastors and staff that lied to me or my family. And believe me…I’m no saint, but I would not behave in such a manner as the call you received this morning… Don’t get me started! lol
stories like that give fire to the arguments of my non-religious friends, who believe that religion is the root of all evil. my argument is if you are a bleeping idiot, no amount of religion is going to make you a decent human being. using religion as a front sickens my stomach.
your story was an example of a thoughtful person and a selfish person. religion was just background.
My family and I have had a hard time finding a church we can call home. I’ve had 2 bad experiences with members in the past and now find it hard to commit to one. It just seems like every time I get involved there is so much drama I usually give it up. I have enough teen drama at home and just don’t need it in my place of worship.
anyway.. Have a great holiday!
OMG…I sure hope you aren’t having a lightening storm in your neck of the woods…don’t stand close to anything metal if you are! LOL…seriously though, some “Christians” just break my heart….our Lord had such a simple message…how has it gotten so messed up?…sadly, things like what you have written about no longer surprise me…I lump people like that into the “Church of the misfit Christians”…since I have this need to categorize everyone….lol
One of my favorite patients and his wife are an elderly Jewish couple…they are without a doubt one of the most caring and sweet patients I have, I saw them on Friday and they wished me a good Friday and wondered why I was working…interesting, huh?
We put so many extra requirements on Christianity. The bottom line is to believe Jesus is the Son of God, confess with your mouth that He is Lord, and love Him with all your heart, mind, and spirit. That doesn’t stop us imperfect humans from continuing to be assholes…..
People like that make Christians look bad…. Happy Easter.
i did, thanks : ) hope yours was fantastic as well. ~esther
Amen, brother.
Hope you had a good Easter anyway!
Okay, I can handle the length of that sermon. And the direct message.
I wish I could be Jewish. I probably could but why do pigs have to be so delicious?
100% behind that comment. I think I’ll lift it and quote it (if that’s ok).