I'm Irish. Of course I know what it feels like!

[quidditchgrrl]

Ah, Sunday. No doubt my last truly stress-free Sunday, since the library is open for four hours each Sunday and easily does twelve hours' worth of business. I'll work every third, but I'm always going to be called if something goes wrong.

I can handle that.

Went to see Bend It Like Beckham today with my sister. It was as wonderful as has been reported. I loved the fact that Jess really did feel the pull of both cultures, and that her parents' feelings were not completely discounted at any point in the action. Definitely something I'll buy on DVD.

I won't even talk about the Buckeyes. I am developing ulcers from these games.



Yesterday my girls and I went to cook and serve food for a local shelter. The girls love to do this, and they get a lot of satisfaction from hearing the men (we serve at a men's shelter) say thanks and really appreciate the food. This time we were joined by kids from a church youth group (Rainbow is a 'religious' organization, in that you have to believe in a supreme being, just not a specific one).

I come in, and who is cooking? My girls. The other kids are watching the game, screaming and yelling and ignoring the instructions of the person in charge.

Their group leader made sure that all the men knew that some of her kids had skipped the OSU game when they had tickets, to 'come and make sure you guys could have a meal today.' All in the most supercilious tone imaginable, she's conversing with these men.

We were all working at not rolling our eyes at her; I kept busy talking to the guys and our girls were generally saying 'hi' and 'you're welcome' and 'thanks.' I think I'm like my father in that I never think about a person's 'worth' when talking to them - people are people, whether they're living in a shelter or on Park Avenue, although they'd never admit it - and I'm so glad my girls have taken mine and C.'s (the woman in charge) lead in engaging in casual conversation with everyone.

There was a little boy there, around 8 years old, the first one I'd met since I began coming down almost two years ago. That was v. v. sad; he only took one sandwich, but came up later for a second. Poor little guy, he was v. intimidated by the shelter and all the men and by us. At least his dad was there with him.

I can't imagine how it must feel to have to listen to people talk down to you just to get a meal everyday. I was truly embarrassed to have to be with this other group of kids and their adult chaperone. Gah, this is why I don't care to have any sort of religious beliefs - it just gives one a way to claim superiority over another, it seems. They were all talking about how 'this is what Jesus did all the time, and you're being like Jesus, and blah-diddly-blah-blah.' I wondered if Jesus kept score like these folks. Grr. Our group just sort of ignored that, and one or two girls looked distinctly uncomfortable with that sentiment. I think they've had enough experience with this activity to understand that the point isn't scoring points with God/Jesus/whoever, but the people you are helping out.

Comments

[water-witch.livejournal.com]

Bend it Like Beckham is really super. Meera Syal is very talented. If you get the chance then do see Bhaji on the Beach and also Anita and Me which is semi-autobiographical. She was also involved in Goodness Gracious Me which was a radio 4 show and laterly a TV series and that is absolutely hilarious too. I don't know is you get that over in your neck of the woods but the shows are available on DVD.

I'm thinking they miss the point completely

[bloodee-maree.livejournal.com]

If they were really trying to emulate Jesus, they wouldn't be interested in "the game" at all. They would throw off the worldly shackles of material possessions and they would live as he did, a wandering prophet, fighting against the enslavement of religious and class poverty, which was basically what the Jews were up against in "the day."

Some modern Christians (like the ones you describe) are the worst kind of fools. They truly are. I truly despise the way that they look down on people, pity people, etc. As an atheist, I get the pity and the condescension a lot. People treat me as if I am a 16-year-old going through a rebellious stage. The older I get, the more I realize that these sorts of arrogant idiots deserve whatever you can dish out to them.

Grrr, indeed.

I've taken to giving back what is given to me or what I see given to others. If you treat me with that "Christian pity," I will treat you with atheist pity. I will pity you for being a sheep that follows blindly. If I see you treating others as inferior to you in any way, that is how I will treat you - As an inferior to me and to people like me. I simply don't put up with it anymore.

I am going to be a nightmare in the old age home, aren't I? ;o)

I did a post this morning on hp_heathens about playing nice in the big sandbox or keeping the fight amongst the most insane of the types.

[quidditchgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it really sickens me to listen to people spout false pity and platitudes (because it seems like a LOT of so-called Christians believe that oppressed groups somehow 'deserve' their situation) and pat themselves on the back at what a good person they are.

They certainly weren't focused on the people they were helping, but on themselves, and that will get you in trouble every time.

[rachet.livejournal.com]

I burst into tears at the end. Not because we won...but because it was FINALLY OVER! Our whole section started to cry from relief, actually. Even the 115 year old man that has yet to utter a single word during any of the games so far.

I swear....I never felt so sick before in my life.

BGSU is SOOOOO going to kick our asses Saturday.

Oh well.

WWJD? No, WWJT!?!

[badonkatonks.livejournal.com]

You know PBG, I'm right there with you. It breaks my heart to think of how 'those people' made the men at the shelter feel. If only people would stop and think...'There but by the grace of God go I'...before they open there mouths just to make themselves feel better and look more important than they really are. Karma is a very powerful force. I happen to believe JC had a great deal of good karma going on. JC and the Higher Powers know what's in the hearts of us all. That group of volunteers might have been able to fool themselves, but they were the only ones fooled...

What Would Jesus Think? That's a better question.

Blessed Be