It's Always Sunny in the Funky Anne Frank Room: July 2010

Day 70

How have we lasted this long living here?!!!? I could give you updates on various scenarios that have occurred in the past 70 days. There could be a blog about the slobs and the scents, the glances and glares, the words, the noise and the overall sense of "what did I do wrong now?" but that gets so old and I am trying to limit my complaints to the pages of a blank notebook I found hidden in a drawer. I hid it for those "break in case of emergency" kind of moments and believe me, I've had several.

Last Sunday when I had just about had enough of this place and the humans and various creatures who inhabit it, I took a little respite and got cuddly with Netflix. It was a rainy day and I had time to kill while Ginger Boy was off visiting his family. Seeing as how it was Sunday, I thought I should have a little religion in my life because according to certain so-called friends I am in need of some "saving" and then my life will get better. According to them, I am Godless and that is the source of all my problems. I am headed straight down the Highway to Hell complete with a soundtrack by AC/DC and Marilyn Manson. Not a bad way to go if you ask me.

Apparently Netflix agrees with those so-called friends because under the "Movies You'll Love" icon I stumbled across 3 films that were recommended to me because I enjoyed the Bill Maher documentary Religuous.

If you haven't seen the film, it is very entertaining and I highly recommend it. Keep in mind as one always should with these types of documentaries, this is one person's opinion and Bill is just a funny guy. I too have doubt, I am full of doubt and I don't have all the answers. I enjoy hearing what others have to say on the hot topic of Religion, especially Christianity. You might say I am fascinated by it. Since Netflix was so very kind to suggest 3 different films to me and I had a huge chunk of time to kill, I settled under a blanket and viewed all 3 films.

The first one was entitled Hell House.

The Hell House featured in this film is run by Trinity Church Assemblies of God in Cedar Hill Texas. Now I had read several articles about these Hell Houses that were run by Fundamentalist Christians, Pentecostal Christians and the like during the glorious month of October. These are the folks who think Halloween, Harry Potter and Bewitched are just pure evil and any involvement with them assures you a seat right next to Satan after you die. They also denounce the practice of Yoga because it is not Christ-like. OY VEY!

Months prior to October the Church members plan out their "hell house" which is just like a haunted house but instead of scary ghosts or monsters popping out at you, you get to watch various scenes of sin. The scenes include, abortion, domestic violence, suicide, a man dying of AIDS, an Occult sacrifice, two teens killed in a car accident because they were driving drunk, a girl getting raped at a Rave that results in her taking her own life, and finally there is a visit to hell which involves a lot of smoke, red lights and tin foil.

I could poke fun at all of these sinful scenarios that are laid out in hell house but I actually have to give these folks credit for constructing such detailed sets and costumes. Not to mention the special effects and the actors. They cast young teens in these roles and they all seem to be at their After-school Special best. I was impressed with whole grueling audition process and with the Christian school teacher who wrote the scenes. However the film was just rubbish because Hell House is very one sided much like the view points of some of these Christians. I also don't care for the way they lure a lot of unsuspecting folks into their little haunted house and while I understand the message they are trying to getting across to the heathens, I think they are going about it all the wrong way. I have nothing against these Christians but the message of Christ they are preaching seems to be the wrong message, and it give Christians as a whole a bad reputation in my humble opinion. The Jesus fellow I know is kind, loving and one of those "do gooder" types that would be spread his message in a gentle way and he certainly would not cast a young person to hell because they had a few drinks. Instead he would wrap his arms around them and say, "you messed up, let's not do it again." but what do I know.

So I gave Hell House one star out of 5. It would have gotten one and half stars if the Rave music was actually good but it wasn't. You can watch it and see for yourself but have a magazine or crossword puzzle handy in case you get bored. The sad part about the film is it puts Christians in bad light to those doubtful people out there. Oh and their version of a Pentagram for the occult scene was actually a Star of David painted red.

Next up was Jesus Camp. I had seen half of Jesus Camp several years ago but I ended up falling asleep and missing a good portion of the film. Not that Jesus Camp was boring, I just had a very long day and could not keep my eyes open. It happens sometimes. I once fell a sleep during an episode of L O S T but I hit rewind on the DVR and everything was alright.

ADHD Chick

Jesus Camp is about a summer camp run by this wonderful lady named Becky Fischer. I actually loved Becky. She is full of life and she is so into what she does that it is pretty cool to watch her in action. Becky is a good woman with very good intentions and creative ideas and I was on her side. Of course I did not agree with all that Becky said or did but I thought I wouldn't mind going bowling with Becky. Even some of the children were delightful with the exception of the little girl I dubbed ADHD Chick. I actually felt sorry for her because you know she must get picked on a lot in school. In fact, she did mention that children tease her because of her faith in Christ. I am glad she has a strong faith in Jesus but the way she expresses it comes across as really annoying in kid world.

Jesus Camp wasn't a bad film and it wasn't the "must see movie of the year" but I found it to be entertaining on some levels and scary on others. The whole speaking in tongues thing freaks me out. It reminds me of mental patients in a hospital just crying out in pain and well, to me it is downright creepy.

After viewing the film, I asked someone what speaking in tongues was all about. They told me that it was the Holy Spirit rising up from within you and you were speaking his word. So I asked this person, "Why doesn't the Holy Spirit just speak plain English?" I was instructed to ask the Holy Spirit that question but my reply was "I don't believe in ghosts." I guess I am on that highway to hell.

I gave Jesus Camp 2 1/2 out of 5 stars and you should give Jesus Camp a chance. Especially to see Becky Fischer in action. I'd like to be her for Halloween this year. Oh and one big bonus is Ted Haggard before all of his troubles with the church. If you are unfamiliar with Ted and his whole story, this won't be such a bonus for you.

The final film in this Theological Trilogy was entitled Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. Now there is a title I could relate to. Again, I have nothing against folks who follow the teachings of Jesus, I just don't care for the way some of them go about spreading the word.

Dan Merchant does a fine job in this film showing both sides of the "Culture Wars" coin. I was not only entertained but I learned a few things and so did Mr. Merchant while making this film. He made the point that I always try to make when talking about religion is, we just need to embrace each others differences and try to make a difference in this world. Seriously, we are all on this planet together, we might as well try to get along and help one another. You're not going to like everyone you meet but if you open your heart, you might find that folks who you thought were ungroovy actually have some grooviness to them. It might sound like a lot of hippie rubbish to some folks but I dug the message in this film.

During the last half I found myself moved and even in tears. Five out of five stars for this documentary. I hope the Hell House and Jesus Camp folks take some time out of their busy schuedules to watch this movie. It may not change their minds but it could possibly edge them closer to reality.

If you have an afternoon to kill, watch all 3 films but if you only have a few hours go for Lord, Save Us From Your Followers.

Off to enjoy another sunny, SUNNY day.

namaste

day 58

I had a Birthday yesterday that was pretty damn spectacular in my book. Oh there wasn't a boat load of present and cards or an awesome band playing at a big party but it was a Birthday full of love and Snapple, and I spent the day with some people I love. It made me forget all about the mess that is my life for a moment. Ginger Boy went all out and decorated the room, shot off a confetti gun at me, sang to me, made me a cake and well, it was lovely. Heck even the head Hostile wished me a Happy Birthday via the facebook.

However, there is a dark side to this tale, and I am still pretty hurt by it. The woman I call mother did not even acknowledge my Birthday. I saw her a few times yesterday and she did not utter a word. This is a woman who has always been there when I needed her and she couldn't even bring herself to remember my Birthday. A simple wish or a hug would have done just nicely, it would have made me happy. Ahh well, it could have been worse she could have yelled at me. Oh wait she did, something about me moving her pot pies that were baking in the oven which I didn't even do. OY VEY! Don't get me started on the rubbish she eats that is perhaps the main cause of her memory loss. Yeah, I guess I will blame the pot pies for this.

I have a secret confession to make, every year on my Birthday since I was 5 I would sit alone quietly and wonder if my biological parents ever thought of me on my Birthday, particularly my biological mother. I would imagine her sitting alone and wishing she could spend the day with me because I was so much fun to be around, at least that is what folks were always telling me. I would picture her feeling bad and me showing up and putting my arm around her and telling her that giving me up for adoption was okay and I am not mad at her. Even at 5 I was empathic and could totally understand what this might be doing to her. So, yesterday during all of my euphoric moments I thought about that woman and told her that I was feeling alright and I thanked her.

I am still hurt by the fact that the woman I call my mother forgot about my special day but I forgive her, I mean after all, she doesn't watch the TODAY Show on Sunday so she didn't know the date. The youngest member of the household summed it up best when he learned that she forgot my Birthday,

"Man, I think it's time to stick Grandmom in a home. I mean, I seriously think that, I'm not making jokes here."

Fuck it! Off to enjoy another sunny, SUNNY day!