Dear God,
How’s it going? I guess you’ve been pretty busy, considering all the stuff that’s been happening here on earth that doesn’t exactly jibe with your teachings and all.
I mean how bad people seem to be able to get away with just about anything while good people get screwed. All those innocent kids suffering and dying from diseases and wars. Those kinds of things.
I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate. Who knows, maybe there’re other planets out there filled with living beings that you have to keep an eye on in addition to all of us down here. No one said you have an easy job.
I’m writing to ask that when you have a minute please go to my file and change by designation from Christian to non-Christian. I know, it’s been a good ride, but I have to tell you from what I’m seeing of Christians nowadays I’d rather not be part of that.
After all, I have a reputation to protect.
I want to assure you that my beliefs haven’t changed. They’re the same ones I’ve developed over the years from the teachings of the church when I was a kid, stuff my parents told me, and my own life experiences. As you remember, I was a Catholic for decades before leaving the church because I didn’t agree with some of its positions and how it went about its business.
Don’t worry, they don’t miss me.
Here’s the thing God, over the years I’ve seen more and more people proclaiming to be Christians who don’t act like what I’d consider a Christian. Then you have the Trump thing and all those millions of Christians rallied around him.
The more we saw of him over the last eight years the more obvious it became that this guy isn’t close to being a Christian, either in his conduct or his policies. He tried to overthrow the government for God’s sake – sorry, I mean for your sake.
From immigration to taxation, I’m not seeing much biblical in him or the GOP. Some will chalk that up to political differences, but it’s more than that. Not only are their words and actions unchristian, but their whole underlying attitude and belief system is nothing like I was taught.
Take just recently, while the deaths and property damage continue to mount in the California wildfires, the man who Christians say is their chosen one attacks state officials and cruelly mocks the tragedy.
Did you see how he re-posted on Truth Social a picture of a take-off of the famous “Hollywood” sign, only it says “Trump Was Right” with flames around it? You okay with that? Because I’m not, and I don’t want to be associated with people who are.
I know you guys have the whole abortion thing, and I’m not minimizing that, but why should all their other shit get a pass? Do you keep score up there or something like that?
I don’t want anything to do with people who support increasing the wealth of the rich at the expense of the poor and middle class. Who abandon stewardship of the planet in servitude to the fossil fuel industry. Who sit back and watch people’s lives destroyed, their reputations ripped to shreds, lies accepted as facts, and truthtellers pilloried and threatened.
I don’t think we should hate and dehumanize immigrants, or use trans kids as political props considering everything else that they’re going thorough in their lives. I don’t think we should go from being a leader in the world to threatening our allies for reasons that don’t even make sense. Don’t we have a responsibility to use our power and wealth for good? When did that change?
I’m tired of watching those folks trying to force their religious beliefs on the rest of us and then claiming to be victims when we don’t roll over and go along. Who try to tell us who can love who. Who push for Christian nationalism over the separation of church and state. Whose real thing isn’t love of God but love of the ego-swelling exhilaration of sitting in the close proximity of power. All lust isn’t just for the flesh. But you already know that.
Now, I know not all Christians are like this. Many have held to their true beliefs and see Trump and his ilk for what they are. They’re shocked by the blatant hypocrisy of those who share with them the title of “Christian.”
But their megaphones aren’t as big. How can they be? You’ve got a whole right-wing media system along with the Christian communication machine blaring away. In this country, the word Christian has come to mean Trump Christian.
I just want it clear that I’m not with those folks. I don’t know who said this, but I have a sign in my office that reads, “There are times you must speak, not because you are going to change the other person, but because if you don’t speak, they have changed you.”
That’s the way I feel. They aren’t changing me.
But hey God, no hard feelings. I’m still the same person. Still usually trying to do the right thing. Let’s talk again soon. I’ll see you at bingo.
Okay, you know I’m kidding. I don’t play bingo.
Sincerely,
Rick Elia
***
Thank you for reading my post. You can see my other writings on my blog: Musings of a Nobody. Please share and subscribe for free via email on its home page.