F*** you I won't do what you tell me
*Some explicit content...but I couldn't think of more extreme language to explain!!!
I'm taking the tape off my mouth. When I moved here I sat back to observe the culture and I've been exposed to a whole new world of understanding in regards to conservatives. But I am no longer going to sit back and let them speak for me. Yesterday on CNN, Paul Begala, a liberal analyst for "The Situation Room" was on "American Morning" and he made an outrageous statement. He said, "I am sick and tired of being a Christian and letting these conservatives speak for me. Why is it that the only Christians saying anything are condeming gays and fighting abortion."
Well I had to put some music on to write this, so I stretched back to the mid-90's and put on "Killing in the name of" by Rage Against the Machine. Here's a taste
"You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites. Some of those that work forces are the same that bore crosses"
The song ends with Zach de al Roche repeating..."you're under control, now you do what they told ya...f*** you I won't do what you tell me!" Guess what, I'm saying the same thing, I can't decide but part of me wants to keep the explative in when I say it?!?
Anger can be a beast that eats us from the inside out, so I won't go further without explaining my heart. I feel like this anger comes from a fury inside for righteousness on behalf of the Lord who saved me and the love I have for so many people I know who cannot believe in Jesus because his name is used to justify KILLING! The only example I can give to compare this to is Jesus in the temple. I want to go to George Bush's office and flip over his desk and tell him..."I won't do what you tell me, you call this a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers." (see Matthew 21:12)
I've found it easy to laugh at Pat Robertson, but I refuse to laugh any longer. Russ said something interesting to me yesterday, he said, "Pat Robertson is doing for Christianity what Osama Bin Laden is doing for Islam" I thought it was extreme, but then I thought about it, and while he may not be maliciously violent like Bin Laden, he is maliciously exclusive of this world by his words and so are the conservative Christians across this country who take their values and apply as the priorities of Jesus. Russ' expalanation behind his "polygamy theory" is that we take our culture standards and opinions and read scripture from that lense...which is backwards.
Conservatives all over this country are polluting cause of Christ. Its not a few crazies, its an epidemic. All they did was slap a "pro-life" sticker on their foreheads and then they get a free pass to ignore the futures of our children, alienating our allies, favoring the wealthy, creating a society that says "you get what you WORK for" (screw welfare, its simple...get a job) Yeah, people take advantage of social programs, but people take advantage of grace, God didn't stop providing our sorry butts with it though.
I refuse to let Tom Delay publically say he knows God will carry him through this time of persecution, I refuse to let George Bush and Dick Cheney say that torture and spying are necessary. I'm realizing Pat Robertson and George Bush aren't the problem, I am. I've let myself be un-offensive. Jesus didn't walk into the temple and ask them politely if they might be able to sell things elsewhere. He fought back...so I'm gonna start fighting back.
So in the words of Stephen Colbert "Conservatives...you're on notice" because Austin Pfeiffer is coming after you. When I read Matthew, I hear don't divorce, take care of the little ones, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love my Father and love one another. I'm not letting there distorted lenses read the Bible and speak for my faith anymore. Jesus NEVER addresses homosexuality, Jesus NEVER tells us Democracy is a worthy cause for war, as far as I can tell his priorities were WAY different and I live to die for those. So "f*** you I won't do what you tell me." (not you guys, I mean the collective "you guys" of the conservatives with a microphone"
I'm taking the tape off my mouth. When I moved here I sat back to observe the culture and I've been exposed to a whole new world of understanding in regards to conservatives. But I am no longer going to sit back and let them speak for me. Yesterday on CNN, Paul Begala, a liberal analyst for "The Situation Room" was on "American Morning" and he made an outrageous statement. He said, "I am sick and tired of being a Christian and letting these conservatives speak for me. Why is it that the only Christians saying anything are condeming gays and fighting abortion."
Well I had to put some music on to write this, so I stretched back to the mid-90's and put on "Killing in the name of" by Rage Against the Machine. Here's a taste
"You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites. Some of those that work forces are the same that bore crosses"
The song ends with Zach de al Roche repeating..."you're under control, now you do what they told ya...f*** you I won't do what you tell me!" Guess what, I'm saying the same thing, I can't decide but part of me wants to keep the explative in when I say it?!?
Anger can be a beast that eats us from the inside out, so I won't go further without explaining my heart. I feel like this anger comes from a fury inside for righteousness on behalf of the Lord who saved me and the love I have for so many people I know who cannot believe in Jesus because his name is used to justify KILLING! The only example I can give to compare this to is Jesus in the temple. I want to go to George Bush's office and flip over his desk and tell him..."I won't do what you tell me, you call this a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers." (see Matthew 21:12)
I've found it easy to laugh at Pat Robertson, but I refuse to laugh any longer. Russ said something interesting to me yesterday, he said, "Pat Robertson is doing for Christianity what Osama Bin Laden is doing for Islam" I thought it was extreme, but then I thought about it, and while he may not be maliciously violent like Bin Laden, he is maliciously exclusive of this world by his words and so are the conservative Christians across this country who take their values and apply as the priorities of Jesus. Russ' expalanation behind his "polygamy theory" is that we take our culture standards and opinions and read scripture from that lense...which is backwards.
Conservatives all over this country are polluting cause of Christ. Its not a few crazies, its an epidemic. All they did was slap a "pro-life" sticker on their foreheads and then they get a free pass to ignore the futures of our children, alienating our allies, favoring the wealthy, creating a society that says "you get what you WORK for" (screw welfare, its simple...get a job) Yeah, people take advantage of social programs, but people take advantage of grace, God didn't stop providing our sorry butts with it though.
I refuse to let Tom Delay publically say he knows God will carry him through this time of persecution, I refuse to let George Bush and Dick Cheney say that torture and spying are necessary. I'm realizing Pat Robertson and George Bush aren't the problem, I am. I've let myself be un-offensive. Jesus didn't walk into the temple and ask them politely if they might be able to sell things elsewhere. He fought back...so I'm gonna start fighting back.
So in the words of Stephen Colbert "Conservatives...you're on notice" because Austin Pfeiffer is coming after you. When I read Matthew, I hear don't divorce, take care of the little ones, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love my Father and love one another. I'm not letting there distorted lenses read the Bible and speak for my faith anymore. Jesus NEVER addresses homosexuality, Jesus NEVER tells us Democracy is a worthy cause for war, as far as I can tell his priorities were WAY different and I live to die for those. So "f*** you I won't do what you tell me." (not you guys, I mean the collective "you guys" of the conservatives with a microphone"
posted by Austin P at 2:21 PM
2 Comments:
Joe, thanks. You know as soon I finished writing I told Melanie I looked forward to your reply, because I was crying out for some scripture.
I worried that because its a computer and you can't hear my tone that I would come off too declaritive. The truth is, I feel restless, immature and ignorant. People criticize the lack of relational contact because of the internet, but in my paralysis and lack of friends around here, I look to you guys as people who speak truth in my life. I think my second post is proof that my heart and my mind weren't connected here and I needed to just speak my mind and have someone pick me up and send me back on the more important path.
Just to give you some context, I am a conservative in a lot of ways, so language failed me there. I think I am a conservative the way you are. I do believe George Bush is a prayerful brother and homosexuality breaks my heart and more. I appreciate the scripture you offered, thats what I wanted. I felt myself so "in the world" and I think thats why I found empathy in the Rage song. So don't worry...I know what truth is not found in Rage Against the Machine, exclusively in the Gospels, and I respect and believe in democracy, to boot I think being explicit is only for a lack of eloquence, which is why I knew I needed to help understand my hearts, because I didn't have anything eloquent to say about it. I love America and God and found myself blinded by frustrations that I needed to just put it out and hear an objective voice to remind me of the priorities of my father. I hope we can all continue to use this blog as a beautiful tool to grow closer to God in way many other people never have the luxury to.
Joe, if I freaked you out, lets talk, if I didn't, thanks for understanding. AP
What I am struck by most is the strength of your reaction (that tone + electronic letter dilemma). It reminds me of the idea and phrase "righteous anger." While I am not declaring your post as a candidate for such a title, I am still stirred to consider the work of the Holy Spirit within you.
You, Austin, are an artist...an as such feel deeply and strongly about things. It is part of your design. His design. I believe God wants to use the fire that burns within you to bring people to face the Name and his gospel. But I can't lie and say that He may not use you (or speak through you) in truth and harshness.
Righteous anger moments in the Scriptures are rare and for the most part belong to God alone (God's actions in the O.T. and Jesus at the temple, even J's strong words to the teachers of the law). The rest of those R.A. moments happen seem to happen with men (women?) who stand as the voice of God...as his prophets. This, for me, is the complication. I may not consider myself a prophet, but I do think God does and can speak through me. (If not, I am doomed in the future pulpit.)
Perhaps this spurs a new post. Can we react to the world with emotion and fire? Can we claim to be that voice...holding Scripture as our sword? History shows that our predecessors did (Crusades, inquisition, etc). Many preachers do it all the time...and maybe that's what scares me. We've abused "righteous anger" -- the phrase, its use, the Name under which we speak. It always seems to depend on what is said and the potential to back it up with force.
Any way, feel free to comment on the comment...as for now, I must go read. Thanks for being real Austin. I still love you.
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