These dim bulbs were trendsetters! Pioneers! Traiblazers, clearing the path for virtue-signalling phonies the world over!

Remember when you were young and a parent or teacher (not likely at all anymore) or someone else was trying to help you conceptualize God and Heaven?

God was always up in the clouds- an old, gigantic man with white hair and a long white beard, wearing a white robe and sandals. He sat majestically on a throne surrounded by angels. God was in the clouds, Heaven was in the clouds, the angels, St.Peter and the Pearly Gates, the whole magilla- in da clouds.

Hell was down below, of course, and Satan was beet-red and had horns and a long tail. He's got him a wicked pitchfork, too. It's really hot there, y'know, unless you're from the tropics, in which case, Hell would be cold for you. It's kinda complicated. Well, not really.

This image of the holy realm, the anthropomorphic God, Heaven up there, Hell down there- this is the stuff of children.

Heaven has no location and AFAIC, there is no Hell (notice, though, I still capitalize it. I ain't taking any chances) If you think God is "up there" and therefore somewhere other than where you are, you need to give it some more thought.

But, hey, I know that whether or not these virtue-signalling athletes understand this, they would still be pointing to the sky when they make a touchdown, hit a single, make a three-pointer, whatever, because it's not about honoring the Almighty; it's about being in front TV cameras and thousands of people. It's about that person only. This is not worship. This is not honor to God. This is about the ego of one person. Jesus would not approve.

Nevertheless, let us dribble well and honor Sky God with a false display in public. Because that's what it's all about. Point to Sky God while the game is in progress and all eyes are on you and He will reward you with a new contract with Philadelphia and a fat signing bonus.

I believe it is from Acts 1:9 "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

If it's all down to 'God's' influence when they hit a homer, score touchdown or whatever it is, how come you never see them shaking their fist at the sky when they fuck up?

Fear.

And let’s make sure everybody sees my gold cross/necklace too.

Its engrained in us from early on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2SkqaCO9c4

What gets me is the “pray to God” bunch for everything in daily life.

Wife has/had an aunt that was of that ilk. We broke off all contact with her a number of years ago.

Where does God go on clear days?

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
What gets me is the “pray to God” bunch for everything in daily life.

Wife has/had an aunt that was of that ilk. We broke off all contact with her a number of years ago.

I love the getting the "I am blessed" posturing response when I'm simply trying to be polite.

Me: "How are you today?"

Sanctimony Central: "I am blessed."

FFS, you're an adult and you have not yet grasped the concept of exchanging amenities? I'm just trying to be polite before I tell you I need my tires rotated.

How about this instead? "I am Wormwood, personal assistant to Lucifer, lord of the underworld, ruler of demons. This coupon, I giveth to thee and command you do the bidding of his dark majesty..."

^^^^^^^^^^^
The corollary being "Have a blessed day". What happened to the annoying " Have a nice day?"

I might be the last John Lennon hold out.


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Come on guys you know God has nothing more to worry about than if Albert Pujols hits a double. It's comically stupid to watch that stuff happen.

I'm happy when I find a convenient parking space and thank God.

I understand the seeming irony of what may appear to be schadenfreude feeling especially blessed during the morning commute and passing by a terrible multiple care wreck and being thankful that if I wasn't unexpectedly delayed getting out of the house, I most than likely would have been involved.

But, as an adult, I came to believe a Prime Mover who created everything is also interested in my well-being as an individual as well as everybody else. I have seen His hand in my life over the years.

I can see how someone who believes in God and has the abilities to operate in professional sports or any endeavor would want to acknowledge that higher power. Especially in this day and age when religiosity is looked down upon in general society, I don't think it's an attempt to garner favorable public attention but giving credit where credit is due.

Rey- when I go bed and see the stars rise - I am happy.

When I wake and see the stars set, I am happier.

Yet I still wonder, "what is still in between, and how long is it?"

An issue I never thought much about, probably because I don’t watch many sports. I guess, though, that if I saw an athlete running around with his finger in the air, I just assumed it was a way of signaling, “Look at me; I’m number one,”: i.e., the same sort of display as those big foam fingers the fans have.

I don’t see such displays very often and have thought about them even less, but now it’s something else to ponder. My first thought is that “pray in private” admonition in the Bibles and how often it’s extravagantly ignored. But the most fundamental question to me was illustrated in a cartoon that would be offensive to many. It shows Jesus and the Hindu elephant-headed god in a violent fistfight after two little girls of different faiths pray for help in an upcoming spelling bee contest.

And it’s even odder when everyone involved worships the same god. If a horrible fatal traffic accident caused me to miss a flight and I therefore didn’t die that terrible day, what about the other 3000 or so people who weren’t spared? Was I really singled out for some special reason? Is it because I have the neatest lawn on the block? Was there no one else whose continued life might have contributed more to more people than mine? Yes, I know that the gods’ ways are inscrutable and not for us mortals to understand, but that’s just a way of saying, “Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense.”

Being an atheist makes it even more puzzling. Although I’ve experienced additional life “challenges” in recent years, I’m still more fortunate than 99.999…% of the rest of humanity that has ever lived, and have been my entire life. By the tenets of any religion I’m aware of I haven’t done anything so remarkable that I can take credit for myself to deserve that good fortune, so why? Why not all the other people who are far more faithful and worthy than I? (Yes, I know that statement is inviting the forces of karma to smite me down, so please don’t, but if it happens today that wouldn’t change the past 75 or so years of my life.)

If I were in a fight against the forces of evil, that would be one thing, but is the guy running down the field with his finger in the air saying, “Thanks, God, for making him lose and ending his career”? An enduring question.

Do you really answer prayers?

Jesus Christ: No. First of all, most of 'em don't even get through. I mean, ya got sunspots; ya got radio interference. Years ago we answered them all...but years ago, there were less people...and people prayed for something simple then- to light a fire, to catch a yak; somethin' like that. But today, ya got people prayin' for hockey teams, people prayin' for longer fingernails. We just can't keep up with it

(George Carlin- Interview with Jesus)

Pro sports is all bullshit now. I watch an occasional women's curling match now, that's about it. If I really feel the need, there's a local team I can watch in person for 10 bucks, with two dollar hot dogs. No tv cameras, no posturing. Or local high school games.

https://youtu.be/4YagdG36Xvs

I can’t get that to embed from my phone, but it’s pretty hilarious.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:5

For those of you not down with King James:

When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.