9 votes

The Devil went down to Georgia

5 comments

  1. [4]
    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    That was a good, if dark, read. This stood out as basic but true: It is frustrating to me as a former believer who absolutely internalized many parts of growing up Catholic in a country where...

    That was a good, if dark, read.

    This stood out as basic but true:

    "The Handcuff Man was the perpetrator, but in a sense we’re all accomplices. I’m certain a dead hustler on the south side today would be all but ignored, while a crime against a wealthy family in Buckhead would get a lot of ink and cameras,”

    It is frustrating to me as a former believer who absolutely internalized many parts of growing up Catholic in a country where Christianity is everpresent and used to shame queer people, where people are comfortable talking about how disgusting and degenerate gay men are, that "Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me" has been omitted from the practice in favor of of judging others.

    And I apologize if that's a weird pivot to make, but I sit and think of how often society dehumanizes people, in spite of or in the name of righteousness, and in utter defiance to what their deity told them to do. And had the police not been blackmailing queer people, had day to day civilians been more outraged at heinous acts to the "least" around them, had journalists cared more, how much could have been prevented?

    13 votes
    1. [3]
      Eric_the_Cerise
      Link Parent
      "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -- Mohandas Gandhi...

      "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

      -- Mohandas Gandhi

      https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/22155-i-like-your-christ-i-do-not-like-your-christians

      8 votes
      1. [2]
        DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        That quote's accuracy is disputed He did say: In regards to that specific quote: it's unverified and my guess is it was cribbed between the below as a summary of the above. But who can say I also...

        That quote's accuracy is disputed
        He did say:

        I have a great respect for Christianity. I often read the Sermon on the Mount and have gained much from it. I know of no one who has done more for humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Christianity, but the trouble is with you Christians. You do not begin to live up to your own teachings.
        In conversation, attributed by James E. McEldowney [13]

        In regards to that specific quote: it's unverified and my guess is it was cribbed between the below as a summary of the above. But who can say

        No further sources for Gandhi have been yet found; but a similar quote is attributed to Bara Dadaː "Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians -- you are not like him." Source - Jones, E. Stanley. The Christ of the Indian Road, New York: The Abingdon Press,1925. (Page 114)

        I also don't particularly agree with their Christ on everything either but some stuff does get embedded in the bones from childhood.

        5 votes
        1. Eric_the_Cerise
          Link Parent
          I agree, it's probably something of a paraphrase, but he definitely ascribed to the essence of it. Personally, I am also a fan of most of what Jesus taught, but I also believe "No one comes to the...

          I agree, it's probably something of a paraphrase, but he definitely ascribed to the essence of it.

          Personally, I am also a fan of most of what Jesus taught, but I also believe "No one comes to the Father but thru me" is the source of more violence, bloodshed and death in the past 2000 years than any other single cause, religious or otherwise.

          Sadly, Muhammad effectively doubled-down on this same message.

          Much like the philosophy to tolerate everything except intolerance, I am supportive of almost any religion except those that teach theirs is the only religion.

          3 votes
  2. AugustusFerdinand
    Link

    For years, a mysterious figure preyed on gay men in Atlanta. People on the streets called him the Handcuff Man—but the police knew his real name.

    5 votes