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Hey
Bob,
I really like your site, particularly Satan's
Salvation. I mean, Satan jerking off to Jesus
barking like a dog. Does it get any better than that? I think
not.
But, the real reason I decided to write, besides having far too
much free time on my hands, is that your little "Punks
are awesome" fan mail page cheesed me off. I wasn't offended
by it or anything, it's just that I thought you would be above the
whole "OOO! Punks are special!" thing. These people try to say they're
"individuals", but look at that picture with the three guys with
mohawks...it says it all. They all have the same hair style. They
are the same! Where's the individuality in that? Just because something
isn't Abercrombie or whatever doesn't mean it's individualistic.
And there are a lot of "punks" out there, so it's not even like
they're a rarity. There are just as many punks as there are "preppies"
and "goths". All of which I hate, by the way. I just don't understand
this classification of people. "Okay, you're a prep, you're a punk,
and you....you're a goth. Okay. Glad I got that cleared up." If
one is a true "individual", he or she wouldn't have to classify
himself or herself. It'd just be "I'm me."
And the worst is when these people go around spouting out "I'm an
individual! You just don't understand me!" Goths and punks are the
most attention-craving people ever, but they say they don't like
it when people stare. Yeah, I guess. Having a three foot tall mohawk,
no matter how you look at it, is a cry for attention.
I guess I'm just wondering why in the world you like receiving e-mails
from these goons more than anyone else. Are they easy to talk to?
They share the same views as you because they're little pawns. Whatever
you say they go "Oh, Bob! You're so awesome!" Wouldn't you rather
get an e-mail from a person you could have an intelligent debate
with? Not saying that the religious zealots you get emails from
are intelligent, because they're not. At all. Ever. I'm just trying
to say that your fan mail minions are just as closed-minded as your
hate mail enemies. One is "Christians are stupid! You're awesome!
I'm individual! MEH!" and the other is "You're stupid. Christians
are awesome. I'm better than you. Meh." Same exact concept, there
Bob-o.
A
little information about myself: I am an agnostic, that is, I don't
believe in a god, but I agree that there is a possibility that there
could be one. I hate most people, for the aforementioned reasons.
The people I hate most, interestingly enough, are other agnostic/atheists.
Most (not all) think they're better than Christians because they're
"smarter" simply because they don't believe in God, which is a moronic
notion, really. Think about it. "I'm smarter than you, because you
have faith in something that I don't." It's just as bad as when
Christians say "I don't understand how you can live without God!"
Most atheists are horrible horrible horrible hypocrites. And I'm
sick of it. I also hate most Christians, too. for the same reasons
I hate atheists. They're hypocrites. I also hate myriads of other
groups of people, but I'd rather not bore you with that. Eh, I don't
know what else to say. I'm a sexy sexy man. Or that's what the ladies
tell me.
Right.
Please respond, with an intelligent debate, hopefully (I know I
can expect that from you), but more importantly, tell me this: What's
so friggen' great about stupid lousy no-good cum guzzling punks?!
Gah!
-Matt Flyntz
Jesus
Christ Matt, you can't just hate everyone! It takes all validity
out of any "hate" you've got. Don't you know that?
Let
me start at the basics. Girls with shaved heads make me horny and
I'm not sure if you've noticed but lots of punker girls have shaved
heads. I think that's where it all started with me. Hell, isn't
that where it starts with everybody? And I think you're very wrong
when you say someone who dresses in Ambercrombe is being an individual.
You can scream and bellyache all day about how stupid you think
punks look but fact is, walking down the street in a 3 foot mohawk
takes more guts than wearing the same dull haircut you've got. I
mean Christ man! Are you tryin' to look like your dad?
I
respect guts in a person. I've always admired people who tell people
like you "Fuck off! I'm going to dress just how you'd hate me to
because I want to be nothing like you!" Whether they're punks, transvestites,
bull dykes, crazies, flaming queers or whatever. Putting it all
on the line and separating yourself from normal society takes a
lot of nerve, and I respect that.
Goddammit!
It's the whole point of my site! If everyone is telling you you're
wrong then you're doing something right! Take what you believe to
be true and show it off and stand behind it... because you CARE!
I
mean, granted, there's really only so much enthusiasm one can stir
up for their agnostic beliefs, but even so, make your voice be heard!
Tell the world how you really don't believe either way, and say
it like you mean it! Scream out, "I DON'T BELIEVE IN RELIGION, BUT
THERE MIGHT BE A GOD... AND THERE ALSO MIGHT NOT BE A GOD!!!!" Wear
your all-inclusive belief system on your sleeve and...
Okay,
you're a bad example, but you know what I mean.
Matt,
in the end I like what "punk" stands for: If everyone agrees on
it then it's probably wrong because by definition conformity is
the majority. Go against that which popular society tells you not
to go against and wage war on suburbia and suburban values. You
know the one's I'm talkin' about: worship God, watch too much TV,
inherit your parent's belief system, fear and discourage change,
always do that which is obviously "right" and "good" and whatever
you do don't make waves! I think that anyone who lives by those
rules ends up feeling the most hatred and subsequently lives an
unhappier life, much like you.
Bob
|
| “You
have the freedom to express yourself but not when it might
offend others.” |
Don't you think
that's blasphemous? You have the freedom to express yourself
but not when it might offend others.
Amy
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|
I can't express
myself if it might offend somebody? Are you saying I can only
express the beliefs I've got that everybody agrees on? What's
the point of that?
Bob
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| “Just
imagine if you had a dress up Gahndi...” |
Okay, you got me
there. I guess humor can offend someone-no matter how "harmless"
it can be.
Even if you're
an atheist, Jesus was a wonderful man. He was a revolutionary.
Just imagine if you had a "dress up Gahndi" or "dress up Martin
Luther King" with a bullet hole in him or something. I just
think it's disrespectful, but you are right, you have the
freedom to do whatever artistically. (You are very talented,
by the way.)
Thanks for listening
to my point of view-you could have slammed me but didn't-thanks.
Amy
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The difference
is that Gandhi and Martin Luther King didn't rise from the
dead. It's a tiny detail that I think makes Jesus' "death"
a lot less tragic. Ya know what I'm sayin'?
Bob
|
| “Wow.
The whole time I was thinking you were making fun of Jesus.” |
Wow. The whole
time I was thinking you were making fun of Jesus. You have
a strong point. Thanks for showing me a different way of looking
at things. And I thought I was open minded...gees...
Take care and thanks
again
-Amy
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Oh! Don't get me
wrong, I'm totally making fun of Him.
I was just trying to illustrate how silly it is to compare
the three. Gandhi and King were real. Jesus is clearly pretend.
Rising from the
dead?!? C'mon Amy, are you serious?!?!
Bob
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| “Now
that I sound like a freak, I'll close.” |
Okay, even if you
don't believe He wasn't raised from the dead you can't dismiss
the impact He made on history! He spoke to the poor, women,
slaves, prostitutes-these people were considered undesirables!
His message was of peace, mercy and love! Of course, mankind
has distorted that (see Crusades and Inquisition) but true
Chrisitianity is wholesome and peaceful. Now that I sound
like a freak, I'll close.
Thanks again for
writing!
Amy
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|
However, it CAN
easily be dismissed if you believe that the bible is the work
of fiction it appears to be (i.e. the dead resurrecting, talking
animals, evil sorcery, seven headed dragons, flying nuns,
arks, giants, rainbows, unicorns and harp playing angels in
the clouds).
I can see how someone
who thinks that that man was God might be upset, but I don't
think any man is God no matter how many people claim that
he is. In fact, when you make a man into a god you end up
being no less of a crazy than those Heaven's Gate weirdoes,
the Wacco wackos or even those coo coo Catholics!
If they revise
the bible and take away Jesus' "god" title and the bible's
"non fiction" listing I'll consider jumping on the bandwagon
of promoting its positive message. But until that day I think
it's wrong to say the good deeds are reason enough to believe
in it.
Does it bother
you when you sound like a freak trying to explain such madness?
Bob
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| “...it
doesn't bother me that I sound like a freak because I
am a Christian.” |
No, it doesn't
bother me that I sound like a freak because I am a Christian.
My husband thinks I am a freak (though lovely) and that Christianity
is a bunch of fables wrapped up to teach morality. I don't
recall unicorns in the Bible(smirk), but I get your point:
the Bible is filled with fantastically surreal things and
events, but if you are talking about the Creator of the universe,
isn't anything possible? I do doubt things that happened in
the Bible; I have no answers for you. Did Noah exist? I am
sure of it. Was the whole world flooded? I doubt it. All I
know that my faith has saved me from a lot of things that
would bore you, so yes, you're welcome to be spared of my
rantings!
It was nice of
you to write back! I only get to argue about this stuff with
my husband, and we go round and round about the same things.
Christianity makes me a better person, wife and mother. Corny,
yet true. I confess!
Amy
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Well, at least
you admit to being nutso. Not many Christians are so eager
to admit that. It's one of those traits that takes away credibility
I suppose. Crazy people get so little respect in today's society,
and in the end, I think it's the biggest hurdle you guys are
going to have to overcome (being crazies).
I'm still a little
shocked however (now that I've gotten to know you a little
better) that your initial response to my site was that I shouldn't
be able to express beliefs that might hurt people. You come
off as so eager to listen and express yourself. I'm just hoping
that you see the value in it now. It always scares me when
someone starts telling strangers that they can't state their
opinions, especially when that someone is a self proclaimed
freak! Ha ha!
Oh yeah, haven't
you heard? The unicorns are going to fly down from the heavens
at the apocalypse! (Isaiah 34:7) You guys are priceless! But
hell, if it makes you a better person, I say let the crackpots
have their crayons and the loonies have their tu-tus!
Thanks for letting
me take up more of your time.
Bob
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| “Don't
you think everyone's a bit off-religion aside?” |
Don't you think
everyone's a bit off-religion aside? At least the interesting
people? I digress...
Thank you for challenging
me-too often I get complacent. You raised some important questions
for me, such as, why do I believe what I believe, etc. I do
want to ask you, and please don't get angry, but why do you
have a dress up Jesus on that web site? And second, how old
are you, because I think you're young. NO, I don't mean naive,
stupid, whatever but I think that you're in your twenties,
that's all. How old do you think I am? I must sound like someone
in their ?? I must tell you, I DON'T wear denim dresses. Not
yet. Just kidding!
Amy
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|
Oh, of course everyone's
a little off, but that shouldn't ever be an excuse for your
beliefs and behavior. Please tell me that you're not spreading
the Word of God under the guise that "everyone's a bit off".
Are you comfortable with this reason?
Everybody gets
too complacent at times. That's what religion depends upon.
Jesus Dress Up is the punch-in-the-face for all of you who've
lazily accepted the fairy tale as truth because of its happy
ending.
Before you told
me so much about yourself I would have guessed you were 16
or 17 (telling me not to express beliefs that people don't
agree with and your lack of reasons for believing what you
do beyond its positive message). But now that you've told
me you're a wife and mother... I don't know, 22? I'm a little
embarrassed for you. Have you been cushioned away in the suburbs
most of your life? You don't present yourself as having been
exposed to a wide range of ideas and cultures.
I am 34 years old.
I still don't feel like I know so much that I could tell people
to stop expressing their thoughts. I'm not angered by any
of your inquiries. "Frustrated" is a better word. I'm just
hoping that by posting these letters it will be more obvious
to those reading the kind of people who want to censor beliefs
and the complete lack of thought that goes into their own.
Bob
|
| “Wow!
Thanks for the compliment..sort of.” |
Wow! Thanks for
the compliment..sort of.
I am 31 years old!
In my youth I was cushioned away in the suburbs-then I would
steal away on weekends and drop acid with my friends and go
see the local punk gigs! That was before I had my daughter.
I had her out of wedlock when I was 20, not something I am
proud of, but I was so wild then. I think that's when I really
started to have a relationship with God because I was about
to make a tremendous decision: either have an abortion or
have a baby on my own, without the dad being in the picture.
(People experience more tramatic things at 20, I know but
it was a big issue for me.) I would tell you more, to prove
to you that I am not like the usual Christian, that I used
to have a mohawk, I used to be bald (hey-it was the early
90's okay?) and have piercing and tattoos but really, who
hasn't done these things? DOes it make me more interesting?
To some people, yes, but to someone like you, I know you look
beyond surface value. You seem a bit smarter(and deeper) than
that. I am glad that you're not angry over my initial response
to your web site; I did write you out of anger and should've
thought out a response before I wrote you. I visited your
web site and for what it's worth you are very talented but
I know nothing about web design...
As far as cultures,
I have close biracial cousins (Afro-American/Cauc.) and a
niece who's half Columbian,and my husband is biracial. He's
Korean and Caucasian. My best friends in college were from
Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. Did you think that I lived
in a small farming community or something? Most Christians
haven't had the experiences I have, I am not bragging, but
I was very worldly when I was younger..
Thanks again for
responding! Take care
- Amy.
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| “I
forgot to ask you, are you against ALL religion, or just
Christianity?” |
I forgot to ask
you, are you against ALL religion, or just Christianity? What
do you think of Judaism, Islam, Hindu etc? Would you describe
yourself as an atheist, or as an agnostic?
Why are you "Normal
Bob"? Do you have a friend named Bob that isn't as "normal"
as you?
- Amy.
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I am an atheist!
100% atheist! No exceptions for Islam, Hindu, Judaism or Zendik.
Atheist atheist atheist. Yummy delicious atheist. The word
actually turns me on now!
It could be argued
that simply knowing or being semi related to someone whose
skin is different than yours doesn't make you culturally diverse.
Hell, I'm not even that culturally diverse but living in the
city puts you in contact with many different beliefs, politics,
ways of life, even sexual orientations.
I did not picture
you living in a small farming community, more like a middle
class white suburb somewhere buried under more suburbs within
suburbs in suburbia. Did I hit the mark? I only assume this
from your writings and what you say. I'd be interested in
knowing what compliment you found in my guess of your age.
Also, I would love to see pictures of you in your punk days,
and now too. As you may or may not know, I'm a fan of punk
and always enjoy the pictures from the past.
Bob
|
| “You
should be a FBI profiler: I DO live in white suburbia!” |
Alas, I haven't
a scanner to scan any photos of me old self! I could send
you one of me now, but that wouldn't be any fun.
You should be a
FBI profiler: I DO live in white suburbia! Yes, it is very
dull but we can't afford to live in a diversified neighborhood.
I would in a second if I could. The only diversity my kids
get is watching Sesame Street. I think there's only three
blacks in my daughter's class, and since I don't work outside
the house, I don't meet anyone. It can be mind numbing...
I hope you have
a honey to love on you. You're not always this serious, are
you?
I dunno why I thought
that in you thinking I was a teen, it was a compliment. I
was such a flake as a teen. I fell for the ageist crap that
gets thrown at me all the time. Don't get me started...
Why don't you have
a WalMart bashing web site? Now, I'd PAY money to have you
start up that one...
Happy Winter Solstice-oh,
just go and eat some damn Christmas cookies, why don'tcha?.
- Amy.
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