Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 August 2007 15:28:22
Day 9
I've just finished Nicolae. It was interesting. It ended with a big earthquake and lots of death. Neither the writers nor the main characters seem that bothered by the mass death - except for concern about their immediate families - they just write it of as the 'wrath of the Lord'. Which is worrying to say the least.
About ten days ago, Wood blogged about this here -about the bridge collapsing in Minneapolis. Part of the bit quoted on the blog is this :
'"Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”'
This is the kind of faith in the Left Behind books - when disaster strikes and millions die, provided all the main characters are safe, they don't really care. As far as they are concerned, those who die as real christians ™ are "tribulation martyrs" and going to heaven. Those who die without being christian are going to hell. It's as simple as that.
Sometimes I think it would be nice to have that kind of faith - it makes things easier. You don't really have to think about the issues about an issue and make up your mind, you just have to find a relevant bible verse/listen to a preacher and then you can dismiss all other views as evil heresies.
As well as disaster and death, the other issues that this book touched on were abortion and homosexuality. Abortion was a big 'no-no' - even if you are carrying the baby of the Antichrist. In fact, one of the characters suggested that abortion shouldn't really be allowed for anyone- even rape and incest victims. Which made my blood boil slightly. The issue of homosexuality was handing oddly well. Well for a book written by american fundies I mean (America seems to have the best fundies, the British ones are just not in the same legue of nuttieness). The gist of the passage was that sex outside marrige was a sin - whether that was homosexual sex or hetrosexual sex, which leaves me to wonder if the writers actually think it's ok to be gay provided you don't have sex. I bet they don't, but they've not expicityly said it yet.
Given tommorrow is day 10, I should finish book four at somepoint tomorrow, and then work out which books I'll have to take to Greenbelt and loose any credibility I once had.
Wood : This is all you're fault.