Spoof of a conversation I’ve had too many times.  Maybe some of you will recognize it.

Believer:        “I read your blog.  You’re really angry at God.”

Me:                  “I’m not angry at God.”

Believer:          “Then why do you hate the church so much?”

Me:                    “I don’t hate the church, but I also don’t think the church represents God.”

Believer:            “You must have been really hurt by some false teachers.”

Me:                     “Yes, but you see, in a way, I’m glad I encountered them because they caused me to ask

                             questions, and those questions lead to me unraveling the shackles of religion and find

                             an approach that is better and healthier for me.”

Believer:            “See?  You’re so hateful and angry.”

Me:                    “Only when the religion is hurting people, or being used as a political tool to re-write

                            science, education, history, and law to the likings of people who yearn for the middle

                            ages.”

Believer:            “Wow, you must have been very badly hurt.”

Me:                    “Um…yeah, but I’ve moved on now, and I just don’t like to see religion misused as tool

                             for subverting the political process.  That’s bad for both religion and government.”

Believer:             “I just can’t talk to you anymore.  You’re just so angry and hateful.  I’ll pray for you to

                              find some peace, though.”

Me:                      “But I don’t want to be at peace with bad religion being used for bad purposes to do bad

                               things to people.  I am at peace with religion in general.  I’ll go to church with friends

                               and family, you know.  It’s kind of pleasant.”

Believer:              “Please stop shouting, you’re  just so shrill and angry.  I hope God heals your heart.”

Me:                       (shouting now)  “Oh my GOD!  I’ve told you and told you I’M NOT ANGRY!!!  WHY CAN’T YOU PEOPLE GET A F#$%^%ING CLUE.

                             I’M. NOT. ANGRY.”

Believer:               “That’s right, let it out.  Jesus can heal you.”