MUSIC: The Jim Carroll Band
It is amazing that two people can talk, talk, talk and still talk some more for over two years. And after two years, most people still have no idea where these two people stand.
This is the same premise behind my own religious education as a child. To be honest I have failed at being Catholic. I am not even the Catholic who makes it to Christmas and Easter service. I know I proclaim to be somewhat conservative when it comes to my own political views. But I am the so-called conservative who does not go to church. People like me are in the minority for sure when it comes to being a conservative per say. In fact, I have only been to church in the last decade for weddings and funerals. They are basically the same. They are a ceremony marking that “Things are going to be changing around here!” Plus there is a lot of crying at both them. Some of the crying maybe silent. But it’s there.
The closest thing I have to religion is being a Buffalo Bills fan. Like faith itself. It is not easy. It was easy to believe when the Bills were 4-0 to start the season this year. But after last week’s lost to the Miami Dolphins the faith is being tested. And this week’s game against the New York Jets is a test once again. Especially, now that the Jets have the former Green Bay Packer’s patron saint quarterback Brett Farve playing for them. It will take faith in Bills to achieve victory. Not to mention a better pass rush by the Bills’ defense. Bills fan want to see the afterlife a.k.a. the playoffs this year.
I guess everyone from time to time goes through a phase of questioning one’s own religious beliefs. Even atheists. They never miss a “God” reference. I am not sure why I would do such questioning on my own. I do not have any cause for such action. No wife, kids or medical mystery happening within my life. The common causes for “crisis of faith”. I guess. My “biological clock” does not have any batteries in it. I guess after all of these years there is still some residual effect from my Catholic education.
So what caused these thoughts to come into my head?
I just finished reading the latest book from comedian Lewis Black entitled, Me of Little Faith. It is very humorous take on religion. If you take the subject of religion seriously then I warn you NOT TO READ THIS BOOK. I do not blame him for the thoughts. But I have to give credit where credit is due.
I keep hearing that in troubling times it is important to keep a sense of humor. Now more than ever. I have even heard that a sense of humor is a “gift from God”. Well, if that is true then God’s gift lead me to the principal’s office a few times in school. She did not get the “gift” from God. And I got detention.
But I believe God does have a sense of humor. And if we laughed more it would be good for us. Especially in church. It may improve attendance. I have an idea on how to combine laughs and God’s teaching. I think the lessons of the Bible would catch on better if they were revealed through “knock knock jokes”. Think about it. I wish I could write one right now as example. However, I am not sure how lightning strikes are treated in regards to my homeowner’s insurance policy. Faith versus liability is a very tricky proposition in regards to my deductible.
As Lewis Black said on one his comedy albums about Ireland, “they have successfully combined religion and alcohol. It is enough to make a Jew weep.” So I think there should be an interfaith service on Sundays held at the bar. It starts when the priest and the rabbi walk in. However, the service will be over by kick off time for the football game. Then the “prayers” begin. Depending on how you bet the games. And how big the bookie’s collection agent is.