this child is a theory, not a fact

[rispacooper]

Ever have someone you thought was reasonably intelligent say something so incredibly dumb that you honestly couldn't form a response?

Apparently, I don't get out enough.

Was making observation on human relationships based on book I had recently read (The Natural History of Monogamy, Marriage, and Divorce--by some author whose name I cannot recall but I loooved the chapters on Courtship rituals...hilarious and embarrassing), just commenting on something that had interested me...I believe it was the statistic about most monogamous chimp relationships lasting about 4 years...

Anyway, I barely got half the sentence out and suddenly bitch this woman shrieks at me, "WE DIDN'T COME FROM MONKEYS!"

*blink* *blink blink*

I think my mouth was open. I think a fly might have landed on my tongue. I can't be sure.

So then I hear myself continuing on, reasonably, "Well she talks about other animals too, like foxes..."

"WE DIDN'T COME FROM ANIMALS!" I think she was about to cry.

Look I'm not saying I believe in Evolution and I'm not saying the Bible is a stupid piece of oppresive crap waste of time. I'm just saying, anyone who doesn't believe in evolution just has to watch two men encountering each other for the first time.

GIANT. FREAKING. MONKEYS.

Comments

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

You have to wonder why she felt so threatened.

I have one that can top that. I was at a soccer game a couple of years ago, and I was talking to a mother I had a nodding acquaintance with. My daughter had just entered middle school and we were chatting about tarts in training clothing that companies are marketing to teens and preteens. Somehow (now that I know she's a rabid Christian) the conversation veered from low-rise genes to abortion and she said (and no I am not making this up, this is verbatim), "I think that all those unChristian girls go out and have sex just so they can have abortions."

O.O

Like it's similar to a trip to Cold Stone. You know, like, "Oh, before I get knocked up, I'll go to Cold Stone, then to celebrate my abortion I'll go back and have a double scoop this time."

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

cuz it's so fun? wow. god i hate christians. especially protestant ones. :)

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Yeah, fun. Sort of like choosing between chocolate and vanilla. The DNC or the morning afterpill? Sprinkles or M&Ms?

Although I must admit that in my lifetime, I have met some extremely scary Catholics.

Having said that, I think it given that the basic tenets of Catholicism and the sacrament of confession do make forgiveness and atonement at least a grudging possibility. Forgiveness is central to the Catholic combination plate.

My father was a product of Calvinist Scotland and if EVER there was a group that didn't believe in forgiveness. Your sins are a brand on your soul, never to be wiped off. I actually came to believe that my father believed that happiness was seen as a manifestation of sin because you weren't supposed to be happy. Happiness itself, for what ever reason, was inherently sinful. My father used to say to me as a child (A CHILD!), "Life is a veil of tears." And he meant it, if his life was any indication because he sure went hell bent out of his way to make sure he was miserable in his life. The rest of us were kind of along for the ride.

I'll take your lush, imperfect, and gloriously vibrant Catholicism over the stern, unforgiven, stark realism of Protestantism. A religion that truly has no soul. Bleak.

Anyway, getting back to the important stuff, like how this relates to James and Rene.

What I have loved about this series is James's gradual awakening to when sin might be tolerable if not down-right courted. I certainly got the sense that before Rene's charms snaked into his consciousness James could be a right prig (although a nice prig). Of course, our randy Frenchman fucked that right out of him, pronto.

But equally satisfying is how a die-hard Protestant has (not of course restored Rene's faith, although as my step-father says, there are no aethiests in foxholes and he should know), at least challenged Rene's heretofore indisputable belief that he has been abandoned by God, if there is one. I love Rene's constant references of James to an angel. Which would makes James shudder so if his protestant soul knew Rene viewed him like that. I think he would see it as the ultimate blasphemy--until the last couple of chatpers. Because I think by now James, albeit obliquely, now sees himself as Rene's saviour. There is definitely more than a hint in the last few chapters that James is coming to believe that this is his destiny. To save Rene from the worst of hell's fires because, afterall, he has suffered the equal to them on this earth. And if James must blight his relatively clean soul to save Rene, so be it. Although you know, Rene might get royally pissed off if he finds himself praying for James's soul. On his knees begging for James's to a god that has treated him so cruelly.

I *KNOW* where you're going with this plot, missy.

Panting for Chapter 21. Absolutely panting.

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

what? *blink* what are you talking about?

beans and cornbread?

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

You, word goddess, you.

Blink away.

But only if blinking doesn't interfere with your writing.

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

on a side note, (goddess speaking) pooky is considering starting a multifandom community for posting all dirtybadwrong fanfic.

i can't wait

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Yay! Keep me posted.