ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Let's Give Up Need to Be Offended
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 7, 2006
Dear Editor,
I find it somewhat amusing, but mostly sad, that humankind insists on creating idols, attaching meaning to them, and then getting pissed off when someone “desecrates” their imaginary constructions. Sounds like little kids knocking over each other's sand castles on the beach. Don't most religions caution against worshipping idols?
Whether it's a flag or a book or a prophet, or a newspaper cover [“The New Texas Family Planning,” News, Jan. 27], isn't it about time we realize we don't need to be so thin-skinned about things that happen entirely in our heads?
In prayer, I took a question to Jesus. I said, "Jesus, would you be angry if someone published a picture of you sexually molesting a goat?" He just gazed at me with a look of exasperated compassion.
So as we all don't become extinct as a species, can't we give up the need to be offended by things that don't actually threaten us?
I find it somewhat amusing, but mostly sad, that humankind insists on creating idols, attaching meaning to them, and then getting pissed off when someone “desecrates” their imaginary constructions. Sounds like little kids knocking over each other's sand castles on the beach. Don't most religions caution against worshipping idols?
Whether it's a flag or a book or a prophet, or a newspaper cover [“The New Texas Family Planning,” News, Jan. 27], isn't it about time we realize we don't need to be so thin-skinned about things that happen entirely in our heads?
In prayer, I took a question to Jesus. I said, "Jesus, would you be angry if someone published a picture of you sexually molesting a goat?" He just gazed at me with a look of exasperated compassion.
So as we all don't become extinct as a species, can't we give up the need to be offended by things that don't actually threaten us?
David Burks
