- I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... - Joty's Blog - Tehachapi News

Oct 21, 2007 at 11:10 AM : Ok, I'll buy that...

Ok, I'll buy that one.

Oct 21, 2007 at 11:10 AM : How true!

How true!

Oct 21, 2007 at 02:10 PM : Hallelujah. ...

Hallelujah. It is like talking to a wall, so my question is why can't people just believe in the God they believe in and left alone to believe. I have a sister and brother in law that I love dearly. They attend church. Has anyone ever tried to have a casual conversation about religion with someone who goes to church? They have a way of making you feel as if you are going to Hell because you don't. Doesn't matter that you believe in God. They don't seem to hear that part. Doesn't matter if you pray, you are still going to Hell. The fact that I even have the "Gall" to mention that the God I believe in isn't harsh in judgement, knows how I feel and knows who I am. Seems to send certain people over the edge. Their little faces that I love so much, gets this angry twisted look and I'm thinking "oh crap, I shouldn't be having this conversation". Why do they assume that we don't believe in the same God?

Oct 21, 2007 at 03:10 PM : Wow Olivia...you could...

Wow Olivia...you could be speaking of my own situation with my brother and his wife. I love them dearly. They too are church goers. I don't believe the way they do, so they pray for my doomed soul which is hell-bound (according to them). I try to avoid talk of religion and beliefs at all costs when I am with them. I know exactly how you feel!

Oct 21, 2007 at 10:10 PM : My God is kind and...

My God is kind and loving and generous to all, if, of course, you have lived a good life full of good intentions and actual good deeds. Based, of course, on the general definition of "good."

Church goers insist that you worship in their fashion, in their methods and according to their very specific traditions and rituals (baptism, catechism, confession, and other sacraments per each individual faith). I find it interesting that they actually believe that God will only accept into heaven those who have followed these specific rituals. I can only say .... Really? Because, these are man made rituals. Can you honestly believe that God really prefers you (whoever you are) to others who have followed their rituals and sacraments down to the last tiny detail? Really? Really, it is ridiculous and totally nonsensical.

But they MUST believe or their church and its' policies would become a joke. I don't want that for them. If they live a good life - I'll gladly share my heaven.

Live my life in the best way possible. That's my ritual. And I'm sticking to it.

Oct 22, 2007 at 07:10 AM : Hallelujah. ...

Hallelujah. Thank you Lori

Oct 22, 2007 at 08:10 AM : God help us all We are...

God help us all We are all going to hell ! When Jesus walked the earth did the people go to Church ? Was there a fat sweaty guy talking loud with a southern drawl telling and scaring ever body that if we SIIINNNED that we are going to hell. Are you god fearing ? I'm not. To me God fearing means that you are so afraid of Gods wrath that you live your life in fear,fear of gods wrath. I believe that God is Good. To me some Christians or Church goers make religion evil and no fun. I believe its how you live your life. Do you try and do right from wrong. And when wrong do you try and make it right. I do. Do you help your fellow man in time of need. The last time someone asked you to help them move did you come up with a lame excuse not to. The last time you saw a bum looking for a handout did you help him out or did you prejudged him as a drunk and he's getting what he deserves. I Know that I'm guilty of that at times. The older I get the more compassion I have for people that for one reason or another can not care for them self's.I have a feeling that god likes it more if you give your time and money to someone that is hurting then to a million or billion dollar corporation church.Do you give God his credit and do you thank him when in times of good and bad. To me i have to keep it simple.

Oct 22, 2007 at 08:10 AM : Not only are my...

Not only are my brother and his wife church goers, they are "born-agains". In other words, anyone who hasn't accepted Christ into their hearts doesn't stand a chance. Funny thing is, they can't answer my question about all the people born and died before Christ- did they all go to hell? Or all the unknown tribes deep in jungles who've never heard of Christ, are they doomed too?

I personally don't believe in heaven or hell. It is what it is here on earth and how you live. I prefer to think that my life energy will be re-absorbed by Mother Earth.

I don't begrudge anyone their beliefs and faith, all I ask is that it not be forced on me.

Oct 22, 2007 at 09:10 AM : Bigdog, you reminded...

Bigdog, you reminded of a story. I was coming out of Walmart one day and there was this "bum" standing at the light holding a sign. I did the typical not making eye contact and trying to avoid him. My eyes then drifted to his sign. It read "I'm not going to lie, I want a beer". It might have been wrong but I gave him a few dollars.

Oct 22, 2007 at 11:10 AM : I grew up very...

I grew up very religious. I don't follow those "ways" now, but I do believe in God. I do have faith, but I don't go to "church" or "congregate" every Sunday. Does that mean I'm going to rot in Sheol, death in hades. Maybe, I don't know. But I do pray and have a relationship with God. I feel that its between me and him. I don't feel like I have the right to judge and neither should anyone else. Just because some one has a certain outlook on religion doesn't mean every one else is wrong. I always felt that if a person just HAS FAITH that is a good enough start for me. They don't have to have the same beliefs as I do. And as far as praying for peace between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and for our children to grow up in safety, I would feel like I'm prayin to a f*#kin wall too! C'mon now. Gotta pick you battles, might as well start small. I know I'm all f*%#ed up according to a "christian lifestyle" and definitely don't live by "bible standards". So when I feel those things get smoothed out, then I'll shoot higher!

Oct 22, 2007 at 11:10 AM : Colitis I...

Colitis I have and I will give a bum a few dollars knowing that it most likely well be used on alcohol. Who am I to judge. I am a recovering alcoholic myself. I know what it is like to need a drink to keep the shakes and tremors at bay.People die of alcohol withdraw. Now you could do the self righteous thing and walk past the bum with your nose in the air(I know that I have) and say that the bum deserves what is happening to him for he's doing it to himself. When I stand in front of the man I believe I will be judged on how I treated the ones who could not care for themselves. Who knows maybe you saved that bums life.

Oct 22, 2007 at 03:10 PM : If I have cash on me...

If I have cash on me (which I rarely do), I don't mind giving some of it to a bum. The only exception is this one lady in Lancaster, who I have encountered twice. The first time, I fell for her story and gave her some money. I figured that if it's not true, she looked like she could use a little money anyway. The second time, I listened to her new pity-me story and I asked her what happened with the first story. She actually had the nerve to get offended and yell at me! I didn't mind walking away from her without giving her a penny. In my twisted mind, I actually think she's pretty funny. I still see her around every now and then, and it makes me smile when I watch her hit up some new schmuck for money.

Oh, and the other exception is when someone would ask for money while I was working. I always told them that it was company policy that I couldn't carry cash on me. For a little while, I did a paper route that went from midnight to 5am, and I was in and out of a work van all night. So it was somewhat dangerous (although I was extremely careful and never felt very threatened) but I never had any trouble when I told people that.

Oct 22, 2007 at 04:10 PM : you are right madkow...

you are right madkow one should use discretion when handing out money. Leaving baker field I always get my gas on weed patch highway.Just about all the time there is someone with a sign asking for money on the off ramp &weed patch. Most of the time it is a different person standing there. I think most are transits that bum enough money then they move on. Its the ones that I see every day bumming money that bother me.They look terrible,skinny ,dirty unkepted.They look lost. and if your like me most of the time you try not to make eye contact with them. I often wonder what lead them to that corner.Was it one or many bad decision that they made. I also wonder if i through a series of bad decision could also end up standing on a street corner with a sign that read will work for food or why lie I need a drink. I am pretty sure none of them said when they where growing up that they wanted to be a alcoholic and bum money on a street corner.What can I say but for the grace of god there go I.

Oct 23, 2007 at 08:10 AM : Sweetiepie, I agree...

Sweetiepie, I agree with your outlook. A relationship with god or goddess or whomever you choose to pray to is very personal, and no one has the right to tell you you're wrong or doomed.

I used to work in downtown LA. One day I thought I was actually going to make it into the building without getting hit up for money. As I was getting ready to cross the street, here comes a woman, nicely dressed with a baby in what back then was considered a cadillac of strollers so I didn't really pay attention. Damned if she didn't approach me! I wasn't rude, but I told her I had a family to support to and worked hard for my money. She just nodded and went her way.

My brother had a homeless man in Frisco yell at him because my brother only gave him $1.00.

Thank you Ronald Reagan!!

Isn't it funny about eye contact? I'm guilty too and trying to work on it even if I refuse them money. But it must make those people feel less than human that we don't even look at them, ya know?