tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post4151937888337892701..comments2023-04-03T09:33:55.039-06:00Comments on Ramblings of Sheldon: "You Can Check Out Any Time You Like, But You Can Never Leave" Sheldon Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-92125006424248423842014-01-17T08:11:25.147-06:002014-01-17T08:11:25.147-06:00I was going to ask the same question. Makes a lot ...I was going to ask the same question. Makes a lot more sense now why you want to do it officially.Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01243905647317437724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-86110499918310140052014-01-16T22:18:21.300-06:002014-01-16T22:18:21.300-06:00Sheldon, I was once a fellow congregant of GBC unt...Sheldon, I was once a fellow congregant of GBC until November 10th, 2013, but decided to leave after it became obvious that my left-leaning views (formed fully since around 2007/2008, in GC High School) were essentially no longer welcome b/c of my support of getting marriage equality passed in Illinois, sex education, abortion, and liberalism in general. <br /><br />I was personally really fed up with the church's lobbying against LGBT equality in Illinois, and was increasingly thinking about leaving the church that I called home for about 13+ years. <br /><br /><a href="javascript:void(0);" rel="nofollow">My blogpost on why I left GBC. </a><br /><br />Now, I am happy to be a member of St. John UCC in Granite. At least the UCC denomination is very supportive of good causes, such as marriage equality and social justice issues.JGibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05819084267847787311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-31919502206056549092014-01-15T16:02:13.618-06:002014-01-15T16:02:13.618-06:00Just read the lyrics, yes, living with my family w...Just read the lyrics, yes, living with my family was much like that (far more than the church was). The church actually felt somewhat welcoming--- until I stopped coming to services.<br /><br />Living with my family reminded me a lot of the Johnny Cash song "San Quentin":<br /><br />San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me<br />You blistered me since nineteen sixty-three<br />I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen 'em die<br />And long ago, I stopped asking why<br /><br />San Quentin, I hate every inch of you<br />You cut me and you scarred me through an' through<br />And I'll walk out a wiser weaker man<br />Mister Congressman, you can't understand<br /><br />San Quentin, what good do you think you do?<br />Do you think I'll be different when you're through?<br />You bend my heart and mind and you warp my soul<br />Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold<br /><br />San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell<br />May your walls fall and may I live to tell<br />May all the world forget you ever stood<br />And may all the world regret you did no good<br /><br />San Quentin, I hate every inch of you<br /><br />Sheldonhttp://ramblingsofsheldon.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-67624963610631218402014-01-15T14:40:20.402-06:002014-01-15T14:40:20.402-06:00This reminds me of a song by Emilie Autumn called ...This reminds me of a song by Emilie Autumn called Take the Pill. It's technically about her experiences in a mental hospital/her experience of being forced to take various drugs, but it also works as metaphor for these kinds of churches. It one point she just repeats several times, "get back in line, get back in line, get back in line," and then at the end of the songs the nice background of classically-influenced strings and synths goes to industrial hell as she chants in the voice of the doctors, "take the pill, take the pill, take the pill." Its super cathartic and I thought you might like listening to it!Fiahttp://infiniteandsmall.dreamwidth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-14777661391963968602014-01-14T11:34:37.247-06:002014-01-14T11:34:37.247-06:00It will be many years before I even begin to consi...It will be many years before I even begin to consider it, there's so much I need to work out.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-70823504606305767592014-01-14T11:33:49.544-06:002014-01-14T11:33:49.544-06:00Thanks, Carlie.
You have been following the blog...Thanks, Carlie. <br /><br />You have been following the blog that long?Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-4211177602143660342014-01-14T11:33:23.653-06:002014-01-14T11:33:23.653-06:00I disagree, but I probably shouldn't have show...I disagree, but I probably shouldn't have showed up there, you're right about that.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-66431310254854774762014-01-14T11:32:46.233-06:002014-01-14T11:32:46.233-06:00Exactly, but it a power structure that has no acco...Exactly, but it a power structure that has no accountability for those in power, that's tossed by the wayside.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-80870765066370926532014-01-14T05:25:49.433-06:002014-01-14T05:25:49.433-06:00I commend you for how you handled both situations-...I commend you for how you handled both situations---your parents and your church. You could have taken the easy route---but instead of running away from unpleasantness or confrontation---you stood up for yourself. That is something to be proud of and I hope you realize that.<br /><br />However, this also means that someday you can make allowances for others to stand up for their beliefs---such as the pastor.....and your parents. <br /><br />I also agree with the pastor about reconciliation with your parents---though that may be sometime in the far future. It is natural and right that you should be angry right now at the injustice, the wrong and the oppression you had been subjected to. Anger can be of benefit if it can be used to make you into a better human being---but anger can be harmful if you allow it to turn into hate. People such as Mandela, Gandhi, (..and Prophet Muhammed(pbuh)) also suffered oppression and yet rose above it to attempt reconciliation.......we are "people" too......<br /><br />Reconciliation is not something you should worry about now---as it is clearly not the right time for you---but keep it in mind....for now, concentrate on yourself.<br /><br />I hope this year will bring you many new experiences and interesting people in <br />your "new" life.......it will make for a lot of fun reading!<br /><br />CM<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-43540004878222978192014-01-13T21:15:18.667-06:002014-01-13T21:15:18.667-06:00I occasionally pop in to your blog but probably ha...I occasionally pop in to your blog but probably haven't commented in close to a year (and I was probably anonymous at that time). I just wanted to say, as hard as this time is for you, congrats on taking the steps toward the life you want for yourself. I admire your courage and wish you the best. I wasn't in nearly the same situation, but I came out as atheist a few months ago, and after the initial drama, it was a relief. NOT that it's all over and done with, but it was a big step. Cheers.Carlienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-33424718425595802152014-01-13T20:25:14.915-06:002014-01-13T20:25:14.915-06:00Colossians 3:21: "Fathers,[a] do not embitter...Colossians 3:21: "Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." The Golden Rule applies between parents and children, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-31723716765063920042014-01-13T18:55:57.900-06:002014-01-13T18:55:57.900-06:00I can't believe you showed up like that. There...I can't believe you showed up like that. There is no way I would do that. A silly name in a book does not show your support anymore than our email address on a blog shows our support of the blog. Lanahttp://www.wideopenground.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-29692616913146730652014-01-13T13:20:27.260-06:002014-01-13T13:20:27.260-06:00Hey, a fellow UU. :)
I really need to learn more ...Hey, a fellow UU. :)<br /><br />I really need to learn more about the group, I'm vaguely familiar with the Seven Principles, but I need to look them up again.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-45435109533008620732014-01-13T13:19:37.237-06:002014-01-13T13:19:37.237-06:00I'm going to mail the resignation today by cer...I'm going to mail the resignation today by certified mail. I won't agree to any more talks from the pastor,Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-29774341345708007632014-01-13T13:19:03.030-06:002014-01-13T13:19:03.030-06:00Exactly....Exactly....Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-64362230425186177772014-01-13T13:02:13.304-06:002014-01-13T13:02:13.304-06:00Maybe I'm also tainted by being a long-term UU...Maybe I'm also tainted by being a long-term UU. I concur with Drew. Simply resign (I think of "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"). It was good manners to notify the church office — email or a call should have been fine. Your buying into their need to ritualize it must have something to do with your earlier church life. You've more than met your obligation, both to that church and as a polite member of society. Carry on, and stick with the Seven Principles. massmarrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02358207247771711952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-66426841392163227152014-01-13T13:01:19.638-06:002014-01-13T13:01:19.638-06:00Good reason. But now that you have resigned offici...Good reason. But now that you have resigned officialy, I would advise you to just stay away. It's highly unlikely that they will give up on you. They will be back if you allow it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07303466026745670479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-29400289150965406842014-01-13T12:59:28.620-06:002014-01-13T12:59:28.620-06:00I won't attempt to quote him because it has be...I won't attempt to quote him because it has been too long since I read this, but Andrew Vachss put this bit about "honoring thy father and thy mother" into a very sensible context when he said that "it justs puts the onus back onto the abused person rather than the abuser." If your mother and father deserve your honor, great. If they don't then you should not feel any guilt about turning away from them or about the negative feelings you have for them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07303466026745670479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-89298170544756107052014-01-13T12:58:30.175-06:002014-01-13T12:58:30.175-06:00Good question....
It's because I find the vie...Good question....<br /><br />It's because I find the views of the Southern Baptist convention to be deplorable, and I no longer want my name associated with them in any way, shape or form.<br /><br />I don't want my name on roster, it implies my support for them.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-1325042196828961412014-01-13T12:53:21.093-06:002014-01-13T12:53:21.093-06:00I don't understand why you put yourself throug...I don't understand why you put yourself through this whole thing of resigning and communicating with them in any form. Just walk away, don't take their calls or speak with them at all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07303466026745670479noreply@blogger.com