I used to be an active, practicing, Bible-studying Christian. I went to regular church services and also did after-hours Christian stuff.
What I learned about Christians, over the many years, is that they're just like other people. Some of them are solid gold, reliable and genuine and honest. Some of them are pure shit, and their hearts are little cesspools of hate.
Which brings me to the subject of Brenda. I was about 22 years old and I was in college, and Brenda went to my church, and also to my college. She was a big girl with very long hair, and she did all of the standard Christian stuff, such as not using profanity, not drinking alcohol, not watching R-rated movies, etc. And for some reason, Brenda hated me.
« « « [This is NOT an actual photograph of Brenda]
I never knew why she hated me, and maybe neither did she. Perhaps I reminded her of an old boyfriend. Perhaps I reminded her of her mother. Perhaps I looked at her sideways one day and she thought it was a look of contempt, and she got "triggered."
Our paths crossed on a regular basis, and I don't know if anybody else could see it, but I always felt her barely-concealed hate.
One evening at a Bible study, she said something (I don't remember what) that was completely wrong, and it was because the Bible translation she was using was inaccurate. I gently explained to her (II Tim. 2:24-25) the meaning of the Greek word in that particular passage, and explained the mistake that the translator had made (genitive and dative are different). I suggested that she read it in any other translation besides the one she had.
The exchange soon escalated into a full-fledged argument. She probably knew she was wrong, but she just didn't want to back down. I think she even said, "Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth," which is what a Christian will say when he's arguing with you and he knows you're smarter than he is. Finally, she looked at me and smiled and said, "I'm praying for you."
And that's how they do it; that's how Christians say "I hate you." That's how a Christian calls you a motherfucker ... in code.
"I'm praying for you." It means, "Wow, you're really fucked up. God needs to do some serious adjusting. You need to be fixed."
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