Below is another (admittedly shorter episode) of "Danniella's Wild Dysphoria Ride!"
It involves brief recounting of a very strange event that I was involved in today. Hope somebody enjoys reading my continued rants :P
...
So there I was, grabbing a few bits from the Tesco in the town centre, when I hear a rising commotion from outside the store.
I think nothing of it, finish up my shop and, bags in hand, leave the store. But the instant I emerge into the street, I can see a sizeable crowd has gathered in a circle around a most strange sight.
A bearded man in a cheap suit staood on a bench, clutching a bible in one hand and holding upright a large placard with the other, was screaming at the top of his lungs an impromptu sermon on the sins of man and the collected crowd.
His placard read "The Equation is Simple, 1 man + 1 woman = 1 Marriage, No exceptions"
As I stood enraptured by the bizarre scene, like the rest of the gathered crowd, the man continued his rage filled, homophobic rant, making clear his stance that marriage should never be between people of the same gender, lest we invoke the wrath of God.
I watch as he begins to focus his ranting on specific targets in the crowd, one by one picking them out, listing their apparent "Sins" and screaming about redemption.
With the ink on the new Gay marriage laws in Scotland barely even dry, and as somebody who detests the spreading of flagrant homophobia, not to mention the criminal misapplication of basic algebra, I felt the need to interject on his ongoing, and increasingly phlegm filled, rant.
Now I should preface this by saying that I have done this type of thing many times before in the past. I stand firm by the old saying that "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men should do nothing"...and also the lesser known saying that "Haters are like crickets, they chirp all ->-bleeped-<-ing day, but when you walk up them, they shut the ->-bleeped-<- up."
What I did not anticipate during the particular verbal confrontation that ensued, was that I have just started fulltime this week, and just how much this piece of vital information would take the argument to a whole other level.
So as I push my way to the front of the crowd, I can see the fanatic's eyes fall upon me. I pull myself up to my full 6'4" heeled height and find that the man is not as high above me as anticipated...clearly he needed the bench to preach from, otherwise people would be wondering where the hate speech was coming from. I manage to silence the man after a moment with an outstretched palm and a stern expression.
"All right good sir" I say, attempting to keep my voice as civil as possible, since I have found this to be the most effective way to get people enraged. "So do tell me, where do I stand in this most ironclad of equations?" I say, gesturing towards the offending placard and it's woeful text.
"As a woman! Placed here by the lord!" He bellows, throwing his gaze across the crowd once more, as he attempts to work my interjection into his sermon, "You shall marry and bear children, as is best to spread his undying love, and the lessons the bible teaches us!"
I can't help but giggle and move in closer, gesturing for him to bend down to listen to what I have to say next...
As he complies. leaning down and looking at me intently, I speak in as hushed a voice as I can muster over the murmuring of the confused and entertained crowd.
"What if I told you" I say, switching to my male voice momentarily, "That I am not a woman at all, and that your pathetic equation is as antiquated and irrelevant as the hateful filth you spout in a transparent attempt to make your sorry life have some greater meaning."
...
I must admit, I take a twisted joy in this particular form of verbal cowing, and I do so with what my friends have remarked as an "alarming and very unsafe frequency"...but in all my years of verbal confrontation, I have never witnessed a reaction quite like the one the small fanatic produced today...
He turned bright red, paused for a moment, his jaw slamming so far open that it looked like it would never manage to ascend the monumental height back to its original elevation, then he pointed one shaking hand at me...and began to scream...
"THIS IS NO WOMAN!" he screamed frantically, "IT IS A DEVIL IN HUMAN FORM! A DEMON FROM HELL SENT TO LEAD OUR FLOCK ASTRAY! LISTEN NOT TO HER WORDS! SHE IS HERE TO TAINT AND CLAIM YOUR SOULS!"
There was no amount of composure that could prepare me for that response, and as I burst out laughing (in an arguably maniacal manner) I turned to the gathered crowd as he continued to rant over my head, and spoke to them.
"Oh no! He caught me!" I laugh "I'm totally a Demon from hell, here for your souls. Oh well, busted! Everybody get in the bag, time to take you back to hell." I say, holding one of my shopping bags open and gesturing for people to climb in it.
The crowd, revelling in the absurdity of the situation, burst into uproarious laughter,
The fanatic began to go even crazier than I imagined possible, howling borderline incoherent threats of retribution and damnation at the top of his lungs, the crowds mirth only made even greater by his outbursts, with the odd audible jeering and clapping permeating the continued deafening uproar.
The in a bizarre way, the whole thing reminded me of my extremely brief stage career. (Yes I was terrible, apparently no amount of "enthusiasm" is an adequate compensation for being tone deaf and having atrocious natural rhythm).
In my head there were roses being thrown, cries for an encore and numerous adoring fans lining up for autographs of the brave person who stood up to the lunatic. But in reality, the only autographs I wrote today, were as indicated on the bottom right hand corner of every sheet of paper on a small mountain of paperwork, as I sat in the waiting room of the local police station, trying to explain to an entirely humourless police officer how I was involved in a most unsavoury disturbance of the peace in the town centre today at lunch time.
I have no idea what happened to the crestfallen fanatic, last I saw he was being silenced when the police placed him inside a separate car, and my inquires to his fate were met with a stern
"You will find out more should any charges be levelled, until then I cannot discuss the matter any further."
I guess some people simply have no appreciation for the performing arts...
...
So that was the highlight of my day Susan's, thought you might get a kick out of it ^^;
That is hilarious. I love how he continued to refer to your "demon" as a female too, despite your revelation!
Way to go. Probably an exercise in futility, but it's fun to press the loonies' buttons once in awhile.
We got these Westboro Batsh^t Cult wannabe whackadoos outside a concert last year, telling us we're going to hell for seeing The Rolling Stones and oh BTW, God hates homosexuals too. So my wife and I got up in front of the one with the "God hates f*gs" sign and shared a passionate kiss. Due to the police standing nearby, there wasn't a thing he could do except have his face turn the same shade of red as his neck. We gave him the finger and moved on.
Yeah, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...
Quote from: Danniella on May 05, 2014, 07:04:24 PM
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men should do nothing
Sir Edmond Burke! He should have never picked on an educated woman, oops, demon! ;D LMAO!
I just lost the transmission in my Jeep, but you just made my day. Thanks for being you Danniella! :laugh:
That was a fun read.
Oh, you are very courageous.
Wait, it might have been the Bon Jovi concert, now that I think of it. OMG, I am going to hair metal hell!
Awesome!!!! I loved how you handled that >:-)
:icon_clap: You made my month with this story!
Could also be posted in the "You know you pass when..." thread. Lol
Nice to see you handeld the situation with dignaty and humour and for remembering the words of Sir Edmund Burke. While this crazy bigoted fool thought he was saving souls, he clearly forgot the words of Saint Bernad of Clairvaux. "The road to hell (or in this case the divi van) is paved with good intentions"
The look on his face when you switched to your guy voice must of been priceless and added to his demoninc fears and rambiling. I am surprised he kept calling your demon as a female. What else is long hair for besides hiding the horns.
Bravo Danniella I tip my hat to you
What did he think this was 1647?
Of course, if he's right, you've got some 'xplain' to do...
that was quite an adventure...
XD
did he actually thought that you were a demon in a womans body?
well that seems rational...
lol
From his perspective? Quite rational... :o
I wish I could make my eyes glow red while my head spins. That would be so totally metal. \m/
Quote from: Jill F on May 05, 2014, 07:53:30 PM
Wait, it might have been the Bon Jovi concert, now that I think of it. OMG, I am going to hair metal hell!
:o NOOOOOO!!!
That would suck. Actually...knowing my luck, if I was sent to Hell, I would be in a room that had me on one side and a real life version of Portia Porcupine on the other. There would be a force field down the middle of the room and it would zap the crap out of me every time that I attempted to approach her.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on May 05, 2014, 08:59:55 PM
:o NOOOOOO!!!
That would suck. Actually...knowing my luck, if I was sent to Hell, I would be in a room that had me on one side and a real life version of Portia Porcupine on the other. There would be a force field down the middle of the room and it would zap the crap out of me every time that I attempted to approach her.
I'm thinking front row to Hootie and the Blowfish.
Oh my gosh, you're awesome, Daniella!
Those street preachers can be a lot of fun. There was one at a pride parade I went to a couple years back. He even had this big wooden cross with him to look more 'intimidating,' I guess. When he started yelling into the crowd about how we were all sinful fornicators, it was so ridiculous that most of us started giggling and looking at each other like, "Is this dude for real?" There was a handsome young black man in a nice suit with a guitar there who eventually got tired of him harassing us (as unintentionally entertaining as it was) and went over to "debate" with him to shut him up.
Only time I've ever encountered one of those loonies.
Quote from: Pikachu on May 05, 2014, 09:26:28 PM
Oh my gosh, you're awesome, Daniella!
Those street preachers can be a lot of fun. There was one at a pride parade I went to a couple years back. He even had this big wooden cross with him to look more 'intimidating,' I guess. When he started yelling into the crowd about how we were all sinful fornicators, it was so ridiculous that most of us started giggling and looking at each other like, "Is this dude for real?" There was a handsome young black man in a nice suit with a guitar there who eventually got tired of him harassing us (as unintentionally entertaining as it was) and went over to "debate" with him to shut him up.
Only time I've ever encountered one of those loonies.
It is fun to watch a crowd turn on them. I remember this middle aged guy that took his "fire and brimstone" speeches to my college campus and literally thumped his Bible. Unfortunately the large tree planter he stood upon one day was surrounded by decorative pebbles. Talk about getting stoned! He got out of there pretty fast and had to find other places that would be less inhospitable to his physical well-being. Watching him get heckled on a daily basis was somewhat entertaining, as he was pretty far in over his head with the religious studies majors who knew scripture better than he did and regularly barbecued him with his own words. I could have made a fortune selling popcorn.
Just wanted to say thank you, I read something somplace els on this sight and I ended up in a low place, slipped back into doubt and began questioning once again, and wanting to talk about what was bothering and couldn't find and apropriat place to put it. But I saw the title of this and after reading it made me snile and cheered me up a bit.
That's fantastic :D
Is there room in your bag for me?
Best laugh I had for a long time!I usually stay clear of my shopping centre as it's full of God botherers,chuggers and dossers,if they're not bending your ear they're trying to tap you up for money.
Sounds like a win to me! :laugh:
Quote from: birkin on May 05, 2014, 07:10:52 PM
That is hilarious. I love how he continued to refer to your "demon" as a female too, despite your revelation!
Indeed, partly I wonder if he even knows what a trans person is, or whether he did actually think I was some form of shapeshifting demon o.O
Quote from: Jill F on May 05, 2014, 07:15:23 PM
Way to go. Probably an exercise in futility, but it's fun to press the loonies' buttons once in awhile.
I do find it a bit too much fun sometimes ^^;
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on May 05, 2014, 07:16:29 PM
Sir Edmond Burke! He should have never picked on an educated woman, oops, demon! ;D LMAO!
I just lost the transmission in my Jeep, but you just made my day. Thanks for being you Danniella! :laugh:
Thanks, I just wish my insessant witticisms could repair automotive faults.
Quote from: Cynthia Michelle on May 05, 2014, 07:48:26 PM
That was a fun read.
Oh, you are very courageous.
Thanks, I wouldn't call it courage though, more like an inability to stand by and not call people on their bull->-bleeped-<- ^^;
Quote from: immortal gypsy on May 05, 2014, 08:14:45 PM
Nice to see you handeld the situation with dignaty and humour and for remembering the words of Sir Edmund Burke. While this crazy bigoted fool thought he was saving souls, he clearly forgot the words of Saint Bernad of Clairvaux. "The road to hell (or in this case the divi van) is paved with good intentions"
The look on his face when you switched to your guy voice must of been priceless and added to his demoninc fears and rambiling. I am surprised he kept calling your demon as a female. What else is long hair for besides hiding the horns.
Bravo Danniella I tip my hat to you
Quote from: Sydney_NYC on May 05, 2014, 07:54:02 PM
Awesome!!!! I loved how you handled that >:-)
If only the police shared your sentiments I could have saved myself the rest of my day :D
Quote from: Shannon14 on May 05, 2014, 07:55:35 PM
:icon_clap: You made my month with this story!
Could also be posted in the "You know you pass when..." thread. Lol
"You know you pass when preachers call you a demon" yup totally xD
Quote from: JamesG on May 05, 2014, 08:39:32 PM
What did he think this was 1647?
Of course, if he's right, you've got some 'xplain' to do...
Silence Mortal...get in the bag.
Quote from: Pikachu on May 05, 2014, 09:26:28 PM
Oh my gosh, you're awesome, Daniella!
Those street preachers can be a lot of fun. There was one at a pride parade I went to a couple years back. He even had this big wooden cross with him to look more 'intimidating,' I guess. When he started yelling into the crowd about how we were all sinful fornicators, it was so ridiculous that most of us started giggling and looking at each other like, "Is this dude for real?" There was a handsome young black man in a nice suit with a guitar there who eventually got tired of him harassing us (as unintentionally entertaining as it was) and went over to "debate" with him to shut him up.
Only time I've ever encountered one of those loonies.
I've never been to a pride march before...I should attend one some day, I would have a field day with them xD
Quote from: ButterflyVickster on May 05, 2014, 09:58:06 PM
Just wanted to say thank you, I read something somplace els on this sight and I ended up in a low place, slipped back into doubt and began questioning once again, and wanting to talk about what was bothering and couldn't find and apropriat place to put it. But I saw the title of this and after reading it made me snile and cheered me up a bit.
We all have low points and high points, its part of the burden of Dysphoria. I find the important thing is to try and write down or hold onto the happy moments one way or another, since they are so easily forgotten when you are feeling low.
And there is no better place IMHO than Susans to share your happy moments :)
Quote from: christopher on May 05, 2014, 10:05:30 PM
That's fantastic :D
Is there room in your bag for me?
There is always room in the bag.
Quote from: big kim on May 06, 2014, 03:02:20 AM
Best laugh I had for a long time!I usually stay clear of my shopping centre as it's full of God botherers,chuggers and dossers,if they're not bending your ear they're trying to tap you up for money.
At least he had the decency to refrain from offering to purify my demonic taint for the low, low price of £300.
Quote from: Alyssa Rae on May 06, 2014, 03:53:01 AM
Sounds like a win to me! :laugh:
If the sound of winning is the incoherent ravings of a madman then sure it's a win...although it makes me not want to get involved in any of the same competitions as you o.O
For those wishing further mirth, and to know where I got the "Get in the bag" line from, I present to you the copypasta in its original form.
(https://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/tg/image/1351/18/1351181605370.jpg)
This is one of the best things I've seen in a long time. Thanks for sharing.
I love and would have loved to have been there to see it.
One thing that does bug me and I find a little unsettling is the fact that you used your male voice and he still called you she. He may have bigger problems than just homophobia. Indeed he may have thought the change in your voice was coming from an actual demon. Regardless a she devil is still better than being gendered male. :D
I wonder what he told the cops? He might have been taken for a little 72 hour vacation.
Quote from: Danniella on May 06, 2014, 05:35:54 AM
Indeed, partly I wonder if he even knows what a trans person is, or whether he did actually think I was some form of shapeshifting demon o.O
I do find it a bit too much fun sometimes ^^;
Oh, I don't doubt for a second that he legitimately believed you were a demon there to interrupt his "righteous" message. I live in Alabama, a place where the religiosity is so thick you can practically choke on it. A while back my neighbour across the street was having problems starting his car. He seriously thought there was a demon messing with his engine.
Keep in mind you were probably dealing with someone who knew next to nothing about gay people, let alone transsexuals. To him, you most likely did come across as a demon masquerading as a human woman, which just makes it all the more hilarious! xD
Quote from: Danniella on May 06, 2014, 05:35:54 AM
I've never been to a pride march before...I should attend one some day, I would have a field day with them xD
I'm not usually one for social gatherings, but I was feeling down over a breakup at the time and my mum was going, so she sorta dragged me to it. I had fun, though, and the silly preacher man was just added entertainment, hehe~
Quite possibly one of the funniest things I have read in a while!!
We get a load of these types in Leeds city centre, hoards of crazed lunatic god botherers with placards reading LOUDLY from from the bible. They really didn't appreciate it when standing alongside them reciting chapters from whatever Pratchett novel I was reading at the time!!
Quote from: Jess42 on May 06, 2014, 06:49:48 AM
I love and would have loved to have been there to see it.
One thing that does bug me and I find a little unsettling is the fact that you used your male voice and he still called you she. He may have bigger problems than just homophobia. Indeed he may have thought the change in your voice was coming from an actual demon. Regardless a she devil is still better than being gendered male. :D
I wonder what he told the cops? He might have been taken for a little 72 hour vacation.
I would have loved to know what happened too...if only to report back to my dark master of course.
Quote from: Kaylee on May 06, 2014, 07:11:45 AM
Quite possibly one of the funniest things I have read in a while!!
We get a load of these types in Leeds city centre, hoards of crazed lunatic god botherers with placards reading LOUDLY from from the bible. They really didn't appreciate it when standing alongside them reciting chapters from whatever Pratchett novel I was reading at the time!!
I did something similar back in my University days. I stood beside a preacher reading passages aloud from "Lord of the Rings" at the top of my voice.
When he attempted to pull me up on it, I responded "Hey! My book is just as good as yours! Mine has magic and resurrecting protagonists too!"
He was not best pleased x'D
Quote from: Danniella on May 06, 2014, 07:33:53 AM
I would have loved to know what happened too...if only to report back to my dark master of course.
You did, my child. "My name is Lucifer. Please take my hand." Or in my case Luci. ;) Quoted from Black Sabbath's NIB just in case no one knows.
What really would have probably thrown him over the edge farther than he already is would have been wearing those slit eye contacts. Of course he probably would have had a heart attack and you would still be in jail.
But seriously though, if he did tell the cops that you were a demon it's pretty much guaranteed that he got a mandetory 72 hours.
Fan-fricken-tastic! ;D
I love how you handled him, and I hope the fuzz don't give you any further trouble. But seriously, the poor guy needs some help and I hope he gets it.
We have a street preacher in the town where I work, who can be relied upon to yell the most ridiculous nonsense. I've gone toe-to-toe with him a couple of times before so he knows I'm a godless heathen... and one day as I walked past him he thundered: "YOUR BELIEF IN DINOSAURS WILL DO NOTHING TO SAVE YOU!!!1!!"
Drat. And here I was, counting on a bunch of long-extinct reptiles to pull my fat out of the fire. ::)
Applause to you, Danniella.
That was a most impressive way of shutting him down.
Quote from: Danniella on May 06, 2014, 07:33:53 AM
I would have loved to know what happened too...if only to report back to my dark master of course.
I did something similar back in my University days. I stood beside a preacher reading passages aloud from "Lord of the Rings" at the top of my voice.
When he attempted to pull me up on it, I responded "Hey! My book is just as good as yours! Mine has magic and resurrecting protagonists too!"
He was not best pleased x'D
:D :D LMAO!! That is so awesome!
Heh, that's all in the family for me. A couple weeks ago a pestering family member pm'ed my girlfriend my old name and that I was a "guy". How could that be? Usually I'm the devil or a demon in her PMs. I've been sharing her rants with my girlfriend for over a year. My girlfriend proceeded to act surprised and confused in PMs... In closing get the popcorn this is going to be good.
You know this is really funny and we are having a lot of laughs over it but in the same time it is really scary that there are people out there like that. This gentleman seems to be really deranged and someone that actually thinks that a person is a demon can be a really dangerous situation since their fight or flight mechanism can kicks in. Thank god that he was bearing a cross instead of a gun Daniella. I really can't say anything to you for confronting a crazy religious zealot, that would make me a hypocrite. God knows I've had my share of confrontations. Just be careful. Don't stop 'cause we need people that will stand up to this kind of hate, but just be extremely careful. I don't think it was very dangerous since the crowd seemed to be on your side, but when the crowd is also on the crazy train watch yourself.
Quote from: Jess42 on May 06, 2014, 12:19:41 PM
You know this is really funny and we are having a lot of laughs over it but in the same time it is really scary that there are people out there like that. This gentleman seems to be really deranged and someone that actually thinks that a person is a demon can be a really dangerous situation since their fight or flight mechanism can kicks in. Thank god that he was bearing a cross instead of a gun Daniella. I really can't say anything to you for confronting a crazy religious zealot, that would make me a hypocrite. God knows I've had my share of confrontations. Just be careful. Don't stop 'cause we need people that will stand up to this kind of hate, but just be extremely careful. I don't think it was very dangerous since the crowd seemed to be on your side, but when the crowd is also on the crazy train watch yourself.
Yeah, you may have a point on your head. But I've found for all the reports that you hear in the media about people being so quick to resolve an issue with a gun, most people are pretty spineless if they are in a one on one situation. Unless they are armed or in a group, they aren't really much of a threat. (But that is based only my own experiences)
Is there ever a time when the crowd is actually on the side of these doofuses? We're talking about the kind of person who thinks every random passerby is a heathen based on... what? That they just look like it? And I love how the guy Daniella confronted thought he could somehow win people over to his way of thinking by going through the crowd and ridiculing them:
Quote from: Danniella
I watch as he begins to focus his ranting on specific targets in the crowd, one by one picking them out, listing their apparent "Sins" and screaming about redemption.
I'm interested in hearing what sins he was accusing this group of total strangers of committing, lol.
It's ok, I'll save you a ringside seat >:-)
Quote from: Pikachu on May 06, 2014, 02:01:11 PM
Is there ever a time when the crowd is actually on the side of these doofuses? We're talking about the kind of person who thinks every random passerby is a heathen based on... what? That they just look like it? And I love how the guy Daniella confronted thought he could somehow win people over to his way of thinking by going through the crowd and ridiculing them:
I'm interested in hearing what sins he was accusing this group of total strangers of committing, lol.
Doofi?
Quote from: Jill F on May 06, 2014, 07:01:05 PM
Doofi?
Well, I
could have said doofi... but then people might not have known what I was talking about. =P
SUCCUBUS!! Burn her!!!
>:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-)
-Tegs
Quote from: Kaylee on May 06, 2014, 07:11:45 AM
Quite possibly one of the funniest things I have read in a while!!
We get a load of these types in Leeds city centre, hoards of crazed lunatic god botherers with placards reading LOUDLY from from the bible. They really didn't appreciate it when standing alongside them reciting chapters from whatever Pratchett novel I was reading at the time!!
Did somebody say Pratchett?
Huge Pratchett fan, Kaylee. We have to be friends now.
:),
Teg
Quote from: Danniella on May 05, 2014, 07:04:24 PM
I guess some people simply have no appreciation for the performing arts...
So that was the highlight of my day Susan's, thought you might get a kick out of it ^^;
Oh but I certainly have some appreciation for the performing arts and I dare say! You certainly put on one "hell" of a show. >:-) I must certainly did get a kick out of reading this and laughed and giggled so many times. Would you believe me when I say, I am not the least bit surprised by the man and how he acted but the one thing that did surprise me was the police bringing you in? Anyway, your post was well typed up, seemed to scream theater as well as, story writer. :) Oh and, one thing I found interesting was, he called you not a women but a devil but then his next sentence he clearly called you a she. Anyway, thank you for sharing and while I certainly enjoyed reading this and got giggles out of this and so on, I am sorry the police brought you in and I do ask you'll please be careful in the future. After all, lot of mean people that would hurt a person for reasons such as this one. I'm certainly glad you weren't hurt.
Quote from: FTMDiaries on May 06, 2014, 09:50:10 AM
We have a street preacher in the town where I work, who can be relied upon to yell the most ridiculous nonsense. I've gone toe-to-toe with him a couple of times before so he knows I'm a godless heathen... and one day as I walked past him he thundered: "YOUR BELIEF IN DINOSAURS WILL DO NOTHING TO SAVE YOU!!!1!!"
Drat. And here I was, counting on a bunch of long-extinct reptiles to pull my fat out of the fire. ::)
Hmmm...Did the dinosaurs go to hell? Now there is a theological debate I would love to witness.
Quote from: JenSquid on May 06, 2014, 10:06:53 AM
Applause to you, Danniella.
That was a most impressive way of shutting him down.
Danka <3
Quote from: Jess42 on May 06, 2014, 12:19:41 PM
Thank god that he was bearing a cross instead of a gun Daniella.
...
Just be careful. Don't stop 'cause we need people that will stand up to this kind of hate, but just be extremely careful. I don't think it was very dangerous since the crowd seemed to be on your side, but when the crowd is also on the crazy train watch yourself.
Well guns are super illegal in Scotland, so that would really be an interesting turn of events if he pulled a firearm on me...just as well mortal weapons cannot penetrate my fell skin. :D
But in all seriousness, yeah I completely concur, you always need to be careful when confronting people in this way. Experience has taught me that it's important to read the situation and the threats before interjecting. I most certainly wouldn't recommend wading into the middle of a group of Wesbro Baptist Church members in the middle of one of their hate rallies for example...but in this case, it was clear that I was in no real physical danger.
Quote from: Pikachu on May 06, 2014, 02:01:11 PM
Is there ever a time when the crowd is actually on the side of these doofuses? We're talking about the kind of person who thinks every random passerby is a heathen based on... what? That they just look like it? And I love how the guy Daniella confronted thought he could somehow win people over to his way of thinking by going through the crowd and ridiculing them:
I'm interested in hearing what sins he was accusing this group of total strangers of committing, lol.
I see this quite allot strangely enough. He was throwing out statements like "I can see the sin in your eyes!" and "You know you have sinned!" etc.
Maybe they think that if they make people feel guilty enough they will suddenly want to "repent" -shrug-
Quote from: Sincerely Tegan on May 06, 2014, 09:07:17 PM
SUCCUBUS!! Burn her!!!
>:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-) >:-)
-Tegs
FOOL! I WAS BORN IN THE FIRES OF HELL! YOU THINK YOUR MEASLY EMBERS CAN HARM ME!...NOW GET IN THE BAG!
Quote from: Shana-chan on May 06, 2014, 11:53:25 PM
I am not the least bit surprised by the man and how he acted but the one thing that did surprise me was the police bringing you in?
-cough- This is maybe not my first brush with the police in this manner -cough- just...maybe. -cough- ;)
Seems that the general rule of thumb with the police here, is that if there is any great disturbance of the peace in a public place, to pick up the "offending parties/ring leaders" for questioning.
It's probably just to get people off the street and separated to be honest, I've never had any charges or anything levelled against me as a result, despite some pretty spectacular arguments, and the police didn't seem to give any inclination that I would have any due to this event either.
...
Was pretty funny seeing the looks on their faces when I had to show them my ID though (only been fulltime a week, old guy name and photo on drivers licence that looks nothing like me now).
They seemed to think for a second that it was a fake ID xD
The God botherer clearly forgot let he who is without sin cast the first stone and the 11th Commandment, keep thy religion to thyself
Quote from: Danniella on May 07, 2014, 03:49:12 AM
Hmmm...Did the dinosaurs go to hell? Now there is a theological debate I would love to witness.
Nope, not possible: there were no shopping bags back then.
Quote from: FTMDiaries on May 07, 2014, 05:47:54 AM
Nope, not possible: there were no shopping bags back then.
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQcj-yiDwE1H0pQk5-8lAr-h5CPNFnfVEd72OiCuHHR6kAB7sI4)
Quote from: Danniella on May 07, 2014, 03:49:12 AM
Well guns are super illegal in Scotland, so that would really be an interesting turn of events if he pulled a firearm on me...just as well mortal weapons cannot penetrate my fell skin. :D
But in all seriousness, yeah I completely concur, you always need to be careful when confronting people in this way. Experience has taught me that it's important to read the situation and the threats before interjecting. I most certainly wouldn't recommend wading into the middle of a group of Wesbro Baptist Church members in the middle of one of their hate rallies for example...but in this case, it was clear that I was in no real physical danger.
I knd of figured they were. But over her where the strictist gun controls are in certains cities, that is where the highest crime and murder rates are.
But yeah from the way you described the siuation and the crowd, he was the typical sign holding, repent the end is near street preachers. Definately, a crowd like the westboro folks bearing a collective insanity would be a very dangerous situation. God I would hate to think of something like that other than it would truly be like walking into a hornet's nest.
I haven't had anybody call me a demon yet. I wouldn't be shocked :o if someone did in the future.
Quote from: gennee on May 07, 2014, 07:43:36 AM
I haven't had anybody call me a demon yet. I wouldn't be shocked :o if someone did in the future.
Abracadabra, gennee, you are a demon. >:-) Now you can write that off of your bucket list. ;)
Quote from: gennee on May 07, 2014, 07:43:36 AM
I haven't had anybody call me a demon yet. I wouldn't be shocked :o if someone did in the future.
I have. My aunt's elderly mother when I was a teenager. I hadn't even done anything...
that she was aware of.
Quote from: gennee on May 07, 2014, 07:43:36 AM
I haven't had anybody call me a demon yet. I wouldn't be shocked :o if someone did in the future.
I was called a little demon a lot as a kid or a wee de'il by my Scottish Granny
I'll admit, I haven't been labelled a 'demon' yet... but I have been called a 'devil worshipper' for being an atheist. ::)
Quote from: FTMDiaries on May 07, 2014, 09:27:27 AM
I'll admit, I haven't been labelled a 'demon' yet... but I have been called a 'devil worshipper' for being an atheist. ::)
I can join you in that experience xD
The Irony of an atheist being labelled a "worshipper" of ANYTHING is not lost on me ^^
Quote from: Danniella on May 07, 2014, 09:32:07 AM
I can join you in that experience xD
The Irony of an atheist being labelled a "worshipper" of ANYTHING is not lost on me ^^
Actually a true Satanist that belongs to The Church of Satan, the one create by Anton LeVey in San Franciso do not worship Satan or even believe in Satan or God. So in actuality they are truly athiest. But it is extremely confusing because at the same time they believe in different energies. They have a websight and you can buy the Satanic Bible. I read the bible because people used to call me a Satanist and I figured if people were gonna see me that way I might as well have real information on the subject to disprove the notions of sacrificing blue eyed blond virgins during Halloween.
Well... the "Church o' Satan" was more hedonist druid that picked up Christian theological trappings to attract attention by being controversial (bad boys pick up hot chicks). So they weren't any more atheist than any other spiritualist or NewAge belief system.
Quote from: big kim on May 07, 2014, 04:49:12 AM
The God botherer clearly forgot let he who is without sin cast the first stone and the 11th Commandment, keep thy religion to thyself
It gets pretty hard to meet your converts and saved souls quota that way...
Quote from: Danniella on May 07, 2014, 09:32:07 AM
I can join you in that experience
From the Christian perspective, absence of faith is actually the presence of evil. Ie: "If you aren't with us, yer' against us."
Quote
The Irony of an atheist being labelled a "worshipper" of ANYTHING is not lost on me
But which is not to say that it isn't a belief system...
Haha! Brava! Brava!
I once read (unfortunately didn't get to talk to them) someone calling trans people "demonic circus freaks" and claimed the gay agenda was world domination. That would be totally awesome.
The thing with LaVeyan satanists is stupidity is supposed to be one of their "sins," yet most satanists I know followed LaVey to the letter despite it being right in the introduction to his book that he studied how to manipulate people through religion. *face palm* Also, most satanists I know are obsessed with Christianity, homophbic, racist, and other stuff they share with the more crazy Christian fundamentalists.
Quote from: Sincerely Tegan on May 06, 2014, 09:10:23 PM
Did somebody say Pratchett?
Huge Pratchett fan, Kaylee. We have to be friends now.
:),
Teg
The only people I know of who are not huge Pratchett fans are people who have no read Pratchett.
I actually...think I'm in love with you right now, hahah. That was incredibly brave and more than a little awesome.
Quote from: gennee on May 07, 2014, 07:43:36 AM
I haven't had anybody call me a demon yet.
I remember my great-aunt told me that I sounded like a demon when I was in my teens. But I
was screaming and growling along to Napalm Death at the time, so that
might have something to do with that. :D
Quote from: Edge on May 07, 2014, 04:17:03 PM
Haha! Brava! Brava!
I once read (unfortunately didn't get to talk to them) someone calling trans people "demonic circus freaks" and claimed the gay agenda was world domination. That would be totally awesome.
The thing with LaVeyan satanists is stupidity is supposed to be one of their "sins," yet most satanists I know followed LaVey to the letter despite it being right in the introduction to his book that he studied how to manipulate people through religion. *face palm* Also, most satanists I know are obsessed with Christianity, homophbic, racist, and other stuff they share with the more crazy Christian fundamentalists.The only people I know of who are not huge Pratchett fans are people who have no read Pratchett.
That just goes to show how most belief systems that have some kind of structure or hierarchy is flawed. Plus humans are easily manipulated, promise them something, or say just the right things that they want to hear and it's almost like they are hypnotized. Have you ever experienced a psychic reading? Or watched a show that the host "talks to the dead"? I am not saying that there aren't people with true psychic abilities or that do have some sort of communication to the other side but these side show people are just too obvious. Who hasn't had a loved one pass? Who hasn't experienced a tragedy in their life? The bigger the audience the bigger the fish they catch.
Quote from: Danniella on May 05, 2014, 07:04:24 PM
Below is another (admittedly shorter episode) of "Danniella's Wild Dysphoria Ride!"
It involves brief recounting of a very strange event that I was involved in today. Hope somebody enjoys reading my continued rants :P
...
So there I was, grabbing a few bits from the Tesco in the town centre, when I hear a rising commotion from outside the store.
I think nothing of it, finish up my shop and, bags in hand, leave the store. But the instant I emerge into the street, I can see a sizeable crowd has gathered in a circle around a most strange sight.
A bearded man in a cheap suit staood on a bench, clutching a bible in one hand and holding upright a large placard with the other, was screaming at the top of his lungs an impromptu sermon on the sins of man and the collected crowd.
His placard read "The Equation is Simple, 1 man + 1 woman = 1 Marriage, No exceptions"
As I stood enraptured by the bizarre scene, like the rest of the gathered crowd, the man continued his rage filled, homophobic rant, making clear his stance that marriage should never be between people of the same gender, lest we invoke the wrath of God.
I watch as he begins to focus his ranting on specific targets in the crowd, one by one picking them out, listing their apparent "Sins" and screaming about redemption.
With the ink on the new Gay marriage laws in Scotland barely even dry, and as somebody who detests the spreading of flagrant homophobia, not to mention the criminal misapplication of basic algebra, I felt the need to interject on his ongoing, and increasingly phlegm filled, rant.
Now I should preface this by saying that I have done this type of thing many times before in the past. I stand firm by the old saying that "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men should do nothing"...and also the lesser known saying that "Haters are like crickets, they chirp all ->-bleeped-<-ing day, but when you walk up them, they shut the <not allowed> up."
What I did not anticipate during the particular verbal confrontation that ensued, was that I have just started fulltime this week, and just how much this piece of vital information would take the argument to a whole other level.
So as I push my way to the front of the crowd, I can see the fanatic's eyes fall upon me. I pull myself up to my full 6'4" heeled height and find that the man is not as high above me as anticipated...clearly he needed the bench to preach from, otherwise people would be wondering where the hate speech was coming from. I manage to silence the man after a moment with an outstretched palm and a stern expression.
"All right good sir" I say, attempting to keep my voice as civil as possible, since I have found this to be the most effective way to get people enraged. "So do tell me, where do I stand in this most ironclad of equations?" I say, gesturing towards the offending placard and it's woeful text.
"As a woman! Placed here by the lord!" He bellows, throwing his gaze across the crowd once more, as he attempts to work my interjection into his sermon, "You shall marry and bear children, as is best to spread his undying love, and the lessons the bible teaches us!"
I can't help but giggle and move in closer, gesturing for him to bend down to listen to what I have to say next...
As he complies. leaning down and looking at me intently, I speak in as hushed a voice as I can muster over the murmuring of the confused and entertained crowd.
"What if I told you" I say, switching to my male voice momentarily, "That I am not a woman at all, and that your pathetic equation is as antiquated and irrelevant as the hateful filth you spout in a transparent attempt to make your sorry life have some greater meaning."
...
I must admit, I take a twisted joy in this particular form of verbal cowing, and I do so with what my friends have remarked as an "alarming and very unsafe frequency"...but in all my years of verbal confrontation, I have never witnessed a reaction quite like the one the small fanatic produced today...
He turned bright red, paused for a moment, his jaw slamming so far open that it looked like it would never manage to ascend the monumental height back to its original elevation, then he pointed one shaking hand at me...and began to scream...
"THIS IS NO WOMAN!" he screamed frantically, "IT IS A DEVIL IN HUMAN FORM! A DEMON FROM HELL SENT TO LEAD OUR FLOCK ASTRAY! LISTEN NOT TO HER WORDS! SHE IS HERE TO TAINT AND CLAIM YOUR SOULS!"
There was no amount of composure that could prepare me for that response, and as I burst out laughing (in an arguably maniacal manner) I turned to the gathered crowd as he continued to rant over my head, and spoke to them.
"Oh no! He caught me!" I laugh "I'm totally a Demon from hell, here for your souls. Oh well, busted! Everybody get in the bag, time to take you back to hell." I say, holding one of my shopping bags open and gesturing for people to climb in it.
The crowd, revelling in the absurdity of the situation, burst into uproarious laughter,
The fanatic began to go even crazier than I imagined possible, howling borderline incoherent threats of retribution and damnation at the top of his lungs, the crowds mirth only made even greater by his outbursts, with the odd audible jeering and clapping permeating the continued deafening uproar.
The in a bizarre way, the whole thing reminded me of my extremely brief stage career. (Yes I was terrible, apparently no amount of "enthusiasm" is an adequate compensation for being tone deaf and having atrocious natural rhythm).
In my head there were roses being thrown, cries for an encore and numerous adoring fans lining up for autographs of the brave person who stood up to the lunatic. But in reality, the only autographs I wrote today, were as indicated on the bottom right hand corner of every sheet of paper on a small mountain of paperwork, as I sat in the waiting room of the local police station, trying to explain to an entirely humourless police officer how I was involved in a most unsavoury disturbance of the peace in the town centre today at lunch time.
I have no idea what happened to the crestfallen fanatic, last I saw he was being silenced when the police placed him inside a separate car, and my inquires to his fate were met with a stern
"You will find out more should any charges be levelled, until then I cannot discuss the matter any further."
I guess some people simply have no appreciation for the performing arts...
...
So that was the highlight of my day Susan's, thought you might get a kick out of it ^^;
As I stated in another post, religion seems to attract nuts with a pathological need to feel superior over and stand in judgement over other people completely contradicting the bible. They also apparently don't understand that the sins they commit on a daily basis are no less sinful than the sins they claim others commit. This is why my generation has rejected religion unfortunately. In a few years I hate to say faith will be a thing of the past and these people are to blame.
Quote from: Jill F on May 05, 2014, 07:15:23 PM
Way to go. Probably an exercise in futility, but it's fun to press the loonies' buttons once in awhile.
We got these Westboro Batsh^t Cult wannabe whackadoos outside a concert last year, telling us we're going to hell for seeing The Rolling Stones and oh BTW, God hates homosexuals too. So my wife and I got up in front of the one with the "God hates f*gs" sign and shared a passionate kiss. Due to the police standing nearby, there wasn't a thing he could do except have his face turn the same shade of red as his neck. We gave him the finger and moved on.
Yeah, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...
In the US that is in violation of federal hate crime laws. These stupid people are really pushing their luck.
Quote from: Amy1988 on May 07, 2014, 04:58:28 PM
As I stated in another post, religion seems to attract nuts with a pathological need to feel superior over and stand in judgement over other people completely contradicting the bible. They also apparently don't understand that the sins they commit on a daily basis are no less sinful than the sins they claim others commit. This is why my generation has rejected religion unfortunately. In a few years I hate to say faith will be a thing of the past and these people are to blame.
I couldn't necissarily say that your generation has rejected so much as actually trying to see past old mindsets. Spirutal perceptions change and goes through cycles so really it can be a fortunate thing. Remember that Christ rejected the accepted religious mindsets of his day. I am talking Christ in an historical capacity and not the religous sense of that Spirit in modern days. Your generation got these ideas from my generation and so on. So no, there is no one to blame. Eventually the days of self righteous preachers that are secretely going across statelines to drink, or have secret lovers, male or female and or pay for play lovers in different cities than there own while throwing stones trying to break my glass house will be over.
Look at what Daniella did. She confronted a Zeolot and took all his power away from him and his possible hold over the crowd. Then compare that with the Salem Witchtrials in which a fear and mass hysteria and false accusations got a lot of good people murdered. Most people do believe in something and confusion, doubt, distrust in establismentarianism belief system or systems all will lead to a questioning and then hopefully better understanding until it is used by powerful people to control the masses and get all distorted again. It is no generation's fault and the Bible is an historical document of this occuring throughout history especially when it comes to the science of Astronomy.
And... Christianity, or religion in general is not exclusive in abuse and manipulation. There have been plenty of completely secular social, political, and belief systems that have been co-opted in the name of power and wealth. The tragedy that was nationalist socialism and communism being recent examples.
It's easy for us to point to jackass christian fundamentalists or other abuses because they are the ones we are most familiar with, but the only universality in human experiance is that "power corrupts" whether its done in the name of Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Shiva, Dollars, Beanie Babies, etc. etc.
Quote from: JamesG on May 08, 2014, 08:41:42 AM
And... Christianity, or religion in general is not exclusive in abuse and manipulation. There have been plenty of completely secular social, political, and belief systems that have been co-opted in the name of power and wealth. The tragedy that was nationalist socialism and communism being recent examples.
It's easy for us to point to jackass christian fundamentalists or other abuses because they are the ones we are most familiar with, but the only universality in human experiance is that "power corrupts" whether its done in the name of Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Shiva, Dollars, Beanie Babies, etc. etc.
You got that right James. The road to hell is paved with good intentions in the beginning anyway. Socialism and communism are very good theories in thought and on paper. Everyone working together on a common goal, taking care of our fellow humans and not letting them suffer and so on. But when the human element is added into the mix with greed, powerlust, dellusions of granduer and striving to be the supreme leader, Eutopia turns into a living hell really quick.
Quote from: Jess42 on May 08, 2014, 09:00:14 AM
You got that right James. The road to hell is paved with good intentions in the beginning anyway. Socialism and communism are very good theories in thought and on paper. Everyone working together on a common goal, taking care of our fellow humans and not letting them suffer and so on. But when the human element is added into the mix with greed, powerlust, dellusions of granduer and striving to be the supreme leader, Eutopia turns into a living hell really quick.
(My emphasis above.)
I very much agree to this. I think bigotry, exclusion and so on are, in a sense, basic human traits - not everyone has them, but every group does. And it seems to be rather evenly distributed. What makes the religious kind of bigotry more visible, is in part media coverage, and in part the tendency of believers to focus more on spreading their message. So while your average, secular, areligious (or in many cases only nominally religious) bigot beats up someone outside a bar, the average religious bigot proclaims their views in church, town square or media. I'm not saying the latter is better, since it may influence some of the nominally religious; they pick up on the hate, but not the nonviolence. In a sense, the principle of double effect can be applied - while the message is to convert peacefully (in most cases), the result may be violence.
All of this said, some of the most wonderfully inclusive, open and unbigoted (if that is a word) individuals I've met are religious, and conservatively so. At the same time, some of the worst, hateful bigots I've encountered are religious. But I could just as well say that some of the most wonderful and so on individuals are atheists, while some of the worst and so on individuals are atheists. Given the size of the groups, you are bound to find all variants within them. I find it is rather evenly distributed - but I feel personally safer around religious bigots than areligious ones, even though they may worsen the total picture with regards to violence. Some of them may say some horrible things, but they won't beat me up physically. Then of course that can cause self-destructive behavior depending on the state of the recipient, so I'm definitely not saying it's harmless. I've told people of that sort that they have blood on their hands, since words can most definitely "pierce like a sword", as the Bible says.
To conclude, statements like "organized religion is the greatest source of evil in history"
is to some extent correct. But the statement "organized religion is the greatest source of good in history" would
also be correct, to some extent. Simply because organized religion is so big, that it's probably a factor in mostly everything that happens, both good and bad. This is why I refuse to make blanket statements about any religion - they're only partially true at best, and directly false at worst.