Hiding from the Lord (religious rant warning)
Well, actually hiding from the Lord's anticipated traffic jam this weekend.
There is a huge evangelical event going on in my hometown this weekend. Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) is holding a festival at the BU campus all weekend. If you've never heard of him, don't worry ... I never did either until this festival was scheduled. I'm Catholic, and we have saints, not evangelists ;)
This is less than a mile from my home. They're anticipating thousands of people (literally) coming into the festival on buses and cars. All car traffic is being routed through the main BU entrance, which happens to be on the infamous VESTAL PARKWAY (yes folks, the very same one I'm always ranting and raving about. Binghamton's answer to the L.I.E.). What this boils down to is basically being gridlocked in Vestal if you have to pass in the direction of the campus. Major cluster here. I have to go to Binghamton Saturday around 11:30, and I"m just hoping I can get to the highway at this point.
I have no objections to the festival being held here. It's a great opportunity for people who believe in that type of ministry. Personally, it's not for me. Although I've been a Christian all my life, there are a few styles of preaching that I don't hold with. I find that many of the evangelical preachers are very intolerant of non-Christian religions. You can't tell me that a person who does good things and is kind their entire lives is going to go to hell because they're Jewish. Or atheist. Or Wiccan. I personally know quite a few Wiccans/Pagans, and they're the most accepting and tolerant type of folks. THAT's how Christianity should be IMHO. And if you read the Bible, that's the main gist of the teachings. Tolerance, people.
There are mixed feelings about this here. Lots of support, obviously. There are over 400 churches involved in some way, and I think something like 4,000 volunteers. There are also protests that Franklin Graham preaches hate and intolerance. Hate I don't agree with ... intolerance .... hmmm ... indirectly I would say. He's definately of the school that if you're not "born again" then you're going straight to hell, don't forget the marshmallows. He was on Fox News being interviewed this week about his father's new library, and he managed to turn every question he was asked about it to a chance to "show the unchurched the love of our Lord Christ Jesus". I admire his dedication and passion, but it all sounded the same after a couple of minutes. I just wanted to hear about the library,museum ... I'll get my sermon on Sunday at church.
Wow ... what started as a gripe against the traffic got a little off track. OK, a lot off track ... I do sincerely wish those going a good time. I just won't be one of them. So I'll continue to hide on my little suburban street away from the hustle and bustle of Godly traffic. At least I have air conditioning ;)