Mini-Rant

[pasithea]

I am SO fucking sick of seeing student films that have an end credit that says, PRAISE TO GOD especially when they're a project worked on by a group of a dozen people and the school isn't a religious institution. You know it was just the fuckwad doing the end credits who stuck that in there and their classmates were just too polite to say anything.

If I'm ever in a position to vote on any animation competitions, that will get them an automatic fail. That bugs me. All the other people who worked hard on something getting a fail because of a a few asshats. Also, I know there are lots of people who will give them EXTRA points for being so pious. If you said, PRAISE THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER they'd likely react the way I am and take offense and silently ding the piece for it.

You know, from that point of view, it's a credit that makes sense too. Most judges tend to be old obnoxious religious asshats, and everyone wants to WIN and even if there is a liberal judge, liberals are more likely to forgive your asshattery because we'd rather not think ourselves intolerant. (and in truth, after I got over being irked, I'd probably only ding them a little for it because I'd rather NOT be like conservatives)

By contrast, conservatives revel in the glory of being intolerant. Not to mention, since it doesn't offend them, they'd probably not even notice their own reaction, just nod approvingly and go on. ISo putting that credit in there helps you WIN. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain by adding it. Hurray. :/ Isn't it nice to be reminded that you'll always be on the losing side just because you're inclined to play fair and because you're a minority?

Comments

[paka.livejournal.com]

Man, I hate that bullshit. Humanity's attempt to understand and touch the divine is a big, epic, important thing. It is not supposed to get you more business as a plumber, it's not there to sell more paintings, it's not supposed to help you meet girls. It's bumper-sticker-theology at it's worst.

I very much like the idea of spirituality and religion being a personal and private thing. I've seen this sort of Praise-to-God stuff and it seems so pushy and impersonal. But then pushy, impersonal, and nepotistic seem to be the defining characteristics of Christianity in America.

There's gotta be some word for the whole dynamic where left-leaning people basically screw themselves over by being true to their values, whereas right-leaning people have no such compunctions.

[centauress.livejournal.com]

Of course, Christian fanatics often say that putting such in their films hurts then in the liberal school system.

[voidheart.livejournal.com]

NOFX put it best in the song "Now We're the One Hundred Times Fucked-er". Not a musical masterpiece, the singing's off a bit (it's punk, what do you expect heh), but the message is exactly that we are idiots for playing by civilized rules when they don't. Personally I came to grips with the fact, a long time ago, that life is a social contract between people. 'I don't eat you, you don't eat me' is the foundation of that.

"We get what we fucking deserve
Bringing raised fists to a knife fight
You'd think developed minds would learn
Not to give benefit of doubt
You wouldn't trust a hungry animal
Around your newborn would you?"

In the end the best way for me to keep my head on straight has been to almost overwhelm folks with being a civil person when I meet them, then treat them the same way they treat me, only amplified. Love me, and I'm loyal to you to the end of time. Hate me, fine, I'll leave quietly since I might be the asshole at fault. But attack me, and I'll show you precisely what 'savage' really means. People act like people, you treat them better than you dream of being treated yourselves. But if they act like a rabid animal, put them down for the sake of everyone.

But to be honest that doesn't work right now, right here. Back where I was raised no male dared to take a complaint like that to the cops except when they were maimed. Here you'll lose everything if you dare respond to their hatred, since the assholes that spew spittle-laced epitaphs are oftentimes the first that will not accept the consequences of their actions and run to the nearest cop station. Can't tell you how much I chew on my own head trying to hold it in, knowing that one single slip-up means I go away.

I just want a spot in the world where people leave each other alone, or work together without hatred of differences. Pipe dream I know.

Anyway, back to the point, mark them down, give them a fail. Why? Well, to be frank, they chose to put that crap in there. Choices have consequences, something our society desperately tries to avoid at all costs. You gamble by making choices; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

As for your responses to the intolerant: it is no crime to defend yourself when someone attacks you. That is the literal basis of all life itself. Survival instinct. If you defend yourself against attack that doesn't make you bad or intolerant or any of the other hated phrases and labels they spew. 'Turn the other cheek' is a lie created and passed down by those who would strike you again and again. By their very nature, i.e. bullying, the intolerant prey upon those they perceive weaker than themselves. Because they're cowards. They're too secure in the knowledge their victims won't strike back. Take away that security blanket.

To sum up, no, you're not a bad person for marking them down for their "bumper-sticker" religion (as Paka so eloquently put). They're not after spirituality, they're not after the Answer, they're just sniveling cowards trying to eke out an advantage in an underhanded way, demeaning the very concept they claim to support.

[yetanotherbob.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Time for me to be the devil's advocate. Because I'm an asshat at times. But a cute asshat.

What if they really meant it? What if, like thanking friends and family and pets, they want to thank their deity? It's possible that the others were okay with it. Bad analogy time: If one of my co-filmers' pet pekinese piddled on my leg, but the co-filmer really cares for the dog, should I raise an ire and demand that 'Precious' be stripped from the credits?

Do we have examples of the FSM in the credits, or more importantly, censored from the credits? Is there any study on the ratings of films and the religions of those involved? Is there a survey on the students, to see their views on the end credits? Do we know which god it is? Perhaps they're jewish. Or hindu.

I understand the anger directed at this, but I want to caution against, in reviling the fanatics, we ourselves become their reflection. Especially with the slippery slopes of straw men and universal judgments.

[gomezkitty.livejournal.com]

id like to thank the flying Spagetti monster, for this car icon.

http://www.rof.com/product_p/2290-pq.htm