DeSwiss said,

@ Recovering Catholic

The only “weight” that this book was written to help reduce, isn’t on one’s hips but the weight found in their wallets. What a piece of piffle. As for the weight-loss mantra offered here, it appears to be the same message I’ve heard so many times before and is a central thesis and the most important feature…. when one is brainwashing.

First, the idea that one is “powerless” must be established. You’re not going to make a very good sheeple if you can solve you own problems, because then what does that leave for religion to do? So by getting one to believe an idea of valuelessness through constant repetition of that idea — and to do so along side others, reinforces the idea until it is finally accepted by many. And it is made all the easier to accept one’s diminished worth if their friends and family are saying they aren’t any better off.

The next step is to plant the idea that the only one that can cure your ills, be it a weight problem, cancer or halitosis — is THE LORD. This then focuses your attention away from yourself as a potential source for the resolution of your problems and puts it in the hands of his intermediaries. Who of course extract a fee for this service in the form of a “voluntary donation.” And which is tax deductible. They try to make it as painless as possible, but don’t be fooled. Because if you don’t “donate something” you’ll never be one of them.

Critical in it all, is the use of specific tag lines or words, such as: “I cannot control” - “let go” - “surrender” - “love” - “care” - “will” and “relax.” As you can see, its a formula which uses the carrot and the stick. The sweet words of letting go is the recipe that enables one to get that love and care. And its so relaxing when god takes over your life. You can cruise the rest of the way. All you have to do is not think, shut up and do as you’re told. See? Its simple. But then they keep the stick around to used in order to remind you that you don’t control anything anyway. God does the controlling and if you forget this, a whack with the stick serves as a reminder about whose in charge. You never did control anything. And never will control anything, because its THE LORD who controls it all. And as usual, god gets all the accolades for saving you from yourself, but none of the responsibility for having made you that way in the first place. That’s either your fault or the devil’s. You, bad. Devil, bad. God, good. So why not surrender already?

Of course when the diet doesn’t help you shed the pounds, it still won’t be THE LORD’S fault, but yours. Apparently in addition to being fat, you’re also deceptive and a liar. But then we’re flawed from birth, remember? So you’re no doubt cheating on god behind his back with Snickers and Doritos. Oh, and a Diet Coke to wash it all down. And if somehow you can convince others that you’ve been faithful to god and his diet plan and its not you, then its just another case of god moving in one of his “mysterious ways.” Obviously he wants you to be fat for some reason that our little minds just can’t fathom. And by way of example, one might be reminded of deceased preacher Jerry Falwell as an example of when god loves you even when you’re fat. And stupid.

One point that I found interesting is that the prayer went well beyond nutritional advice immediately, when it has you repeat the negative idea of one not being able to “control my weight and my life.” Here, they’ve sucked you into buying the book because of a weight problem and immediately they go for the big prize, they want “your life” too. Interestingly, the fact is that it is totally possible that the woman gushing over losing 15 pounds could actually do that with prayer, if she really believes that god is doing it. Because she may be providing herself the necessary mental groundwork through suggestion, which is then unconsciously translated into her altering her behavior and eating patterns.

On the other hand, I’ve also seen how they pray in the holiness and sanctified churches too. And believe me they don’t just sit around on their asses or have those cushy kneelers like in some churches while doing it either. There’s a lot of jumping around and sweat involved. And whooping and hollering about Jesus. Handkerchiefs and Kleenex are needed. Clothes often get torn, and are definitely in need dry cleaning after its all over. So maybe this is the weight-loss praying method she used too. Aerobic prayers.

And you raise an extremely interesting point about people being viewed as mature enough to have kids own homes and such, but can’t seem to make simple decisions without an invisible sky-buddy to help. It makes one wonder how it is that children services decisions made by welfare agencies, social workers and family court judges — where they often give the nod and favor to people who’re religious — so that they can become foster parents. Or when church organizations receive government funds for children services for dependent and neglected children. And yet these same agencies, social workers and judges never question the idea that if they’re so responsible, if these people should be favored to provide guidance and direction in these children’s lives, then why do they have to talk to imaginary entities in order to resolve the issues of their own everyday life problems?

The courts would never accept the testimony of a scientist testifying about DNA evidence if he also said that god directed or help him/her to achieve the results during the process. Or if a finger print CSI worker said that god showed him/her where to look to find the evidence, or testified: “I swear your Honor, it was just smudges when I looked at it at first. And then, right before my very eyes, it was a miracle!!! O.J.’s fingerprints showed up on the bloody knife!” They would be laughed out of court and into mandatory psychological evaluation.

Now about these “feelings” of sadness you say that you have for these folks — I’ll just say that I understand and I used to be the same way. But that was before George W. Bush and the world got such a good seat in the handbasket that we’re in right now. Just remember that these people are not benign. They’re like Kudzu, a clingy vine that grows around here in the South that will choke the life out of any plant that it comes in contact with. And its almost impossible to kill. I’ve tried, believe me. So look around you now. See how the world is in turmoil. It is religionists who’ve caused most of this. And there’s no getting around it. I often hear people say that liberal Christians aren’t responsible for Bush and all the war and death that we see. But I call bullshit on that idea. They’re part of the same problem when they won’t stand up and tell the world that these religious wingnut provocateurs and advancers of hate and bigotry, and holders of the dream of Armageddon — aren’t the one’s responsible. If not them, then who?

Christians indeed come in all stripes, but at the end of the day they essentially believe the same thing. And until they began violating their own religious edicts and stopped “rendering unto to Caesar that which is Caesar’s” I had no problem with their little beliefs. Not anymore. So I say yep, Bush, his wars, his treachery, his bigotry, and his disdain for freedom and civil liberty is all yours. He got into office with their support and help and so I. BLAME. THEM. All the dead children, all the dead sons and daughters, all the dead and mutilated women in Iraq and Afghanistan – all that is theirs because none of it would’ve have happened in my view, if there had been a moderately competent President in office. Their responsibility then comes either through acts of commission, or omission. A failure to stand up for the so-called truth of their beliefs that advances love, compassion and acceptance. They can’t be like god and only take credit for what they believe is the good stuff, and then dump all the rest of this crap on the infidels and non-believers. No, this is all them. So don’t feel that sorry for them. Because I can almost guarantee that if you’re an atheist, or if you’re simply one who questions the storyline that they put out — they don’t feel sorry for you.

However, on a side note, I am a pie lover in the extreme. Apple, peach, chocolate, pecan chess, yum, yum, yum. And so I totally see the relevancy and need for pies. And if prayer is a required ingredient before one makes them, then I say so be it. Just so I get my pies. Lots of them.

Mmmmmmm……. pie. :-)

Theresa said,

P. S. I like pie to!

Recovering Catholic said,

Theresa,

You know what changes things? Not prayer, but getting off your duff and DOING something! Go to a soup kitchen and feed the people who need food. Work at the homeless shelter and fold blankets for people who need them. Volunteer at a battered women’s shelter and take care of their children so they can take care of themselves. I have done all of these things, and I think that, instead of giving these people your pity prayers you should give them your blood, sweat and tears. THAT is what we are here for. To make life better for others. So, go and tell all of those other people praying around you to get off their knees and DO something. THAT will get you brownie points for your idea of heaven any day!