Sermonizing

A month or so ago, the church down the way started broadcasting the service inside the sanctuary to the outside world via loudspeaker. I've tried to spot the thing during my drive-bys. I pictured one like they had on M.A.S.H. I checked the top of the dwarf lighthouse in front of the church but it only houses a beacon of blue light (bulb) for the weary traveler.

It's a fire and brimstone kind of a place where the preacher yells and the women may not wear pants (to church). Our family attended a service once. We were warned about our attire. We never went back. They are only a few steps behind the fundamentalist church who stands out on the curb at Walmart to subject our children's eyes to aborted fetuses of "whores". In the name of Jesus.

So, it's no secret that I don't like this place or the group of people it hosts. The poor fellow pictured above is not associated with the church in question but he did show up in a weekly circular a few days ago. He has the Bible open on his lap and he's pointing. It's his own fault he made it into my blog entry.

A couple of weeks ago, Joe told me the people down the road were having domestic squabbles. He said he'd heard Ol' Dude (which is what we call men whose names we do not know) raking Chickyboomboom (female version) over the coals. He couldn't understand his words, only his tone. He said he felt bad for her because she must have really F'd up.

This evening we sat on the porch. When the weather changes, we spend a great deal of time out front. We like to rock in the chairs and drink adult beverages there. It's our hang out and we were hanging. And that is when we heard him. We both cocked our heads and listened for a few moments. Then we had our revelation.

Joe's abusive husband was my fire and brimstone preacher. My husband has never really had much experience with church. He went a few times as a small child and then attended for a time with a girlfriend but that's it. I find it incredibly interesting he perceived the sermon from that loudspeaker as an angry fight. I find it ironic they've most likely begun this broadcasting effort to win souls for Christ yet the unchurched only hear some angry Ol' Dude whippin' his Chickyboomboom's ass.

I'd planned to look into the noise ordinance and see what could be done about squashing their loudspeaker. But now that I think about it, I don't think I will. I think they are best left to their own devices. I think people will get the message loud and clear.

***Thank Michelle for whipping me into a religious frenzy over her Godspell post.

***Thank you, Michelle :o)