Great convention speech, Mike. You really nailed it. Now, take a well-earned break and curl up with a good book (no women, though – you have standards to maintain). Here’s one I’d recommend. Warning: it’s full of violence and bloodshed, but there are other parts, too. My favorite part is this one.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Kind of says it all, doesn’t it? I mean, any supernatural being (the Lord character) trying to claim the moral high-ground kind of has to denounce arrogance and lying (it’s really amazing, though, how often this guy denounces lying – he/she/other must really hate liars). Shedding innocent blood also is a no-brainer. What supreme being worth his salt would be good with, oh I don’t know, one-hundred-thousand, two, maybe three-hundred-thousand or more innocent deaths? Wicked schemes (like with foreign powers I’m guessing) and blind support for someone with evil intent – both easy additions to the list. And then we’re back to liars (I told you, didn’t I?). The part about stirring up conflict in the community (I think they mean nation) is kind of obvious, but I guess it’s obligatory in such a list.
So, tell me, Mikey, pretty neat, huh? Yeah, most of it is something no adult would have to be told, but seeing it all in one, clear, concise, and powerful list is special. What daya think?
There’s other good parts, stuff like not judging others and being wary of liars in sheep's clothing. One part I don’t understand, though. It’s something about people being hungry or thirsty or naked and this supernatural being actually wants you to give them – just give them – food and drink and clothing. He also drones on about how doing that to them is the same as doing it to him. But then, he says not it doing to them is not doing it to him. I just don’t get this part. What do you think it means, Mike?
Oh, and if you read far enough, you get into really wild stuff, like people following a liar (again with the lying – I know, huh?) and wearing his mark on their foreheads. (probably some kind of hat).
Anyway Mikey, I just thought you might like this book. Try it sometime. (Maybe you could even start some kind of book club to discuss it with your buds – no women, though — remember.)