As I observe the inmates around me, I can’t help but think that religion is for those who need it the most. I’m not trying to create controversy or imply that I don’t need God in my life—I do—it’s just that some of the most religious people I have known have done some very heinous crimes. Yet, I try not to sit in judgment of others. Maybe that’s why I don’t like talking about religion. Why should I impose my views on others? Too much arguing and fighting comes from discussions of faith.I remember attending a Department of Corrections training session in Lansing. I can’t recall exactly what we were being trained for, but I do know that they had jelly-filled donuts, bagels and cream cheese, and juice and coffee, and you were to help yourself at any given time during the presentation. When I had arrived, I recognized a prison athletic director from another facility. I’d seen a much younger version of him on the television playing basketball for Michigan State University. He’d been quite the college partygoer, but I had heard that he gave up drinking and took to the Lord. I often wonder whether it had anything to do with his NBA dreams never materializing.
As I sat down next to him, he offered me a religious pamphlet and said, “Peace be with you.” I looked at him. I looked at the pamphlet. I looked at the sweat rolling off my glass of orange juice and, without much thought, decided to use the pamphlet as a makeshift coaster. I didn’t mean to offend him, really, I didn’t. But I also didn’t feel it was the appropriate time and place for his offering.
Same goes for the inmates. I try not to undermine their faith, or make a big deal out of it. It's a fine line. There are always one or two deeply religious convicts that want to rope me into their theology. I often wonder where their core beliefs were when they decided to rape God’s children. What type of faith did they have when they firebombed a home full of people? What made them sit in judgment the day they put a gun to the back of someone’s head and pulled the trigger? I’m sorry, but there are too many inmates that’ll use religion to focus on what they think are your weaknesses, when they really should be looking inward at themselves.
Instead of engaging prisoners in conversations about religion, instead of arguing the Bible, I’ve learned to say the following: “Did you know that ‘God’ spells ‘dog’ backwards?” It shuts them up every time. They leave me alone. They think I’m a heathen.
21 comments:
There's not capital "G" in dog.
JR I could not agree with you more. I had a class one hot summer semester at MCCC (many moons ago) and I had a professor argue some of the same points you are currently making. He was quite the professor and he embodied the freedom of speech. Everything and anything could be discussed in his classroom and it was, freely. I was just wondering
if professor irwin corey knows him, or if he's still teaching?
Great post. Oh, I also would have to agree with the professor. There is no capital G in dog. MW
JIm, What a wonderful photo of me. When you look at the photo from far away, I look like an angel with Jesus looking over me. :) Don't know where you came up with that photo but I was around 2 months old. I agree with you that I don't like to talk much about my religion but agree everyone has their freedom of speech. I probably would have used the brochure as a fan to keep me cool. I'm sure you get everything in all forms of religion.... --Bro, Ron
Well, it takes one to know one. I, too, am a heathen. Yes, I have beliefs, but I don't Bible thump and try to pawn them off on other people. No brochure passing out here! I do think some people need the big R-Religion in their lives for whatever reason. But I don't want it palmed off on me. Donnetta
I agree 100% with you. and who knew your brother was here? does he blog too? why won't he 'come out' and show himself? Cute pic- :)
Yep, another heathen here, JR. I always thought of churches as being like hospitals -- the sick of body go to hospitals and the sick of soul go to churches... both are needed in their way, but I'll avoid both thank you very much.
I've noticed the same thing, Jim, that the ones who evangelize the most are the ones who need it the most. My uncle who was an evangelical preacher years ago was also a shoe salesman and drug dealer before he started selling Jesus, so, he already knew how to work a crowd.
Great post, Jim. Makes me think of Flannery O'Connor's Misfit, the inmates.
How can your brother be an only child?
You remind me of a well-known quote by Martin Luther, something like: "Sin boldly...but trust more boldly still in the mercy of Jesus Christ." Until recently,I only knew the quote by its first two words. I suspect many of the inmates have lived both ends of that dictum.
Thumprints, I am sure you figured out that I am a Christian by now. I have the same feelings you do about the "in your face" kind of religious people. I hate when people try to "convert" others with words. Actions speak so much louder than words. At some point I figured out that there is a difference between being a Christian and being religious. If you figure out the difference you have all the answers you need.
one of th emost ugly discussions and debates i hate is about religion :)
Though its so true,Religions are sometimes part of big crimes just like what happened here 7 yrs ago.The gad poisoning on subway at Tokyo.
Up to now,the hearing is not yet over!duh!!
Now I know why you work in a prison.
Queer.
Your point about how some people should look inward before looking outward to identify another person's faults is very well taken. Man, I wish people would listen to that advice.
Gotta read the story of Marjoe Goertner, a preacher since age eight who found, later, unto himself, that the whole thing was a shell game.
The "Charismatic" types seem to have no supervision at all from above, and they sometimes go the way of plain mischief just because they are so pumped up...And nobody's watching them. Cf Jim and Tammy Bakker.
What was ever wrong with the established religions?--At least there was a sense of continuity, a hieararchy, and you didn't need to scream in tongues.
Be what your parents were, I say.
Ivan
My mom always said never to talk about religion or politics....these are choices you make for yourself and now one's opinion matter in this but your own.
I also don't like ppl giving me pamphlets or tell me that I will go to hell because I do not believe like they do(this actually happened, and o I was also called a Satanist trailer trash, cause I am goth, shame hard living with blind folds but anywhoo). We all do what is right for ourselves. What gets me is that somehow religion gives a person the right to think they are superior to other...it is sad...
So true what you say about where was religion when they committed crimes....ghee JR I d not know how you do it. You are truly a great man:)
Great post. Whenever there's a controversial execution approaching, inevitably it's pointed out that the inmate has embraced religion and the gospel. I can't help wondering why they didn't find it before they killed someone. It would have worked out better for all involved.
Well, your title got my attention LOL
Interesting post. Since I'm neither wise or angelic and certainly don't understand why things happen the way they do, I decided never to judge. I simply don't have the wisdom to understand. And, still I cannot help but judge any person who could hurt a child so much. I say, lock him up, throw away the key. and part of me wants the monster dead.
I read through about 10 of your posts last night, but blogger2 gave me grief when I tried to comment, so today I will just leave one today!
I read a book once about a fellow who worked in a prison. He said that he stepped out of 'his' world and into 'their' world the moment he drove thru the gates. Very interesting & an interesting blog you have here.
Living in the South, I am acclimated to folks professing their religion on me. Some come with respect & others are almost offensive with their propoganda. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense.
JR,
I find you and your blog refreshingly authentic. I agree. There is no greater waste of time than talking religion. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, Tom, I drop by your blog, and sometimes you talk about Christ.” True, but actually, I know how you feel on this topic. Frankly I click right on by that channel with all the preachers all day every day. Most of them just ring hollow and “false” to me. Sometimes it seems like “religion” is a pyramid scheme with a bunch of zealots trying to get us in their “down line” to impress God. I don’t think God is impressed.
Christ himself met lots of people who wanted to talk “religion,” and even He pointed out its futility. Self-righteousness was one of His pet peeves. Think of the kind of people he hung-out with. He was not pushy-—not even to the thief on the cross beside Him. Like that thief, some of your inmates' conversions may be real-—some may be a charade for the parole board. Time will tell.
Some people label themselves as heathen or “healed,” pagan on “pure,” but we're all broken people in a fallen world in need of a fix. Christ claimed to be that fix. Some people believe that-—some don’t. But the cool thing about truth is it's not up for a vote and doesn’t need any “flim-flam” salesmen.
I'm just talking to a fellow blogger as a friend. I appreciate the respectful tone you've shown here on this topic, and I agree with many of your observations.
You are a gifted writer. I think one of the things that makes great writers is their quest for meaning and the ability to see the truly perplexed and fallen nature of man. To varying degrees, a prison is a microcosm of the heart of man when good choices do not suppress the evil there. Keep observing and writing...and I’ll keep dropping by.
BTW, you look like your grandfather.
Love those old black and white photos
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