Talk to the Goat
Nice to juxtapose the religion post with Crown Royal slurping. I think that there was meaning there as well...ways to soothe yourself? addictive substances? something...
I just think it's fitting for an agnostic to post about religion gearing up towards Easter.
Today's deep thinking consists mainly of: mmm, grapes.
And I really do mean that. Grapes may be the perfect food. So sweet, and yet, fruit! Mmm fruity goodness.
a few similarities between that and the gap post. funny. the comment about snobby church [snobby store was previously mentioned, i believe] and the elitedness of it all.
grapes are good. but not the ones with seeds.
mangoes juices taste funny, but make me think about mangoe on snl ["mangoe! mangoe! mangoe!" as he slapped his silvery bottom...].
My humans have been reading that book again and think if the Gap had been around back in biblical times; and if Joseph would have been able to get that really cool, flashy coat there; that would have ruined that metaphor about the coat of many colors, wouldn't it have?
Interesting things inside there to decode like : the coat was a special gift from his dad, and became the reason his brothers rejected him.
I suppose you could create a modern version where his dad was a designer for the Gap, and his brothers were always drinking too much CR.
Turns out, as in other important works of literature, the Bible has quite a few drinking and clothes related metaphors. There are probably a few drinking and naked stories in there too if you read between the lines in stories like Sodom and Gomorrah.
my story is pretty much the same - developed a distaste for catholicism because of all the hypocrisy, realized that organized religion has given god a bad name, and i like to sleep on sundays. now i'm buddhist and really only worship on-star (the ever-present force up there which answers your prayers - or calls - and performs miracles, like unlocking your car when your keys are locked inside).
Blimey! You could have described my own household. I was married outside of the church but chose to baptize my children Catholic (more for my mum's sake than anyone else's). At my second son's baptism my husband and I renewed our vows in the church. When I told my mum she cried. She actually thought that because I was married outside of the church I was going to hell, despite the fact that my man and I are devoted to each other, faithful and in it for the long haul. That's the kind of thing about organised religion that just doesn't sit right with me!
ps. Are you absolutely sure there is no mention of Gap in the bible? If you use the bible code, I'm sure you could find it somewhere!
I was wondering what that GAP post was all about and I'm glad you explained. I always think people's religious beliefs make interesting reading.
I have just discovered the GAP! I know, where have I been? Goldendale Washington is where, they don't even have a clothing store there.
Anyway, I love meat, even on Friday, and I have had my fill of the Bible. Everytime you mention Billy Graham I get a tingly feeling in my belly.
I just thought it was funny that you wrote a metaphorical post, and people totally missed it. Although most people who shop at the GAP probably don't realize it's not an old company, it's been there for most of their lifetime.
The title did catch me off guard, thinking why whould somebody named The Goat write about the GAP? Good post, both times.
Aha! I was finally right about something. I knew all those random conclusions would get me on top eventually...
Why is it that all my favorite people are agnostic? Maybe I just like to surround myself with people of similar beliefs. Noone ever gets madder than when you start arguing religion with them.
Yeah I was kinda wondering where Gap fit in though I have heard that Jesus's tunic was bought at a Gap mud hut.
You guys are great.
Cal: I love the story of Joseph and his technicolor coat. When I was maybe 9, I went to see the Andrew Lloyd Weber play, starring none other than Donnie Osmond! That same summer, I put on my own production of the musical in my backyard. It was great. I'm sure God was proud (although Andrew would have hated it).
Phizz: that's pretty much where I stand. I think if people actually get something out of church, it's great. I also think that a lot of people go to church for the wrong reasons, and end up sitting there balancing their cheque books instead of praying.
Ms. Mac: my mother was at first "surprised" that I wouldn't be married in a church...despite the fact that I had long ago renounced the church. I tend to feel that love itself is the miracle, and that once you find it, you already have God's blessing. Plus, I think I felt closer to you know who with one foot in the ocean and the other in the sand than I would have in a creaky old building. But that's just me.
Genetic Mishap: As do I. I love reading about it, and learning about it (although I once took a religion class in Uni, and it ended up being about witchcraft. So, now I know how to cast spells using only a candle and the power of my mind. Neato)
Pink Me: every time Jason gets a new request for cash from Billy, I get a laughing feeling in my belly.
Moose: I have fond feelings for mooses (don't bother correcting me) of all kinds. My grandfather is a Moose, which means he gets cheap beer and a funny blazer. Anyhoo, yeah. Where was I going with this?
Rusty: even the wrongest person is right 47% of the time.
Mrs Mogul: I wouldn't be surprised.
Amen sistah! Grew up under the same conditions and while I continue to pray and love and follow what I believe to be right, I have yet to find a church or group where I actually fit in. Studying religion is really interesting for me and that's what I did to try and "find myself". Not find God or Jesus, they in my heart are with me, but I felt I needed to find me. And one day I said, "Hey, Lois, you're right here!" And that day I decided organized religion was just not my thing. I'm glad you wrote this post. I think there's lots of people out there who feel just like you do.
Lois Lane
Very cleverly done Jay! I didn't see it at all, until you explained it. And now of course, it seems clear.
Always a pleasure reading you. And enlightening as well. 
I tried the whole analogy thing recently too. Woosh.
Thanks for visiting my site - I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed stopping here.
I'm a die-hard Christian, sugar, though I find myself reconciling some of my own beliefs with that of the values and beliefs my family tried to instill in me. I lean more to Methodist practices, but that's more a matter of convenience than anything else. Greg's a Methodist so it became natural just to attend his services.
Thank you for the comment on yesterday's post. Yes, I do believe we have a strong friendship that only gets stronger everyday. You're one observant cookie, darling.
gotta disagree with you on this one, J- conservatives talk about 'standing in the GAP' an aweful lot. there must be something in the bible that would account for that.
nice post sequence btw- from nymphomania to alcoholica to spiritual sunrise. it's like the story of my hero, johnny cash!
My mom was raised Christian (she's not hardcore, but her siblings all are) and my dad was raised Buddhist.
Me, I've never been baptised or anything. I don't consider myself religious at all and that's just dandy with me : )
Yes, grapes = yum
"I went to a Catholic school, but for a brief period of time, there was one boy in my class who was different. He was Presbyterian. He was excused from class when read the Bible, learned prayers, or went to confession (did any of you actually read GAP catalogues in class?). He was a mystery to us until the day he left. We whispered to each other about him for weeks: sure, he went to church like did, but a different kind where they didn't take communion or believe in the same things."
When I read this passage in the GAP version, I noticed the whole religious overtones, but I just thought that you were making a joke abut the GAP being like a religion for some people. I totally didn't get that it was an actual metaphor for religion.
I know. We get so used to taking things so literally that we don't see what's right in front of our eyes.
I took an exam once, in writer's craft I think, and we had to analyze this short story about the person who first copyrighted the period, the comma, etc, and we all took it seriously. Our poor teacher was a wreck that none of us got that it was a joke. I wrote somewhere in my analysis that "it's almost funny" and my teacher was so desparate to not believe that I was an idiot, he gave me credit for me. Believe me, he was being a bit too kind. Right over my head.
I'm an atheist...
swear to god I AM!!!!
I really dont belive in either...
Organized Religion or The Gap
Excellent post! Its a pleasure reading your blog. You are a brave woman to mention Jesus in your blog. The last time I did that I got a bit of a judgemental comment from an obvious bible thumper...not that there is anything wrong with being a bible thumper. I, myself am a christian. But, I fancy myself as a very open minded christian/person
It's interesting how you say that you believe in God, but you don't believe in organised religion. I have the same point of view, which some might initially find weird since I am a Muslim. But contrary to popular Western belief, Islam is not an organised religion - it is a personal relationship with God, and it saddens me that there are Muslim's out there who use Islam's name wrongly to get what they want.
That is such a good picture of you. You should post photos of the new hairdo, if you look that good, I'm sure the hair will forgive you.
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