“Exploring life through fiction, together.”

What does it take to change your mind? What are your unshakable beliefs?

I used to work with some guys who believed the earth was flat. They were lovely blokes, and we got on great until flat earth came up. Then, I had my facts and logic; they had theirs. And if I’m being honest, I would never believe them, no matter what they said. 

Fiction Bite - Fuck Jesus

Have you ever been at a party and someone walks in looking perfect? Not a hair out of place, or a pore misaligned. With clothes that flatter and look comfortable all at the same time. Then you look down at your ogre toes and clammy hands. You feel your troll shoulders hunch further over as you go hide in the shame corner for the rest of the evening.

Yeah, me neither…

What if hell was like that? Perfect good beaming down on you, illuminating every tiny misdemeanour and casting them into building sized shadows visible to everyone. Wouldn’t that be, well, hellish.

Except. Except those who cast no shadow. You recognise some. Sure, they might have been pretty good, but you know they weren’t perfect. Still, no dark deeds haunt their steps. They just reflect the perfect light of God. That burning, fault finding, awful glow. They found Jesus, you hear, and he forgave them. Fuck Jesus, you say and hide in the shame corner, watching your past shadow-dance on the walls. Laughing at you. Condemning you. Fuck Jesus, you say, why would I need that?

This riff is based on an idea from Love Wins by Rob Bell, which has a very different take on heaven and hell. I think it is worth reading, whatever your beliefs, just for the thought experiment.

Quote of the Week

'That voice didn't have logic on its side, but it didn't need to. It had good lungs and just outscreamed logic.' — Steven King, Everything's Eventual

Book of the month

The Carbon Almanac edited by Seth Godin

This is probably the most important book I’ve read all year, potentially all decade. Hundreds of volunteers came together to craft a thorough picture of the climate crisis and where we could go from here. I thought I knew the scale of the problem, but I was very wrong. And yet, I was also wrong about how many people are already working to make a difference. It’s a sobering, troubling read about a sobering, troubling issue and one we need to tackle soon or it will become inevitable.

I think you need to read this book. Better yet, buy two copies and give one to a friend. I can’t fix climate change on my own, but together we have a chance.

Final Words

I keep looping back to the same question. What would it take to change my mind? About food, about religion, about consumerism, about parenting? And I can't find a good answer. So now I’m not sure if I’m really open to hearing the other sides of the arguments, or if I’m simply declaring my views as The Truth.

What’s one of your deep beliefs? What would it take to change your mind? Would you be willing to hit reply? It’d make my day to hear from you.

With Love,

Josiah

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