I would like to preface this entry by saying that I drive a car. However,
I refuse to bullshit myself about the consequences of that decision.

A few days ago, I found myself killing some time at a mall, so I
wandered into a religious gift shop for entertainment. Some of you
may know that I worked at a multi-faith TV network for ten years, so
I've been exposed to more religions than one person should be
legally be allowed to endure. Not much of it makes any sense to me
in a reality-based world, but hey, if people need some fantasy to be
distracted from their own mortality, fine. I just wish they would stop
using it as an excuse to be in denial about behaviour that affects the
rest of the living things on this planet. Here's a good example:

It'sThe Driver's Prayer, printed on the backside of this laminated card.
Now as far as I know, automobiles were invented after the Holy Bible
was assembled, so I have to assume that this is not an officially-
sanctioned verse directly from the mouth of god. And if there is a
supreme being that truly gives a damn about its creation, I doubt that
it would endorse such a prayer. The first couple of verses seem
harmless enough - a plea to an omnipotent entity, seeking the skill
and attentiveness that would prevent the maiming of small children
on the sidewalk. But it was the last verse that baked my noodle:

Please make me feel this car I drive

You gave me to enjoy,

and that its purpose is to serve mankind

not to destroy.

this is a spacerxxxxxxAmen.

By now we ought to be aware that everytime we start a car, some kid is
getting asthma, a polar bear is losing its habitat, or someone is being
maimed in Nigeria. Being responsible for any of the above doesn't seem
like Christian behaviour to me.

It's going to be very difficult for people to give up driving if they believe
that cars are a gift from god. Alternatively, they are going to be very
angry with god when god takes their gift of mobility away.

Barry