Note: With the Coronavirus raging about, it was inevitable that apocalyptic rumors would circulate on social media, and they have, which prompted me to pull this one out of the archives…

Dear God,

Hi! I just have a few questions that I hope you can answer. I know you’re really busy lately, what with the Far Right losing its collective mind and all those Toyota recalls, but I’m a little concerned. It seems that every month or so we have yet another organization-slash-cult screeching that you are about to smite us once again even though there hasn’t been any Serious Smiting since… well, ever since people had more than one news source in town.

Still, I realize that The Good Book (an annual bestseller on Amazon!) does make reference to potential retribution, especially that Old Testament business with all the fire and brimstone and begetting. (It’s a really long book. Do you think maybe a lot of people never read the second part? Or any of it?) So of course I want to stay in everyone’s good graces, especially those with a Smite Remote-Control Device. Perhaps you can help me out with some issues that perplex me…

1. The memos that I didn’t get.

Granted, I can be a slacker at times, not always checking fresh items in my various inboxes in an expedient manner, but I eventually get around to everything. And I don’t have any missives detailing an impending cleansing of the planet. Since I’ve always made an effort to stay on top of current events, constantly researching this and perusing that, one would think that I would have gotten a whiff of something important like “Armageddon’s a Comin’ This Saturday!” But apparently I didn’t get the promotional package, and I’m not sure why.

I’ve checked all of the settings for all of my email accounts, even the secret profile I have on yummyguyz.com. I don’t have anyone blocked, and there’s nothing in any of my spam folders concerning a mass migration upwards, so I’m a little confused. What’s going on with this rapture business? Why have only certain people been made aware of this event, and why are these special folks usually poorly-dressed beings exhibiting bad hygiene, poor social skills, and a clear lack of medication? Please advise.

2. The travel restrictions.

How many carry-ons are we allowed? I have a lot of personal inventory that I really cherish, even though I did get the memo about how material things are basically insignificant in the long run. Do we need anything along the lines of a passport, or is leading a life devoid of hatefulness and racism good enough to get me past those people with cattle prods at the Pearly Security Gates? I would think so. Then again, it hasn’t escaped my attention that many people on this planet are somehow allowed to be complete bigots and insufferable idiots yet they still get high-paying jobs as Fox News analysts.

And can we bring our pets? Because I’m not really sure that I want to go anywhere without them. I mean, I’m fairly certain that they are innocent and untainted by the sins of mankind, since all they usually want out of life is to be loved and offered a tasty treat now and then. Well, except for the one standoffish cat, who insists on doing things that I don’t understand. Then again, I clearly shouldn’t be judging someone who was born with a different orientation than mine. That’s just wrong. I’m not sure why so many people down here are unable to grasp that concept.

3. The accommodations.

I’m sure that you’ve probably worked this out, being all-knowing and stuff, but I am a little concerned about my future digs. Is there enough space for all my worldly goods, those things I shouldn’t covet but I still do? I’m asking from a purely professional standpoint because, as I’m sure you’re aware, I’m a blogger. This means I need lots of electronic equipment surrounding me as I comment on the society that I don’t actually participate in. I’m assuming that you still want me to carry on with this endeavor, although at a slightly higher elevation.

Or do we even have jobs in Heaven? I hadn’t really thought about that angle. Perhaps there’s no need for occupations, thus eliminating the justifications that certain people use to stigmatize other people who follow a different career path simply because life hasn’t been as easy for them as for The Stigmatizers. That sounds really swell. I don’t know why we haven’t fully adopted that philosophy Here on Earth. Maybe because some people aren’t happy unless they can feel superior to other people for dumbass reasons that are based on ignorance and unjustified self-worship.

Still, I really like blogging. Are we allowed to have hobbies?

4. The couture.

I’ve reviewed the brochure, and I feel it my duty to point out that I don’t look particularly fetching in outfits fashioned out of bed sheets, all toga-style and such. This might seem a bit superficial, but since you’ve graced me with gayness, it’s only natural that I seek clothing more befitting of a style-conscious cloud dweller. I thought you’d understand. And you do realize that we don’t wear white after Labor Day, yes? Please have your staff send a revised brochure for the rainbow people.

5. The bit about the repetition.

I realize that you have a lot on your plate, what with so many countries on this planet run by extremists who apparently lost all concept of reality the very second that they shot out of the womb, but I do have a slight quibble to air. Could you maybe talk to some of your flock and explain to them that just because they are confused and troubled in their own lives, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the Complete and Total End of the World is Nigh? Perhaps I’m being a bit forward, but really, do we actually need this Fox News-inspired fire drill every other week?

Of course, I fully understand that people need to be aware that their individual actions have repercussions. I’m all for that, and I will happily testify as a friend of the court, should the need arise. But the part I don’t understand is when, exactly, did the responsibility of due-process transfer from your Home Office to various self-proclaimed branch subsidiaries here on the planet? I thought I was only supposed to answer to You. If that’s still the case, could you please send a broadcast email to the people on your “Certified Wacko” distribution list that they need to cease and desist? I would appreciate it.

6. Those lingering, outstanding credit card bills.

Do we still have to pay these things once we’ve been transported? I would assume that such earthly concerns are no longer relevant once we are on the Guest List for the Higher-Plane nightclub. But this whole “transcendence” business has me a bit perplexed, as I’ve tried to do the right thing all my life, with varying degrees of success. But I keep running into obstructions thrown up by cretins who use your biblical documentation as a weapon instead of a more-sensible everyone-is-equal roadmap, which is what I take it to be.

So I must admit that I don’t really understand the bylaws of Redemption. I thought I did, but people I don’t even know keep insisting that they are much more informed on how I should live my life than I am. And they keep pointing to The Bible as justification for their intrusions. Am I missing something? I thought the judging was left up to You. Or possibly some type of Celestial Review Committee. (I know that you are very busy and might have to delegate from time to time, fully understandable, as that’s the corporate model these days.)

Still, it would be really swell if I knew that I could max out my credit cards just prior to my (hopefully) Personal Ascension, and that this maxing effort would not adversely affect Those Left Behind who really shouldn’t have been left. Because we know the “whoops, we missed a few” scenario is going to happen, with people who should be ascending not ascending because there’s far too much bureaucracy in our nation and somebody forgets to file the right paperwork to get the good deed done. (Just ask a Veteran, yes?) I want to release every cent of my meager wealth out into the world and hope that everybody wins in the end, a concept that some Republicans could never grasp.

7. The social nuances.

Will I still be able to follow my life-long, self-imposed guidelines of not talking to idiots and fools whenever possible? I know that you love everyone, but I have not yet reached that level of forgiveness and enlightenment. Will the intentionally-insipid people live in their own special quarters, with warning signs placed in highly-visible locations so that one does not accidentally wander into their compound? This is something I must know before I sign any waivers or agreements.

I realize that this may not seem Christ-like in your eyes, but, if we’re going to be honest in our dialogue, which we should be (all the good psychotherapists say so), then I shouldn’t shy away from speaking my mind. I fully understand that there is a certain percentage of stupid people who will be given boarding passes for the Astro-Jet of Ascension. And that’s fine. Stupidity, by itself, is not necessarily a Mark of The Devil.

You can be benignly stupid and yet still be the sweetest person on Earth. It’s the aggressively stupid people who willfully become fervent followers of the Amoral Minority (previously known as the Moral Majority in certain circles where the members of said circles clearly did not understand basic math principles). When your stupidity galvanizes you to work feverishly at denying the rights of others, then your stupidity becomes a liability, and you have to answer for such.

Granted, I’m not on the Celestial Selection Committee, or I would have received my Indoctrination Packet by now. Still, I’m hoping that you have spent some time contemplating the righteous as well as the un-righteous candidates in the Stupidity Pool. I’m sure You’ll do the right thing. But if I may be so bold, may I remind You that You have been Omniscient for untold eons, relaxing and rejoicing amongst Your flock, a flock that doesn’t have any voting rights and therefore can be ignored when they speak of doing things that irritate or annoy you.

I’m still down here on Your experimental planet, where the Stupids still manage to gather in enough numbers to enact legislation that dehumanizes humans who are different. So my feelings about them are a bit more raw, and I haven’t had millions of years to study the Art of Forgiveness. My bitterness is still pungent.

8. The animal sacrifice thing.

We’ve moved beyond that, right?

9. The ecological impact of Gabriel blowing his trumpet.

I’m hoping you’re just parsing the people, not the planet. Because the beautiful bits of nature are not responsible for the disastrous actions of vicious, short-sighted, soul-rotted people who just want to make a buck. Let the majestic mountains remain grand and let the tiny flowers spring forth in the smallest cracks.

I realize that the salvation of souls probably has more of an interest factor for You, considering Your occupation and all, but I’d just like to go on record as one of the Green People who are saddened daily by the actions of others in regards to our planet. (And by the use of the term “our”, I’m not implying ownership of said orb, only that I cherish said orb.) This might seem rather forward of me, but when you did that whole “40 Days of Rain” thing and flooded the planet, it destroyed a lot of completely innocent infrastructure. (It wasn’t the trees, and the flowers, and the animals who didn’t win the lottery to board the Ark, that were doing the sinning, right? But they had to pay the price during the extensive precipitation.) Perhaps we shouldn’t go down that road again? Just sayin.

10. The Do-Over option.

Would you mind terribly if I opted out this time? Not that I don’t want to be there, but the part of me that is actually gracious and hope-filled and truly concerned about decency and justice… that part of me wants to stay and see what you do with those people who do NOT have those qualities, yet claim to be acting on Your behalf. There is a world of difference between claiming to be godly and actually being so. Just as there is a difference in sinning, between those who have simply stumbled and fallen and tried to get back up, and those who have tripped others and then walked over their backs.

So, yes, I think I’d like to be here for the Big Reveal, as the trumpet fades. I want to approach these people on the deserted streets, the folks who tried to beat me down with their twisted interpretations of scripture, their blaspheming of what was truly intended, and their naked, obvious hatred for anyone who is different or doesn’t agree with them. And I want to watch the expressions on their horrified faces as they realize that they had it all wrong, all this time. And then I will ask them to join me at the abandoned Starbucks down the street, where we can make our own coffee and maybe, finally, just talk as equals…

I know this is small of me, this lukewarm revenge. I am small. But I’m trying to learn. I’ll catch up with you on the next go-around. Thanks for the invite. Peace.

Previously published. Slight changes made.

For those of you who might not be particularly pleased with the particular slant I gave this one, focusing on one religion, here’s a snippet of comment conversation from the prior sharing of this post:

Gobblefunkist: And what about the people who are not Christians? Is there some kind of reservation for them? Or are they sent to the netherlands below just because they chose to call God by another name, or not call God at all? Should we pack light? Or perhaps not pack at all considering we are going into the fire?

Me: I did hesitate with re-posting this one, for the very reasons you mention. Spirituality is, and should be, a very personal process, so for me to fumble my way around with it is a risky endeavor. I realize I geared this somewhat toward Christianity, what with the biblical references and all, but I was hoping the various points, when taken from a broader view, would generalize things across the board. (My own beliefs are not fully represented here, intentionally.) I may have failed with this little adventure, but it sounds like you and I might have adjoining seats on the train to wherever we’re going…

Gobblefunkist: I need the aisle seat, for easy access to the toilet 🙂
And yes, your reference to Christianity is merely symbolic. Throw in “Hinduism” and you are not wrong.
No, you didn’t fail one bit.

End trans.

See how easy it is to have a conversation with someone who has had a different life experience than you? Have one today!

If only the Trump Administration had a clue about such…

Cheers.