Americans need a new religion

[Ian_rd]

Since the ascension of the radical right fundamentalists into the highest echelons of political power, our national character has been free falling into the deepest, most wretched depths of immorality. This religion, which is held by millions of Americans, is one of greed, violence, and hatred on an awesome scale and is affecting scores of innocent human beings around the world with unprecedented suffering and death. This religion preaches that the poor are lazy and deserve to starve, that the sick can fend for themselves, that the accumulation of wealth and power is the most noble of enterprises, and that the slaughter and oppression of innocent people is justified in the pursuit of total domination.

Rational argument and common sense by thinking individuals have proven to be ineffective bulwarks against this irresistible march toward evil. Therefore, only a new and opposing religion can be relied upon to fight this trend and hopefully restore our nation to its former place as the most respected and admired in the world. If L. Ron Hubbard can invent a religion, then so can we.

All modern religions need a prophet. Otherwise, we would never know what our God demands of us. So our prophet must be different than the wealthy, violent prophet of the current American religion. Our prophet should be poor. Better yet, proud to be poor, while encouraging others to give up their unneeded wealth to help others as a means to better themselves. Our prophet should preach peace and condemn violence, even in the face of danger. Our prophet must tell us that the most important lesson of all is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our prophet must teach us that healing the sick and feeding the poor is the path to righteousness, and forging peace from war is so noble that those who do shall be considered children of God. And our prophet should preach courage in these beliefs, saying that anyone who is persecuted for the new faith shall know the kingdom of heaven as their home.

This will take some fleshing out, of course, but I think it's off to a good start. First thing's first. How about a name for our prophet? I once worked construction with a latino guy named Jesus (hey-soos). I always thought that was a cool name. But just to make it different from current names, we could pronounce it "jee-zus" instead. He really needs a title too. "Prophet Jesus" isn't bad, but maybe it should be something like "The Anointed One." "Jesus, the Anointed One" - Doesn't it just pop? It's a bit long though. There might be a single French or Greek word that means "the anointed one." I'll have to look it up.

[whistle]

1. See the made for TV mini series from 1993 "Wild Palms"

<snip>
This miniseries is a brilliant and rather bizarre mix of cyberpunk sci-fi, film noir intrigue, and weird expressionism. The world of tomorrow that we see is interesting because despite being the year 2007 there really isn't any sense of time. The decade seems to be a strange yet beautiful mix of 1950-60's America, modern day, and futuristic world of tomorrow. This world is candy for the eyes as you observe exotic locations, bright colors painted, bright cars, and others.

It has weird expressionism that serves to both throw us off balance and serve as irony for the story. From a rhinoceroses that always appears a lot, Christian symbolism, Japanese and Chinese mythology and culture, a church which has nothing but white walls and phrases which looks more like a cleaned out art museum, palm trees, and even certain things the characters say to each other that has a double meaning to it. It truly brings out a world where you both can't trust your own perception and people. Also it's world of tomorrow premise is believable and looks like it can actually happen. From witnessing how the technology works and it's rapid advancement from a video camera which can display with 100% accuracy certain moments in your life to taking some kind of hallucinogenic drug that can make you actually interact with the images and touch them. Obviously this was inspired by the rise of VR and holographic technology in the 90's. It's true that they may have disappeared right now but they were stepping stones to the technology we have right now. And when you think of the quality of picture DVD produces, platinum TVs, audio and visual equipment, how we make movies and TV today with the help of Computer technology, and video games that are now beginning to look and feel more real. We are actually coming close where fantasy is starting to look like actual reality.

The credit should also be handed to the cast who help make what we see possible. From Jim Belushi whom has actually put in a great performance as an ordinary man. It's a shame he doesn't do this role nearly enough it just seems to suit him well. But he plays it with an actually believability. He reflects some of what we feel in this show, wanting to know what it going on and struggling to make everything right. Kim Cattrall is sweet as a mysterious romantic interest as well as slight foil to Harry's marriage. And Robert Loggia as an overloading head of the corporation is great at playing a character that is ruthless and has a nasty temper that is just scary, very similar to his bad guy character in Lost Highway.

This is a Willium Gibson like story where the story is constantly thought provoking that it can actually be easy to get confused and lost, where you would have to see this miniseries more than once to catch what you missed. It displays themes of the blurry line between reality and fantasy, religious and political corruption, media manipulation, and the trouble with technological advance and it's seductive hold of people.
<more>

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106175/

[bryant69]

2. Is it out on DVD?

But for another wierd Directionless Sci Fi Movei that is pretty interesting desptie it all, check out Alphaville.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[whistle]

10. I rented Wild Palms from Blockbuster about 12 years ago on VHS

...it was interesting at the time. Here is a link:

"Wild Palms" (1993) (mini)
Directed by
Kathryn Bigelow
Keith Gordon
(more)

Writing credits
Bruce Wagner

Genre: Drama / Mystery / Thriller / Sci-Fi (more)

Plot Outline: A multi-national corporation attempts to take over America while small pockets of resistance hold out against rampant technology. (more) (view trailer)

User Comments: Isn't that what the future is? A cyst? (more)

User Rating: 7.3/10 (482 votes)

Cast overview, first billed only:

James Belushi .... Harry Wyckoff

Dana Delany .... Grace Wyckoff

Robert Loggia .... Sen. Anton Kreutzer

Kim Cattrall .... Paige Katz

Angie Dickinson .... Josie Ito

Ernie Hudson .... Tommy Lazlo

Bebe Neuwirth .... Tabba Schwartzkopf

Nick Mancuso .... Tully Woiwode
Charles Hallahan .... Gavin Whitehope
Robert Morse .... Chap Starfall
David Warner .... Eli Levitt

Ben Savage .... Coty Wyckoff
Bob Gunton .... Dr. Tobias Schenkl

Brad Dourif .... Chickie Levitt

Aaron Michael Metchik .... Peter
(more)

Runtime: 300 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Color
Sound Mix: Stereo
Certification: Finland:K-16

Trivia: Cameo: author (more)

Goofs: Revealing mistakes: The rear-view mirror in Harry's corvette appears and disappears from scene to scene. (more)

Quotes: Grace Wyckoff: Oh my God, Harry! Do you know how much it *hurts* to be *shot* in the chest? (more)

Awards: Nominated for Emmy. Another 3 nominations (more)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106175/

[mmonk]

4. posted wrong

[jdlh8894]

3. "All modern religions need a prophet"

To "Whom" should we turn our faith to? David Koresh? Jim Jones? George Bush? I for one don't need a "prophet" who will lead me to my demise.

[caledesi]

5. I think that there are a lot of people on DU who are "humanists"

Just a great philosophy of life...no supernatural beings.

I consider myself one now.

Check out this site: www.humanist.org to find out more.

[ourbluenation]

6. If I were anything I'd be a bahai. But I don't believe in super natural

beings so I'm not. But that's a good religion, as far as religions go, imo.

[focusfan]

7. Why do we even need religion?

maybe I`m stupid I just don`t see the need

[dkofos]

8. I would prefer no religion at all

[Marnieworld]

9. just "imagine"

It's easy if you try.

:hi:

[nemo137]

11. subtle, friend.

I agree.

[BlooInBloo]

12. yah - THAT'S what Americans need - more idiocy. Sheesh.