#abby and religion

[hcneymooners]

i know this might be controversial, but enough is enough.

as someone who grew up in the rigidity—and, at times, oppressive nature—of roman catholicism, i am so tired of the religious!reader trope where they’re portrayed as so innocent they’re practically a child. we were not innocent. we knew the names of our bodies, the weight of shame, and the crushing complexity of guilt. i knew that my vagina was a vagina.

the sheer amount of extremely innocent!religious!reader fics is unsettling. they turn the reader into this caricature—wide-eyed, naive, almost infantilized, complete with pigtails and an oversized cross necklace perfect for a porn video thumbnail.

for me—and for a lot of other lesbians i’ve bonded with over religious trauma—it was never about innocence. it was about guilt. guilt over pleasure, guilt over sin, and all the ways we punished ourselves for being human.

we weren’t these overgrown children teetering around in purity. we were messy, complicated, and burdened by shame in ways that were far more nuanced than these portrayals ever capture. enough, please.

[purpleshadow-star]

It's Valentines Day but it's also Ash Wednesday so uhh... some headcanons about that second thing.

Tilda wasn't super religious, but she'd drag Aaron to church every so often when he was growing up

After Tilda, Aaron doesn't actively practice religion much, but he'll do some things like get ashes on Ash Wednesday and observe lent

Nicky and Renee go to get their ashes together every year with a silent Aaron grumpily tagging along

They go in the morning after morning work out, but before their classes start, so once afternoon practice is over, they all end up with just a smudge of black on their foreheads

After living with Aaron and Nicky and a few other Christian households over the years, Andrew has gotten into the habit of not eating meat on Fridays during lent

Abby is also Christian, but she doesn't go to Church much and gets her ashes at a separate time than the Foxes

During lent, Abby will sometimes invite the Foxes over to her house for a seafood dinner on Fridays

Abby doesn't usually give anything up for lent, but Renee, Nicky and Aaron do

The girls' last year before they graduate, Renee gives up sweets for lent, and Andrew makes sure to eat twice the amount of candy around her just to be annoying

Nicky gives up alcohol and complains at least five times a day (and almost gives in on some particularly hard nights), but he manages to make it to the end without giving in

Andrew suggests that Aaron give up Katelyn for lent during a joint session with Bee, and he is not amused

Aaron ends up giving up video games, and he complains about it just as much as Nicky complains about the alcohol, but he also makes it to the end without giving in

Andrew walks into practice on Ash Wednesday and tells Wymack in a deadpan voice that he gave up exy for lent so he can't play. Wymack knows Andrew doesn't observe lent and makes him change out with everyone else, but Neil cracks up at the incredulous look Wymack has for the second before he calls Andrew out on it and that makes the extra lap (that Andrew doesn't actually do) worth it to Andrew

Neil makes a joke about Andrew giving up ice cream even though he knows Andrew doesn't officially observe lent, and Andrew doesn't talk to him for five hours out of spite

[texaschainsawmascara]

American Teenager - Ethel Cain / Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

[vvynia]

i hope everyone who sees the posts this week are not only educated, but weep. i hope you bawl and curl into yourself as you witness families be torn apart; as you witness happy people be coerced into depression and suicidal ideation; as you see children stare blankly into a void, covered in the debris of their own homes.

anyone who knows me likely knows i’m a christian. for all my fellow christians out there who stand with israel because they are “God’s promised people,” i hope you understand that today’s israel is not the same as the bible’s israel. i also hope you understand that we do not love the same God if you continue to believe such a lie.

i do not love a God who ordains the slaughter, erasure, and sorrow of an innocent multitude.

so while you cry and feel wrought pain that is but a ninety-five percent dilution of the millions of palestinians who are directly impacted by israel’s crimes, i hope you are motivated to reach out to your representatives, donate, click, anything.

and for anyone still posting content within the tlou community right now, may you feel harrowing guilt and see the error of your ways.

[ioannemos]

some jackass (who really should know better by now bc of all the true crime stories he's read about high-risk lifestyles like prostitution leaving people vulnerable) while reading a true crime story about a different jackass who murdered multiple women who were prostituting themselves (usually to pay for the hardcore drugs their boyfriends got them on): sex work should be legal tho :/ isn't it proven that legalizing it makes it safer?

me, who has seen the Receipts that what he just said is 100% wrong but can also follow basic logic:

[pantheresssy]

i wrote in five minutes a leatherface!ellie and thinking about making it a thing

[abbygrabska]

Don’t worry one time I was literally just walking my dog and someone invited me to church just out of the blue..like I was walking her in my subdivision, and they RAN out of their house to come and talk to me

it’s like they can sense something. 😀

no, cause like they were in the parking lot of the stop and shop(that's where the bus stop is) and I said to myself, they look like they're with the church. then they came up from behind like twenty minutes later and I said "if I give you money will you leave me alone?" I felt so bad cause what if they were Mormon? we need to show them the world isn't as awful as the church makes them believe it is so they can leave and find actual happiness outside of the cult that is organized religion

[tinyreviews]

Took a peek at the plot of the book. I think this movie improved upon the book, adding more layers and tweaking the beats.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. is a 2023 American coming-of-age period comedy-drama film produced, written for the screen, and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig. It is based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. The film stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the title character, along with Rachel McAdams, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates.

[joe-england]

The Most Atrocious Anti-Abortion Propaganda Movie

There’s a lot of fact checking in this video that contributes to the discussion around abortion.  Recommended!

[jewish-microwave-laser]

i mean debby freidman alone has sung about every song in the book (that book being siddur), almost all of which mentions jerusalem and even longing for building the second temple. fully automated luxury kosher space kibbutz also does this. chabad religion sing hashkiveinu and lkha dodi (batya levine does lkha dodi as well). daniel kahn has multiple songs about how shitty both pro- and anti-israel advocates can be, as do schmekel (thinking specifically about "maybe she's shomer negiah" and "homotaschen")

a theater production of fiddler on the roof is currently being antisemitically targeted by protestors identifying as pro-palestinian in england (one of many sources x) (i wish the children of avraham/ibrahim in england are able to find peace soon b'ezras hashem)

abby stein is a founder of rabbis for ceasefire who want peace between israelis and palestinians, not for the israeli state to be wiped out, which i know a lot of people will get mad about

you cannot divorce adam sandler's zionism from his art, especially not his jewish art, especially especially not when his jewish art includes a bunch of flags for medinas yisrael

and nonny, idfk what the hell you were expecting from the chosen, a jewish novel about the history of jews in the 1940s released, famously in the lead-up to the six day war, written by the director of camp ramah and also studied in israel (as many jewish academics do) and was also the child of jewish refugees from poland. look me in the eyes and tell me genuinely that you're surprised a jewish historical fiction novel, that takes place at the time when the state of israel was founded, talks about jewish conversations around the founding of the state of israel. and you're not allowed to laugh

you don't get to burn judaism or jewish art of its ties to eretz and medinas yisrael and hold up the ashes triumphantly and say you've finally found an unblemished, pure, unproblematic judaism. jews have been longing for jerusalem and eretz yisrael since the first exile. get over it

also, anon, if you seriously cannot handle judaism's ties to eretz/medinas/am/krov israel SO MUCH that you can't even write the word??? just give up completely, you're never gonna be satisfied. also reminder that if you'll only listen to the voices of a minority who agree with you and never challenge your opinions, you're simply not an ally. you're just in it to make yourself feel better

do you have any recommendations for jewish media (movies, tv shows, books, etc) that isnt painfully zionist? it doesnt even have to be explicitly anti-zionist (although that would be preferred, just hard to find) , just ANYTHING that doesnt bend over backwards to shove isr**l down your throat. i just watched 'the chosen' (1987) for the first time (i know i know im late) and am so disappointed.

Hey anon. There are many pieces of media I can think of!

Music:

Daniel Kahn Batya Levine I don't think Debbie Friedman has any Zionist songs (if anyone can confirm this that would be great)

Chabad Religion; Yes, Chabad is Zionist but even if the band members are Chabad (which I don't know at all) it's more of a play on words/reference to the band Bad Religion and nothing more.

Fully Automated Luxury Kosher Space Kibbutz; I know the word kibbutz is in there but that's the only thing about this group that can be interpreted as Zionist (imo the reference to a kibbutz is not an endorsement of Zionism but just a neutral reference to it)

I don't think Schmeckel has any Zionist songs. There is a line in their song Maybe She's Shomer Negiah "But we didn't shake hands when I said 'chag sameach' / 'cause she's keepin' it Kosher like Shmuley Boteach" but I don't think it's an endorsement of the Shmuley Boteach.

Movies:

There's the classic Fiddler on the Roof; Sholem Aleichem (who wrote the short stories the movie is based on) was a Zionist and there's a part at the end of the movie that can be interpreted as endorsing Zionism but it's a very minor part of the plot.

The Rabbi's Cat

Yentl

Arranged

An American Pickle

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah; the synagogue where it takes place has Israeli flags and yes I know Adam Sandler is a Zionist but as far as Zionism in the actual movie it's just the flags.

Sixty Six

Keeping Up With the Steins

TV Shows:

The Rugrats is famous for being the first cartoon to have Hannakah and Passover episodes

Hey Arnold has an episode where one of the characters (Harold) has a Bar Mitzvah. There's other episodes that reference Harold's Jewishness but this is the only one where it's a major part of the plot.

As Told by Ginger has a Hannakah episode

Lizzie McGuire has an episode where on of the characters (Gordo) has a Bar Mitzvah

Arthur has a Yom Kippur episode

Muppet Babies has a Hannakah episode

Elena of Avalor has a Hannakah episode

Books:

I rarely finish books but I can say that I did finish Becoming Eve, which is Abby Stein's memoir and it's great

If anyone else has any other recommendations please either tell me in the replies or the reblogs

[erin-gilberts]

I feel like the true test of whether or not you really understand a character is if you can come up with something believable that they'd name their baby - or themselves.

(I'm over here trying to figure out what a Jewish convert Erin's Hebrew name would be and it is a test of how well I understand her lol)

[billysjoel]

MIDNIGHT MASS: THE ART OF HORROR by Abbie Bernstein

Religion, I believe, is one of the ways we attempt to answer the two Great Questions that ache within us all: “how shall we live,” and “what happens when we die.” I don’t know the answer to the second question, but Midnight Mass has, over the years, helped me at least begin to answer the first. [...] As far as I can tell, though, the second question only matters in how it affects the first. - Mike Flanagan

[texaschainsawmascara]

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

[themightyacilius]

Tweets of the Week: 26 March- 1 April 2023

Cranky Federalist reminds us of the Golden Rule: As Jesus said, the most important thing in any crisis is to be the first to use it to own people on the internet— Cranky Federalist (@CrankyFed) March 28, 2023 Mind of Marisa tells a sad story: My sister became a vegetarian about 5 years ago and she’s really changed. It’s like I’ve never seen herbivore— Marisa! (@mindofmarisa) February 11,…

[vifilms]

NSFW EIGHTEEN+

all i seem to think about lately is religious!abby who grew up in a church all her life, always been told she needs to be with a man, marry one, build a life with one — owen in particular is who she’s been told to have. the arranged marriage she was basically grown into. 

in her early twenties, yet has she had the opportunity to be with another. a promise to her father, with the cross-necklace laying on her chest, she’s dedicated to being celibate until marriage. a pact practically bound by the blood of virgin mary, she believes in the sacred bond she has through faith with her god and savior, jesus christ. funnily enough, it’s the words she utters as you corner her in the bathroom. well…not so much as cornered, not with those curious blue eyes begging for something, anything to unburden her from the life abby feels trapped in. even if she knows it goes against everything she’s been taught, she doesn’t stop you from snaking your hand up her sunshine sunday dress, bright blue as it bring out her eyes, never leaving your actions. at first, your fingers only running along her folds, teasing the era until she’s dripping for you. there isn’t a doubt in your mind she’s never felt anything like this. 

the gold cross pendant a pawn in her mouth as if the only purpose it’s ever served is to be a prop until the cadence revealed itself. the truth of religion can be found on the tips of your fingers, the delicate touches on abby’s clit. abby lets her mind wander into the altar, the communion she takes, you’ll be the sin she begs for forgiveness next. seeping into her body like the blood pumping through her veins, the lone reason for her existence was for you. no god could compare to this, the trembling of her thighs, the moans she whispered in hopes not even her savior from above could hear her. 

is god really the way, the truth, and the light if she sees heaven through your eyes? 

“this is what you wanted isn’t it? someone to save you from the chains you call religion? let me set you free.” without a second more wasted, your tongue laps at her pussy, enjoying the way she can barely hold herself up. letting you claim something now has had the privilege of venturing. she would be shunned, ostracized from society if anyone knew the truth. 

truthfully, it’s an easy task. the angelic blonde so deprived of another’s touch she slithers in the hands of a snake, tasting the forbidden fruit for the first time. it’s quick, overwhelming when she comes undone, spilling her sweet nectar into your lips, hips moving uncontrollably as she fucks your face. knuckles bearing the color of winter snow, clutching onto her dress that rests at her toned abdomen as you swallow every last drop. 

stepping away from her, you grab a washcloth, running it under warm water, abby unable to move. impending doom washes over her guilty, and now sinful, heart. this never should have happened, the voice in her head repeats, the path of self righteousness was supposed to be hers but now she finds herself acquainted with the sinner and the snake, straying from the life of a discipline and discipleship. 

“hold your pretty dress for me. can’t get it wet, can we?” abby lifts her dress, clutching it as the warm wash rag gently cleans her, she feels your fingers dip inside her slightly, thorough as you clean up her cum. 

“i should get back out there.” abby shyly whispers. “my dad will be looking for me…and owen.” 

“right.” you toss the used rag on the countertop, “just one more thing.” 

with a passion laced in your tongue, you steal her breath away, lips locking either her pinky, pouting ones. abby can only assume the salty but even sweeter taste is her. whimpering as you squeeze her small tits through the pale blue dress, abby can’t help but grind against your legs between her legs, aching for something more. this time, you deny her of what she so desperately needs. 

“come and find me when you’re ready for a real fuck, princess.”

[agentnico]

Knock at the Cabin (2023) Review

Ronald Weasley really has gone downhill since his days learning magic at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. Knocking on people’s cabins Jehovah’s witness style and talking about prophecies. What a wacko! 

Plot:  While vacationing at a remote cabin in the woods, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand they make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. Confused, scared and with limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.

I actually really like M. Night Shyamalan as a director. It’s quite rare these days to have a Hollywood person that hasn’t been a part of or involved in any major controversy or misconduct allegations. Shyamalan’s main problem at times is his actual filmmaking skill, such as The Last Airbender and whatever the fudge was happening in The Happening. But overall, he’s just a lovely little chap who loves making movies (and even funds most of them himself!), and even with his worst ones you never are bored. So let’s all just give some love to M. Night Shyamalamalamadingdong! 

So, what kinds of plot twist that Shyamalan is known for has he cooked up in Knock at the Cabin? Well, the twist is that actually there is no twist. This is a pretty straightforward thriller that offers up a philosophical question, one that there are only two possible outcomes to, and obviously the movie settles for one of those outcomes. You have these four home invaders, who turn out not to be invaders, instead asking their hostages to make a choice to sacrifice one of themselves to stop the incoming apocalypse. Immediately the biblical imagery is there, with the four invaders acting as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The movie then proceeds to question constantly if these four individuals are telling the truth or are some mentally deranged psychos. The philosophical premise is an intriguing one, and makes the audience beg the question - what would you do if you were stuck in this situation and were asked to kill one of your own family members in favour of letting the rest of humanity survive? And even though all the events are contrived to this one cabin in the woods (not to be mistaken with the 2012 film The Cabin in the Woods), unlike the recent The Whale which did feel like a stage play, Knock at the Cabin does have that cinematic flare, with Shyamalan managing to use cinematography in creative ways to keep up the tension as the doomsday clock slowly ticks closer to midnight. 

A lot of reviews have raved about this too, and I must admit that this film is a showcase of Dave Bautista’s acting chops, showing that he’s trying to break away from his WWE past and actually prove that he’s taken the performing craft seriously. Since other WWE alumni-turned-actors haven’t managed to really become successful dramatic performers. Dwayne Johnson does just play Dwayne Johnson in every movie he’s in. John Cena is a very funny man, and is great in Peacemaker, but one wouldn’t call him a refined actor just yet. Dave Bautista has been very tactical with his film role choices, ranging from his appearances in Blade Runner 2049 (and the accompanying short film 2048: Nowhere to Run in which Bautista probably shows the most emotion in his entire filmography), Spectre, Army of the Dead, Dune and Glass Onion. Like those movies or hate them, one must admit that Bautista is trying his best to take on roles that will challenge him as an actor and allow him to branch out his skills more. With Knock at the Cabin this really comes full circle, as the narrative rests on his teddy-Hulk shoulders, as he guides the characters through everything that needs to happen. There’s also an irony that even though he has this big-man presence, he can also believably portray someone who is very gentle and kind, and in the movie it’s mentioned that he’s a primary school teacher and you can believe it. I’m not saying Bautista’s performance is Oscar worthy or anything of the sort, but it does show that he has indeed stepped away from WWE completely and has embraced his dramaturg self. 

Aside from Bautista, other actors of this ensemble all do well with what they got. The other invaders played by Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quin and Rupert Grint (yep, ginger Ron from Harry Potter) all come off at first as these intimading baddies who have just broken into this lovely family’s home. However within minutes it puts us in the position of liking these invaders despite their actions, and in an unsettling way, making us want to believe in what they are doing, and, at the same time, hoping that somehow they will be shown the error of their ways. As for the family, Jonathan Groff has the more reserved quite kindness to him, whilst Ben Aldridge is more like the eyes of the viewer determined to want to know what the f*** is going on. Also the little daughter played by newcomer Kristen Cui who is obsessed with grasshoppers for some reason (typical Shyamalan including random character traits that aren’t ever addressed again) - again another child actor that shows a lot of promise, especially with managing to give a believable enough performance at her age whilst being on a busy film set.

The most disappointing aspect of the movie is that there is no real twist, however that isn’t really a judgement to the film itself, but more so our expectation of Shyamalan due to his track record. That being said, his last film Old didn’t have a twist either. Then again with Old there couldn’t really be a twist as half of that movie was just a big pile of foreshadowing. Anyway, Knock at the Cabin offers little scares and is more so focused on bringing out the psychological horror of the situation. And depending on your opinion of the matter you either will be satisfied or dissatisfied by the ending, however that is entirely to personal preference. Overall though it’s a pretty timid Shyamalan outing, and one that, though enjoyable, is really a one-time watch and then forget about it. Bautista is indeed good in it, and Ron Weasley is kind of just there.

Overall score: 5/10