#i hope this anon is good faith and if not it's at least a message for everyone else

[plumbogs]

why is every single character of your lesbian au AMAB

probably good to clarify first here that they're not specifically transfem versions of existing characters. they're primarily afab (aside from tycho, who is an alien and probably intersex idc they're technically not part of the lesbian cast but are the kid of two of them, and phoebe who is a transwoman) in the canon

second to clarify that this is an anti-terf account, amab lesbians exist, and this story is Not for anyone who disagrees with that

[stil-lindigo]

okay so, not entirely sure what the last anon was on about (and it very well could be a troll just trying to bait. they really should have at least brought up what they meant if they wanted to appear in good faith), but it may be in relation to "drink up" and how it attracted terf attention on twitter? (which I know you addressed btw, so I hope this doesn't come across as an attack or anything)

personally, I think the phrase "our only natural predator" might have appealed to terf rhetoric just a little (but that's my opinion - I very well could be 100% wrong). I have my own personal feelings on the use of "natural" in the phrase (men don't naturally prey on women like animal predators do their prey - if anything, it's unnatural, deliberately chosen behavior - and it reminds me of the excuse that "it's just naturally how men are," like "boys will be boys." HOWEVER, I see how that phrasing ties into the "lioness/women turning it around and preying on the predator" theme, so honestly it works well there), but aside from all that, I can also see why it might've attracted terfs: bc they very often view and frame trans women as male predators to cis women. I know that's definitely not how you intended it though!!

and this also isn't meant as a nitpick to your work, so my apologies if that's how it comes across. I really like your art and your writing (and "drink up" has a very cool theme)! it's just that I can see how terfs might've interpreted it a certain way. it's not your fault that they viewed it like that though, and you've made it very clear you're NOT down with trans exclusionary BS. so that's literally the only thing I could see anon complaining about tbh, assuming they're not just being a troll. also I'm sorry for the super long message (I have an issue w/ typing too much smh). I just thought I'd share my thoughts on it in case it's at all helpful, but also this might just be annoying to read instead, so honestly feel free to just discard it if you prefer!

It’s not annoying at all anon, and I appreciate you taking the time to send this in. The comic you’re talking about is one I think back on with a lot of regret. It was made in a furious haze after a big time female streamer revealed that she was being mentally abused for years by her husband, where he would waste her hard earned money, threaten her dogs and her livelihood and overall be a monster to the woman who was their primary breadwinner. The reaction online to this information by her largely male audience was so genuinely vile and violently misogynistic that I made the comic, without thinking broadly about the implications you’ve already pointed out. In reality, the comic was meant to talk about how all women (cis and trans) suffer under the patriarchy and how the label of womanhood can often be an open call for baseless derision, dehumanisation and entitlement at many levels.

TERFS quickly co-opted the comic, and I’ll always regret ever giving them an opportunity to feel empowered and validated by my art, but I’ve learned from the experience overall to do better by my trans siblings. Thank you for engaging in good faith - I hope my behaviour now and in the future can make up for past mis-steps.

[dashing-disaster]

"Buck doesn't like basketball but basketball got him Tommy so it's actually a sweet gift" might be the most self centered arrogant take I've ever had to read - and in that, it makes perfect sense that that's the kind of logic Tommy, who constantly condescends and patronizes Buck, would use.

I see how the line can be interpreted that way if one doesn't like the ship, yeah. But it's not how I meant it and I think that comes across well enough in the rest of the post so I'm not too concerned about this.

Now, I wouldn't necessarily call Tommy condescending or patronising as that implies some degree of willfulness and his behaviour towards Buck up to the moment of breaking up is never deliberately unkind.

Quite the opposite, Tommy shows up for Buck, even if he has to go out of his way to do so, he compliments him, he takes care of him when he's hurt and he listens to him. Does he perhaps not always get it and is fondly exasperated? Absolutely. Just like Eddie, as we saw in the Halloween episode. Those two were on the same page about the curse there, but they still indulged Buck because they both love him.

Honestly, after 6 months the occasional eye-roll or 'sure honey' at your partner is a given because that person might be an idiot but they're your idiot.

That's not to say that Tommy isn't still a deeply flawed individual and that is unfortunately reflected in the way he handles conflict. There are two things specifically that form a pattern: Tommy assumes to know what other people (Buck) feel or think or how they will react in a situation and he runs from his problems. Both of those things are a defense mechanism and something people learn to do as a result of trauma.

Now, is it a healthy defense mechanism? Hell no! It's one that I'd advise anyone who detects these patterns in themselves to unpack with a therapist or, if that's not possible, at least be aware of the issues and try to find coping strategies to prevent self-sabotage.

Also let's be real, if it comes to unhealthy coping mechanisms he's found his people at the 118. Everyone at that station has had a go at those at some point I think. And thank God for that otherwise this show would be dreadfully boring.

And that's also where I would have loved to see more of this relationship. I'd have loved for Buck, who still has so little self-worth that he simply accepts it whenever someone leaves him, to fight for this relationship because they're both worth it. And at the same time with Tommy, who apparently would rather blow up a good thing without cause or reason just so he can be the one to control it, I would have loved for him to take that leap of faith and trust Buck.

It could have been a beautiful story about growth. I actually think it still can be, if the TV Gods are willing.

So, long story short, is Tommy arrogant, condescending, and patronising towards Buck? No. But he's not perfect either. He's a three-dimensional character with past trauma, fears, flaws, and many layers that we unfortunately only scratched the surface of.

And it's okay if you see things differently. It's okay if you don't like Tommy and your opinions and feelings about him are perfectly valid, just as mine.

Anyway, thank you for your message, anon, I hope you have a good day.

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

I've been struggling a lot with anxiety and depression about COVID. Only one person in my immediate family still regularly wears a mask, and even my friends and significant other don't often wear them. I feel like the most I've been able to do is continue to try to model good practice by masking most of the time, but I don't directly address the issue with anyone. I wonder sometimes if I should be distancing myself from friends and family that don't mask. I've felt really alone and hurt, because it seems like people don't care about making spaces safe for people who are immunocompromised. The most hope I get is from seeing people around me at the grocery store and on public transport who still mask. I've felt especially deep disappointment in the church, because I thought we were supposed to take care of each other and take care of those who society marginalizes, but so many people there have stopped masking too. I also feel a lot of anxiety that *I'm* not doing enough. Do you have any place you draw hope / comfort from when it comes to COVID issues? (I know this message is a lot of anxious thoughts, so no worries if you aren't able to respond.)

Ach anon, I'm sorry for the delay; this hits very close to home. I am with you in your frustration, your sense of isolation, your lament. This got really long, so my TL;DR is this prayer:

The Body of Christ has COVID.

The Body of Christ is immunocompromised.

Blessed are they who cannot go to church, because to do so would risk their health and lives, for God hears their grief; God holds them in their loneliness; God treasures their worship wherever it takes place.

Blessed are they who keep on masking — even when it feels useless, even when facing mockery or pressure — for theirs is the Kin-dom where the last are first, the oppressed are lifted high.

Blessed are they who mourn and rage against unjust systems, for they will be given the courage and strength they need to join God's revolution.

___

Now the long response. I feel your pain — especially your disappointment with faith communities that stopped requiring masks long ago — for so many of us (and it really is so many of us, even if distance and silence makes it easy for each person to feel like they're the only person hurt, the only person who gives a damn), that's been just the latest bead in a long string of disillusionment at human iterations of Church.

How indeed can we claim to follow the one who makes his home among those the world calls "least," when we fail the bare minimum steps at ensuring such people can at the very least enter our spaces without risking their health and lives??

It's a stark reminder that the Church as a human institution =/= the Body of Christ — and sadly, in fact, often makes itself hostile to that Body. We are called to prioritize, to center, to treat with greatest honor those parts of the Body that are most vulnerable (1 Cor 12).

It's no wonder so many of us end up seeking spiritual homes outside Church, when Church tends to center the very opposite kinds of people. Meanwhile, others stay, calling Church out for these failings and calling Church into a better way. (I personally find myself on a tightrope between those two options — taking frequent breaks from capital C Church to find spiritual nourishment beyond it, and to fuel myself to step back in and keep calling for that better way, as many times as it takes.)

___

I wish I had more comfort to offer, places I find encouragement. I'm definitely with you that seeing others masking out and about is huge balm to my soul. It's so easy to feel utterly alone in this, but we aren't! There are others who care, who are dong their small part, and it does matter!

...But mostly I just have shared lament — which is the soul's outcry that this is not how things are meant to be:

"[Lament is] an innate awareness that what is should not be. As if something is written on our hearts that tells us exactly what we are meant for, and whenever confronted with something contrary to this, we experience a crumbling. And in the rubble, we say, God, you promised. We ask, Why?" - Cole Arthur Riley, This Here Flesh

Make space for lament. Hold on to the truth that this really is not how things are meant to be, that God has promised something better — and that therefore, something better is coming! It is unfolding right now, every time one small person, one small community, chooses to believe that a better world is possible, and acts on that belief.

This truth in a better world is not shallow progressivism, the idea that the future will automatically be better than the past — we can look around and see how false that is! Assuming that things will just magically work themselves out lulls us into passivity.

No, this is a truth with teeth, with a loud voice, with feet and hands ready to join the Spirit's movement in making the arc of the universe bend towards justice, dammit, because it sure as hell won't bend that way by itself.

___

...Whoops, I'm rambling far beyond just masking lol— but the failure to keep masking seems like such a stark example of everything that is holding us back from justice that it's hard for me not to start thinking bigger!

When it comes to masking, you are doing your part. It's our wider communities that are failing — and I don't just mean individuals within those communities.

When I find my rage and despair about COVID directing itself towards individuals — whether that's churchgoers and colleagues, or close friends, or strangers I pass at the store — I try to remind myself that my anger and lament are better directed towards whole systems that are keeping us trapped in this horrific cycle of intentional ignorance or despair and isolation.

It's absolutely okay to feel hurt and frustrated by loved ones who don't hear us when we ask for their support. It does hurt! I wish it were easier to convince people to just wear a dang mask! And also, at some point we have to focus on what powers hold them captive, influencing their decision to go about their day as if COVID isn't still happening.

Why have people stopped masking — if they ever masked at all? Who profits when misinformation runs rampant? when people isolate for a couple days tops before heading back to work, still sick with a potentially disabling or deadly disease? when elderly and immunocompromised people, and people shoved away into nursing homes and prisons, and immigrants, etc. are left to die of COVID in private as everyone else goes about their day in a public with no room for such people?

And most of all, who profits when everyone feels so helpless about it all, resigned to COVID continuing far into the future, that they decide there's no point in them being the "only ones" to keep masking?

This isn't the post to carry on about those systems lol, but I do want to briefly name them so that no one can misinterpret what I'm saying into some conspiracy theory:

I'm talking about capitalism and fascism, about neoliberalism and nationalism and hyper-individualism. The systems that have allowed billionaires to become even richer during a global pandemic; that have allowed politicians to gain further control with an anti-vax agenda or by blaming one foreign entity or another for all our troubles; that have keep everyday people so exhausted and isolated and feeling so helpless that they don't have the time or energy to research fact over falsehood, or to take even small steps to protect themselves people they care about.

The failure to mask is a symptom — a major, deadly symptom, but just a symptom nevertheless — of the oppressive forces holding us all captive. I honestly don't know if remembering that just leads to more anger and grief, or whether it can motivate us to keep fighting those bigger evils. I think for me it depends on the day.

Sometimes I have a little despair session; I rant and rage against anyone and everything.

Then I pull myself out of that despair — or, more often, I allow someone to pull me out of it, with a suggestion for one tiny way I can make a change.

___

Sorry this is so long. Not sure how helpful it was, but I am with you, anon. I feel and respect all you are feeling.

And I'm so grateful for your continued masking, even when it feels like you're the only person left doing it — you're not, and it's not useless. Maybe someone who sees you masking will think about pulling a mask back on themselves; or even just that they're overdue for their next COVID booster. Maybe someone will see you and remember that some people do care about chronically ill people like them.

Keep on going; you are not alone. Solidarity forever <3

[clarabosswald]

I've been reading your posts about the Israel-Palestine issue and I'm messaging you without going on anon to show that I have a genuine desire to understand. You've said you don't support apartheid and you're not a zionist so I want to ask why you believe the issue is that complicated, and get your genuine response. I'm from Pakistan, a country created in the name of religious protection and it has been at the helm of several genocides and displacements to this day. I lived in South Africa where the settler population coexists after the abolition of apartheid. I'm now a settler in Canada and I support the fight for land back and the dissolution of the colonial state even as I reside in it because I would prefer to be welcomed on this land after Indigenous sovereignty has been returned. I am just curious if you really do feel such an attachment to Israel's existence knowing that from its conception it has been a settler colonial apartheid state. Certainly Netanyahu has worsened it but the ethnic cleansing, ghettoization, displacement, imprisonment without grounds, and torture of Palestinians has been ongoing for decades. I do believe that most people currently advocating for Palestine's liberation and the dissolution of Israel as a state don't want to kill or even displace all Israelis, there is just an understanding that Israel's existence depends on the subjugation of Palestinians. And as for Hamas, most people would not want Hamas as a governing body but Israel has backed all Palestinian resistance efforts especially peaceful ones into such a corner that at this point Hamas is like any violent resistance force such as the ones in Ireland, Algeria, Haiti, Vietnam or elsewhere. Would you disagree that the violence they enact is rooted in Israeli violence? Decades of brutal oppression can only lead to radicalization in this way. I hope that you will understand I'm genuinely trying to gain your perspective on these issues and not trying to attack you. This situation is personal to me because the loss of lives is heartbreaking and I've lived in so many countries where violence not only paints the history but the present and I wish we lived in a world where borders and militaries did not exist. But I've come to learn that unfortunately peace is often achieved when there is violent resistance to oppression.

I already sent follow up direct messages so I'm SO SORRY for spamming you but I guess I'm nervous about you misreading my tone since it's easy to do that online and people have attacked you regarding all this. I just want to reiterate I make no claims to knowing everything and certainly not to knowing you and your allegiances or politics. I can tell you care about people and that's why I want to have a genuine conversation, if you'll engage with me

hi - first of all, you seem to be coming with good faith and nowadays that's not obvious at all, so thank you for that

the first thing i want to address is that yes, i'm not a zionist. at the same time i've got no fucking idea what constitutes "zionism" in western eyes at this point in time. but i don't believe jewish people have got some super special holy right of "owning" israeli lands or whatever, just because they're jewish and it's the people's ~promised land~. that's zionism how i understand it. and i don't believe in that because i'm a secular (non-believing) jew.

"why you believe the issue is that complicated" is a question that on the one hand seems extremely weird to me, and on the other hand... really makes complete sense. i say that it's complicated because there are literally decades upon decades at the very least of history behind the events that started on october 7th. and i've found that westerners seem to be desperate for some easy-to-digest, eli-5 version of it. they want fairytale morality where they can say that one side is 100% good and the other side is 100% evil. they don't want to think, to have mental/moral struggles. i think it's... naive at best, to expect something that involves decades/centuries of history and millions upon millions of people, to be that simple.

"I am just curious if you really do feel such an attachment to Israel's existence" - because it's where i was born, where my family was born, where my friends were born, the only place i've ever lived in. it's my home. it's hot and humid, the people are often rude and inconsiderate, every time it rains there's a stupid amount of flooding in the streets... and it's the only home i've ever known. is that really that hard to understand?

"I do believe that most people currently advocating for Palestine's liberation and the dissolution of Israel as a state don't want to kill or even displace all Israelis" - you know, i believe so too. that's why it's so flabbergasting to see many of the same people repeat the speaking points of different organizations that for many years have called for exactly the killing/displacement of all israelis (or at least all the jewish ones). the absolute lack of critical thinking and source-checking is infuriating. or just... the general ignorance. 99% of the people who are involved in the recent protests have probably never even heard of hamas before october 7th. honestly, considering what i've seen and heard, some of them probably still are ignorant of its existence. for fuck's sake, i've seen people think that the gaza strip is the west bank because it's located to the west.

"And as for Hamas, most people would not want Hamas as a governing body but Israel has backed all Palestinian resistance efforts especially peaceful ones into such a corner that at this point Hamas is like any violent resistance force such as the ones in Ireland, Algeria, Haiti, Vietnam or elsewhere." - can you give examples to the most recent peaceful palestinian efforts? the most recent attempt at the peace process i can think of off the top of my head is the oslo accords... possibly camp david? and i assume i don't need to explain what those were and what happened after them? but i might be missing something more recent. your mentions of other locations in the world are an excellent shout because i do believe the israeli-palestinian conflict is nothing like them. i do believe it's a unique conflict in global terms. i do think the ongoing comparisons in the west to other historical conflicts is part of the same western attempts to simplify it and make it more palatable (?) to the western audience.

"Would you disagree that the violence they enact is rooted in Israeli violence?" - to be as thorough about it as i can? no, i don't, because this (arab-jewish tensions/clashes/violence in the region of palestina/palstine/israel) goes way before the state of israel was declared. at the same time i think this is infantilizing towards palestinians. neither side's violence is just reactionary or devoid of responsibility and choice.

"Decades of brutal oppression can only lead to radicalization in this way." - what's maddening to me about this specific argument point is that the exact same thing can be said of israelis in particular and jewish people worldwide in general. (my point being that i do not accept any kind of excuse for violence against civilians and innocents, anywhere.)

"This situation is personal to me because the loss of lives is heartbreaking and I've lived in so many countries where violence not only paints the history but the present" - i appreciate your sympathy and sense of personal connection. from my perspective i can tell that since october 7th i've had to start paying a lot less attention/ignoring western opinions, or i'd have gone mad weeks ago. (not just as a form of speech. i'm so thankful for going back to therapy a few months ago.) it probably started back when i started following the russian invasion of ukraine. i've seen western reactions to the suffering of the ukrainian people and there was something very... disconnected, about those reactions. i realized that you can't... just make someone understand what it's like to live under rocket/missle/drone fire. the sound of them hitting around you. or exploding overhead. feeling the shockwave hit your body while you hide in shelter and can only hope that the roulette won't land on you this time because it was, 100% directed at you and your family and friends, at civilians, openly and unapologetically. to live in war in your own home. it's the exact same now with the current war (which is far from being the first war i've lived through). i've reached the conclusion that the only opinion that really mattes is that of palestinians and israelis. the rest just cannot begin to comprehend.

"But I've come to learn that unfortunately peace is often achieved when there is violent resistance to oppression." - and after over 75 years of violence (if we're only counting since the establishment of israel, which, i repeat, is really not the starting point of any of this, neither is the current war since october 7th), where did that get us? what did that achieve?

to which i can segue to one of my main opinions: the whole reason this conflict has been going on for so long, and only gets worse, is because more importance is being given to the past than to the future. the heads of both israeli and palestinian leaderships are stuck in the past and up their own assholes (either alternatively or at the same time, it's a true biological miracle). the only thing that will truly make a change is when people will realize that the wheels can't be turned back and we can't replicate what used to be. the only way to create a sustainable and peaceful future for both israelis and palestinians would be to give up the glorification of the past. but to be clear, i'm well aware that i'm an idealist and the chances of my ideals actually happening are nonexistent.

this post is long enough as is but i want to touch on a few more points and attempt to paint a slightly more complete picture here.

the old yishuv (if you're interested, the hebrew version of this wiki article is a lot more comprehensive, and google translate should do a good enough job on it)

Expulsions and exoduses of Jews

Jewish exodus from the Muslim world

Mizrahi Jews in Israel

Ethiopian Jews in Israel

Arab citizens of Israel

The Hamas Networks in America: A Short History

fuck bibi, fuck ben gvir, fuck smotrich, fuck levin, fuck their coalition of religious nutjobs and rightwing extremists, fuck the west bank settlers, fuck jewish terrorism, fuck jewish supremacy.

[whumpshaped]

don't take this personally but i actually think disliking children as a group and like... being okay with that, is wrong. [notice i am -not- saying that not wanting to take care of kids is bad]. lots of people will support you in continuing to do that but the fact is that kids suffer every kind of oppression adults do in unique and extreme ways, and their childness specifically is used to harm and dehumanize them all the time. it's impossible to dislike a group of billions of people based on accurate information and i don't know why disdain for children in particular is so celebrated in our discourse. i know it wasn't that deep, you probably don't give a damn, this is a whump blog, etc but if i get laughed at my whole life for saying this i'll still never stop. it's up to you, just something to consider.

anon i promise you my opinion on my personal being around kids is more nuanced than a one paragraph reply i gave on why i dont WRITE kids. i did think about not replying, not because i don't give a damn, but because i don't want to go into detail on a bunch of personal stuff + i don't want to invite any sort of discourse if i can help it.

but i know you said this all in good faith, because no one who isn't passionate about wanting better lives for children would take the time to write me such a long anon message about it. and i'm sure youre very upset by the way in which society, authority, and legislation treats children. so i at least want to say that that frustration you have is valid, and i actually share it. i also wish the world treated children better in a myriad of ways. if you want to advocate for children, i think that's very noble, and anyone who laughs at you for it isn't worth your time.

i hope you're able to make the change in the world that you desire! or at least help us take steps towards it! and i hope you get to see the fruit of it too :)

[love-is-patient]

Do you believe God answers prayer?

How do you think he chooses who to answer?

So many faithful people suffer and die while praying. Watch children suffer and die.

How does God choose?

Isn't it really just all election? Who God loves for his own whimsical reasons?

If he made us all, why does he ignore the prayers of the faithful so very very often?

What value is there in prayer? Hasn't God already made up his mind? If not, how does he? Why choose some prayers from faithful people over other possibly even more faithful people?

What role does free will play in a game where God decided before he made you if you are worthy of his grace? Based on HOW he made you?

How does he choose among the faithful who's prayers are worthy of his infinite power and what role does free will play in that? Isn't it really about election only?

Why would God pick and choose favorites from among his children, and why does it seem random and unrelated to faith entirely?

Have you read Romans 9:20-24? It's entirely about election. God decided in advance.

Hi Anon, thank you for your questions.

While I am grateful for the opportunity to answer them, I must make a disclaimer. I am not a theologian, I am not an authority on the Bible. I am only human, so I have a limited point of view and I do get stuff wrong. But I believe in the good character of God, and so hopefully my answers will be able to show his character. These are important questions. On the subject of belief, a faith untested is not a faith that can be trusted. The fact that you thought to ask is important, no matter what side of the fence you land on.

I would like to condense some of your questions to the root, and answer them out of order for better clarity, if that's alright. At the end I'll put a TL;DR, though I do hope you read through my longer answers. Lets start with the classics.

1. Free Will, or Election?

A lot of your questions hinge on the presupposition that God has determined how everything will play out, implying that our actions (and prayers) don't matter. This paints God as a liar, a narcissist, and a tyrant. Why would anyone want to worship someone like that?

Thankfully, this is not the truth of God's character.

So many people seem to think that Predestination and Free Will are antithetical to one another, without considering the possibility that they can coexist.

Its true, some are predestined to be saved. In Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:5, there are direct quotes saying some were elected to be saved. What it does not say is that everyone else is predestined to hell. 2 Peter 3:9 states " The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "

I can think of no better example than the story of Jonah. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, a proud and wicked city in Assyria. Nineveh was rotten to the core, worshipping evil gods, doing all kinds of abominable things, and generally scaring the hell out of their neighbors.

For context, during the Bronze Age, Egypt, Babylon, Jerusalem, and all their surrounding cities and kingdoms were terrified of what was going on in Assyria. Nobody wanted to fight them.

Jonah certainly didn't want to go, but God was going to destroy Nineveh, and told him to warn the people.

If God was just going to destroy the city, why would he send a warning? Because he's malicious and gets off on scaring people? That doesn't sound right.

I argue that it's the good character of God to give people chances, and that's exactly what he did.

Long story short, Jonah ran away, God brought him back in the belly of a fish that spat him on the shore. Jonah gave a middling warning, he wanted nothing to do with these people. But the people of Nineveh heard the message loud and clear.

Quote Jonah 3:5  "The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth."

Fast forward to Jonah 10: " When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. "

The Ninevites were predetermined to destruction, but through their decision to repent, they were spared.

They had the free will to change! God doesn't want anyone to go to hell. Throughout the entire Bible God is repeatedly, patiently staying his hand when people ask to be spared, and extending it when people ask for help.

This goes into your next set of questions. 2. Why does God answer some prayers, but not others? And: Why does God let bad things happen, especially to his faithful?

These are questions that have been debated since before Christians were even a thing. In fact, there are 3 books that stick out to me in that regard.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job.

Each of these books debates a different point of view. To offer a condensed synopsis:

Proverbs says that the world is ordered in a way to be fair, and that following the wisdom of God is the key to a good life.

Ecclesiastes argues that you can do everything right and still suffer, but that ultimately doing the right thing is still important even if it doesn't bring you riches.

Job takes bits of the first two, then explains it by way of the story of a man who loves God, does everything right, loses everything, and demands God explain himself.

I have some great little videos I'll link at the end of this post that goes into these books a bit more.

But back to the main point.

God hears every prayer. He knows the most intimate desires of everyone's hearts.

Going back again to 2 Peter 3:9 " The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "

Sometimes, he doesn't answer our prayers immediately. Sometimes he does, but the answer is no. I argue that every time the answer is no, it's because he has something better in mind.

That can be hard to hear, especially from a place of suffering.

But that's why faith is important.

Faith isn't just "there is a God, I believe in him", but trusting that he has our best interests at heart.

That's a massive concept.

He asks us to assume the best in him. That's why our free will is important. He asks us to read the Bible, to look at history, and decide for ourselves if he is good, and if he has made good on his promises.

He has, every single time.

Faith is trusting that, even though you can do everything right and still suffer, God will see us through to the end. God has something better in store, whether in this life or the next.

This world is flawed, wild. Imperfect. I think about all the people that have been killed and eaten by wild animals, or were murder victims, or people who die from freak accidents. I think of the people who suffer with cancer, or children orphaned by war.

I think of all the pain and suffering I went through and yeah, sometimes it felt like God was just letting me suffer.

But that's not the case.

John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not leave you or forsake you."

God was with me the whole time.

I don't think enough people realize that the God of the Bible is the only god in any religion, mythology, or legend that can rightfully claim to fully understand what its like to be human and god in one.

Imagine an all powerful being willingly being born human.

Imagine him subjecting himself to the same pains we go through.

As Jesus he experienced hunger, fear, grief, pain. He felt the anger of injustice, and the hopelessness of loss. He even experienced feeling abandoned by God.

His own people turned him in to be killed. Think of the betrayal. He went through the whole gamut of the human experience, from the good to the ugly.

He saw the hideous greed and injustice of the Pharisees and the Romans face to face.

And God did that for you. For me. For the worst person you know.

We don't suffer alone. This God is the only god who can suffer with us, who can truly sympathize with what it feels like to be human.

He understands our perspective.

Jesus is more than the fulfillment of prophesy, the sacrifice to end all sacrifice. Jesus is God demonstrating the lengths he would go to to be with us again.

He knows the pain, he experienced it firsthand.

He knows the feeling of starving. He knows what it feels like to be murdered.

And he knows that there is something better coming for anyone who asks.

So, to sum up your questions.

God is good. He does not predestine anyone to hell, rather elects some as people to lead others away from hell.

2. The world is flawed, God is not. God knows firsthand every pain anyone has ever suffered. God does not want people to suffer, but rather take comfort knowing that better things are around the corner, even after death.

3. God answers every prayer. Sometimes the answer is no and we have to trust him.

As for the how questions. I cannot tell you how God thinks or why he decides the things he does. But I have seen his character, and I trust that he is good, wise, and above all kind. I trust him to make the right decisions.

Thank you again Anon for the opportunity to answer these questions. I apologize for the lateness, I am rarely ever on desktop and got no notifications.

God bless you.

[slutdge]

heya, i wanted to say that you seem like a pretty cool person. I'm not really into the same music as you (ditto for their surrounding culture), but I do appreciate that you don't fuck with people who are ignorant or acting in bad faith RE: the current political hellscape of north america

and i appreciate that you don't like, act like a tryhard like so many of the 'cool' people i knew growing up. you post things that you like, or things that interest you, or shit that's funny, without caring what other people think about it (or at least you don't let on that you care). less "Edgelord", if you know what I mean

anyway that's all for this anon. Just wanted to like, articulate my thoughts on why I like your blog despite us having, on the surface, completely separate tastes. Hope ya stick around and keep offering good takes RE: drug addiction, homelessness, poverty, all the leftist topics that a lot of lefties are kind of uncomfortable talking about.

Signed, another person with a J name

Also so you have something to answer if you don't wanna acknowledge the previous sentiments (they can be awkward!) what do you think about ska, specifically ska punk

Thank u dude I appreciate this message 🤧 anyways Im not a fan of ska at all i kinda hate it im sorry if youre into it and i just said that after you sent me such a nice message xncnfnnd

[missegyptiana]

hiiiiii how are youuu

sorry I genuinely don't understand what taylor is doing??

Like, this is such a bad pr move that it's basically impossible that it's a pr relationship imo

which means it's real which is way worse???

how is her pr team letting her associate herself so publicly with someone like that. maybe she just knows that she's so big rn that she can do basically whatever she wants and many people will still support her??

I know taylor isn't perfect by any stretch, but until now i genuinely thought she was generally a good person, even though she lives in her extremely privileged bubble.

every time she said she was an ally or that she cared about people or she seemed a sweet and caring person etc, i didn't think it was fake (even when she failed to follow through with all the promises she made in miss americana but that's a whole other can of worms)

but now I'm wondering if it was fake?? maybe this is a bit too parasocial, and I'm fully aware none of us really know her, but all of us have an idea of her in our heads, and the one I had in mine just... would not date someone like matty healy. especially since she's a smart grown woman and not a naive young kid.

that's why I'm also genuinely worried about how many people (in my experience mainly young US swifties) put her on a pedestal, say they will always love her no matter what, think she's absolutely perfect and can do no wrong.

obviously it's okay to support people and be their fans and that almost always means idealizing them at least a bit, but blind faith like that is dangerous imo.

anyway sorry for ranting, I'm just upset and confused.

hope you have a good day!!

hi anon i’m ok how r u? i agree with all of this tbh. i have no idea what’s going on with her and between those two but i have a right to be hurt by it and to speak up on it. especially being apart of a community he’s made fun of or laughed at. ya and after everything she said she would do when miss americana released and the man and yntcd being released and i can’t remember the last time she’s spoken up abt something since the lover era. i understand she’s attracted to him, for some odd reason, but how can she be ok with what he’s done? and the things he has said that has hurt her own fans? and so many minorities?? and be ok with it? and her team being ok with it? people say we shouldn’t talk abt it cause it won’t do anything or we don’t even know her but idc! let me say my opinion! if u were hurt by him u would do the same! it’s just so annoying how people think we shouldn’t say anything. like shut up fr. ofc i still love her and i’m still going to her show, but this hurts so fucking much that i’m confused on what to do and i’m confused on what she’s doing. even if they break up, this decision of hers will forever hurt us. and her ignoring everything hurts a lot too.

and it’s ok that u ranted! i appreciate that u felt comfortable enough to put it in my inbox!!! never hesitate to message me or send an ask abt anything i will always listen to anyone’s rants. i will try my best to reply to everything u say <3

[myteavsricochet]

anons: I understand good faith (or at least I hope it's good faith) but I know perfectly well how to manage my bad days and my anxiety. If I'm online, if I come here to post things after writing that I'm not feeling well it's because I can do it, it helps me, it distracts me a bit. Writing me "take a break" "but why are you here if you feel so bad" "you should get off the internet" just makes me feel guilty and I should NOT feel guilty about how I am and what I do. Sometimes I use my blog a bit as a diary and I write how I feel, then maybe hours later I'm more serene and you can perceive it for how I post but if I do it it's because I need to detach my mind so please, thank you if this was a real concern but don't send messages like this anymore 🙏🏻

[queerstake]

I'm sorry for sending this, but I'm. In kind of a weird spot. I don't really have many other places i can turn. I figured out several years ago that i am aro/ace, and for awhile I just thought that was okay. Still okay with church. Just more open than others might be to the queer community. But it's gotten so hard as I've come to fully understand myself. That I'm non-binary. That I am pan for tertiary/alterous attraction. And now I've got a genderfluid datemate. I love them with all my heart. They aren't part of the church. I didn't tell them that I was raised LDS until after we started dating, but they realized a long while ago. They've been supportive and understanding of my position through everything.

But I have a hard time with a lot of the culture that has developed around the church, and I find I don't want to go anymore. Maybe it would be easier if I knew more queer members, but I don't. Any friends i have learned are queer have left.

My family isn't friendly to the queer community, which hurts like hell, because I want to tell them about my partner. My family means so much to me. I want them to be okay with the fact that I still believe in God and Jesus, but I just don't want to be "active".

Even being a "good active member" is mentally exhausting for me. It puts so much mental and social strain on me. Social stuff is extremely mentally exhausting for me. Doesn't help that my dad is emotionally abusive. I know it isn't like this for everyone, but I'm just so tired.

I don't have a lot of people in my life that really understand where I'm at, I'm so sorry for dumping this here. You can delete it. Thank you for what you do, hope you're safe and well.

Hi anon. Your message is about a year old as I'm answering it now, and I'm sorry for making you wait so long. I had some work to do myself before I could dedicate myself to this blog fully, and now that I'm here and ready, I want to start tackling the inbox.

Given that it's been so long, I'm sure your life has changed since you sent this message. I hope you're doing better.

Your message sounds very familiar, actually. I'm also an aroace and trans member. By the time covid came around and church meetings stopped for a period of time, I myself was worn out from struggling to keep up. I think you and me felt much the same. I used the excuse of covid to take a brief church break to figure out how I was going to make being a queer mormon work. I felt awful for having to take time off, but in the end, it really was the right choice for me. I was able to work on myself and my relationship to the church while setting aside some of the pressure I had put myself under for so long and now that I've built myself up stronger, I'm able to come back and foster a healthier relationship to the church.

I'm so glad you have a good relationship with your datemate to help you during this time! Being a queer mormon is really hard. We have to make concessions and reckon with our faith the way many straight mormons don't have to. It IS exhausting. I imagine god has put your datemate in your life in order to help give you the support you need right now.

If you or anyone else needs permission, please DO take a break. God doesn't want you to suffer, and you can't foster a good relationship with him if you're suffocating. Taking a break or not being active is not a bad thing. In fact, it was a REALLY good thing for me and really helped me come back to church even stronger than before.

I'm sorry to hear you were and are going through so much anon, and I hope some of the things I've said at least have helped you feel not alone. If you are able to take a break from church right now, I encourage you to do it! Heal and wrestle with god on your own time. You don't owe anyone anything, and god will be there with you no matter where you go. If you are unable to take a break for some other reason, know you're not alone. We understand you, we've been through the things you're going through, you're welcome to reach out any time you need support. Being a queer mormon is so hard and can be so lonely. Your queer siblings and your heavenly father are here for you.

[the-bloody-sadist]

So I wanted to just message you to tell you how much I love your works! I eat up everything you write. Sinner was my first fic of yours and I am literally still searching for that same feeling I got when I read it for the first time. Your writing is not only fantastic but it has so much feelings laid in. You can tell every word you write has meaning. I love the deep dive you do into the characters psych. I have read almost all of your bsd works (I'm a whore for bsd lol). But in terms of sinner, I have reread it from start to finish at least 4 times since I discovered it. The subtle changes in Fyodor's speech and actions were so well done. I wish I could give you an in-depth analysis praising every single thing about the story (analysis is not my strong suit). I also just wanted to shout out your most recent Dazai/Chuuya work. I basically squealed when I got the email from AO3 that you had posted a story. I am always looking forward to the next fic you put out. I am so thankful I found your AO3 and now your Tumblr! Anyways, essay over! Thank you for all your hard work in the fandom and your amazing, stellar, (insert every positive adjective) writing. I can't wait to see what comes next! You have a very faithful reader over here :)

Hello Anon!! I can't tell you how much I appreciated this ask. Emotions being portrayed viscerally in my works is probably the highest goal I'm reaching for when I write, and being able to make the readers feel the same and be there in someone's body, experiencing it.

Seriously, it makes me feel so special that you appreciate my work, and especially the psyches of Dazai and Fyodor!! I spent a lot of time with that story, and it is still what I consider the best thing I've ever written. Hearing that you've read it so many times just 🥹 ugh my heart is full. Thank you for noticing things like the changes to Fyodor's behavior - that was one of my favorite things to explore!! And no worries, this analysis was perfect for me <3 OMG AND THE RECENT SKK ONE! Thank you again! I expected a decent amount of hate for that one depending on what audience hit it, but somehow managed to skirt it entirely, and the reception of that one was so supportive to me.

It means a lot that you can't wait to see the next thing I write, and I hope the experience is just as good for you!! <3

[ginnsbaker]

wow. part 6 literally made me speechless the first time I read it. I literally had to take breather cause that was too much for me to deal with 😭 I'm sorry this might be too long cause I have so much to say....

• Wanda pointing out that having children would've made her rethink her decisions, I felt that, deeply. Personally, I am someone who's not sure whether I want children or not in the future so for her to say "Maybe it would have stopped me"??? GIRL F*CK YOU 😭🤮. My mind would definitely make me think of that over and over again until I start blaming myself for what happened.

• You know what hurts the most? The fact that there's no one else to blame except Wanda and Vision. In other cheating fics, the mind stone always serves a purpose why Wanda decided to cheat. It's always "there's a connection between us because of the stone". Here? nothing. Just Wanda actually making a huge mistake.

• I was feeling bad for Wanda for a bit, then I realized that she deserved all that. I read your reply to another anon about the reasons of suspicion (newly bought lingerie icks me the most cause it meant she actually made effort to look good for vision 💔). I honestly can't think of any reason (for now) why Y/N should forgive her.

• Both Y/N and Wanda badly need some time apart. Healing takes time and it won't happen anytime soon. Wanda just can't force her way to Y/N's life again cause that surely won't work.

• I don't wanna talk about the smut since I genuinely don't know what to feel about it other than Wanda doesn't deserve a single ounce of affection from us 😏 lol

It took some time for me to actually have some thoughts about part 6. My mind was like "I need at least 2-3 business days to recover from this" 😆. Once again, thank you for being so talented and blessing us with this beautiful fic. I'm a huge angst enthusiast so pls keep it coming. Hope you're feeling much better now btw. All my love 💕

- 🦄

~ I did kinda thought if I should've broken it down in two, but I just couldn't find where to cut it right. anyway, after 6, we're gonna go back to the usual length :D nah, you dont have to worry about sending me paragraphs, i was looking forward to what you 🦄 had to say

~ it's one of her worst word vomits throughout these series, i admit

~ The arbitrary nature of cheating is very much real. especially when you've been so used to the comfort and security someone provides, and you don't think it's possible to lose them when you do something stupid.

~ re: lingerie: when i wrote in flames, i wrote it as an AU from a film called unfaithful, starring richard gere and diane lane. im not sure if any of you guys saw that film, but it stayed in my parents cd shelf and was off limits. i only watched it recently as an adult lol. most of the details in in Flames were faithful to this material, i recommend you see it. the lingerie isn't because of Vision. it's about her embracing her own lust, because she got addicted to the feeling of being wanted

~ correct. they need it. something's gonna happen that's gonna force that.

~ the smut was uncomfortable to write, because im a romantic who always associate it with love and emotions and all that cheesy stuff. id pay someone to write it for me if i could. but it was necessary to the story because it showed the actual depth of R's trauma, manifesting just now.

I am feeling much better :) I saw your message like 2 hours ago, but i needed to complete a 10km run :D

Thank you so much, my dear 🦄. Please take care!

[chai-hat-tea]

https://www.tumblr.com/chai-hat-tea/718259614914854912/hey-lovely-i-am-that-anon-who-promised-and-m?source=share

Hellooo!! It's me again. You are really so sweet for being so considerate. Bless you.

And unfortunately no job for me. Because how can my father live peacefully without interfering in every aspect of my life. Sigh. Long story short m not allowed to do private job. Because how can I be allowed to have freedom. Blehh. So an order was issued last year that that either I have to crack a gov. exam or I can sit at home. NO PRIVATE JOB. I kind of made my piece with it after having a huge argument about it. But I feel lucky that at least I have a chance to get a job. My sister was married off when she was still pursuing her graduation. But they found a "sarkari naukri wala ladka" it was a "golden opportunity".. lol. I started preparation of gov. exams two months ago but right now I really just want to focus on my final exams and getting good marks in it. So let's see where this will lead me. I just hope I can secure a gov job before the bomb of marriage is dropped.

I hope I will message you one day saying that I cracked a government exam. M trying my best.

Again thank you soooo much for being so sweet.

Halloooo Anom Nom!! I’m so sorry I recently started working and I’ve been so swamped with that and writing and basketball and basketball annual day at the place I play that I completely forgot I had to respond to you.

Ugh I’m sorry that there’s no corporate for you. But if it helps you feel better, it just pays well but is absolutely shit when it comes to having a life. So I think you might be better off pursuing civil services, even though they’re not that easy.

But also, if there are chances, you should start saving up. Leave at the first opportunity and start elsewhere. Especially if government job doesn’t work for you. Don’t get married because your dad wants you to. Move out before he can control you any further. I know it’s easier said than done, but have faith. It’ll work out. Somehow. I know it.

I’m going to pray for you that you ace your undergrad college exams and then clear the government exams too!!!! I’m rooting for you, remember that ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Come talk to me whenever you feel like, okay? Whether on or off anon, up to you! ❤️

[aspergillosis]

this is going to sound so retarded bc like people have real problems but it seems like ur sort of in an alt/music-y group and ur traditionally religious, people mock me a lot about that and act like im a weirdo for being reverent and like ive found that ive learned to tone it down and let a lot of things slide and just generally not rly stand up for my faith and id like to not be like that so i guess do u have any tips

no omg it's not a dumb question anon. I don't know if I can give you good advice because I am in the scene yes but I'm not super ingroup and I personally don't even make that a mission. I have a bit of a wanderer/exiled princess vibe so it's easy for me to make friends but I don't feel like my identity's got as much to do with it as my ability to just feel at ease anywhere and with anyone.

I also think my faith seamlessly locks in with raver culture very easily because of shared principles (PLUR), so I'm curious about the disconnect that you're experiencing and what kind of scene you're in. If your friends mock you then they're not your friends, and you don't need em to enjoy good music and good times.

While I've had (normie) people react negatively or vitriolically to me mentioning my faith [when this happens, I politely excuse myself from the conversation. It's a waste of my time], I've found no such negativity from alts. Usually I'm met with polite curiosity, and I keep the conversation interesting by connecting back into the other person's experience with religiosity, because pretty much everyone has grappled with faith one way or another. It's a near-universal experience, and connecting over that is so precious to me.

Another thing for me is, I just don't talk about myself a ton, which I think helps me avoid getting embroiled in a debate. I don't want to debate strangers.

I really struggle to imagine what you mean by "not standing up for your faith" and "needing to tone it down" because you shouldn't be like, trying to debate the guys doing whippits about the ten commandments either. That's also a very important thing to keep in mind. If you want respect, you have proactively give that to others.

I hope this was at least somewhat helpful and feel free to come off anon and message me more, I feel like I'm missing a ton of context but I wish you the best of luck with navigating your social sphere. Remember to always shoot straight from the heart.

[slashingdisneypasta]

(May I join T or D game? 🦊)

1) I'll eat the whole thing in one bite and risk a brainfreeze! Then I'll look him straight in the eyes as I snap the stick in half! Hopefully he'll get the message...

2) If I brought a boy home then he must be a very good friend! I wouldn't bring just anyone home! I'll find someone else for Jenn (seems like a good way to get rid of some creep/douche/sleezebag lol)

3) Bubba better sit his ass down and go nowhere near that thing! I'll handle the feeding!

4) Are noise conceling headphones an opinion?! Or playing music on speakers so loud I don't hear my own thoughts?! If not, I'll shut him up myself! He'll feel the rage of an s*x-repulsed asexual who didn't get a good night sleep in weeks! I will put a fear of God into him (even if he's not religious)! *Angry tired ace noises*

5) I'm pretty small and skinny so I could probably slip between Jason and Michael with them barely noticing me! Or I'm sure Jason would be polite enough to step aside for a second if I ask nicely, his mother did raised him right after all! There's no point in asking Michael, he'll either just continue to stare or even attempt to stab me, so no thank you!

6) Call me crazy but BJ! I'm not familiar enough with Drayton. Besides, my special talent is being able to ignore someone completaly no matter what they do! He'll be wondering if he's invisible again 😈

7) *runs into the kitchen at lighting speed, grabs the snacks and runs out*

8) I'll do my best to try calm Carrie down! I'm pretty sure she's more scared then I am! Such powers can be overwhelming and it's not her fault if she still sometimes can't control them! (If I fail, I'd like INK and Aurelio Voltaire to play at my funeral)

9) (I picked the Slasher before I saw the list) So now Jason is fighting Pennywise! Damn!! I wonder how that would end?!

10) There's absolutely NO WAY I'm getting any help from Freddy! I'll admit what I did to Pam! It was a honest mistake and hopefully she'll understand. Ofc I'll clean all the mess and pay to fix/replace if anything is broken

11) I'll choose truth! I'm super honest (sometimes too much) and don't mind any question they throw at me!

12) I like Jerry's style more, so I'll pick him! He better not mess it up though, or Elijah will be hearing about it!

13) The Clown does not scare me at all! I think the idea is hillarious and choose opinion B *evil laughter* I have camera ready 🎥 ʘ⁠‿⁠ʘ

You can always join, Fox Anon!! Hey! ^^

Omggggggg, I love your answers so so much XDD

Omg, I think he's got it!!! XDDD

You make a VERY good point... And they're going to a better place anyway XDD Jen's stomach.

You're so brave!! But yes lets protect the Bubba XD

Get him, Fox anon!! I've got your back. From way back here, far far away from Patrick... I've got your back... but I've got it!!

Y'all have so much faith in the manners of a man who's forte is just flingin' people out of his damn way

6. Oh!! You took that class too?? XD Haha. Omg XD I love the little devil emoji you put at the end, too, so funny XDD

7. XDDDDDDDD Zoom

8. I've got you.

9. Oooh, I dunno- but I hope Jason wins!

10. Good news! That was a test- and you passed. Pamela likes you and you may befriend Jason XD ^^

11. Hey, at least people know where they stand with you! I love honest people!

Hmmmmm, here's your truth from Billy and Stu: If you had the choice to leave this universe and jump into the A Nightmare On Elm Street universe... and you got to be a dream demon with all that power, as well... but you had to spend your eternity with Freddy- would you go?

12. Oooh, do you mean the original version?? He does have good style. The red scarf?? Perfect accessorization XD Which Chucky then copied.

OOF, Jerry better do his best then!

13. Ohhhhhhhhhhh this one made me cackle XDD Freddy's is going to DIE, man!!

Thank you for playing and sharing your answers!! They're great!! XD