THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTO CREDITS ANDREA DIALECT
The Bible is my favorite book, hands down. If my world was at collapse, as it seemingly our world is right now, and I had to think fast, move quickly, and grab one thing to throw in my backpack to sustain me, it would be that book.
Today, it’s safe to say most wouldn’t opt in, considering cancel culture and how disconnected humanity is from God – needless to say, the Bible.
So, when mentioning Daddy God in such convo, I already know how it lands. Fairytale. Myth. “Just a storybook.” Dismissible. Yet for me, this book has been tested, examined, cross-referenced, and challenged – and it is still here, standing. The naked truth shows up whether I’m ready or not. No filter. No buffer.
Hearing is execution. Not just listening, but moving on what you heard. Writing this article is motion. What better escort for the naked truth than proof? So I yanked a chapter or two from one of those so-called fairytales for research and truth’s sake. I present the Second Epistle of Timothy. This world claims to vet the circle of life, and this book is often first on the stakes in support of living in real time. So we think. But let’s do some fact-checking shall we?
READ THIS IF YA GROWN
(Second Epistle to Timothy 3:1–5 (KJV))
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Now let’s add some cherries on top. In the Gospel of Matthew, it says love will grow cold, and in the Book of Isaiah, it speaks of calling evil good and good evil. Distortions of truth, are they not?
What do you mean the following is untruths Andrea? Do tell…. I see validation over values. Image over integrity. “Me first” dressed up as healing. Call it self-love. Covetous. Boasters. Proud. Flex culture. Fake rich energy. Loud confidence, quiet insecurity. Call it manifestation. Disobedient to parents. Wisdom outdated. Elders irrelevant. No one can tell you anything. Call it independence. Without natural affection. Family ties disposable. Love conditional. People replaceable. Call it protecting your peace. False accusers. Loud lies win. Truth moves slow. Accountability flipped. Call it speaking your truth. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Chase the feeling. Avoid the discipline. Numb what is real. Call it living your best life. Having a form of godliness. Looks spiritual. Sounds righteous. Posts inspirational. Hollow. Call it growth.
But who dares adhere to those liars and the lies that they tell? CARRY ON!
Visit Localtalkweekly.com to read drafts in its entirety and check out the archives getting even more amazing content from the Entertainment section. While you’re at it, check out my Fine Artistry photography archives in support of my subjects that, while supporting change, become my muse and clay as supporting my experimental projects as I mold them into Fine Artistry.
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DID YOU KNOW…
Roughly 72% of people worldwide believe in God or a higher power, based on a 61-country survey, while about 10% identify as atheists. In the United States, approximately 81% to 83% of adults believe in God or a universal spirit. Globally, religious belief is often linked to cultural identification, particularly with Christianity and Islam.
- Global Belief: A Gallup International Association (GIA) poll found that 72% of respondents believe in God, and 62% identify as religious.
- US Belief Trends: As of 2023-24, about 83% of US adults believe in God or a spiritual force.
- Certainty of Belief: While 81% of Americans report believing in God, less than 50% say they are absolutely sure God exists, a decline from 60% in 2008.
- Demographic Differences: In the U.S., 92% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats believe in God, according to data mentioned on Reddit.
- Global Variation: Belief in God is particularly high in countries like South Africa (73% belief in biblical God) and Brazil (70%), as shown in Statista data.
