The Tattooed Rats - a novel, By Jerry B. Jenkins and John Perrodin.
Just recently I posted blog entries providing insight into the symbolism of the Rat (rat plague of intolerance) and the significance of tattoos as surface development options. It would seem some other cultural practitioner reached the same creative conclusion as a vehicle for personal expression (metaphor).
Out there is a christian novel with the same title as my latest blog entry (below). The book, The Tattooed Rats (cover image posted above), was written by Jerry B Jenkins and John Perrodin. Reviewers and publishers' comments praise this piece of fiction with an apocalyptic genre aimed at the christian youth. The author captures a future (2012) where the Christians are outlawed because of their faith. Patch, the main character, meets secret members of the Tattooed Rats (a Gang) and learns things are not what they seem, living in a world where enemies are friends, and friends are enemies.In the novel Christianity is outlawed and sharing faith is considered hate speech. Worship is done in secret, underground. Believers, in a futuristic world find out how tough it can be, to be a true christian.
The novel paints a rather gloomy picture for believers in a changing world, not because of their faith, as reviewers of the novel (and the author) would make us believe, but due to their expressed fundamentalist views (see News paper article below), often in direct conflict with basic human rights. God is love and his world should reflect tolerance and respect.
Bishop of Rochester condemned.
Christian fundamentalist's views on gays and other moral issues are having an alienating effect on society. The Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, was condemned for calling gays to repent. The bishop was accused of pandering to hate and homophobia.
Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, said he was "shocked" at the level of anti-gay prejudice voiced by the bishop. "Homophobia is a social and moral evil, just like racism. Bigotry, even in the guise of religion, has no place in a compassionate, caring society, " he said "I call on the bishop to repent his homophobia. His prejudice goes against Christ's gospel of love and compassion."
The bishops controversial remarks were published just hours after more than a half a million people, including the British Prime Minister's wife, Sarah, took part in the Gay Pride parade in London. The Independent, reported by Lewis Smith on Monday 6 July 2009.
1 comment:
i find it amusing that this book has to create a near future where they are oppressed... would that this future actually loomed to some degree. unfortunately the sad truth is, especially in america, that the two most reviled groups of people are homosexuals and atheists... which of the two is more reviled would probably be too close to call. i was amazed that obama included "nonbelievers" in his inaugural address but it does little toward the hatred fundamentalists express toward atheists. as i live in the middle of the "bible belt", it has been made clear on several occasions that some of these people really believe and will not be dissuaded that atheists kill children and are cannibals, etc. the same kind of total ridiculousness is aimed at homosexuals as well and i'm embarrassed that these positions hold so much sway in this country. this is all exemplified by someone like sarah palin, who plainly admits not having an extensive education and is also extremely dogmatic in her claimed religious beliefs and still has a following that has to be conservatively estimated to be 30-40% of the voting public. the derision of education as elite will be our undoing as a country which will leave behind a trail of educated nonbelievers, homosexuals, members of other dogmatic belief systems, minorities, etc. heil consumerism! sorry to ramble.
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