House of Eratosthenes

1. Any participant in a cooperative or collaborative process who seeks to assume dictatorial control over that process, by means of faking a withdrawal from it, usually with an effort to maximize the theatrical effect of the withdrawal. Everyone left behind is supposed to feel shamed, and begin a process of introspection that will culminate in getting rid of something in their protocols that is offensive to the person who is supposed to not give a fig one way or the other anymore.
2. More specifically, any of those qualifying for definition 1 who, soon thereafter, re-enter the process they just exited; this is typically because they were left unsatisfied by the results of the theatrical exit. If they’re emotionally disturbed they may do this several times in rapid succession, which causes proxy embarrassment in those watching them. It builds and builds and builds until someone grows a pair and latches the revolving door shut, while they’re still outside.
3. The term could also be applied to those who were never really part of the process in the first place, so long as they falsely represent their membership in order to exert this dictatorial influence over those who are genuinely part of it.
4. Also, to violators of the “Ann Landers Wedding Invitation Rule.” Yes, you’ve heard of it already and you know what this means. “I’m not coming if so-and-so is coming” is to be met by — and no exceptions, no matter what — “That’s too bad, we’ll save you some cake.” Bottom-lining it all: Someone who places so much importance in their own moral code…or something that’s supposed to be a moral code…that they’re willing to sacrifice something that’s important to other people. But they have no respect for anybody else’s moral code. Just their own.

Related: Yes, in case there is any doubt among those who care, I do find Anne Rice to be an utterly contemptible person. Liberal douchebag, homely unappealing nutty goth chick, control freak and drama queen. She’s managed to hit all the low points.

Or as blogger friend Gerard puts it:

Door. Ass. Bang. Dreadful woman.

I love it!

I found her remarks about wanting to remain faithful to Christ, but not wanting anything more to do with Christians, to be interesting to say the least. I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she really is a believer, not just one of those “cultural Christians” who goes through the motions but never really accepts Jesus’ message.

If I could talk to Ms Rice, I’d say to her, “You know, nobody is forcing you to be involved with the political issues and social crusades that Christians sometimes get pulled into. Lots of church members steer clear of anything not related directly to the Gospel…eschewing political activism, attitudes, and social posturing of any kind. You don’t have to diss the rest of us, and further, most of your sneering comments aren’t even on-the-mark.”

It sounds suspiciously like that idiotic bumper sticker I see at times. No, not the “Coexist” one. I refer to the one that says, “Lord, protect me from Your followers.” I have an agnostic friend who insists that the Lord’s so-called ‘fan clubs’ are responsible for much of the evil and prejudice in the world today. It’s an attitude that I find repugnant and offensive, to put it mildly.

Of course, I would add that those believers who insist on staying detached from the world and practicing their faith from behind the stained-glass windows, are missing out God’s call to be involved with the world. We’re supposed to be out there fighting the good fight. We’re supposed to take stands that represent God’s position on this issue or that one (consult your Bible if in doubt), not what’s popular or socially acceptable. And I certainly tire of the ignorance; there IS a distinction to be made between sinners and sin. Love the one, hate the other.

I won’t even get started on how sick I am of being accused of being “anti science” because I reject the Theory of Evolution or all this global-warming nonsense.

Calling that prejudicial, anti-intellectual, or any other insulting characterization, only demonstrate’s one’s ignorance.
- cylarz | 08/02/2010 @ 23:44
See also: Sullivan, Andrew
- Greg Hlatky | 08/03/2010 @ 03:55
[…] seen a lot of this lately haven’t we? Ann Rice lashes out against Christianity even as she insists she still believes in Christ; Meghan McCain tries to destroy the Republican […]
- House of Eratosthenes | 08/09/2010 @ 07:28

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