John Lee Taggart

@golaj

First in the new debate series – here we hear a story from the lovely Linda Bethea (thanks Linda!), and later I discuss religion, morality, and…probably a few other things. Hope you enjoy it. 

Opinions are obviously more than welcome, I expect this issue to be a little bit more controversial than say…the time some leeches attacked me in Nepal, or a Chinese guy looking at me weird in a bathroom – but that’s not a bad thing, it’s healthy to have discussions. I’d love to learn something new. 

If you have a video request you can leave a comment, or send me an email – if it’s a cool/interesting idea then I will get to it as soon as I can!

www.facebook.com/storytimewithjohn

www.youtube.com/storytimewithjohn101

Please buy my collection of stories! Get it in paperback here – or on Kindle here! ALL proceeds go towards Macmillan Cancer Support!

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40 responses

  1. edwinasepisodes Avatar
    edwinasepisodes

    Linda is a fantastic story-teller as are you. I enjoyed this. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Brilliant right Edwina? I was bowled over by it! Glad you enjoyed it – it’s certainly something a little different 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    2. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      Thanks so much! Good! To see you saw this! Thanks for commenting

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply
      1. edwinasepisodes Avatar
        edwinasepisodes

        Yes, i have been following John for quite some time. He is a really funny and talented young man. I was thrilled when he chose one of your stories. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  2. spartacus2030 Avatar
    spartacus2030

    I very much enjoyed your commentary! You even injected some humor which I especially enjoy… Interesting take on it. I definitely believe you should continue. Being a combo Astronomy buff and X – Yo Ho, (JW), I believe it would be small minded to think a God doesn’t exist given the inconceivable vastness of our life probable universe.

    A star moved through the sky and hovered over a stable… To me, that was a space ship moving to its drop off point. I believe that was a visit from someone who came from their home planet to check up on his dropped off offspring, and not all the rubbish and exaggeration man imparts within his rule and regulation setting poop :O)

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Wanda B. Victorian Avatar
    Wanda B. Victorian

    You are not against religion-you are against hypocrisy that is a long standing personality trait. On occasion, we are all capable of hypocrisy, being mean spirited, and so on…sin if you will. In my church, we teach that our church is not a palace of holy saints but a hospital of sick puppys. And we are all looking to our God to to doctor us-forgive us when we screw up and heal us so that we become better humans. When looking for God or a religion, look at the God (not the people) if you feel that this God has what you need then you look for a gathering (church, temple, whatever) where the vast majority of folks are actually trying to live most of their lives as that God would have them do. Once you found that church, you look for a circle of friends that are not hypocritical or apathetic…all churches have them. I would have connected with Linda and her Mom but I would have avoided her Dad.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      Thanks. So glad you liked this. I surprised myself. We all had a good laugh.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Aimer Boyz Avatar
    Aimer Boyz

    Years ago, someone told me in all seriousness that without Christ, there was no morality. Really? What about the world before the Jewish carpenter? What about all the other people who follow different religions, or none at all? Only Christians know that lying and stealing and hurting people is wrong? Absolutely ridiculous! I have no patience with such ignorance. Trying to be a nice person is so much harder than following a few rules! People like Linda’s father give religion and humanity a bad name.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      Thanks for watching and commenting. Believe me. You couldn’t find a happier person than I am today. God has been good to me.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Aimer Boyz Avatar
        Aimer Boyz

        I’m glad, you deserve it! Of course, we all deserve to be happy. The Chinese have a saying; something like “Happiness is the best revenge.”

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Storytime with John Avatar
        Storytime with John

        That’s actually so true, too! People can’t take that…shame some get bitter, but that’s life.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Well that’s the thing, being nice is about your character and personal choices…and well lets be honest patience and tolerance too! These are traits that can be found across the board not just with one school of thought. Glad you are happy Linda, that’s what it is all about!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. Melinda de los Santos Avatar
    Melinda de los Santos

    Debates? Good. If one bases his or her belief in the Holy Scriptures, it admonishes us to “test the spirits”. Side note: Imposing our beliefs on others violates the law of love. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      So right. There’s no one way. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

      Like

      Reply
    2. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      I agree with that Melinda…definitely 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  6. C.E.Robinson Avatar
    C.E.Robinson

    Wow…John! The dichotomy of the public figure behavior versus the private one! Could be any setting, not just Linda’s father in church and at home. I accept God as my savior! Period! Being nice to others is all part of that! Religion or not, I wonder how you will feel on your deathbed. Seems religion or not, God is always present at war time in every fox hole! Thoughts change over time according to the situation. Peace be with you!!! Christine

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      Christine. So glad you saw this. Glad you enjoyed.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Rene Avatar
    Rene

    Really enjoyed this. These are a keeper.

    As to hypocrisy, which I agree with others as this seemed to be the main point, I have a small tidbit to offer. I sat through a lesson for women in the church I was attending, in which the whole damn lesson was on not gossiping. I had just visited a woman the day before who was having some real marriage problems, and it was my call (from the church) to visit with her and offer friendship. Her experiences and problems were very personal, and she was very embarrassed when she shared them with me, but she felt she had no one else who would just listen without judgment. Right after the lesson, I am talking not more than 5 minutes, two women in front of me, in the front row, turned to me and asked me what was ‘really going on’ with my friend. I was so pissed! I am not one to hold my tongue if I feel it is very important to voice my opinion or the very obvious. I replied to the women, in a raised voice with some very strong vigor, “Did we not just listen to a lesson on gossiping?” They looked at me questioningly, and said yes, but “…seriously, what is up with her?” I was exasperated and this was the icing on the cake as to my decision to stop attending organized religion meetings. I find much of the time the people who are gossiping, being a jerk in traffic, and other non-Christian behaviors are people who loudly boaist they are Christians. I can’t tell you how many times some jerk who cuts in front of me in traffic (I used to drive a truck, and no one likes to be behind a truck) has the Christian ‘fish’ or some other identification of their beliefs on their bumper. Great video.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      So glad you enjoyed. Didn’t know if lightning would strike me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. The Weekly Day Avatar
    The Weekly Day

    Our dad actually tries to live like a Christian should, unlike the father in the story. He is not perfect of course, nor does he pretend that he is. If Christians take their faith seriously, they would at the very least, apologize for “bad behavior”. They are still human and make many mistakes just like anyone else. Interestingly enough, we cannot find a church to attend yet. We just know a handful of Christians who are actual Christians. Don’t think too much of “going to church”.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. lbeth1950 Avatar
      lbeth1950

      I think he tried but just didn’t get the big picture. He understand faith, hope, and charity. I really think he thought more of the fear of God.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. lbeth1950 Avatar
    lbeth1950

    Hey John, can’t believe I just found this! Loved what you did with it. I agree with you 100%. I am a happy a person as you’d ever want to meet. Probably totally warped and totally harmless but completely happy. You did a great job with this. So glad I sent it to you. Couldn’t have expressed my feelings better myself. I know God loves me. That what matters! And don’t worry, if it happens we are both wrong and don’t get in heaven, we’ll both have somebody cool to hang out with. Love you. Till then, come see me at Nutsrok. Linda Bethea. https://nutsrok.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. lbeth1950 Avatar
    lbeth1950

    Reblogged this on Nutsrok.

    Like

    Reply
  11. erikakind Avatar
    erikakind

    You and Linda are a great combination! Amazing! What a great idea of cooperation!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. dalecooper57 Avatar
    dalecooper57

    Hi there, total atheist here.
    The idea of there being no goodness or morality without some kind of god to guide everyone’s actions is not only demonstrably nonsense, it’s also massively insulting to the intelligence, integrity and compassion of every decent person ever born.

    I think that covers it.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. mcowder Avatar
      mcowder

      Well said! Though I’ve only been an atheist the last handful of years (I was raised Lutheran but not baptized), the concept of no morals without God makes no sense to me. And it’s insulting. Having lived both lifestyles, my view point and actions have not changed towards others. The majority of the time, I’m nice and respectful to others. Other times, I’m not. But that’s not driven by anything “Godly” or fear of being judged at the end. It’s driven by the fact that I was raised to be respectful of others and by opinions/experiences gained into adulthood. It’s that simple.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. dalecooper57 Avatar
        dalecooper57

        Bravo. It’s always good to meet somebody who is capable of reasonable debate, especially when they have seen both sides of the equation and no longer need the crutch of religion to maintain goodness and decency in their lives.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. mcowder Avatar
        mcowder

        Likewise. I’m all for listening to both sides of the story and trying to see other people’s view points but I’ll stick to my guns on certain things. This is one of them.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Storytime with John Avatar
        Storytime with John

        You have to have your principles on certain issues, and that is to be respected 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. lbeth1950 Avatar
    lbeth1950

    Atheist, agnostic, or just plain Nobody. It your heart that matters.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Yes indeed, all of these different classifications, and divisions – all largely unnecessary if we are just loving to each other! (Sorry by the way, I have been on a short trip for a few days! Glad to see people enjoyed your story!)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. lbeth1950 Avatar
        lbeth1950

        Enjoyed your commentary very much. We’re on the same page!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Storytime with John Avatar
        Storytime with John

        Yes, I certainly think so 🙂

        Like

  14. Fourth Generation Farmgirl Avatar
    Fourth Generation Farmgirl

    Wonderful story and great discussion.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Thank you so much!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. tentninja Avatar
    tentninja

    you have a great manner about you 🙂 great video

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Appreciate that, thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. zhyxtheman Avatar
    zhyxtheman

    This video is very personal to me. My grandfather experienced clinical death during open heart surgery shortly before he passed away, and had a Near Death Experience, and confided that he saw ‘beautiful things.’ Though he was an atheist, he saw neither nothingness or Hell. If what he saw was more than a dying brain, whatever it was took him anyway. My grandfather was not perfect, but he was still a good man. I am not that religious anymore, but that experience has left me open to part of him still existing somewhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Storytime with John Avatar
      Storytime with John

      Yes I believe you should be open, never closed off completely from any walk of life. Thank you for sharing that special moment 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  17. theabstractthinker Avatar
    theabstractthinker

    I absolutely loved your views in this and what you think a God might want us to do with our lives. In my opinion, you were right on point. I love your open mind and your ability to take stories and make them into more. Thanks for making the most of your talents! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

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