History's Greatest Tyrant? (863 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.52 on 20 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <copeland.michael.at.sbcglobal.net> (View user info) at 2004-02-23 12:44:50 EST
There is a far away place, where "the" great leader resides. Having survived a previous coup attempt, the leader is now firmly in control. There are no elections there, no subordinates to challenge his right to rule. He is the ultimate and only authority, to which all his citizens are required to submit. Don't expect democracy to come here anytime soon, the greater leader has so consolidated his power it would be impossible for the citizens to have any influence on the way the land is governed.
To the outside world, the leader insist that his people follow him on their own free will. It's well known, however, that those who dare reject the leader are forced into an existence of suffering and agony. The harshest punishments known to man, indeed the harshest tortures the great leader could invent are reserved for these poor souls. There is no mercy, the great leader has these people tortured until they blackout, only to awaken to more torture. It is a living death that has no end, all for the crime of simply refusing to submit to the unelected leaders rule.
On the other hand, those who sing the great leaders praises get great privileges. An example is the size of your house, which is said to be directly related to the intensity of your praise for the leader, and the devotion you have to him. Indeed, the great leader has bands of roving troubadours whose sole duty is to lavish praises upon him. Clearly the great leader protects and provides for those who are willing to submit completely to him, and vigorously sing tales of his greatness.
Now that you've read about this place and it's leader, would you like to go there? In my mind, the above describes both Heaven and North Korea with equal accuracy. Is Kim Jung Il any less of a dictator than God?
My first submission, by the way.
User Reviews
Submitted by squattail (user info) at 2004-02-24 03:17:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Hey, you are a faggot
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-02-23 20:12:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Stalin was crazy. Hitler paled in comparison.
Submitted by ohlookasquirrel (user info) at 2004-02-23 20:02:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"There are no elections there, no subordinates to challenge his right to rule."
Is this a call to action? If so, I nominate that dude from beastwars.
Which I SOOOO didn't watch....
Submitted by Wave_Rider_Cafe (user info) at 2004-02-23 18:02:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I raised a point like this in a class in high school. One Christian (who, sadly, was very self-centered, and could not understand that he was not always right) brought up that God was on our side during the Iraqi war not because they deserve freedom, which he believed they don't deserve because they are Muslims, but that democracy was "God's way." I looked him straight in the eye and said "Is God a democracy? Or is he the sole leader?" Completely tripped him up. He just kindof looked around for a second, then just started to badmouth the French and Germans for not thinking like he does.
Submitted by PWNstar (user info) at 2004-02-23 17:27:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You did say it was your first post, but on the other hand you waited until the end to say it so I wouldn't immediately get turned off by your writing.
Nice twist at the end and a good idea to think on for quite some time = +2
Submitted by JinkyWilliams (user info) at 2004-02-23 17:22:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Roger that, Swik. I agree wholeheartedly.
And thanks for the post that provided the impetus for Swik to respond. Fun times.
+2
Stay orange.
--JW
Submitted by Quartermain (user info) at 2004-02-23 17:07:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
At first I thought this was going to be one of those tired, old, 'George Bush is Hitler aren't-I-so-clever' posts. But it wasn't, so you get a +2 just for having a bit of historical perspective.
That being said, I'm going to have to agree with Swik and say that there is a difference between a loving, but just God and a mortal megalomaniac.
Submitted by memnoch (user info) at 2004-02-23 14:07:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
-2 for saying it is your first post
+4 for sticking it to The Man
Submitted by Swik (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:53:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I pretty much knew what you were getting at from the beginning by relating it to God. It is a good piece, however, obviously there is a slight difference between an earthly tyrant and God. Why wouldn't you owe total obedience to the being who created you and the world you live on as opposed to the man who is no different than you except controls the region you were born in.
Of course the way you act, praising God, or ignoring/criticising/mocking him really may not have an effect on how your life goes. The life of a Christian is full of difficulties just like any other's life. He who is last shall be first.
You have a choice in how you think, God gave it to you, He made you in His image, your individual choices and force of will can directly affect your life and your surroundings. Choose to view God as a tyrant who dictates all and will tolerate nothing besides total obediance, and you will have a most uncomfortable feelings about Him. Choose to view Him as a benevolent and merciful being who despite the sins will forgive you. Honestly giving the being who created you and the world and everything you love in it a little respect isn't asking much.
Look what happened to Jesus. He came to the world and preached a message of love and tolerance (this is true DESPITE what those supposed "Christians" will say in order to use his teachings to endorse hatred and violence towards their fellow man) and what happened? The political and religious leaders of the time saw him as a threat to their power and position so they killed him. God asks that simply believe that he exists and that (if you are a Christian) sent His Son to the world in order to try and save mankind. On top of this He asks that you try and live your life the way he has instructed, however as long as you put forth the effort and are sincere he will accept the fact that you didn't always do what was right. That is a far cry from subjugating those in your country with threats and earthly power. God literally gives you infinite chances in your life to do what is right and believe, that really isn't a lot to ask and is a huge difference from a tyrant.
However if you choose to ignore God and essentially spit in His face and mock him, there is a punishment, albeit a harsh one it is justified for living a life going against the One who created you and everything you love in the world, it's not like there aren't enough signs to prove his existence, and no I don't want to start a big debate with aetheists and the like. I'm not trying to force you to have my beliefes so please don't try it on me. I'm just simply stating what I believe. I like this post as it forces the reader to think and make up his own mind, because what one believes and embraces is bound to become a reality.
Submitted by Wayward_Opinion (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:40:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This stuff is great!
Submitted by potatomanjack (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:39:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Pretty philosophical there So-Crates.
Submitted by WillZone (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:30:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
MESSAGE!!!!
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:28:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ace.
Submitted by FATMANTPK (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:22:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Lavishing praise on a mortal man, is much more different than worshiping and singing the praises of a loving God. Just my view on it. If you have a different view of God, you may see it a different way.
+2 because it was good writing.
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:21:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by NotApologizing (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:18:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Except for the part about torture.
Here, I'll show you:
---------------
God, you suck! You are a fucking bagmaster quasipotent orphan of Andromeda! I question your leadership AND your convictions. You are really ugly, too.
-----------------------
Waiting....
See? I am not being tortured right now.
Submitted by William_Q_Percy (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:04:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ooooo... what a twist!!
Too many comments... this blew me away!
Good post
Submitted by whataefag (user info) at 2004-02-23 13:00:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Definitely impending doom on all fronts ...
Good post!
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-02-23 12:59:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
So you kiss his ass and they move your family into the 2 bedroom? I don't think so... you can do better than this, and I hope you do. Welcome.
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2004-02-23 12:46:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Your first +2, by the way. Food for thought, certainly.