The Minister of Death

Thanks for your couragously bold comment. I like that you speak your mind.

Although you disagree with his efforts, I hope you agree that the story is still a necessary and compelling one. I think it's just another great story that shows the diversity of people's lives, regardless of our own judgement.

Although there's not an urgency to follow his efforts by any means, there's a necesity for these stories to be made. I hope I have your support.

I support your efforts the piece is well cut, but I can't help to see this as a glorification of a man that does not warrant glorification. Faith should not be used as a means of intimidation.

...i don't know that I came away with the same message as donald did.

in the end, this is a story about how God will use things you like in order to use you for things he likes...like saving people from harm.

some people assume God is cosmic kill joy whose intentions for your life involve poverty and boredom...which need not be true...you can live a life devoted to God with the clothes you have in your closet and the tattoos on your skin. that is how the God of the universe gets down.

on a sociological tip, I think this pod does a lot to put a face on the emerging multicultural evangelical movement. the media cannot continue to depict evangelicals as uppity wasps.

i liked this video. i was thinking the same thing. we all need to have an anti-drug, and i guess serving as an anti-drug works, too. i thought he had more guts than most of us, showing up at a random spot and doing his thing with the neighborhood. crazyness. what did you think of that business?

i thought dude was lil loco myself or, at least, brave. i was right...about the loco part. ..haha.

You are like Lays potato chips... I dare anyone to say your name and not say it again. Thanks for your comment, Awesome

There are tons of amazing stories that are off the beaten path. Just takes some research. In this case, Erik befriended us. Genuinely good folks.

findushere.com

Bishop,

Thanks for taking the time out to peep and comment on the pod. I appreciate your critical eye.

I wonder, though, if you (like me) are accustomed to thinking about pods (tv segments) in the same way you think about the written word (say, an essay or op-ed piece or short story for that matter).

I think we rightfully demand logical narratives and/or argumentative clarity from the written word. But I dont think that holds for video/tv/film in the same way.

In fact, my editor, Don Q, helped me to view this pod not as an essay whose story needs to be developed A-B-C-D-E with supporting sub points and examples, rather we could view this pod much more like a comic book. A comic book works with snapshot images and concise phraseology. Meaning, in comic books, is found in between the lines. We thought about his pod in similar fashion.

Taken with comic book (versus essay) logic, Minister of Death plays out like:
A) Man attracted to the dark side; lives life of evil
B) Supernatural occurence, God intervenes and changes Erik's life and gives him a mission and purpose
C) But Erik doesn't have the means to make it happen
D) But God miraculously intervenes
E) Now he is out fighting crime in the neighborhood using his utility belt (hearse, coffin, mannequin) to do good rather than evil.

nahmean?

Interesting perspective. As an Ultimate X-Men fan myself I can definitely appreciate the comic book analogy.

I agree with your explanation. Thinking back on it, I was overly critical (when it comes to that particular gap) because of my own views regarding religion. But when I applied your logic a recent flick I watched (The Science of Sleep) it made perfect sense.

I don't always mind a "gap" not being filled in. In fact, leaving a movie a bit open ended isn't necessarily illogical. It could inspire the viewer to fill in the blank for his or herself.

Anyway bro, be sure to send me any other pods if you post them.

Until later.

bishop,
thanks again for contributing to the convo. I mentioned the comic book perspective to my peers at work and they seemed to like it too...and came up with ways to introduce stories that would normally escape me if wasn't forced to think in those terms. it's new for me but proving helpful.

i've never read a comic book in its entirety (you might beg to differ [read: bible]...does that make me a freak!?

Maybe not entirely by any means, but that's the right spirit! 8') Thanks for the great comment.

actually, decay, it's that 'any means necessary' philosophy that gets so many religious folks like yourself into trouble. the fact of the matter is the ends do not always justify the means and you better watch what you say before somebody approaches you with such a radical philosophy...like a jihadist or something!

ok, i'm just kidding.

I used to think the same thing about the talk shows that bring sargeants to scare the crap out of horrible kids, until I saw that it sometimes took a non-traditional approach for these children to reflect on their lives. I don't think this pod is cheesy. He's definitely not the counselor we think of when we envision a mentor, but his methods are still practical and effective.

But I was also creeped out by this pod. The nice freaky music did it, I think. I think it was the intention of the producers, so I liked it. GREENLIGHT! Good stuff, for goodness sake.

your comment got me thinking about how major corporations might be using the same fear tactic (especially pharmaceutical companies). there's nothing new about attempting to persuade people.

Sup, mang. Glad to see you on Current. Now you can submit your own projects for content. Make sure you take a look around and gain some noteriety with your family of producers.

Save me a piece of that corn!

"witness"... I love that you said that.

that's the truth. thanks for sharing that. what do your friends think when they see this guy roll up in the barrio? have your friends seen this video? i wanna know what they think about him when you show them the video?

Thanks for your great comment.

thanks for the positive response. he is simply using what God has given him...his experience...to help others who are crying our for new life. And how bad could that be?

not bad at all... =)

Thank you.

be an atheist (or at least question religious superstition and dogma)

I liked that you like it. But I'm bothered by what's bothering you. What's up?

Well now... that was really gay but it's all good because they meant for it to be.

I like when the scholars come out to comment. Things usually end up stupid, dumb, gay or retarded.

if belief in God can serve as a drug, why couldn't disbelief in God serve a similar function. How is your atheistic pill any less a drug than the theistic pill?

belief in god is intoxication; atheism is sobriety.

excellent reasoning.

Well, if he can 'coerce' others into being clean (or at least cleaner), then that ain't so bad.

And a real hero atheist is not going to be swayed by the threat of death anyway. (and in fact, any of the the truly spiritually connected would not be swayed by the threat of death.)

I liked your quote. The guy from Bill & Ted's said that?

I also curious how his efforts affect people in different ways, because people have different relationships with the idea of death.

That's the truth, G. I'm glad you're doing your part to make positive things happen. Continue inspiring the people, man. People love it when you share these stories.

See, i'm a bonafied atheist, but reasoned enough to appreciate what this guys doing. A really informative pod Books. Really good find, and a very good way for someone who changed and turned their life around.

We're all gonna die sometime, at least we're reminded of it this way, and why its good to live a positive life.

Nice one man, and thanks for the comment on my Goldsmiths Interview.

Safe.

Cedric. I really enjoyed your thorough response of the pod. The layered nature of this piece sometimes brings its critics to pick a layer and roll with it, but your educated, analytical nature was able to find the heart of the project. Regardless of what people may think of this topic, its the disciplined attempt from all of us (the producer, the subject, & the viewer) that makes these efforts golden.

wowzers! very different approach!

wendy,
thanks for the vote and comment!

stay up!

cedric,
thanks for the comment and vote. good looking out.