The Last Church :
Founded in 1997 A.D., the Last Church (or TLC) was conceived to honor
the end of traditional religion, and the beginning of true global
community.
Intended to pay homage to our Creator (regardless of any specific
belief), its monolithic open-roof structure resembles both Stonehenge,
and the
bombed buildings of earth's Last Great War. In short: a hauntingly
beautiful edifice that moves the soul of even the coldest heart.
Visitors of all faiths are welcome to commune there, and share ideas
with anyone else, on a one-to-one basis. (Though preaching or
proselytizing
in anyform is, of course, verboten.)
The original Last Church measured one hundred feet long by
seventy-five wide. As you ascend the granite steps, you are rapidly
dwarfed by
walls of massive stone blocks four feet wide by eight deep by fifteen
high. On each monolith is chiseled a hard-earned pearl of wisdom, e.g.
"It is
not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes
out."
The gaping entrance stands nine feet tall by six wide, and remains
eternally open as a symbol of God's timeless patience. From this
perspective you gaze on the complete breadth of the structure's
interior, which reveals additional truths carved along the granite
walls, and a central row of large, smooth boulders (twelve feet high
by seven wide)
with a bench carved in each to amply fit two seated visitors. Sit in
such a bench, and you'll feel the boulder wrapping around, sight
restricted to a single carved saying on the stone wall directly
opposite.
Two large apertures on either side of this grand hall--being without
glass or other cover--anchor this structure to the outdoors, no matter
how far into it you walk. A window unto God, so to speak (from
within),
and God's window unto you (from without).
Above is the open sky, where sometimes billowy clouds scud by, or
stars shimmer brilliantly through an ink-black void. Other times you
are graced overhead by breathtaking cobalt blues, electric yellow
sunbeams, a deep gray pall...or showers of rain cascading down the
boulders that
turn the granite walls and benches into diminutive waterfalls (and
you, the
raincoat nymph).
In addition to these two vast windows is an immense, jagged hole as if
bomb-struck. Large irregular stones lay scattered as remnants of war.
You can walk to the top of the edifice from here, stepping from stone
to stone. Once above, you can stroll like a contemplative God (or the
ghost of a wartime casualty) around the entire structure, above it
all: above everything. Lush grasses surround the building for many
acres,
and wave luxuriantly in the slightest breeze: striking contrast to the
cool white-tiled floor of the Last Church sanctum. Add to this stark
color
scheme of bright greens and white, the massive gray stone walls, and
you evoke the presence of something invisible yet omnipresent.
Hidden beneath this solemn granite retreat lies a full basement
equipped with small offices at the furthest end. These subterranean
walls are
lined with bookshelves and computer stations, freely accessible to all
visitors: a library comprising all the world's diverse religions,
philosophies,
and ideologies. Afternoons, the basement overflows with children and
the elderly, eagerly seeking to increase their knowledge and make new
friends online. Evenings see an even broader mix of all ages and
types. But this original Last Church did not begin without
controversy...for its
founding was in a time when people were still at great odds against
each other, simply because they had different opinions, lifestyles,
religions, and
social status.
Late at night, street gangs would fight turf wars on the church
premises. Several unsolved murders were committed. Fundamentalist
Christians
often boycotted and disrupted the daytime peacefulness, on the grounds
it was Satanic. No doubt because this Last Church professed that God's
truth was greater than any book, including the Bible; and that all
world
views were as relevant and sacred as any Christian belief.
To the Last Church's credit, this terrible strife abruptly ended six
months from opening day. Henceforth, it became a sanctuary for anyone
in
danger...one of its intended purposes. Perhaps the initial violence
and disruptions were God's plan to give proof that the benevolent
spiritual force would prevail. For--more than two centuries
later--there has been absolutely no dangerous scenarios played out,
since those initial
six months. In fact, crime for the whole city went down 23% after
TLC's
first year. And after the second year crime was down a total of 58%
for the two years.
But the crimes were never solved, thus police even suspected the
Church's own leadership for some time. Others who proposed to be
followers
sported TLC tattoos, and claimed credit for these crimes. But their
affiliation proved to be hearsay, as the Last Church had no
congregation or services, not even a membership list. Nor does TLC
profess tattooing
oneself as a sign of membership.
Fundamentalist (and some conventional) Christians cited these murders
and violence as evidence of TLC's diabolical roots. Sometimes, at
night,
they'd drive in carloads of garbage and dump it all over the white
tile
floor. I take pleasure knowing every time they showed up, they had to
read the
writing on the wall. Such as: "Love thy neighbor as you do your self."
" Do
unto others as you would have done unto you," and (this one really
popped
their vein) "Jesus said not to write any books or bibles, because the
written word will always be corrupted."
But one particular saying seems to have prophesied the hypocrisy of
these type of Christians. It says: "He that would be first among you,
make him your slave and those that would be last, put at the head of
the
table."
This last passage comes from their own bible, which interpretation
suggests that such two-faced followers of Christ, should give
themselves up to the truth of Christ, such as TLC. The majority of
Christian churches did not want the people to wake up to the truth.
They even
took edited out those parts of their bible to suit their own Doctrine
and agenda.
I used to tell them," If you use your bible as an Idol (the absolute
true word of God), you'll never know God or the spirit of Jesus. It
is not until you get above and past the bible, that the force reveals
itself.
When TLC first opened the Christians fell on it in droves,
evangelizing. When they would not stop I had them arrested and
removed. The spirit
of TLC is to welcome all people of all faiths, and provide a sanctuary
where they could peaceful congregate in friendship and learning. These
so-called Christians finally stopped their arrogant disruptions; and
some gangs gave up their violent ways, to teach Marshall arts on the
grounds of
TLC.
Finally, after six months of turmoil, The Last Church was doing just
what it was intended: bringing people together in positive thought
and camaraderie. The last violent crime on these grounds were the
dumping
of two corpses: gang leaders who fought each other, and killed
innocents. A note was pinned to both their shirts:
"We hold this Church to be sanctuary. Anyone standing on TLC is not to
be harmed in anyway. NO crime will be tolerated on TLC property, of
any kind. Punishment for braking this rule is death, with out
exception."
Thus began the Last Church's reign of peace, forevermore. So let it be
written, so let it be done, so let it be fun.
--
http://www.thelastchurch.org
leahcim@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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