Welcome To Penistown…

When my 12 yrs old grandson and I went to the Gulf of Mexico to see my son this Fall we traveled on the Indian Nation Turnpike from Muskogee to Hugo, Ok. It’s in the boonies and one of my favorite parts of the trip. However, on the way back going north, a few miles before you get to the Muskogee turnoff, there’s an eyesore I just can’t abide. Near the top of a very large hill (small mtn) someone cut down about a 5-10 acres patch of beautiful trees, scalping the landscape and put large white painted boulders spelling out a giant “JESUS”. It grinds my gears every time I see it and you can’t help but see it.

My grandson says, “Oh, that’s kind of cool.” And I challenged that statement with, “What’s cool about it, that they cut down all those beautiful trees that provide oxygen for us and homes for animals or that they are forcing their beliefs on us?” He asked, “What do you mean?” I replied, “Tens of thousands of people travel this road every year and many, probably 1/3 or are not xtian and yet they are forced to see it every time they drive this. That is forcing your religion on someone.”

“Think of it this way… what if I built a town right next to the highway and made all the buildings, big and small, look like penises?” “Ewww…” he called. “And I made the giant water tower a 200ft high bright pink penis and had signs all up and down the highway “This way to Penistown”? “Fuel, next right at Penistown!” “Eat at Penistown!”

“No, I would NOT like that!” he replied. “I would not look at it. That would be horrible to me.” “I said, “Yes, and that giant “JESUS” sign is offensive to me. I do not want to have to look at it and what do you think someone like the people who put that jesus message up would think about my Penistown that THEY would have to look at?” “They would probably sue you to have it took down.” He answered. “Yes, they most likely would, them and many others.”

Then I asked, “Do you get my point, now.” “Yes”, he laughed, “one person’s Jesus sign is another person’s Penistown!” Then we both laughed. “Exactly!”

I think I made my point and made it memorable because we saw a very large cross today while we were out driving and I heard him whisper, “Penistown.”