Request for Prayer and Help if Possible, Not for the faint of heart, or faith… Options

[LvSteveH]

I’ve struggled with the strength to post this, but today I’m feeling braver than usual. Every day I go outside to work on an ill-mannered car that frankly doesn’t get any respect. Even if it is off jackstands, I have been out accelerated by pickup trucks pulling huge fifth wheels. Of course I speak of the 914, and if any group can sympathize it’s all of you.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cars. I admit I thought they were a little ugly at first, but they grew on me. It has not been an easy road though. The 914 is not exactly the status symbol that comes to mind when someone says “Porsche”. I need you all to know that I’m not giving up on the 914 or all of you, I just need some help.

Every day a GT2 cruises my neighborhood reeking of both affluence and performance. The driver literally laughs at my beloved little 914, having no appreciation that it is in fact one of his precious GT2’s predecessors. It never even occurs to him that they are related, and that he owes a debt of gratitude to those who paved the road ahead so that he would have the cornering ability, throttle response, and natural beauty that can only come from the evolution of a vision. That evolution has to start somewhere, and each and every stage plays a part…… and the 914 deserves to be respected, acknowledged, and appreciated.

As you can see I’m getting a bit worked up, and I know if this gets too long it will lose some of you… so

What I’m asking for may sound selfish, narrow minded, and perhaps even rude, but my heart compels me to do it anyway.

Would you all please pray for a new Carrera GT to be delivered to my house, paid in full (I’m not selfish, but the maintenance alone will require subsequent divine intervention, and I don’t want to ask for too much at one time).

I understand that many of you believe that prayer is reserved for selfless acts and noble causes, but my self-esteem is just such a cause. No man who has given so much to what he believes in should have to hang his head in shame. For all of you who have ever been slighted while driving your 914, this is for you too!

I know I should be able to be bigger than such things, I should be able to shrug it off and say it doesn’t matter; but it does matter. When my wife refuses to let me take her out for a nice evening in the 914 because the valet guys always laugh, it is most certainly not ok!

I do not admit to know the role God plays in our lives, or how autonomous we are with regard to his will, so, in the event that prayer doesn’t help, there is another option. We now have over 4,000 members at 914club, and if each person, could give just $150 I feel confident that I could purchase a Carrera GT outright, and proudly display a 914club bumper sticker on the rear. Now I realize that not everyone would contribute to such a cause, so, those with the ability should give more to offset the lack of participation that some members will have.

While I’m confident either of these two plans may work, there is a third and final option. Should something tragic befall, the GT2 driver, like a badly broken left foot, he would be unable to wield his mighty sword. I know this may sound distasteful to some, but I have it on good authority (Pat Robertson), that extreme measures are indeed an acceptable means of affecting the desired outcome. So, if you do not feel that praying will help, and are unable to contribute financially, please send some Jeff Gillooly type character to pick up where God left off.

To Dr. Ferry Porsche I beg…..

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[LvSteveH]

While an appeal for money is a time honored tradition for seekers of absolution; I prefer the solace that comes from doing the right thing, respecting others, and maintaining a decent balance between what is and is not appropriate for a public forum.

I fully embrace the unity that comes from a group of like-minded individuals coming together for a common cause. I think the club should be extremely proud of the causes it has supported and the outpouring of compassion during some of the most trying times life has to offer. I whole-heartedly support such efforts and have even donated on occasion.

What does irk me a bit is the recent influx of posts with a decidedly religious nature. Some of which have even acknowledged the potential to upset some people, and were made anyway. Personally, I do not take offense to any beliefs, and enjoy learning more about various faiths and cultures. What I do take offense to is the invasion of cognitive commons (public places) with things that might make some people uncomfortable or disenfranchise them in any way from an otherwise cohesive group.

As you can see by the number of views this thread has and only one response, which I give Chris credit for making, the subject is not a comfortable one for most people. Those that agree are hesitant to say anything for fear of being labeled and lashed out at; which is a valid concern as Chris so kindly demonstrated. By saying “we” would feel better about “you” having a 914, it makes a clear distinction between those who support religious solicitation in a public forum, and those who do not. Not a very good way to promote unity is it?

My intent was not to offend anyone, simply to bring to light the importance of keeping some personal beliefs personal. I will always be there to offer a helping hand to someone in need, and have the utmost respect for the diversity that makes mankind so unique and spectacular.

Just as gratuitous boob shots used to make some people uncomfortable, religious references have the same impact on others. The off color humor has moved to the “sandbox” and perhaps rightly so, and in that same vein, religious outpourings should as well. The issue is religion, not compassion, support, or sympathy. Those are human universals, religion unfortunately is not.

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