Crossed Signals
December 10, 2024 at 11:57PMThis story about the literal rise and fall of a larger-than-life cross in a small town in Mississippi is a ride. And not a sedate ride: a ride along a pockmarked mountain road, and you’re sitting in the last row of the bus to maximize bounce. I won’t say more so as to avoid spoiling anything; I will merely offer this quote, which is deeply American, deeply 2024, and one of the less dramatic pieces of Easterling’s tale:
“This cross is not merely a remembrance of Jesus’ life and example, not merely a place where lost souls unburden sin from their hearts,” he said, gesturing to all the people who surrounded the gazebo where he stood. He looked as serious as Solomon announcing he would soon split an infant in two. “It is not merely a reminder of the Christian principles on which this great nation was founded. This cross is a beacon of love and selflessness, a highway to the hearts of everyone who can see it.”
Pastor Jones paused for effect. Then he beamed a smile that made everyone breathe deep, like they were on a rollercoaster about to plunge a hundred feet. “Of course, it ain’t just a beacon of Christ’s love. It’s a beacon to the internet. Starting tomorrow, if you can see this cross, you will have free access to the rest of Jesus’s world. The G in this 5G network stands for God.”
from Longreads https://longreads.com/2024/12/10/crossed-signals/
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