Wednesday, August 15, 2007

how not to do religion

No wonder Christianity (and by extension, religion) is a laughing stock when you can get products like these:
It's embarrassing, that's what it is. Where's the dignity, the beauty, the reverence found in the amazing icons of the Byzantine and Coptic world, the cathedrals of the West, and the contemplation of the beauties of nature?

6 comments:

Cat C-B (and/or Peter B) said...

Oooooh! Oooooh! Armor of God PJs! I want some!

The Jesus sock puppet reminds me of the episode of Angel where David Boreantz's character is turned into a puppet. Gotta win an award for its fabulous shot of an angry muppet.

Hmmm... makes me think of a Jonathan Edwards sermon reworking, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Muppet."

Seriously, though--I've seen things at least as silly in the Pagan world. I had a friend who once had a vision of Herne as (wince) Bullwinkle the Moose. And all those altars to Elvis have a certain lack of dignity.

I think the main difference is that Pagans know it's OK to laugh at our gods--that Pagan gods like, for instance, the Dagda, flat out have a funny side to them. And that there is a sacred dimension to humor.

Jesus himself probably knew that, and would think the puppet is funny.

Dunno if he'd wear the PJ's, though...

Yewtree said...

I think the worst Pagan products - apart from obvious things like cheesy statuettes and cards of fairies, and instant spell kits - are actually things like the reburial controversy, and the protests against events at chalk figures - which just make Pagans look like fundamentalists.

I'll align myself with any mystical religious liberal - I don't want to look like a fundie of any stripe, Pagan or Christian or anything else. I think us religious liberals need to be making a LOT more noise - which is why the Phoenix Affirmations are so excellent. Let's get the word out that you don't have to be a fundie to be an adherent of a religion.

And yes, a sense of humour is an absolutely essential asset.

Anonymous said...

Definitely a sign of the times!

I remember my friend explaining to me how she had convinced the priest to order Jesus and Mary dolls for her preschool Sunday School class because she believed the roll playing was really important. At first I thought she was joking - but she really had Jesus and Mary dolls in her Sunday School class! I don't think I'll tell her about the Jesus sport statues.

Pete Aldin said...

That Jesus puppet is kind of ... creepy. Reminds me of that Horror movie series with Chucky the doll.

Yewtree said...

LOL Pete!

Didn't see that movie - I don't like horror films, and dolls in general give me the creeps.

Yewtree said...

Just seen the Jesus action figure - I wonder if it comes with an AK47 ?