- Hold Internet forums focusing on people who are spiritual rather than "religious."
- Foster knowledge of all religions.
- Report misuse of religious titles.
- Report the abuse of any religious scripture for purposes of condemning people or gaining converts.
- Be a watchdog service.
A possible name for the group: Church of the Non Proselytizer.
or... Save The Sermons - PLEASE!
Here are some of the people who have been ordained in the Universal Life Church:
Glenn Beck - Milton Berle - Mel Blanc - Ray Bolger - Richard Branson - Vikki Carr - Johnny Carson - Cyd Charisse - Tony Danza - Sammy Davis, Jr. - Doris Day - Wavy Gravy - Kathy Griffin - George Harrison - Goldie Hawn - Hugh Hefner - Wolfman Jack - Carson Kressley - John Lennon - Courtney Love - Paul McCartney - Alanis Morissette - Madalyn Murray O'Hair - Debbie Reynolds - Rosalind Russell - Tori Spelling - Ringo Starr - James Stewart - Sharon Stone - Barbra Streisand - Hunter S. Thompson - John Waters - Mae West
Good company, eh? Think of being baptized by Wolfman Jack! Or united in holy matrimony by Hunter S. Thompson! Imagine a funeral presided over by Johnny Carson! Okay, I could do without my name being mentioned in the same breath as Glenn Beck or Doris Day. But, que sera, sera!
Seriously, if you're in a war (the culture war, of course), it wouldn't hurt to have some of the same weapons as the enemy. Christofascists are an arrogant lot simply because they think they have R-E-S-P-E-C-T on their side. They do - but it's only a blind respect: seldom challenged, seldom earned.
So why not a church or religious group devoted to Freedom From Organized, Proselytizing Religion? We wouldn't try to convert the Jehovah's Witnesses who ring our doorbells. Nor would we approach people with the assumption that they are sinners. We wouldn't be that insulting!
My own credentials? The research for my book (Sacred Cows Make The Best Hamburgers) boasts over 110 books in its bibliography. I've witnessed religions in their prime and when they become irrelevent. As a student, I studied with Dominican scholars and know enough Latin to fake my way through the meanings of some very long words. I know about the historical/critical method of reading the Bible (while also being applicable to other faiths as well). I have Faith in God, I believe in humanity,compassion, scholarship, Karen Armstrong, John Boswell, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Morton Smith, Charles Freedman, Bart Ehrman (must reading) and Elaine Pagels.
And one more thing: I believe in looking great in a pair of Speedos. So, to be ordained or not to be ordained?
Comments very welcome!
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