Naom Chomsky said that “if you believe in freedom of speech you believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like”. But many of faith often complain that freedom of speech and expression shouldn’t mean freedom to deliberately offend. Yet how does one avoid offending when the freedom to exchange ideas is seen as the very pillar of a tolerant society?
In out current climate, debates on faith and society have become so polarised that one can almost imagine the two armies of secularism and religion engaged in a bloody ideological war. Yet I expect most of us who have faith do not recognise ourselves in such battles. For me, religion is not weakened but strengthened by humour. The ability to see the bad with the good, the problems as well as the gifts of faith demands that we be honest and reflective, able to engage with a wide array of cultural and social perspectives. The ability to see ourselves as others might see us is a sign of humility. The ability to laugh at ourselves is a sign of confidence and maturity, that we take neither ourselves nor what we believe to be the only moral arbiters of society. Laughter not only connects us to each other but lifts the soul – as e.e. cummings said, the most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
So, I really expected this comment section to take off with humor and jokes. It didn’t so I guess the joke’s on me?
Church Bulletin Bloopers
*Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
*The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
*The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
*Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
*Ushers will eat latecomers.
*The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
*For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
*The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
*The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, “Break Forth Into Joy.”
*During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
*Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on “It’s a Terrible Experience.”
*Due to the Rector’s illness, Wednesday’s healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
(Follow up: GOD IS GOOD Dr. Hargreaves is better.)
*Stewardship Offertory: “Jesus Paid It All”
*The music for today’s service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.
*Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
*The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
*The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister’s daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
*22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
*A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
*Today’s Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.
*Hymn 43: “Great God, what do I see here?”
Preacher: The Rev. Horace Blodgett
Hymn 47: “Hark! an awful voice is sounding”
*Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow.
*Don’t let worry kill you off – let the church help.
*The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
Gathered from the internet, and [/i]Chicken soup for the Christian soul[/i]