Is this really effective?
I just saved this image from the Bourbon Street webcam I've been watching. *told you I was addicted* And, I'm just wondering if the "Roman Catholicism is of the Devil" and you're going to hell sign is really effective in saving one's soul. I mean, if someone is stumbling down Bourbon Street drunk and covered with beads, is this sign going to make them see the light and be born again? My first instinct is no. Plus, I'm of the opinion that you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Minister to people by offering them a place to sleep off a drunk or help some poor intoxicated person who has passed out get to a safe place. Minister to their needs, show them compassion and then maybe they'll think 'hey, these Jesus folks are pretty cool. Maybe I need some of what they have.' I guess they may postpone some boobs from being flashed in their proximity, but other than that, I don't quite see the effectiveness in this form of ministry. I'm sure someone will have a scathing comment to leave, but it just seems like there are probably more effective ways for these folks to minister to the people in New Orleans - maybe helping some Katrina victims rebuild or spending the time collecting food for the local food pantry. *shrug* The people on the streets there are stimulating the local economy. Someone is selling those tasty banana dacquiri slushees and someone is making money selling beads and boas and ugly pimp-looking hats.
2 Comments:
At 7:03 PM, February 23, 2009,
The Boisverts said…
I'm a Christian ("born-again" as Jesus called it), and I totally agree with you 100%.
At 10:31 AM, February 24, 2009,
NotClauswitz said…
As a missionary-kid my guess is that the real intent here is not to actually minister to the besotted wretches of stinky Bourbon Street (and it DOES stink, I've been there in the middle of all that crap). The act is one for *Teh Ministers* themselves to Witness - to "speak God's Truth to the Devil's Power" (or whoever is in opposition, or whatever conundrum is being faced). It's a theological rite of passage about establishing "confrontationary credentials" - and also just having been there to say that that's what they did where/when others didn't.
It's also NOT everybody's way of doing things, but it is part of the fabric of Ministry.
Sometimes (too often I think, since people are involved and not Angels) it's really not that much about the supplicants, it's about the challenges to the Suplicator - and granting them their war-medals - "I've BEEN to the battle-ground of the booze-hounds, the den of the harlots and perversities!!"
How else are you gonna call them Christian Soldiers if they don't have a Purple Heart or a Silver Star - and more importantly how will the Media recognize them without such a thing?
And THAT'S where things get all screwy and derailed, and the focus gets shifted and lost as they compete for the Media-Mammon, "I was in Selma Alabama in the '60's!"
"I was at Woodstock!" And a lot of that is typical, callow, Baby-Boomer one-upmanship.
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