| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"johac" |
| Date: |
26 Dec 2007 01:58:08 AM |
| Object: |
Fundies Clowning Around |
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
The Rev. Tom Rives adopted his alter ego about 35 years ago and has used
it ever since. The message delivered in his high-pitched voice is
weighty for a clown: It is of love and salvation.
Rives believes clowning is a means to teach about Christ. "People who
wouldn't talk to a preacher will talk to a clown," he says.
KoKoMo and a troupe of clown friends have also shown up at prisons,
hospitals, fairs and shopping malls here. The King's Clowns, as they
call themselves, aim to proselytize while entertaining, disarming their
audiences with their silly characters.
Carrollwood's sanctuary is dotted this night with red and white
poinsettias and rows of chairs filled with people. Out of sight, Rives
and 10 other clowns gather in a circle while the pastor prays.
"Father, may the message get across," he says in a deep voice with a
slight Southern drawl.
Within moments, Rives appears before the congregants, his face caked in
white, a tiny blue hat perched crookedly on his head.
"Hi!" he squeals. "I'm KoKoMo the Clown!"
What follows is an hour-long series of skits performed by the clowns,
each with a Christmas theme and a Christian message: Be thankful. Honor
Christ daily. Remember it is more blessed to give than receive.
In between acts, KoKoMo enlists the help of children to pull off magic
tricks. He transforms a giant playing card into one displaying an image
of Christ. A stuffed dove is brought to life. A little girl's jaw drops
when KoKoMo turns numerous colored scarves into one multicolored piece
of fabric.
Vicki Musser, 50, who came to watch the clowns' show, said children and
adults alike can take away something positive.
"It's not so formal in this kind of service. You can relax a little
more," she said. "And I think they can understand a little better."
The act was born in Tennessee around 1970, when Rives was new to
ministry and attended a workshop sponsored by Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey clowns. He never expected to pair his work with his love of the
circus, but before long, it just made sense.
Rives sometimes incorporates clown skits in his regular services. A
couple of times a year, there's a full clown service, and the troupe
regularly visits other places.
Clowning, the 61-year-old pastor says, has allowed him to reach people
who otherwise would not be reached. Some have accepted Christ. Others
leave with questions about their faith. And many simply experience an
innocent joyfulness the clowns see as an expression of Christ's love.
"You can be at a red light dressed as a clown and the people next to you
will just be smiling and waving," said Robin Singleton, 45, who has been
performing as Skittles for two years while wearing a rainbow-colored
jumpsuit and wig.
Rick Racki, aka Riff-Raff, the troupe's only hobo clown, said the
outfits make people more receptive to a spiritual message.
"There's something inside them that just opens up," the 43-year-old
said. "They're more open. They're less afraid."
When the skits have ended, the clowns have stopped making balloon
animals and no one else asks to compare the size of their shoes, Rives
walks silently to his office and drapes his costume over a mannequin.
The show is over, but his work is never done.
---
http://tinyurl.com/2a2c9q
--
John #1782
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
28 Dec 2007 01:46:48 AM |
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On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
.
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| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
29 Dec 2007 12:48:19 AM |
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In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
--
John #1782
.
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
09 Jan 2008 11:55:24 AM |
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On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Did you know my 'issue' is like a horses".....
.
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
11 Jan 2008 01:57:57 AM |
|
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In article <hj2ao3dat8jrlgk1chlgav19qn16qqmfpv@4ax.com>,
stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Did you know my 'issue' is like a horses".....
Ah! A biblical scholar!
--
John #1782
.
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
16 Jan 2008 04:16:16 PM |
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On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:57:57 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <hj2ao3dat8jrlgk1chlgav19qn16qqmfpv@4ax.com>,
stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Did you know my 'issue' is like a horses".....
Ah! A biblical scholar!
heh
.
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
29 Dec 2007 01:26:01 AM |
|
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On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Hey babe! I can see that you are a she-male!
What happens if you slam that porn book on it?"
.
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
30 Dec 2007 12:47:39 AM |
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In article <3itbn35re6dm15nshcfrhj400l4bcm7rmq@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Hey babe! I can see that you are a she-male!
What happens if you slam that porn book on it?"
Wouldn't surprise me. :-)
--
John #1782
.
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
|
| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
30 Dec 2007 01:45:19 AM |
|
|
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:47:39 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <3itbn35re6dm15nshcfrhj400l4bcm7rmq@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Hey babe! I can see that you are a she-male!
What happens if you slam that porn book on it?"
Wouldn't surprise me. :-)
Uh Huh...
Which Churches have you been too?
Oh, never mind!
.
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| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Fundies Clowning Around |
30 Dec 2007 11:16:56 PM |
|
|
In article <p2jen39dehj7140nbcdviq4ve043jh1vh4@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:47:39 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <3itbn35re6dm15nshcfrhj400l4bcm7rmq@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:48:19 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article <eea9n3lp48j8choo8iagff84m0bnn50v79@4ax.com>,
Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote:
On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:58:08 -0800, johac
<jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Seems to me like another way to indoctrinate the kids.
---
No joke: Clowns spread the Gospel
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 25, 9:59 AM ET
The clown walked into church like he owned the place.
KoKoMo stood proudly in the sanctuary of Carrollwood Baptist, his huge
white shoes planted firmly, his head-to-toe sequins glimmering, his
nose
and wig as red as a Christmas bow.
It was no joke. KoKoMo was decked out for God.
<http://web.newsguy.com/MichaelGray/Atheist/ChristianClowns.jpg>
:
LOL! What is he whispering in her ear?
"Hey babe! I can see that you are a she-male!
What happens if you slam that porn book on it?"
Wouldn't surprise me. :-)
Uh Huh...
Which Churches have you been too?
Our Lady of Perpetual Motion.
Oh, never mind!
OK. Forget I said that.
--
John #1782
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