Back home, right after Thanksgiving, a crèche shows on the
patch of privately owned land abutting the park in the center of my small town.
And every year there’s some muttering about that, and later there’s also a town “holiday tree” lighting ceremony on town-owned land with no neighboring menorah to balance things. Still, it’s all very low key compared to this week’s event on the main thoroughfare downtown here in Venice.
And every year there’s some muttering about that, and later there’s also a town “holiday tree” lighting ceremony on town-owned land with no neighboring menorah to balance things. Still, it’s all very low key compared to this week’s event on the main thoroughfare downtown here in Venice.
Instead of
the usual solo folk singer or jazz group in the small gazebo in Centennial
Park, passersby are getting The
Word. Smack dab between the shops selling resort wear, shark teeth, and gelato,
there are people reading the entire King James Bible aloud for a 4 day
Read-a-thon. Everyone is invited to participate and reading continues around
the clock, day and night.
As the
promotional blurb proclaims, “We read His Holy Word publicly to honor God and
share his Word with the residents of Venice, Florida
and its visitors, as an act of faith that God will accomplish what He would
like to do in the city of Venice.”
I wonder of
His agenda is the one the rest of us have of hitting the bike trails, strolling
the beach, and sightseeing.
That is a totally alien concept here. Religion (of all flavours) is a great deal more low key. And I find myself wondering what the readers beleive God's agenda for Venice is.
ReplyDeleteReligion is and should be personal. Most of the traditional holiday activities are based on pagan celebrations and were used to get people to accept more Christian activities. If we think we need to celebrate religious experiences in public arenas, then it should be all religions.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I might find that a bit intrusive. Our tiny little hole in the wall village puts up a nativity scene at Christmas or as my son said when he was very little, "that Jesus thing" and balances it out with Whos from Whoville. They all hang out together on the soccer field / ball diamond. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty wonderful thing for volunteers to do. I too wonder about its significance, but it's still a cool thing to have happen, to my mind. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat some people will do to pass the time....
ReplyDeleteThe reading and footprints in the sand go well together. Well sort of ... if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeletequite frankly, if god can't or won't prevent things like mass shootings or horrible accidents or weather events that wipe out whole towns or genocide, what good is he. and all this demand to be worshipped. believe whatever gives you peace but please do it privately and don't try and force it on others.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to do! Bringing God's word to people, they are missionaries:)
ReplyDelete