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| Robin Williams in License to Wed (2007) |
Who cares if no one I know has actually ever seen him worshipping at an Episcopal Church? His father was an Episcopalian and the actor/comedian was raised as one so that's good enough for me.
First uttered as part of an HBO special, it has gone as viral as anything in the Episcopal Church. In fact, I'm wearing a bright red t-shirt with the Episcopal shield on the front and Williams' list on the back -- it's been a great conversation starter over the years.
Just to refresh your memory here it is:
Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian (according to Robin Williams, that is)
10. No snake handling.
9. You can believe in dinosaurs.
8. Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.
7. You don't have to check your brains at the door.
6. Pew aerobics.
5. Church year is color-coded.
4. Free wine on Sunday.
3. All of the pageantry -- none of the guilt.
2. You don't have to know how to swim to get baptized.
And the Number One reason to be an Episcopalian:
1. No matter what you believe, there's bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.It would be the ultimate act of hubris to update this iconic list but I'm on vacation right now and…what the heck? Humility is in the eye of the beholder -- I think that's in the Bible somewhere.
More Top Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian (according to Father Tim)
10. The only thing we take literally is "Coffee Hour."
9. All of the sacraments -- none of the indulgences.
8. Gay and straight God created them; gay and straight we marry them.
7. Bouncers don't check your ID at communion.
6. Fire and incense, not fire and brimstone.
5. Guilt-free royal watching -- because we're Anglicans.
4. Vestments cover a multitude of wardrobe malfunctions.
3. No "second collection."
2. Washington National Cathedral? Yeah, that's ours.
And the Number One reason to be an Episcopalian:
1. We're the only ones God trusts enough to take the summer off.
I now need a second t-shirt to go with the one I wear for all High Holy Days. Your list is as funny as Robin's!
ReplyDeleteRemember there are a few "Hollywood types" that are Episcopalians!
list addition: drinking!
ReplyDeleteI was baptized and raised Episcopalian and I recall my mother telling me the joke: "wherever you find 4 Epicopalians... you'll find a fifth!" ha
We have just been ahead of the curve on the "fire and incense" bit:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520110415.htm
Lorinne, I've heard it as, Episcopalians: Wherever two or three are gathered, there is always a fifth. ;-)
ReplyDelete"Verily, I say unto you, wherever two or three are gathered together, they shall be joined by a fourth bearing a fifth."
ReplyDeleteBaptists never drink..............together
ReplyDeleteWith the exception to the one about royals watching, list works for my Lutheran congregation as well. Nice list!
ReplyDeleteExcuse my ignorance (and I ask this respectfully), but why does any of this make you better than anyone else?
ReplyDeleteThe list doesn't say they are better just 10 reasons to be one and the list (original 10) was made by a comedian... "It's a joke son, a joke"
DeleteHow many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
ReplyDelete:
:
20.
That is one to make the change and 19 to say it does not need to be changed!
(But if you do, make it a LED.)
This is a good list. It certainly shows that Episcopalians/Anglicans can laugh at themselves.
ReplyDeleteEpiscopal church is often the most understatedly elegant church in town
ReplyDeleteHow do I get a shirt?
ReplyDeleteThat one about taking the summer off almost makes me want to think about being religious again. Wait a minute – Episcopalians are not religious are they?
ReplyDeleteSounds a little soft for me. Where is the authenticity? I want a Church - with all its teeth. Not a club of believers who that bend to the desires of the time.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I am sorry you have missed the ability to laugh at one's self. Humor is God's way of allowing us to maintain sanity. Please feel free to believe whatever you wish but keep your judgements of others to yourself. This is only meant as a joke between people who understand the humor.
Delete*sigh* Dear Anonymous, Christians who can laugh at themselves are being humourous, not literal. At least, not completely literal. All right - literal but with a hefty pinch of salt, a lime wedge and some tequila.
ReplyDeleteif God had not intended Christians to laugh He would not have created Robin Williams. I rest my case.
ReplyDeleteI object to the "free wine on Sunday" reason. I believe Jesus would not have considered that as what you call FREE. Fr. Roger Butler
ReplyDeleteWhat's with all the "Father" business? I thought that was the Roman church, after all. Let it go, already!
ReplyDeleteHey, you forgot "Mother". We Allow that too. One of them.
ReplyDeleteTolerance. That's the best reason to be Episcopalian. Followed immediately by the ability to laugh at ourselves right along with God. Amen!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course the one thing that we can all absolutely agree on, in any Christian denomination, is that the minute anyone says anything about anything related to belief or practice it will start an argument.
ReplyDeleteAnd, today Robin Williams died. May he rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteNow, if we could only learn to party...
ReplyDeleteAs a UMC pastor, I spent the better part of my life having never really spent a lot of time around Episcopalians. Until I went to seminary. Now, whenever I preside over communion, ask that God would bless the bread and wine, look down and see little cups of grape juice looking up at me, I always laugh inside, and feel like a dirty liar haha!
ReplyDeleteRobin Williams - made us laugh...may he find peace and happiness in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless Robin....David
Wearing my t-shirt today & sad.
ReplyDeleteLove that we are a progressive church. Sadly, in my diocese, my bishop will not allow my partner and I to marry. We are however supported by our Rector and almost all from our parish
ReplyDelete