The borderline false concept of ordination is already something to be approached with caution. It is a shaky principle propounded by people more interested in having control over people's spiritual lives that God did not grant.
With that said, it is a very popular concept in the religious world. The process of ordaining implies a spiritual authority that "laypeople" do not have (never mind that according to Peter, EVERY Christian is a priest and it is therefore not possible to have laypeople).
So the following Craigslist posting is all the more funny:
Looking to be Ordained (Vancouver/PDX)
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Date: 2009-11-18, 9:20PM PST
Reply to:
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my husband and I are looking to be ordained. Non-religiously, or interfaith. As we are mixed faiths and want to serve all faiths. Need to be ordained with certificate to get moving with our type of business. Not sure where to go?
•Location: Vancouver/PDX
•it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Ooooooookay. So you want to have a ceremony saying you are authorized to be a religious leader...but you want it to be non-religious.
I think the line about it being a business says a lot.
Even the most cursory reading of Scripture speaks quite plainly about the purpose of TRUE religion; visiting widows and orphans, seeking the lost, following the Scriptural precepts.
Nowhere in there is it referred to as a business.
Quite the opposite. Jesus, when driving out the moneychangers from the temple, said the house of God was NOT to be a place of business.
So the preposterous idea that people want to be ordained and do not care if it is non-religiously, they just want to move on with their business speaks volumes about the ridiculous state of religion in the United States today.
I will take one Chuck Haukaas, struggling to put food on the table but seeking to help those in need spiritually, over a million clowns like these above. I will take one Karl, struggling with health and mental issues but trying to do the best he can to live according to the Scripture than two billion clowns like these.
Get some principles, you chowder heads.
Sadly, I suspect someone will indeed "ordain" them and they will pursue their business. I hope nobody I know ever uses them.
3 years ago
3 comments:
That is hilarious, in a sad sort of way.
I know at least three "ordained" baptist ministers. They were "ordained" online. They filled out their names and printed out their certificates. I am sure these folks could find something similar if they spent any time looking. Just goes to say that on top of everything else, they are lazy.
Rk, it is funny...precisely because it is sad. It is like people being ironic without knowing it but trying to be funny by being ironic.
Fullur, you hit several nails on the head. That is exactly how ridiculous the ordaining process is and how little effort these two put into it. Good point that had eluded me
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