Author's work|RSS|Keywords|FAQ|Guide|Praise|Resources|Movies|Contact
10/30/2003
Burning Bush
This came in the mail the other day.
"Not everyone," this pamphlet says winningly, "has a burning bush to tell them their life's calling." Something you'd find in a rack near the front of your church? No, this poorly-Photoshopped booklet is put out by the U.S. Department of Labor, which is on a mission from Bush to give more money than usual to religious groups.
"I think it's light-hearted enough that I haven't received any negative response to it," says the DOL's Brent Orrell, who's in charge of all the Religious -- oops, I meant Faith-Based -- and Community Initiatives that they've got going on over there. It's not religion-specific, he says -- it resonates with the most important religions of the world. "They all look back to Abraham so they all understand this." (Though Scientologists looking for money might have a different opinion.) The alternative, he says, is a "secular cover design that might be more appealing."
To test out Brent Orrell's ability to differentiate between people of The Book and heretics who like their government policy a little less Book of Exodus-oriented, I filled out the form, and asked for appropriate materials to be sent, c/o the "Church of Cthulhu" -- who, for all we know, might be interested in funds for the wonder-working power of H.P. Lovecraft's fictitious octopus god.
Sure enough, a thick envelope arrived. Short answer: They included both pamphlets.
"Not everyone," this pamphlet says winningly, "has a burning bush to tell them their life's calling." Something you'd find in a rack near the front of your church? No, this poorly-Photoshopped booklet is put out by the U.S. Department of Labor, which is on a mission from Bush to give more money than usual to religious groups.
"I think it's light-hearted enough that I haven't received any negative response to it," says the DOL's Brent Orrell, who's in charge of all the Religious -- oops, I meant Faith-Based -- and Community Initiatives that they've got going on over there. It's not religion-specific, he says -- it resonates with the most important religions of the world. "They all look back to Abraham so they all understand this." (Though Scientologists looking for money might have a different opinion.) The alternative, he says, is a "secular cover design that might be more appealing."
To test out Brent Orrell's ability to differentiate between people of The Book and heretics who like their government policy a little less Book of Exodus-oriented, I filled out the form, and asked for appropriate materials to be sent, c/o the "Church of Cthulhu" -- who, for all we know, might be interested in funds for the wonder-working power of H.P. Lovecraft's fictitious octopus god.
Sure enough, a thick envelope arrived. Short answer: They included both pamphlets.
This post may have been updated. Please see FAQ.
Last ten items:
What's wrong with these people?The transubstantiation of drool.
Earn big speaking fees. Help Rev. Moon recruit fre...
Interview
Questionable lucre.
"Instead of paying me back, take care of my missio...
More on Rev. Moon's pet federal project
