400 Churchgoers Dress As Jesus To Put Christ Back In Christmas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dressed in flowing robes and thorny crowns, about 400 churchgoers promised their pastor they'd dress like Jesus as a hard-to-miss reminder of the holiday's religious roots.

Members of Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship began showing up that way last week at jobs, shopping malls and restaurants. The demonstration wrapped up Wednesday.

"I know it's a crazy idea," said pastor Kelly Lohrke, whose 600 members attend services in Kansas City, Kan., and nearby Lee's Summit, Mo. "I know it's a radical idea. Christians can have fun with their faith and sharing their faith."

Lohrke said he came up with the idea out of frustration over the removal of crosses, nativity scenes and other religious symbols from public view.

Several groups have pushed the issue this year, with the American Humanist Association plastering ads on Washington, D.C., buses that proclaim "Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness' sake." That story motivated Lohrke protest.

Lohrke, whose church is part of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Praise Chapel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International, isn't convinced the founding fathers intended separation of church and state to mean the end of Jesus displayed publicly for holidays.

"It's just absurd," he said, "that Jesus is taken out."

Lohrke brought up the idea at services on Dec. 14, telling parishioners: "We aren't going to preach." If asked about their attire, he said, participants are free to share their faith.

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"We've gotten nothing but positives," said Lohrke, who has dressed like Jesus at a Starbucks, a Target store and a post office.

Lohrke posted a video on YouTube declaring "Jesus is Back" and showing a participant in long gown and crown of thorns strolling through a mall, sitting on Santa's lap and averting his eyes as he strolls past a Victoria's Secret store.

"Next year, we are going to make this a big deal," he said.

___

On the Net:

Praise Chapel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International: http://www.praisechapel.com/

Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship: http://www.praisechapelkc.com/

American Humanist Association: http://www.americanhumanist.org/

Comments

[Retrofuturistic]

How ridiculous. Kind of makes me want to get a Jesus bobble head and put it in the back of my car....

[Pacific231]

I will say the American Humanist Association's misguided ad campaign played into the hands of the assorted mixed nuts out there. It's too bad the AHA didn't try a different slogan like: "This year, let's keep KINDNESS in Christmas" -- from which the AHA would have gotten much more mileage from and put Christians on the defensive to prove they are kind to everyone.

[Hirnlego]

Meet your maker:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=105268&title=meet-your-maker

[cc]

Yecch. The self-delusional should have dressed up like trees as a hard-to-miss reminder of the holiday's PAGAN roots.

[vim876]

This is the beauty of America. Our church and state are separated, and we protect the freedom of speech. These people are using their freedom of speech to proclaim their faith in the public sphere, just as the American Humanist Association is with their bus ads. I say huzzah to a noisy, bustling, public sphere!

[wembakoy]

They are other people around the world who can not even think about this holiday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kTp5Cjx8TQ

read also the link below for more information:

http://okonda.com/please_save_my_people.html

Please share and do something for them.

[BuzzingAlong]

Instead of dressing up "like" Jesus why not "ACT" like Jesus by helping children, the homeless, elderly in nursing homes and hospitals and feeding people at soup kitchens?

[Pacific231]

AMEN!!

[Sparhawk]

They are plenty that do what you suggest, but the ones that "look" like Jesus get the publicity. The ones actually walk the walk don't want or look for the media to show their "spirituality".

Stunts like this only perpetuate the image of hypocrisy among Christians, because you never hear of the "walking" in His footsteps.

[johnnygoodwud]

should have put some twinkle lights on that head wreath.

[johnnygoodwud]

jesus sitting in a coffee house, reading a paper and sipping a fancy cup of joe, only thing missing is him puffing on a lucky strike. guess jesus took the week off.

[BaileyWo]

ROTFLMAO!