Saturday, November 28, 1998

Some after-Thanksgiving tidbits

By Tom Schaefer

Knight Ridder Newspapers

With visions of turkey sandwiches, turkey hash and turkey soup dancing in my head, I thought all of us could use something lighter to digest when it comes to religion.

Munch on a few of these tidbits. They're non-fattening, easily digestible and, like the turkey itself, perfect for recycling:

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Are you familiar with the WWJD bracelets? They're reminders to the wearers to ask themselves: What would Jesus do?

The Nov./Dec. issue of The Door magazine has come up with its own set of tongue-in-cheek initials:

For biblical archaeologists, WDJD -- What did Jesus do?

For professional football coaches, WWDD -- What would Ditka do?

For CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, WWTDD -- What would The Donald do?

For dog collars, WWLD -- What would Lassie do?

For teen-agers, W -- Whatever.

I'll add a few of my own:

For creative people who have lots of time on their hands, WWMSD -- What would Martha Stewart Do?

For singers who want to be outrageous, WWMD,N,TOO -- What would Madonna do, no, the other one.

For Alfred E. Newman philosophers, WMW? -- What, me worry?

For the forgetful, WB -- What bracelet?

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The December issue of Life magazine has an interesting mix of photos that highlight the religious diversity in America.

As it points out, in the past two decades the number of Christians in this country has risen by about 24 million, Muslims by 4 million, Jews by 1.3 million, Hindus almost 1 million and Buddhists by 750,000.

The photos in Life are stunning, and the essay ("When You Think of God, What Do You See?") by Frank McCourt is thought-provoking.

McCourt, an Irish Catholic, recounts his spiritual journey and explains why sampling various religious delicacies enriches his life. As he puts it: "All the religions are spread before me, a great spiritual smorgasbord, and I'll help myself, thank you."

That's fine for him, but what if I'm already full?

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It's that time of year when the alarm will probably go off about Christmas displays in public places. You know, the old church-state separation debate. The issue is as sticky as a candy cane in the hands of a 2-year-old.

Which makes this incident last year in the most august judicial building of our nation a bit baffling.

According to the journal First Things, a tree topped with a star graced the Great Hall of the U.S. Supreme Court. And to complete the celebration, everyone joined in the singing of traditional Christmas carols at the staff's annual Christmas party.

Your honor, may "We Three Kings" approach the bench?

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"If God had been indifferent to you, he'd have made someone else." ("Leaves of Water," by Father Ralph Wright of Saint Louis Abbey).

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Martin Marty, University of Chicago historian, loves to collect church bulletin bloopers. I pass on a few of these appetizers from his Context newsletter:

In Ransom, Kan., the bulletin noted: "Kara Berry lighted the acolytes on the altar."

A bulletin in West Weymouth, Mass., listed the following, in sequence: "Sermon: 'Does God Laugh?' Song: 'Yes, She Can.' "

The prelude for a service in Birmingham, Ala., was titled: "I'm Mortal, Invisible, God Only Wise."

In Cleveland, the announcement read: "Temple Sinai and First Plymouth Congregational Church are having a joint at 8 a.m."

And with those tasty treats consumed, let us now clear the table.

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(Tom Schaefer writes about religion and ethics for the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle. Write to him at the Wichita Eagle, P.O. Box 820, Wichita, KS 67201, or send e-mail to tschaefer(at)wichitaeagle.com )

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(c) 1998, The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.).

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