Video Trespass

Last updated on: March 12, 2009 at 3:05 pm by David Hayward

Video Trespass 2009-03-12T15:05:30-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

dscf0199 Once in a while someone will send me a link to a YouTube video of some church service where people are worshiping in a crazy fashion. I never find them funny or even true. I mean, sure… we’re looking at people spinning and falling and raising their hands and dancing and singing. But it’s not true! The point of the videos is usually to mock these people, to expose them and their foolishness, and to embarrass them. My first impression is always embarrassment. Not for them. Me.

I love charismatic worship. I do it. And I wouldn’t want it taped. It would be embarrassing. All it would do is give people a snap-shot of my life that to most would look really silly, superficial and sentimental. I think of David who danced naked before the Lord. I haven’t danced naked… well, not in public anyway… but I have danced. And like David, it is usually undignified, and would look even more undignified on video.

I believe in freedom of expression when it comes to worship. I don’t think it can or should be legislated. People must be free to express their joy or sorrow or respect or whatever in whatever fashion they choose. Of course, the community helps us understand what is appropriate and what isn’t, what offends and what doesn’t. I remember years ago there was a woman worshiping who looked like she was having sex with the floor. We gently helped her stop that. Children were watching.

When we are worshiping with all of our being, including our emotions and bodies, it may very well look undignified. It’s deeply intimate. So, I think it’s immature to record and distribute this stuff in order to denigrate someone. It would be like watching real people (not movie or porn stars) having sex. There’s something voyeuristic and even unsightly about it. I think it’s totally legitimate and necessary to critique ideas and the things we do. But when it comes to critiquing worship, that’s ground that I dare not tread upon. It’s too personal. It’s too sacred.

The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Howard Nowlan.

Check out my tees HERE and my art HERE.

Previous Post

March 12, 2009

cartoon: We All Love Surprises!

Next Post

March 13, 2009 cartoon: innovation

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Jabez" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Sorrow Victory Strength The Lord Saves