The Role of the Holy Fool ...

I've always loved comedy.
I remember as a kid watcing shows like Carol Burnett and rolling on the floor laughing. To put it in context, as a kid we had tv pillows made by our neighbour Mr. Baumbach that we laid on on the floor right in front of the old console Zenith in the living room. So, rolling on the floor was just part of a normal night of tv viewing.

Having said that though, comedy has been an important ribbon running through my life since childhood. I love to laugh, and I love to laugh at the comedic genius of anyone from Laurel & Hardy through to modern comedians like Russell Peters, George Carlin, Ron James and the late great Bill Hicks.

I'll openly admit that I had never heard of Bill Hicks until Katie (of the blog At the Half Note) suggested then sent a cd of his comedy to me. I was awestruck ... I listened to the cds of this comedic genius over and over and over ... I searched out a book of his musings, and I managed to find a dvd of his routines. I've referenced him numerous times around here, and I'll even proudly proclaim that I've referenced him in my sermons on several occassions.

Most recently was today ... I used Bill's wise statement about the world being nothing more than a ride, as the opening salvo in my 9/11 Anniversary Reflection.

My motivation was and remains simple - I wanted to use something that challenges us to look beyond the fear and insecurity that grips our modern era, and instead hear words of HOPE that challenge us to move PAST our fear and embrace more positive feelings and thoughts like love ... and Mr Bill Hicks, a man who harshly (and perhaps rightly) criticized the Church, offers those words for us ...

So, I quoted from him, and celebrated the necessary role of 'The Fool' in our midst, particularly in times when we seem intent on other things ... The role of the Fool in Shakespearean literature is that of the wise man speaking the truth that no one wants to hear ... Today in our post-9/11 world I would dare to suggest that Bill Hicks represents such a Holy Fool who speaks the truth we need to hear.

I'll be posting my sermon shortly over at my blog "United Church in the Grey Highlands" ... let me know what you think ...

In the meantime ... thoughts and prayers for our troubled world today and always!
Shalom,

Wise words from a HILARIOUS Prophet ...

I've been listening to A LOT of Bill Hicks lately and reading a collection of his writings, interviews and routines ... I even bought a dvd of his stand up routines ... The man is FRICKIN' Brilliant.

His views on politics remain scathingly accurate ... his commentary on economics and security are frightfully prophetic in the post 9/11 world ... and his take on RELIGION is smack on.

I find Bill Hicks to be a breath of prophetic fresh air in a world that too often is stifled and repressed ... the unfortunate thing is that for MOST people the wisdom that lies in his humour will be lost by the false prudishness that comes with self-righteousness ...

If, as a Church, we want to reach out to the world we need to listen to the modern prophets ... people like Robin Williams, Kevin Smith, Bill Hicks and others who through their humour hold up a mirror and show us what we're really like ... AND, if we dared to preach the Good News as we find it in our Prophet-Comics, the world would not only listen, we'd be preaching it with credibility ...

There is little to argue with in the following quotation from the incomparable Bill Hicks:

This is the reason Christians are so meddlesome. And annoying. And ... well, unchristian.
They don't believe in God, but they do believe int he devil.
They don't believe in Heaven, but they do believe in Hell.
They don't believe in Salvation, but they do believe in Sin.
They don't believe in Forgiveness, but they do believe in Condemnation.

It never occurs to Christians they might need God's word a little more than other people. Or, that they may be among the last on Earth to GET IT!!!

They're like an annoying child from grade school who, after learning basic math, goes up to a physicist and tried to convince him how much he's missing from his life from not realizing two plus two equals four.

So, that's what I think if the Wicked Christians. And if you don't believe me, just listen to the words of Jesus himself in Luke, chapter 5, verse 32:

'I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'

God, I pray Christians get the message soon ...

AND so do I - thanks Bill !!

Bill Hicks on David Letterman - a long overdue apology!!

David Letterman has always been a class act.

On January 30th, he set right something that never should have happened ... On October 1st 1993, David deleted from his late night talk show Bill Hick's last of 12 appearences on Letterman's stage.

At the time, the routine was dubbed "too controvertial". In retrospect it was BRILLIANT, and typical of Bill's astounding Stand Up.

I've posted the three clips I found on Youtube tonight ... the first is of David acknowledging his mistake, and noting that because of Bill's premature death at the age of 32 a few short months after the erstwhile appearance, an apology could not be delivered to Bill directly.

The second clip that follows the first is David's candid conversation with Mary, Bill's mom. Mary doesn't really pull any punches, and with grace Letterman takes the hits and honours a man who should have been honoured on October 1st 1993 with one last appearance.

And the final clip is the previously un-seen routine that Letterman so foolishly dropped from his programme. Even Letterman notes at the end that it withstands the test of time ... Bill Hicks was THAT GOOD !!!

These three clips prove Letterman to be a class act ... Mary Hicks to be a gracious and wonderful woman ... and Bill Hicks to be a witty, astute, and prophetic voice that used comedy to teach ALL of us about REAL LIFE. (his bit on celebrating the Death and Resurrection of Jesus by telling our children that a Giant Bunny Rabbit left chocolate eggs in the night is hilarious ... the observation that "I've read the Bible. Can't find the word bunny or chocolate anywhere in the book ..." is icing on the cake.

Take time to enjoy on of Comedy's brightest lights ... you won't be disappointed !!!

Thanks Mr Letterman - you did good !!!!

Bill Hicks on Letterman - Part Two - Bill's Mom!!

Bill Hicks on Letterman - Part Three - the infamous routine !!