Religion
Promoting God via Margarine
Had to be one of the least enthusiastic product endorsements ever.The Rev. Mr. Stephens said he took the job only on condition he could write his own script. He starts by saying he is not really a margarine man because it reminds him of his years in the army. Then he adds: "However, we ate it. Our system probably needed it. The body needs fat like the soul needs God."
The commercial was filmed in his study.
Rev. Ronald Stephens
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer - Nov 12, 1970
Posted By: Alex - Mon May 28, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Food, Religion, Advertising, 1970s
The Rite of Exorcism
Released in 1974, The Rite of Exorcism was an album performed by three Catholic priests calling themselves the Contemporary Mission. It included a rock-and-roll version of "Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)." The trio described the album as an attempt to communicate with young people in their own media. So, it was part of the ongoing effort to help Catholicism shed its stuffy image.Except, in this case there's some debate over whether the three really were bonafide Catholic priests. By 1980 they were under investigation for using tax-exempt religious status to run a sketchy mail-order business that sold snake-oil of various kinds such as "a bath oil described as weight-reducing... and a 'Living Cross' that, when coupled with a special prayer, was guaranteed to change your life 'in just five days.'"
More info: WFMU (which has the whole album available as a free download), discogs.com, law.justia.com.
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 11, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Music, Religion, 1970s
Procession of the Holy Carpet
A vanished, rather homely and charming rite of the Islamic religion.
Full essay here.
At the beginning of the century, there were several types of popular ceremonies in Egypt that have disappeared or faded with time. One such ceremony is the procession of “El Mahmal” or “The Holy Carpet.”
The yearly celebration involved the Egyptian government manufacturing a new cover for the Holy Kaaba and offering it to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After the cover is prepared in the factory, a large ceremony takes place in Cairo, where a parade organised by the Egyptian army tours the different districts of the city.
The parade included a caravan of decorated camels carrying the Holy Carpet, as well as many other gifts. After the caravan ends its tour in Cairo, it starts its long trip, guarded by the Egyptian army, across the eastern desert, then on to the Suez Canal and Sinai till it reaches Palestine.
From Palestine, it goes directly to Saudi Arabia, crossing its northern borders to the heart of Hijaz, then to Mecca. Normally it reached Mecca before the pilgrimage season, where another ceremony takes place that ends with the covering of the Kaaba with the Holy Carpet.
Posted By: Paul - Sun May 06, 2018 -
Comments (0)
Category: Religion, Interior Decorating, Middle East, Twentieth Century
Sweet Jesus Preacherman
Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Thu May 03, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Movies, Exploitation and Grindhouse, Religion, 1970s
Saint Mary of the Highways
‘Saint Mary of the Highways’ I & II are names of two trailer chapels operated by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Designed by George F. Chaplain, one was built in 1938 and the second in 1948. They were dedicated by Bishop Ireton. Purchased by the donations of the people at the cost of $10,000 each, they contain church equipment, public address system and living accommodations for two priests. During the summer, programs of Scripture, music, prayer, question answering, sermons, movies and literature are presented daily. You are invited to visit the Chapel on the road, or at our home in Richmond.
Postcard source.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 26, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Motor Vehicles, Religion, 1930s, 1940s
Carrying the cross against feminism
Given the point she was trying to make, seems like it would have been more appropriate to drag her husband as he reclined in a rickshaw, or something along those lines.
Baltimore Sun - July 21, 1997
The Guardian - July 22, 1997
Posted By: Alex - Fri Apr 13, 2018 -
Comments (6)
Category: Religion, Gender, Women, 1990s
The Blessing of the Bras
June 1986: "Buddhist priests blessed 200,000 used brassieres yesterday in a temple memorial service for cast-off underwear."
Tampa Tribune - June 8, 1986
Philadelphia Daily News - June 7, 1986
Posted By: Alex - Mon Apr 09, 2018 -
Comments (3)
Category: Religion, Underwear, 1980s
Parachuting off St. Paul’s
Another one of those odd attempts by church leaders to win youth to the church by trying to make it out to be not quite as stuffy and old-fashioned as everyone thinks.
San Antonio Express - Sep 28, 1968
Posted By: Alex - Mon Apr 02, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Religion, 1960s
Burnin’ Vernon, the Easter Bunny hater
April 19, 1981: Fundamentalist minister Vernon Cayten burned a 5-foot stuffed Easter bunny on the front lawn of his church, declaring it was a pagan idol. He also denounced all those who celebrated Easter with Easter Bunnies as "heathens and dummies who worshiped pagan gods."Musician Scott Ryan has since written a song about "Burnin' Vernon." Video below. Lyrics here.
Des Moines Register - Apr 21, 1981
Posted By: Alex - Sun Apr 01, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Holidays, Easter, Religion
Condemn Sunday Picnics
Life in 1898.
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 08, 2018 -
Comments (3)
Category: Antisocial Activities, Authorities and Experts, Culture and Civilization, Food, Nature, Religion, Nineteenth Century
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |