Holy crap!  I’ve never heard of this sort of thing before, but it doesn’t surprise me one bit.  The best part is the dude’s conjecture about why the elderly receive clowns: “They already know how vulnerable they are, and they long for touch.” I’m not sure which part of that statement is creepier.

Heh, “Clowns can look rather intimidating, if you seem them in one place.” No shit. Almost as bad as mimes.

First off, your comment script and CSS are messed up.

Second, I’m replying here because I wanted to see the site of the person that made that Science v. Faith png. I have to say, I pity you. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before and this is your own personal domain. I’ll simply say what I believe and leave it up to you to accept or reject it.

The Christian Clown video isn’t my thing. For one, I’m not in a nursing home. And, I’m not Christian. But, if I were a 90 year old and most of my family is either dead or caught up with life’s obligations (work, family, school, vacations, community obligations, etc) I’d be grateful if some guy got dressed up in a ridiculous outfit simply because he wanted to to provide me a companion. People need touch and if it’s done in a genuine and giving way - then I think it’s appropriate and good.

I was once like you and - scarey as this may seen - even outwardly looked like you. I’m happy that I grew up and learned what’s really important in life. I learned to recognize when someone is trying to bring positive energy to the world and to support it. And, I learned to recognize and fight against those that would bring negative energy.

I think the clowns are trying to do something positive. And I think both religion and science bring positive things; each one providing something the other can’t.

I hope you grow up some day. I have faith (religious and secular) in you.

David

David writes…

First off, your comment script and CSS are messed up.

If you say so. I've checked it under FireFox, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 6 and it seems to work just fine for me. One other user has said they were having problems with the display, but I'm not sure what browser they were using.

Second, I’m replying here because I wanted to see the site of the person that made that Science v. Faith png.

Try again then. I didn’t make the graphic, I merely presented it with full credit given to the original website that did create it.

I have to say, I pity you. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before and this is your own personal domain. I’ll simply say what I believe and leave it up to you to accept or reject it.

Well with that as an opener I think it’s pretty easy to determine already that we’ll probably end up rejecting whatever you have to say.

The Christian Clown video isn’t my thing. For one, I’m not in a nursing home. And, I’m not Christian. But, if I were a 90 year old and most of my family is either dead or caught up with life’s obligations (work, family, school, vacations, community obligations, etc) I’d be grateful if some guy got dressed up in a ridiculous outfit simply because he wanted to to provide me a companion. People need touch and if it’s done in a genuine and giving way - then I think it’s appropriate and good.

We’ll be sure to make a note of that so once the day comes that you are old and confined to a nursing home we can be sure to send these guys around to touch you.

I was once like you and - scarey as this may seen - even outwardly looked like you.

You may have outwardly looked like me, but I seriously doubt you were once like me. You don’t even know me and you’re certainly not going to learn much from looking at a couple of blog posts.

I’m happy that I grew up and learned what’s really important in life. I learned to recognize when someone is trying to bring positive energy to the world and to support it. And, I learned to recognize and fight against those that would bring negative energy.

Oooo. I feel so chastised. Nothing like having a good stern talking to.

I think the clowns are trying to do something positive. And I think both religion and science bring positive things; each one providing something the other can’t.

Indeed. Science provides something useful and religion provides… uh… sources of much amusement. Like this clown training video. Yeah, that’s a positive thing isn’t it?

I hope you grow up some day. I have faith (religious and secular) in you.

If I haven’t grown up by now then chances are probably poor it’ll happen anytime soon.

Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,
Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,
Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,
Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,
Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,
Can’t sleep, clowns will eat me,

You get the idea.

For years, I’ve taken my dogs to nursing homes to cheer up the elderly.  They always appreciate seeing a friendly (canine) face.  I’m also part of a group playing music for the residents in impromptu concerts.  We always say that playing for nursing home residents is the best because they can’t get up and leave if they don’t like us.  (grin)

Believe me, these folks are so lonely that they’re probably glad to see these clowns.  Especially since they’re silent, so no God stuff from them!

I’ve spend a lot of time in hospitals, where it’s BORING.  I even watched Oprah!  I was glad when anyone came by, even the blood pressure nurse. 

Just a different perspective.

SG

Having down my share of clowning I felt that working with my daughter and partner to entertain the residents was a very difficult thing to do.  The skits we did were received well by some but the majority were past understanding.  Balloon animals went over well, but the little magic we did was lost.  After leaving the gig I felt helpless and sadness for the people who were slipping further into their own oblivion.  We had no message in our performance and worked only to bring a smile to a face.  We wondered as we left if we had reached anyone.

I can see bringing in dogs and musicians, but evangelizing clowns seems tacky to me. But that’s just me I suppose.

If he were alive today, i bet Gacey would be proud.

1. I really don’t like clowns.  Never, ever have.  If you do like them, fine, just keep them away from me.

2. One of my formative experiences was when I was about 7 and my sister 5.  We went to visit our grandmother in her nursing home.  The air was redolent with urine and disinfectant.  As we passed close to a group of residents strapped to their wheelchairs they noticed us and began holding our their arms, wrinkled hands looking like claws to our eyes, crying, begging for us to be their grandchildren come to see them.  My sister and I were shocked and terrified.

Finally we got to grandmother.  She could tell Dad was one of her sons.  She wasn’t sure which one, though.  She had no idea who we were.

That wasn’t a home, it was a dumping ground for unwanted, damaged people.  A people pound, dedicated to keeping you alive, after a fashion, as long as possible.

I guess they would have welcomed clowns, even evangelical ones.  Perhaps if I end up in such a horrid state and they show up, I can ask them to explain how if God exists He can allow such misery to continue.  Maybe they will give me a balloon crucifix…

Freaky, someone just sent me this link…
Clowns for Christ

It’s both creepy and funny.
But at least, like Momma said : these are *silent* clowns. I wold choose them any day over well-meaning proselites.