Wednesday, November 21, 2001
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Wednesday, November 21, 2001 |
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'Religious' folks caused Buddy to drown By REV JOHN HATCHER I went to church last Thursday night. There was some singing, preaching, and a little praying. Now here is the flabbergaster: it was at Starr's Mill High School. It was an approved school activity. But please don't call the ACLU because it was a dramatic production and every song and prayer was scripted. Under the direction of David Spearman, Starr's Mill Advanced Drama Class presented "The Diviners," written by Jim Leonard, Jr., Nov. 15 and 17. In a message from the director, Mr. Spearman noted, " 'The Diviners' is such a wonderful script. It reminds us all of the important things in life and where our priorities should lie." He was right on target. In fact, Mr. Spearman did a pretty good job at preaching to the church and lifting up the true meaning of ministry. The play has room for many nuances of interpretation. The plot: a backslidden preacher (Ryan McConnell) moves into a farming community and is taken as a hired hand into the home of a man (Eric Joshua Baker) and his son (Craig De Lorenza) and daughter (Carlee Baker). The son, called Buddy, had a bad case of hydrophobia having almost drowned with his mother who did drown several years before the time of the play. Since, he had taken no baths and had a severe case of the itch. The backslidden preacher wanted nothing to do with starting a badly needed church in the community, but he was interested in helping pathetic Buddy overcome his frightening fear of water (even the rain). Finally, the preacher had persuaded Buddy to go to a stream of water for a badly need bath. The word leaked out, however, that the preacher was going to baptize Buddy. The gossip and rumor mill went into overtime. A church crowd arrived at the water after the preacher and Buddy were already in the water (half-dressed) bathing. The church crowd was singing "Shall We Gather At the River." The church folks thought something religious was taking place. But, it was simply the preacher giving Buddy a bath. In attempting to persuade the church crowd to go away and cease their singing, the preacher was distracted. Buddy lost his footing. Since the preacher couldn't walk on water, much less swim, Buddy drowned to death. The final scene, a creative touch by Spearman, shows the preacher holding Buddy in the style of Michelangelo's work known as The Pieta. (Please forgive me, David, if I have missed portions of the plot). So, what did this powerful, poignant play of pathos say to me? Here we go again! Here is some burned-out preacher trying to care for others and his chief distraction is the church. Had the church folks not distracted the preacher, he would have been able to give his full attention to Buddy and Buddy would not have drowned. Religious folks want to act religiously. Jesus Christ wants us to act compassionately. Religious folks think about their needs. Jesus Christ wants us to think about the needs of others. Religious folks want the preacher to tickle their ears. Jesus Christ wants the preacher to trouble their ears. Basically, I am sick and tired of the religious types. They are phony baloney. They care little about others. Truth: many a backslidden preacher has had more compassion than the backslappers have on any given Sunday morning. Thank you, Starr's Mill Advanced Drama Class. You preached a great sermon.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
