I'm going with my crazy mother and my dotty elderly aunt hence the day after Thanksgiving suggestion. But I'm totally open to doing it another time while it's here without the relatives.

well, Im game, family or otherwise.

Will the Pope be there?

No - the Pope exhibt was at the Art Museum two years ago - you missed it :)

If I lived out west, I'd be there.

There is an intriguing sounding display of New Testament documents on display at Orlando's own Holy land Experience. It sounds like they have some authentic and old stuff, but I know, from a previous visit, that their presentation is going to be aggresively evangelizing. (Every show and attraction there ends with an invitation to accept Jesus.) I may go anyway.

Tref's description had me thinking of Karl Malden's preacher in Pollyanna. Hopefully, he'll one day play the glad game...

I wouldn't want it any other way. The pastor of my church is the real thing. The kind of larger then life character you would only expect to find in a movie. I have actually seen him interrupt a sermon because he caught somebody in the congregation chewing gum! He walked off the alter with his long arm outstretched. I did not dare turn my head to see who the offender was. Nobody did. We all kept our focus firmly planted on the empty podium. “Give me the gum or swallow it!” He roared. The person apparently swallowed the gum. Now, that is old-school priest! I sometimes cannot believe I am seeing it for real, for it seems so of another era. Now, I am a bit sadistic, so I find that kind of stuff funny, but the guy also has a genuine sense of humor.

My feeling is if you have come to learn about the faith, he is the best teacher you could ever hope for. He often says, “The road to Hell is paved with the bones of priests.” In other words, there is a special place in Hell for priests who fail at their job of saving souls. Heavy stuff, but as I said, he is one serious dude.

Interesting. I can see where there would be some entertainment value. I presume you haven't been on the business end of his wrath yet. (I double dog dare you to chew gum next time you attend.:D )

Wow, fire and brimstone, indeed. Sounds like he should be preaching the Old Testament.

Tref - I find your enjoyment of the preacher to be so intriguing! How do you feel after a sermon? I think I'd feel badgered, and if it worked, frightened of the wrath of God. I've held for a long time that we shouldn't be good out of fear of retribution (and that includes fear of punishment in the human realm) but because we enjoy life and we want to make the world a happier place to be in.

What the hell is brimstone, anyway?