Nicely-Put, Mz Jeannie!

Bein' a Somewhat-Devout Deist, I used to share Big Jim's Viewpoint on Religion-vs-Commercialism...especially as it applied to Christians.

Then..one Christmas back over a Decade-Ago...I met Rev. A. Leon Lowery..when his Beulah Baptist Churchmembers bought him a Grandfather Clock as a gift. (He thought it was "too-ostentatious" & later shipped it to his son, a law-enforcement officer in..think it was Tallahassee..&..bought Another One from us for himself..of Simpler-Design.)

AND..as a result..The Pastor & I became rather Good Friends..for the rest of his life. I invite Jim to Google "Hillsborough Rev. A. Leon Lowery Dies at 92"...where you'll read "Right up until he was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital with health complications last week, the Rev. Lowery was working as a Chaplain at the Orient Road Jail, getting around by scooter because of hip problems."

"'Among the Last of the Great Civil Rights Leaders in Tampa' former Mayer Sandy Freedman said."

"Among his students, when he taught Theology at Morehouse College, in the 1940's, was Martin Luther King."

Now, IF you Google "Beulah Baptist Church"...you'll find it started off in 1865, when several newly-freed Slaves broke-away from their White Church/started their Own. By 1926, they had "the first Negro Church Choir to sing on a Radio Station in Tampa." (You'll find MUSIC..and Choirs..were Very-Important..to this day...for This Church to continue doing its work..among their Parishioners.) Among the work they do today: Karate & Credit Repair Classes..SAT Training Program...etc-etc.

Pastor Lowry's churchmembers DID give the guy a LOT of Money over the years. BIG New House by the time I met him...(& he later..at age 87..married a VERY-Attractive/Very-YOUNG "Hottie" who I'm sure Raised a Few Eyebrows..But is a Very NICE Person to this day/Why SHOULDN'T someone Good-at-What-He-Does NOT have a Full & Wonderful Life?)

Especially, when, back in the '60s, someone sprayed the front of his house with Gunfire.

Bottom Line for me, Jim, is SOME Christians ARE worth Every Cent they collect from their followers..& not ALL Followers are Ignorant or Gullible Folks.

Peace..& Best Wishes,
Stan