Post #156126 by PapeToaTane on Sun, May 1, 2005 7:23 PM

Let a clergyman (Yes, I'm and Anglican Priest) chime in here. One of the things I like about the tradition of English Catholicism is that we are not required to check our brains at the door of the Church. We appreciate a good discussion of the issues (ever watch CSPAN's coverage of the British House of Commons?? "Order!! ORRDERRR!!") For me, tiki is a diversion from the norm....but, hey - good people, good music, a real ohana feeling - those are Christian "values", too (I hate that the "Christian Right" has hijacked that word!!) I've not had a soul (at least to my face) attack my love for the things of Polynesia. For moi, Tiki is art....not an object of worship. And if they do attack me behind my back...it's not my problem. "Judge not, lest ye be judged" saith the Lord. Well....I think Jesus would like Tiki Ti!! One of the things that attracted me to the particular (peculiar?) ministry of Anglicanism is that when Anglican missionaries went into Africa and Japan and the South Pacific islands, unlike some others - they did not insist on a rigid conforming to English worship styles. Sure - we have our Book of Common Prayer, but - there are very few rubrics (rules) for style and ceremonial. Our priest in Hawaii wears leis as much as he wears a stole! When we made three Bishops for the traditional African Church of Umzi Wase Tiyopia - there were as many leopard-skins being worn in sanctuary as there were catholic copes and miters. Live and let live. And long live TIKI!