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| The not-so-reverend bob and friends (Clockwise from lower left: Neanderthal, modern human male, Neanderthal, modern female). |
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Why “bob”?
Bob is a diminutive form of Robert,
a name with Germanic/Norman roots that was, for many years, the most
common given name in the English language. "Bob" has become a popular
name in cartoons and punchlines in recent decades due -- I think -- to
its bland ubiquity.
In a similar spirit THE CHURCH OF bob’s
revelations are neither new nor unique but are drawn from the
experiences common to all humans. * One of the hallmarks of successful
religions seem to be their ability to take what is (essentially) in the
public domain and re-package it as Divine Revelation, thus allowing for
the formation of a discreet group of believers and a profitable
commercial concern. THE CHURCH OF bob sees no reason to tinker with this successful formula. There are, however, a couple of key differences. For one: THE CHURCH OF bob is not interested in creating a traditional “church”; for another: this particular
“bob” is not put forth as a deity or cosmic intelligence (such a "bob"
can already be found elsewhere). Therefore, since there is no real membership, there is no doctrine or dogma that must be embraced in order to belong. The “vision” of the THE CHURCH OF bob, then, is to create an entertaining and uplifting communal experience that is part "church" and part "theater" (even that
idea is not original, as "church" has always had a theatrical quality
to it) and to preach the good news as this "bob" understands it.
And there is this: "bob" was Charles Robert Darwin's middle name.
So
there are new hymns, original songs and sermons that
embrace Evolution, science and a completely naturalistic view of
spirituality that actively challenge the myth that there is no
morality, meaning or joy without a Divine Creator. And, of course, there is the opportunity to purchase THE CHURCH OF bob items (as I said before: why tinker with a proven formula?).
This
website is being created now in anticipation of the great tide of
uplifted souls that will want to know more and buy a t-shirt.
For the latest SERMONS, BOOK REVIEWS and CARTOONS from the not-so-reverend bob, visit the "rev's" "Boblog".
*I’m
not even the first to think of the church’s name (there are several
"Church of Bob" variants out there already). But having been named Bob
at birth, I consider it my right to use the name in this non-exclusive
way. After all: what church worth its salt doesn’t have denominations
and sects all claiming to be the one true church?
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