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Skeptic New user Holland MI 46 Posts |
I have just started to do kid's shows. Mostly birthday parties or summer picnics for people that I know a little. It a word of mouth kind of thing. So the social connection is not strong but it is a web. Here is my dilemia:
I have been asked to do a church/sunday school type show. I am not friends with the person asking but we have mutual friends. I am not comfortable doing church shows b/c of my atheism. I think it would be dishonest on my part. I am "out" about my non-religious stance with all my friends but I do not advertise it. If religion comes up I have always been forthright with were I stand about it, but I do not seek arguements(so please no evangelism replies). I have do not know what to tell them. I in can not take the job and if they new about me they would not want me to do the job, But in this part of the world it is a scarlet letter that could cost me socially and now semi-professionaly. Any advice on how to handle this. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Sooner or later you need to learn to say "no".
A simple "no thanks, I'm not available on that date" or "no thanks, I don't perform on Sundays" is all you need. Jim |
Andre Hagen Inner circle 1432 Posts |
Have you been asked to do "Gospel Magic"? Do they want you to put a religious twist to your presentations?
If not, just do the show. I share your feelings but I've done many shows in churches for children, Father and Son Banquets, etc. and never had to mention anything about religion. (Lightning never struck me either while performing...yet!) You may be passing up a common venue that will present itself many times in your career.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein
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The Old Man Regular user 137 Posts |
I don't get this post. As an athiest I assume you believe in freedom of speech and freedom of, and from, regilgion. The church is simply a building that a bunch of believers in Christian teachings get together in. When you are performing your act you are not (I'm assuming) engaged in any speech for or against their relgion. They are also not asking you, for example, to do the cups and balls by saying, "In the name of Christ I command you to jump from my pocket and return under the cup."
What's the big deal? |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
As an atheist I have performed for churches (including a church that was using the performances of entertainers to draw in people to the church (or the un-church as they called it)). I had no problems doing my normal show. No gospel magic was done. The pastor was very kind and appreciated my services.
Now, if you are uncomfortable in performing there (for whatever reasons, logical or not), you should not perform. It could affect your show. It's situations like this where it is a good thing to know a lot of other performers in the area. If a church wanted a gospel show, I would tell them I do not personally do a gospel show (it's not my forte) but I have a person I work with who does. I simple then just subcontract the other performer and you have become a solutions provider and not just a magician. |
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