Welcome to Our First Post

Hi, my name is Joe, and I'm the pastor of Holy Allegory Ministries. I don't expect a lot of people to visit here in the beginning, but I wanted to get the first post up so I can explain who we are, what we're about, and why we're taking the approach we're taking. I won't bore you with a "Seminal Declaration of Faith" or "Charter of Ministerial Incorporation" - that comes later when we start actually holding sermons and have to deal with things like the IRS and incorporation. For now, this ministry is more about sharing our message of Faith, Hope, and Inclusion.

So, a little bit of esoterica and history...

The Church of Holy Allegory, as the ministry was originally going to be called, got started as a bitterly-humorous rant against the hypocrisy of certain fundamentalist, exclusivist groups that were clearly using select made-to-fit-their-agenda scripture quotes to justify hate, intolerance, discrimination, and advocating the breaking-down of long-established religious and political rights. The allegorical truths were so lost on that bunch that I must have gone on like some comedic caricature of a preacher, because when I was done everyone was laughing hysterically. I ended it with some quip like "Just you watch, I'm going to found my own church, all about the allegorical truths in religion, and show up every one of those hatemongers!" (well, that's close... it's been over a decade, and I don't remember the exact words I used). Over the years, when I would rant about some extremist or terrorist, I'd polish off the old "Holy Allegory" chestnut and make a few people smirk to drive home my point. Funny how people pay attention to humor more than they do to seriousness, isn't it?

So, that in mind, I went about my day job, spent time with my family and friends, and lived a decent, if faithless life. Yes, I said faithless. I come to my faith later in life, and not by revelation, but by the slow dawning of realization after years of time passing. At one point I even tried to deny the existence of God. I was terrible atheist though, always finding myself uttering a short prayer for help or thanks, and tryng to berate myself for it. So, after years of denial and faithlessness, I finally owned up to myself - I do beleive in God. I do have Faith.

I also don't care who knows I have faith, but I don't believe I should be thrusting my faith down their throats. I never want one person to be a member of the ministry who doesn't believe for themselves, nor anyone who feels pressured to be there. Go forth, take your time, find yourself and your faith. I think God's plan includes the pagans, the atheists, and all of the people of the world. He loves them as he loves us all, His children, in His image.

So... I'll end my first post with that summation and add more later today.

Thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you, keep you, and bring all the best to you and those you love.

-- Pastor Joe