Thanks to Matt Jacobs for letting me know about this contest to create the 11th Commandment. The competition was run by the UK’s Methodist Church and Ship of Fools. They sent out three-quarters of a million beer mats and postcards and received a couple thousand response via text messaging and e-mail.
Even more important than the humorous aspects is the fact that the church is trying to learn what is important to a large group of people who do not participate in organized religion. The idea was brought forth by the ‘Methodist Church’s 20s and 30s Group, and seeks to reach out to the “missing generation” of under-40s to discover what matters to them and what they think about God.’ In essence, religious marketing. But that isn’t a bad thing.
Those of you who know me, are aware that I do not subscribe to organized religion. Fact is, I have no idea what I believe in on any given day. From what I can tell, that is the case with a good portion of my generation. While I have no intent, nor desire to join a church, I really respect the fact that the UK Methodist Church is asking people about their religious needs instead of telling them what they need.
There are many people who want to believe, but don’t find the right niche. Perhaps it will be created for them. If nothing else, many thousands of people in various states of intoxication had a great conversation starter.