What About Fairs?
On Saturday Dad and I took our bikes to Champoeg State Heritage Area, which contains some nice paved bike paths. We set off and had travelled perhaps a mile when there was a delightful "bang" (it was quite the noise) and one of Dad's tires went flat. So we got to walk our bikes back and head home. Perhaps it was just as well, because we were supposed to meet Mom at 4:30 at the Clackamas County Fair.
Having experienced the Fair for a while on Saturday, I am wrestling with the idea that such should generally not be attended by Christians. There are certainly fairly innocuous aspects to the occasion — educational posters and food in the 4H building, cows and pigs, the Ewe Lead (which was sort of humorous because sheep apparently don't fancy the concept of being dressed up and led around an arena), the historical craft demonstrations, and just plain being with one's family members.
However, there were certain aspects we did not patronize (carnival rides and games, a country singer) and certain which we did observe but perhaps should not have. With the latter I am referring to various shows (rope tricks, juggling, a couple fully dressed but nonetheless dancing black fellows). I don't think rope tricks and juggling are wrong in and of themselves — but perhaps the general show business doesn't do much for the furthering of God's kingdom and therefore should be shied away from. Maybe it's a matter of priorities and the amount of emphasis put on something — it's okay to juggle bean bags and jump in and out of a lasso for the benefit of your family but perhaps it would not be wise to do them professionally. If it is unwise for Christians to take on certain vocations, I have no business being entertained by them. I'll have to give it some more thought. As for the tap dancing black fellows — there's a certain beauty to the art form, a certain evoked amazement at their abilities — and I don't think it has to be regarded as a sensual thing. But again it is a questionable vocation...
The innocuous aspects to fairs are generally side attractions — most people aren't gonna pay $7 to look at a few pigs and craftsmen. So maybe there's not much point in going to a fair except to bond with relations.
What do you think?
Having experienced the Fair for a while on Saturday, I am wrestling with the idea that such should generally not be attended by Christians. There are certainly fairly innocuous aspects to the occasion — educational posters and food in the 4H building, cows and pigs, the Ewe Lead (which was sort of humorous because sheep apparently don't fancy the concept of being dressed up and led around an arena), the historical craft demonstrations, and just plain being with one's family members.
However, there were certain aspects we did not patronize (carnival rides and games, a country singer) and certain which we did observe but perhaps should not have. With the latter I am referring to various shows (rope tricks, juggling, a couple fully dressed but nonetheless dancing black fellows). I don't think rope tricks and juggling are wrong in and of themselves — but perhaps the general show business doesn't do much for the furthering of God's kingdom and therefore should be shied away from. Maybe it's a matter of priorities and the amount of emphasis put on something — it's okay to juggle bean bags and jump in and out of a lasso for the benefit of your family but perhaps it would not be wise to do them professionally. If it is unwise for Christians to take on certain vocations, I have no business being entertained by them. I'll have to give it some more thought. As for the tap dancing black fellows — there's a certain beauty to the art form, a certain evoked amazement at their abilities — and I don't think it has to be regarded as a sensual thing. But again it is a questionable vocation...
The innocuous aspects to fairs are generally side attractions — most people aren't gonna pay $7 to look at a few pigs and craftsmen. So maybe there's not much point in going to a fair except to bond with relations.
What do you think?
posted by Claire at 18:23
2 Comments:
I'd say you're on the right track, Claire.
I look forward to your follow-up post.
I wonder what Scriptures bear on either side of the issue.
Mark
Thanks for the challenge. I'm going to go digging in Scripture tonight.
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