I was reading a preacher's monthly letter to me in which he mentions a revival. Now, what will it take for a revival when and where?

A revival of what and for whom?

Bubba - a colorful character here in the land of Mayberry - decided to go to a recent revival after having avoided church for several years.

The preacher got up and preached hellfire and damnation. Men were sweating, wiping their brows with handkerchiefs. The women fanned themselves so as not to faint.

After the sermon, the preacher invited all in need to come forward for the healing portion of the service. "Lay all of your problems at the altar of Jesus," he said.

So Bubba got into the healing line. After waiting for some time, it was his turn and he got up on stage with the preacher. "Bubba," asked the preacher, "What is your problem?"

"It's my hearing," said Bubba.

With that, the preacher set to praying over Bubba, then stuck a finger into each of Bubba's ears and commanded the demons to come out.

"How's your hearing now, Bubba?"

"I don't know," said Bubba. "It's not until next Thursday."

Elexina: I was deliberately vague, and Coldfuse got the ball rolling about a gent whose hearing seems to have been fine to begin with.

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Originally posted by tsaeb: I was deliberately vague

You? No!

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and Coldfuse got the ball rolling about a gent whose hearing seems to have been fine to begin with.

Ah, yes, thank you for summing that up. I never could have figured out the moral of that story otherwise.

I guess I'm just not clear on what sort of revival you are looking for. Do you mean an actual revival with a tent and "healings" or a revival of something?

Elexina: Oh, they have such tents already, although they are usually not publicized outside of the religious community.

Yeah, I could go for a few revivals of some things . . . like lower prices, far less fornication, etc. I must be dreaming.

However, I prefer to envision a whole new thing like a movement. I am sure that you can imagine what a stir, if not riot, would ensue if it were revealed that a little gray alien was captured in a field in some hick town in the U.S. Well, I would prefer a renewed interest in God and the holy books such that many would be publicly running around hungry to discuss spiritual matters, learn about the assessment of spiritual gifts demonstrations, experience the Holy Spirit as the enlightening and purifying perfect mind and heart of God, . . . I must be dreaming again.

Heck, I wouldn't mind having a talk show in which I could interview all manner of screwballs of all different religions/nonreligions on their various views--several different screwballs in panel discussions, of course. Imagine Anthony Hopkins playing Hanibal bugging Pat Robinson, both tempered by Dr. Phil, with Barack Obama yelling that we can try cannibalism instead of a surge in Afghanistan. What a new world that would be! Nah, I am dreaming of something which would create far less chaos and peace at last among presently warring factions.

My imagination is as good as yours, but I am looking for your ideas of revival.

I long for a revival of common sense and sanity, not to mention decent writing skills.

Elexina: There would first have to be some forum and blog fights and possibly also either a slew of books or a governmental commission on the topics of common sense and sanity.

That is completely not what I am hoping for.