All of the good theatrical spoofs about religion seem to be about the Catholics - Nunsense, Monk-y Business, and today's unorthodox source: Altar Boyz. The show is a hillarious off-Broadway story about a Christian boy band made up of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan, and Abraham (their Jewish friend).I've seen the show a bunch of times (although there always seems to be a story about how I manage to get free tickets). It's full of laughs and fun upbeat music. Truthfully, they mock Christianity and Catholocism pretty gently, and it's a lot of fun to watch them parody the boy bands with their liberal, Christian rock songs.
You can't help but notice that as foolish as they seem, the characters are also heartfelt and devoted Christians. The underlying wisdom they share throughout the show is that you don't have to be a Bible-thumping, holier-than-thou, politically protesting Christian. We've let that narrow, exclusionary vision take over the public image of what being a Christian is all about, when everyone should be welcomed (and invited!) to be a part of God's family. As a member of a minority, I'm biased of course, but my experience with Lutheranism has been primarily about inclusion in a Gospel message of hope and joy. I think this portion of the song "It Doesn't Matter" sums that up pretty well:
It doesn't matter
If you're different and out of place
It doesn't matter
If there's acne upon your face
It doesn't matter
Take my hand and then
You will see
Everybody fits in God's great family.
In the family of God you'll learn
That there is no such thing as others
All the women and men on Earth
Can be your sisters and your brothers.
It doesn't matter
If you're wrinkled and old and grey
It doesn't matter
If you face Mecca when you pray
It doesn't matter
If you're yellow or white or red
It doesn't matter
If you're pregnant and you're unwed
It doesn't matter
Cause the truth it can set you free
Everybody fits in God's great family.
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