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Maverick wants to ditch 'doom and gloom' image

Members of the Free Church of Scotland are being urged to lighten up and put the cheer into Calvinism. The official magazine of the traditionally ultra-conservative Presbyterian faith has called on its readers to dispel the notion that Wee Frees are characterised by "doom, gloom and joylessness".

As part of the bid to shed their austere fire and brimstone image, the Church has endorsed Harry Potter, as well as the blockbuster The Golden Compass, both of which have been denounced as "ungodly" by many Christian groups.

Rev David Robertson, the editor of the Free Church's monthly magazine, claims it is high-time that followers of the faith smiled rather than scowled as they worshipped.

The Dundee-based minister wrote: "The definition of a Calvinist as being a person who is miserable at the thought that someone somewhere is actually enjoying themselves is sadly all too typical. In the Free Church I'm afraid that we are not good at joy in worship. So much of our worship has no soul, no spirit and very little joy."

Robertson said his fellow clergymen were often lampooned as being like Rikki Fulton's lugubrious TV clerics Rev IM Jolly and Rev WE Free, with some justification. "They are caricatures, but sadly they are popular because they reflect a common understanding.

"Religion, especially of the Scottish Presbyterian kind, is doom, gloom, blackness, depressive and joyless. Let congregations pray, think and act in order to deal with the sin of joyless worship.

"This is not a plea for frivolity, flippancy or entertainment – 'fun' worship. But please can we have some serious joy."

Full story at the Aberdeen Press & Journal.