I'm serious about this

[ChickMagic]

Derby and I are thinking of infiltrating a local Baptodome for the Frist cheerleading. We want specifics to give to the IRS. It's been so long since I've darkened the door of a Baptodome that I have no idea how to dress to fit in. Are pants okay now? Should I put my hair up? What gives?

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Well if it is anything like my grandparent's church...

dress like you are going to an afternoon wedding and you'll fit right in.

Good for you. I'm curious as to what he has to say, but my presence is needed at my church on Sunday.

[demnan]

2. Nice slacks are ok for church

in most places. Some people even come in jeans, but I guess it depends on the church.

[ChickMagic]

3. Thanks for the replies

I want to give the impression that I'm a Baptobabe. If I wear a dress, they'll see my ankle tattoo. Is that a no no?

[demnan]

5. Yes

Wear a nice pant suit. You'll be fine.

[GumboYaYa]

20. All manner of sin, including tatoos are forgiven once you are

born again. You can always write the tatoo off as a vestige of your sinful past.

[ChickMagic]

21. True, and I can ask

them to pray that Jeebus will remove it. It's a miracle!!!

[Kipepeo]

52. You should wear some frilly church socks

to cover your tattoo. Like so:

http://www.greatsockz.com/c=WTo0b7Urwa0UKgjj6FsEQp6AK/s=greatsockz.com/product/3SXMKAPP

And some kind of jumper-dress, just for the fun of it.

:)

[KansDem]

64. Wrap it in an Ace bandage...

Tell them you hurt your ankle while kicking "liberal Democrat atheist butt" (be sure you use "Democrat" and not "Democratic" or you might give yourself away...)

Then revel in the multitude of new-found friends!

[ChickMagic]

74. You know, that's not a half bad idea!

You guys are really creative, and I appreciate it!

[tavalon]

90. Yep

put an ace bandage on it.

[goodboy]

4. whre is this thing?

[ChickMagic]

In the DFW area

I don't want to give out too much for fear of lurkers.

[Vincardog]

78. One clue is it that HORRENDOUS building n of 121?

you know JESUBUS DOME?

[ChickMagic]

79. That's Prestonwood Baptodome

They're not doing the Justice Sunday thing as far as I know. Unless they aren't advertising it. The one we're going to is in Carrollton.

[CottonBear]

6. Baptodome! lol!

:rofl:

That is a great idea. Dress conservatively. Women should wear a skirt or dress. Men should wear khakis if not a suit. Teenager girls seem to wear pants now. Wear your hair neatly combed, maybe in a ponytail or barette.

In my Presybterian church that I attended until age 18, no woman ever wore slacks. It was always your best Sunday clothes. Apparently, the dress code has changed somewhat.

[demnan]

7. Yes

A lot of women wear nice pants to church now.

[ChickMagic]

10. Thanks denman!

I can definitely do the pants.

[ChickMagic]

9. I can definitely do that with the hair

It will feel like Halloween for me to look like a Baptobabe.

[havocmom]

8. do a re-con some Sunday and see what people are wearing when they come

out of there. That should help you 'blend' ;)

Really fun, and often educational, to re-con on Sundays just before elections. Bring cameras. Take pictures if everyone comes out holding paper which could be a church created or endorsed voter guide. Get a copy of any such literature if at all possible to check out the content against what is allowed for churches with tax exempt status.

Good luck on your mission. Just remember, good preparation is critical! ;)

[ChickMagic]

11. The Justice Sunday is this coming Sunday

So I can't do recon, but your ideas are GREAT!!! I'm going to be taking notes and hopefully they'll think I'm writing down all of Rev. Frist's ideas. I guess I actually will be, come to think of it. :)

[woodsprite]

15. You could probably still do recon

There is usually something going on almost every night at churches.

[ChickMagic]

17. Isn't it more casual than Sunday morning?

That's the way it was when I was a kid a loooonng time ago.

[woodsprite]

12. Hmmm. Last time I was in one,

For the men, conservative suits and a Repub hair cut.

For females, big hair, modest makeup, dress (not pants, unless it's a pantsuit) -- think conservative Stepford Wives.

[ChickMagic]

16. Oh man. You just gave me the heebie jeebies!

If I wear a dress, I'll expose my ankle tattoo. I don't have a pantsuit per se, but I do have tailored pants with a jacket. When I think of pantsuits, I think of polyester tunics and matching pants. :scared:

[NMDemDist2]

26. get a set of opaque tights

for your dress, no tatoo worries then (just fashion advice, not suggesting you do anything whatsoever you understand!)

[ChickMagic]

27. Good idea!

Thanks for that!

[Hello_Kitty]

73. Cannot stress the importance of big hair enough

Use a whole frigging can of Aqua Net if need be. Trendy hair will cause suspicion.

[ChickMagic]

75. Ick

I think I'm just going to put it in a church lady bun or something like that. I don't even know how to do big hair.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. Is Baptodome anything like ThunderDome??

[ChickMagic]

14. Pretty much

only it has a Starbucks in it.

[housewolf]

18. Starbucks in a church?????

Oh my. I guess I AM out of touch!

[ChickMagic]

19. Not only a Starbucks

They have a regular food court and a mall of Christian oriented stores. Bookstores, knicknacks, tshirts - you name it. When I say Baptodome, I'm not kidding. It's a multistory behemoth on prime real estate - tax free of course. That's life down here in the Christofascist beltbuckle.

[htuttle]

22. Wow, seriously?

It's like they are begging for someone to come in and kick over the moneychanger's tables...

[ChickMagic]

23. Very seriously

They sit on the right side of Jesus, don't you know. They have a term that I can't remember off the top of my head - it's "sanctification" or something like that. What it means to these dopes is that they are privileged in God's eyes, so anything they do that's bad is okay by God. They no longer have to atone for sins. This is after they've converted (i.e., harassed) enough people to join their Baptomob.

Pretty convenient, isn't it?

[Cats Against Frist]

40. God loves the rich, now -- don't you know?

He showers them with money.

My, my, my -- they're asking for rapture.

***edited to add: and after the rapture hits, I'm pretty sure the Starbucks will still be packed.

[housewolf]

30. Ooohhhh... good point! n/t

[CottonBear]

29. Does the Starbucks get taxed?

I'm so confused about this mall inside a church?

We don't have anything like that here in GA.

[ChickMagic]

32. Check out their virtual tour

http://www.prestonwood.org/sites/document.asp?did=4468

Click on the red dots to see the food court, Starbucks, etc.

Here's their regular website:
www.prestonwood.org

on edit: This isn't the Baptodome we're going to. There are several in the area.

[CottonBear]

34. Holy cow! What ever happened to Wednesday night dinners

in the church basement?



What the heck is rooftop kids?

[ChickMagic]

35. That was before the Christofascists took over

You see why I call it the Baptodome? Did you look at all the stuff?
Egad!

And besides, how could they make money on potluck dinners?

[CottonBear]

37. I had no idea that such a place existed.

I grew up Presbyterian. We were very Calvinist. Hard pews, long sermons, bolt out of church right after the Doxology and head for a nice restaurant or the country club for lunch!

edit: I did look around. Rooftop Kids is pretty wild. They must have spent a fortune on that building and all of those computers and other high tech features.

[ginnyinWI]

50. it's 21st century Christiandom

we have a mega-church in our area, too, but not as huge as this. Big Business meets Religious Right--a perfect fit.

The thing is, it's a whole, one-stop social community, which has so much to offer that you get drawn in. That's how they increase their numbers--they are basically buying you with trinkets and playgrounds and programs for the kiddies on Tuesday nights. And you need never have contact with any of the non-Christians out there in the "world".

From that perspective, it's easy to see how the arrogance and insensitivity to others develops. All that matters to these so-called Christians is their own "bless-me clubs". The rest of the world can just go hang.

[derby378]

53. Now compare that to the local Quaker meetinghouse

A room for worship, a day-care for kids, and maybe a small library. That's it. Why the hell do we need a bank of Cybex exercise machines as well?

[NMDemDist2]

44. just be sure to NEVER drink the koolaid at the food court n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

57. That is disgusting!

And obscene! Not mention phoney BS! Probably on the same level as John C Hagee's obscene money making operation..er church here in San Antonio :puke:

[tavalon]

91. Ah, now that brings back memories

granted, not good memories. I lived in San Antonio for 15 years which was about 14 years, 11 months and 14 days longer than I cared to.

[Cats Against Frist]

41. f-f-f-fitness....center?????

what the fuck?

[meganmonkey]

72. Jesus would be so proud

:puke: :puke:

WiFi internet in the commons?!

I had half of my office looking at this website a minute ago. All equally disgusted. This is amaaaaazing.

[T Bone]

84. Of course nothing like a tax deduction for your fitness center expenditure

Church Gymnasiums are the BIG thing here. Contibute a bunch of money to the church, get your tax deductible health club membership !!

Now if THAT is not a racket. That is the major reason these churches should pay taxes.

[tavalon]

92. Fitness is next to Godliness

or something..........

[Daphne08]

51. Gives a whole new meaning to Mega-Church.

[grace0418]

68. *shudder* That gave me the effin' heeby jeebies.

All the money could be spent, oh I don't know, HELPING THE POOR. It's disgusting.

[cally]

24. I'm thinking about attending one of the these Frist Churches on Sunday

I don't know whether to be saddened or happy that the only one I found was about an hour away. (Any SF Bay Area DUers want to join me? It's in Antioch)

I think pants are OK. Just be conservative.

[ChickMagic]

25. Thanks cally!

We're in the Televangelist heartland in DFW. :scared:

[proud patriot]

31. Hmmmm, Let me ponder this

I'll pm you .

[Hell Hath No Fury]

43. I was thinking about it too!

Being without a vehicle these days kind of screws up traveling for me, but I am still interested in attending.

Guess I'll need to hide the tattoos and take out the eyebrow ring, though. ;)

I'll let yu know if I can make it, Cally & PP! :hi:

[NuttyFluffers]

45. if only my school schedule would let up, i'd go in a heartbeat.

you'd have to give me until june :( but can we go in a big pride parade float? or dressed like the sisters of perpetual indulgence? or are we going incognito?

[MollyStark]

76. any dressy outfit you have will work

A simple skirt and blouse. Make sure you wear proper shoes and hose.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[housewolf]

28. We should all hold you in a protective light on Sunday morning

(at least those of us who believe in such things)

so that you don't get too contaminated or damaged by your incursion into opposing territory.

Just be sure and hurry home so you can tell us all about it, okay??

Seriously, good luck to you on Sunday. You have my admiration for your willingness to put yourself through such a thing!

[ChickMagic]

33. Aw thanks!

It will probably be Monday before I can give you guys the low down. If your protective light can keep me from grinding my teeth, rolling my eyes, getting red in the face and mumbling beneath my breath, I can use all the help I can get! :)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

36. Make sure to be obsequious

Don't come across as an empowered, liberal woman, they'll know something's up. The Baptodomers like their women to know their place. </end of sarcasm for the sarcastically impaired>

Are you going to tape record the whole thing? Knowing how gaudy these "churches" are, they probably film the pomp/pageantry/service/sales pitch so that all the folk can see it in the teevee (and send in donations).

[Lars39]

38. Wear a two piece skirt outfit, casual dress, or very nice pantsuit.

Make sure things are below knee, shoes match, jewelry modest. Think casual sophisticated.
Fix your hair how you normally would.
Carry a purse big enough for a tape recorder(I'd keep it hidden) and a bible.

You might want to have some ones or something handy in case they pass the plate.
Count on seeing someone you know that will want you to possibly sit with them.
Try scooting into the auditorium at the last second,
but hunt around for a bulletin to take and read(and keep;might help prove you were there).

And if anyone asks, you've "been going there off and on for a while."

They usually ask everyone to turn to their neighbor and shake hands,
and if you are a visitor "please raise your hand so the ushers...".
Don't raise your hand.
Smile, nod, smile, smile some more.
Good luck! I think it would also be interesting to sit in on a business meeting.
Even the ones the whole congregation participates in are usually eye openers.

[ChickMagic]

54. Uh-oh. My Bible!

It has a huge sticker on the front of it that says something like "taking the contents of this book literally is dangerous to your health and well being." Oops.

[CitySky]

82. make a bookcover

out of wrapping paper, or an old nightgown, or something

[ChickMagic]

87. Great idea!

You guys are the best!

[Cats Against Frist]

39. Embroidered vests with cute animals and picnic basket purses are a must!

:)

[Nikki Stone 1]

42. Are you posting the report of your visit on DU?

I'd love to see it. :)

[ChickMagic]

55. Yes, I plan to.

However, it will most likely be on Monday since Derby is on the computer non stop at home.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

47. Just dress average suburban

Whatever that is in your part of the country.

[steelyboo]

48. cool, I live in the heart of this shitstorm, and I put a thread up about

this very thing!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1735027&mesg_id=1735027

There's some more about the IRS things. I was thinking about doing exactly what you are talking about.

[hootinholler]

49. This place is unreal.

I wish I could post what I really am thinking right now, but, it would get me tombstoned for sure. Money changers for sure.

-Hoot

[ChickMagic]

56. You should see the parking lot!

Wall to wall SUVs and Hummers with W stickers. It's unnerving. And that's just ONE of our Baptodomes!

[Roland99]

58. Sorta like this one?

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/addressimage.aspx?T=4&S=11&Alon=-85.671268&Alat=38.292820&W=1&opt=0&qs=920+Blankenbaker+Ln%7cLouisville%7cky%7c&addr=920+Blankenbaker+Ln%2c+Louisville%2c+KY+40207&Lon=-85.54569483333333&Lat=38.227822464999996


Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY

Cost to build: $73 million - $80 million

[ChickMagic]

59. Just like that

How many hungry and homeless people could they have helped with all that dough? Sickening, ain't it?

[Roland99]

62. Ayup...they pull people in from several hours away...

and there are several off-duty cops there that moonlight to direct traffic.


I think I hear baby Jesus crying....

[T Bone]

85. Yeah just don't frop any nails in the parking lot

Nails are for use in hanging liberals on a cross, ya know.

[ChickMagic]

60. I have another question

What the heck do I do when they pass the offering plate around? I'll be damned if I'm going to give one thin dime to this bunch. Should I scan and print a $10 bill that looks okay to the faithful, but is obviously a fake? Like putting Bushler's face on it?

[janx]

61. No. Bring an empty, sealed envelope and toss it onto the plate.

Don't call attention to yourself. The envelope should be small.

[ChickMagic]

63. Excellent idea!

Maybe I'll put a packet of hot sauce in it to get them used to hell.
Or maybe not. :)

On edit: I really appreciate all the great ideas you folks have for me. I haven't darkened the door of a church in many years, so you've been wonderful to help me navigate this thing. :grouphug:

[lonestarnot]

65. Put in a can of oil with dead Iraqi children glued to the front.

[ChickMagic]

66. Ooooh, I like that!

Maybe in my sealed envelope, I can put a picture of dead Iraqi children. Awesome idea, lonestarnot!

[Terre]

67. Do you have a ticket?

Apparently you need one now, as security is being tightened up according to this article in the Courier-Journal:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050422/NEWS01/504220452

A diary over at dKos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/22/10476/3891

Ask me if I'm surprised at this development.

[Roland99]

70. Figures Six Flags Over Jesus would be involved

"All the tickets, however, are spoken for. They are going to members of Highview Baptist and Southeast Christian churches, and it's unlikely any will be left for the general public, said the Rev. Kevin Ezell, senior pastor at Highview."


Surprised they aren't the ones hosting it. Their $80 million facility is much larger and just hosted a gay-bashing fest last weekend.

[Roland99]

71. Anyone up for some rolling roadblocks on US 60?

:evilgrin:

[ChickMagic]

77. I always think they can no longer surprise me

but DAMN!!! That is freaking unbelievable!

[acmejack]

69. It will be streamed on the FRC website.

Bugmenot has log-in data.

[bejammin075]

80. Baptodome: many minds enter. One mind leaves.

[ChickMagic]

81. LOL!

Ain't it the truth!!!

[CitySky]

83. the tough part will be getting the IRS interested

Maybe when you have all your evidence together, DUers can help you strategize about not getting your file mothballed at the IRS. Maybe plan a media package as well?

[ChickMagic]

86. Tee-rific!

:yourock:

[bush_is_wacko]

88. Been there done this. The thing you have to remember is that you are not

going to be IN with the IN crowd for quite some time. Do you have months and months of your spare Sunday's to waste? Oh don't get me wrong, you will be exposed to the pro-choice, pro- theocracy, anti-gay rhetoric from day one likely, but the IMPORTANT bullshit goes on in all those bible study, women's groups, married groups, blah, blah, blah,...

They work on you in there. They test you out several different ways and then if you meet their standards they will invite you over to discuss the nitty gritty.

I had to walk after a couple pedophile comparisons to homosexuals. I couldn't BELEIVE the IGNORANCE and ARROGANCE of these bible thumpers. They just ought to call themselves the Anti-Christians Church for the Anti-Christ! I was actually so upset at one point I broke into tears during the sermon and had to leave. I have no tolerence for them at all!

[tavalon]

89. Baptist?

Southern Baptist? Women, wear dresses, knee length. Men suit or at least button down shirt and slacks.