Posted on 10/24/2004 8:31:11 PM PDT by andie74
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - A South African preacher baptised a thoroughbred racehorse called "Running Reverend" in front of his congregation in a controversial bid to raise church funds.
Members of St. Peter's Congregational Church watched as Reverend Deric Derbyshire splashed the horse's forehead with water at the Villa Felix stud farm outside the southeastern coast city of Port Elizabeth.
"I did a scripture reading and a prayer and then sprinkled the horse's forehead," Derbyshire told AFP.
"The Lord's hand is definitively on this horse -- he's going to be a champion," he added.
Running Reverend will now be raffled for 200 rands (32 dollars, 25 euros) a ticket to raise funds for church buildings and an old age home.
The raffle winner will earn a 49 percent stake in the horse, to be co-owned by the Eastern Cape racehorse breeders who donated the animal, Derbyshire said.
All prize money will be shared.
It was not the first time Derbyshire, 56, and his congregation had become involved in thoroughbred racehorses, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.
In 1983, when the church needed a hall, Derbyshire bought a racehorse called "Sheldon" at a yearling sale and raffled him off, making enough money to complete the building.
But the baptising of a horse has landed him in hot water with the more conservative elements of his church.
"I'm not worried about that," Derbyshire said. "It's between me and the Lord."
This was unbelievable to me. Is baptism not a sacred rite?
This is indeed an auspicious occasion insofor as this is the first time they have ever baptized an ENTIRE horse!
(Sorry, sorry, I know that's older than dirt, but I just couldn't help myself.)
He just sprinkled his forehead. I want to see him put a cloth over the horses face and submerge him backwards:').
Aw, Wi-i-i-i-ilbur, am I saved now?
Wait until the horse is slain in the spirit...think of the catchers they'll have to have!
He's dunked like a horse.
Yes, baptism is a sacred rite but what do you want to bet that the horse ends up in a better place than islamic jihadists?
Time will tell if he's really saved. (His new owner may not be too happy if Reverand doesn't run like the wind at his next race)
Wait, I thought Kerry was excommunicated. Wouldn't that preclude him from baptism?
HAHAHAHAHA!
I wish I could post the picture of the horse from the article along with Kerry's face beside it...
C'mon Freepers, help me out!
YEah...saved from the knacker...
Now that one going under has to be Bapist:')
"Wilbur, I'm calling because I wanted to share with you that I just had a life-changing experience..."
Next he will be baptizing a parishoner and auctioning him/her off as a sure lottery winner. This to fund the bingo hall.
Would that be better as a benediction or curse?
I fear the fundament more than the fundamentalists or the benighted.
If I am made to depart, it is of my own frustration and doing.
Back up Boy, I invented dirt!
I love it...especially the big gums..
Now...if Mama T can be a jockey on his back with a big whip...
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