[azzy]

I'm a semi-religious humanist just getting into clowning and the amount of clown-ministry has surprised me. I've always been very closely tied to technology and business. Generally in these areas, even in America, religion is put aside. In the past years I've gotten into political activism, married into a religious family and started attending a Unitarian church occasionally.

Religion, and Christianity are very much ingrained in much of American culture now, much more so than many European countries. Admitting to being an atheist and anti-theist in America in a public space can cause problems, insults and attacks.

I'm uncomfortable with the concept of a deity, religious politicization and other aspects of most organized religions. As I've become more associated with those who are strongly religious I accept them and their beliefs, as long as they are not harmful.

That said, the overwhelming majority of those clowning for a church, or ministry are doing it because they have a genuine love of people, along with their god. That's something, with my Unitarian teachings, that I can accept and even stand behind.

So yes, America's a bit of a different animal. I'd be curious to know if clowning is practiced in countries that are tied to a rigid religious code - such as in the middle-east.