Has James Bond ever been referenced in your place of worship?

Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
in General James Bond Chat
Another "Does what it says on the tin" type of a thread here.

I've been wondering about this question of late so I just had to put it before my fellow agents here at AJB. :) -{

In the past I have written about how a minister in a Christian church gave a sermon on the evils of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and Fleming's response to this:

http://thebondologistblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/musings-on-james-bond-and-religion.html

I'd love to hear your stories on this admittedly rather niche topic as I would quite like to return to writing about it at some point.

Of my own experiences (I am a Christian and attend a Protestant church) I can only recall one mention of James Bond by a guest preacher who likened the famous Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005) to being "a Jewish James Bond." My mother told me of a more recent popular culture reference to the film Fifty Shades of Grey which our minister spoke about in withering terms. Sadly, due to work commitments I was unable to hear that sermon.

As always, I'd love to hear your stories of sermons/mentions on James Bond in your place of worship.

Thanking you in advance! :) -{ (non-alcoholic drink btw). :D
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).

Comments

  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Until about ten years ago, there was a "St James-Bond United Church" in Toronto, Canada...where I would imagine James Bond was mentioned quite regularly! Alas, the church had nothing to with our favourite intelligence officer but rather came about when two churches merged: Bond Street Congregational Church and St James Square Presbyterian Church. Interestingly, there was at one time a Canadian Forces staff college just down the road which has led to a myth that Ian Fleming came up with the James Bond name when he saw the church while in Toronto during the Second World War. The fact that letters exist from Fleming to ornithologist James Bond apologising for expropriating his name doesn't deter the promulgation of the Toronto connection!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I remember reading long ago that the Catholic Church, wasn't happy with Bond.
    Several letters in various papers of the time, for church publication criticised him.
    Several reference books mention them. Although I think history has proven,
    that infact Bond had a higher level of
    Decency, than some of their own priests, and 70s TV stars.
    For a young and trendy Vicar you're think Bond would liven up a sermon,
    They are stories about good defeating evil after all. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Thanks guys. :) -{

    If you can give me any pointers to where church reaction to Bond is mentioned in the literature I'd be most grateful.

    And yes, I agree Bond's morals are just as good as some of the established churches have been over the years! Heresy, but there it is. :D
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I can't put my finger on the clipping but I do remember at the
    Height of the Aids scare. The Salvation Army criticising Bond
    For his sexual adventures and not using any , protection.
    I know this is a bit off the worship idea, but they are a Christian
    Organisation.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    I can't put my finger on the clipping but I do remember at the
    Height of the Aids scare. The Salvation Army criticising Bond
    For his sexual adventures and not using any , protection.
    I know this is a bit off the worship idea, but they are a Christian
    Organisation.

    No, that's fine, TP. I've never heard that one before - great! :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    I sadly can't give a proper Response on this, since I'm not religious :)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,616MI6 Agent
    My Rabbi has never even seen a James Bond film!
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    I sadly can't give a proper Response on this, since I'm not religious :)

    I understand that, AOS. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,818MI6 Agent
    My place if worship? Not as often as I would like, but Forbidden Planet caters to all Sci Fi.
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I have to admit, when I'm worshiping his Satanic Dark Lord. I've
    Never heard Bond mentioned, then again at the time I'm probably
    Too busy getting ready for the orgy, to hear much. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,078Chief of Staff
    Midnight tonight, TP, same as usual? :)
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) don't forget the robes and baby oil and a chicken, and not a KFC bucket
    Like last time. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,078Chief of Staff
    ;% yeah, sorry about that....
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,818MI6 Agent
    I suppose that means I need to pass the SABS at 23:40 to collect the cat to keep her away from that nonsense.
    Its a good thing Holly considers my place her second home!
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
    I've been attending Christian churches since 1987 and have been a Christian since 1991 and surprisingly I've only heard one reference about James Bond and it was in a good light. The preacher was actually trying to convey how he tried to be Bond-like in a certain situation in a Walter Mitty way. Maybe Bond isn't considered seriously enough along with other famous characters like Tarzan or Rambo (esp. the aspect of violence) so that the sex, alcoholic intake and killing is overlooked. Interestingly enough, Harry Potter for its aspect of witchcraft and Star Wars because of "the Force" get more attention from ministers.
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    True, every so often we here in the UK, read stories about some minister
    asking for people to burn, the Harry Potter books etc.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    True, every so often we here in the UK, read stories about some minister
    asking for people to burn, the Harry Potter books etc.

    "Wherever they burn books, in the end will also burn human beings." - Heinrich Heine
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Thanks for all of the replies so far. :) -{

    Here is Edward Biddulph on the subject of James Bond and religion on the excellent James Bond Memes blog:

    http://jamesbondmemes.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/was-james-bond-religious.html

    http://jamesbondmemes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/james-bonds-papal-blessing.html
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    What were Flemings Views on Religion?
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    But what if AJB 007 is my place of worship?
    "Thank You"
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  • PaperbillPaperbill FloridaPosts: 812MI6 Agent
    Hey guys, I am an Elder in a Local Church. It's mostly viewed as harmless fun. I am sure a few legalistic types may take issue with things, but for the most part everyone enjoys the books and movies for the fun they are.
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Absolutely_Cart wrote:
    ut what if AJB 007 is my place of worship?

    That doesn't count - too may references there! :)) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • 002002 New ZealandPosts: 558MI6 Agent
    There are always a few arseholes with axes to grind. However, I haven't heard the Catholic Church make much noise over Bond - not even down our local where one of our parish priests is a keen car enthusiast and probably secretly covets an Aston Martin DB5 or other model...
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