Sunday 30 May 2010

Cycling in church

It's Sunday, so why not a church story ? Yes, this video shows people riding a variety of bikes in a church.


Wilfred posted a couple of days ago about a recent bicycle party organised by a local bakfiets specialist. An event in the church next to the shop.

In the distance at the end you can see Wilfred's Mango, Velox Incendia, which still impresses me every time I see it. BTW, Wilfred, it's ready for collection after yesterday's service.

Also there are a variety of other interesting machines including a variety of bakfietsen, an old Flevotrike, and a Drymer prototype.

Previously I posted about people cycling to church.

10 comments:

Kevin Love said...

Here in Toronto, we had the City's annual Blessing of the Bicycles last month at Trinity-St. Paul's Church. Photos at:


http://www.ibiketo.ca/blog/2010/04/12/blessing-bicycles-photos

Wilfred Ketelaar said...

Arjen texted me yesterday but I'm to busy this week, so I can't come and pick-up my bike again. I'm not going to Cycle Vision this year (again, to busy), so there's enough time te pick up my bike and ride!

Anonymous said...

I SO enjoy your blog, reading - enjoying (vicariously) still riding bikes in beautiful, safe, Nederlans. But find this video so disrespectful - to be riding a bicycle in a church is just not cool. I think I know what church this is - no longer used for services (I think) -- and so many churches lost/desecrated over the years in the NL. Poor taste...

eko

Traditional Bike Club Curmudgeon said...

Other than an orgy, I can't think of a better use for a church!

Kevin Love said...

Dear Anonymous,

Jesus was not particularly well known for his good taste. And he was rather disrespectful of the Temple in Jerusalem. That's one of the reasons why the local religious types had him nailed to a cross.

David Hembrow said...

Anonymous: I've really no desire to offend, and nor did anyone who was involved in the event. Wilfred, who made the video, is himself a Christian. Whatever you might think about the bikes, I'm sure you're aware of worse things which have happened in churches, and in the name of religion.

Kevin: I've never really understood this "blessing" business. What exactly is it about ? And of course, it's not restricted to bicycles, but also rather less responsible means of transport such as cars, or more specific models of 4x4s.

Mind you, what do I know ? Even things like this seem to be going on in some churches these days...

Kevin Love said...

David:

The intent behind the "Blessing of the Bicycles" may be found in texts such as First Corinthians 10:31

"...whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

This refers to a mindfulness of all the activities in our everyday lives. Yes, that includes personal transportation. Is what we are doing with each activity responsible, ethical and glorifying God? Or is any activity irresponsible, selfish, harmful to others and glorifying myself?

The intent behind the "Blessing of the Bicycles" service is to remind ourselves of our responsibilities and in a collective, communal way dedicate our bicycles as tools of a Christian lifestyle. This community solidarity also ties in with ideas of mutual accountibility for how we live.

The "4X4 blessing" site to which you linked refers to a schismatic sect that has chosen to separate itself from those ties of mutual accountibility. It is an unfortunate reality of fallen human nature that every major organization will have its lunatic fringe splinter groups.

I could not get the video to which you linked. The response was:


"The URL contained a malformed video ID"

David Hembrow said...

Kevin: Thanks, that is an explanation. The URL should have pointed to this, which may be a bit more difficult to explain...

elzie said...

I did sign my name - I am not an anonymous, - if you look closer and are not so quick to try to defend what I considered desecrating a church. Read history -- every religion, ever human society has committed some horrid acts - sadly, that is part of what makes us human. I know D. H. - of course, you did not post to offend. You seem a most compassionate, and interesting soul. There are plenty of road ways in NL to ride - I find it offensive that it has to take place in a church. Of course Christ would likely have loved to have ridden a bike...but I believe he showed what his thoughts were about how a *temple* of God should be used...

Peace! :D
eko

Kevin Love said...

David:
It is not at all difficult to explain. It is just human nature, which is why for the past 2,000 years there have been structures of mutual accountability in Christianity. Unfortunately, for the past 2,000 years there have also been bizarre loony fringe types who held themselves accountable to nobody.

The way this accountability usually works is that the bishops of the church come together in a council and hash things out. Important examples in the early church were the councils at Nicea in 325 and Constantinople in 381 which produced what we today call the Nicene Creed.

An example in modern times is the Lambeth Council, held every 10 years.

The people shown in the video are part of a splinter group that holds themselves accountable to nobody. Such sects have always existed, and always done bizarre things. It is just part of the fallen, sinful human nature from which Jesus came into the world to rescue us.