Ruben Israel, 42, with the group Bible Believers, said he has journeyed from Los Angeles for 20 years running to inject a more sober message into the day's events. A placard held high above Israel's head, so float riders could read it, said "Know the God of the Bible."
"People come here and they become bead-dazzled," he said. "Things that are not normal become normal; things that are not all right become all right."
As a colleague of Israel's used a megaphone to urge a crowd of young people gathered on Canal Street to repent, a girl in the group shrieked and pulled her shirtfront up high above her head in defiance.
"You need a little bit of humor or you'll get bitter," Israel said. "We have conversations with people at Mardi Gras that last two years. It's almost like a family reunion coming here."
We hear about "street preachers" attending the bowl games and going to the Mardis Gras and I just wondered if any are stationing themselves to be available to moviegoers who exit the theaters after seeing the Passion. Seems like they would have a ready made audience. OR is the theory that most who go to see the film are Chrisians already. Just curious. Are any of "our guys" in New Orleans this week? Laura
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.
