Gospel Magic

[Cain]

OK, Gospel Magic. This is something I've always heard about but never bothered to explore. Gmail, which can't be too creepy if it's sending me ads for Gospel magic, led me to this link:

https://www.dazzlemagicshop.com/categoryNavigationDocument.hg?categoryId=9

Here's the ad copy for Kingdom Kards: "Go through the Bible from creation to the resurrection of Jesus Christ with this deck of jumbo playing cards. A great way to witness and the story is written on the back of each card."

I've heard people say that there's a surprising number of knock-offs in the Gospel market. Gospel manufacturers essentially rip-off a magician's methods, but repackage the presentation in order to illustrate a Bible lesson (e.g., stealing is wrong). For some reason this stuff weirds me out the same way Christian rock does. I guess I'm so used to seeing something a certain way that a bizarre, cheesy, pale imitation used for doctrinaire ends slightly flusters me.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I notice they don't give a table of contents for the DVD's. What's on them? Turning water into wine? Walking on water? Resurrection? Magic with loaves and fishes?

Are the Kingdom Cards the Gospel version of the marked, stacked deck? I don't recall there ever being any mention of Jesus doing card tricks.

[thaiboxerken]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=family+guy+jesus

Here is Jesus doing magic.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=family+guy+jesus

Here is Jesus doing magic.

I've seen that shtick before. Typical Jesus. Ripping-off a comedian he saw years ago on TV.

[MelBrooksfan]

Christianity-related props can be an endless source of amusement to the atheist conjuror. I, myself, am currently in possession of a lovely coin which contains a Bible verse on each side (the theme of said coin is: Child abuse is not only okay, it's recommended!). I can see some potential for these cards.

[firecoins]

Jesus is often used as a role model to get people to quit drinking. Jesus turned water to wine. I am not sure he is the best role model for AA.

[MelBrooksfan]

Jesus is often used as a role model to get people to quit drinking. Jesus turned water to wine. I am not sure he is the best role model for AA.

But, I bet he was popular at parties.

[JonWhite]

I notice they don't give a table of contents for the DVD's. What's on them? Turning water into wine? Walking on water? Resurrection? Magic with loaves and fishes?

Scottish magicians Barry Jones and Stuart MacLeod had a couple of shows on TV called "Tricks From the Bible" and "The Magic of Jesus" a while back doing just those effects. Several clips can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Barry+and+Stuart

If Jesus should happen to come by again he's gonna have to seriously up his game to get the respect next time around.

[Bob Klase]

Jesus is often used as a role model to get people to quit drinking. Jesus turned water to wine.

But he could quit any time he wanted.

[Mick Houlahan]

Gospel Magic - as entertainment goes, it's right up there with Puppet Ministry.

[RobertlewisIR]

Jesus is overrated. I'm a horrible magician, and even I managed to turn water to wine. Well, to be fair, it was cherry Kool-aid for the kids, but the idea's the same.

Remember the loaves and fishes trick? I managed to do that one with donuts.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Remember the loaves and fishes trick? I managed to do that one with donuts.

[Homer Simpson]
"Is there anything donuts can't do?"
[/Homer Simpson]

[Cain]

Here's a Christian take on Color monte: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FUN5E1mt4bo

Here's self-described "Christian illusionist" John Louis: http://youtube.com/watch?v=65d88PID_cI

"Just as there are a lot of cards in this deck, so to do we feel like we're very small, that God is not watching out for us, that we're lost in the shuffle."

The slop shuffle is also a metaphor for how we sometimes feel -- "we don't know if we're coming or going, which way is up." Eventually, "The cards right themselves to show there is order in everything God does." This guy is creepier than Michael Ammar.

[RobertlewisIR]

"Christian illusionist," eh? Well, I can't say I'm all that surprised. The whole religion is based on tricks any conjuror could perform (except, perhaps, raising the dead, but I don't suppose they have any 2,000 year old medical records to validate that, now do they?).

[mark.oleary@comcast.net]

Ever hear of a Catholic mass described as a "magic show?" Fans of the film, "Full Metal Jacket" will recall R. Lee Ermey (the drill sergeant) calling it that. A reference to the doctrine of transubstantiation, in which it is alleged that the bread & wine are LITERALLY turned into the body and blood of you-know-who.

Personally, I've seen the trick done many times, but never done well. You'd think 2000 years would be enough time to perfect the technique.

[MelBrooksfan]

Here's self-described "Christian illusionist" John Louis: http://youtube.com/watch?v=65d88PID_cI

"Just as there are a lot of cards in this deck, so to do we feel like we're very small, that God is not watching out for us, that we're lost in the shuffle."

The slop shuffle is also a metaphor for how we sometimes feel -- "we don't know if we're coming or going, which way is up." Eventually, "The cards right themselves to show there is order in everything God does." This guy is creepier than Michael Ammar.

This man is a genius. He knows how hard it is to stay awake in Church. Thusly, he starts preaching. His audience can't focus. It's the perfect misdirection. Also, it's incredible easy! Just spout some Sunday School crap and Bible quotes. It's much easier than writing your own patter.

[AgeGap]

A few generations ago we could have burned him for witchcraft.

[vIQleS]

Ever hear of a Catholic mass described as a "magic show?" Fans of the film, "Full Metal Jacket" will recall R. Lee Ermey (the drill sergeant) calling it that. A reference to the doctrine of transubstantiation, in which it is alleged that the bread & wine are LITERALLY turned into the body and blood of you-know-who.

Voldemort?