Like most religions, FACTS has rituals, although - unlike most
religions - none are in any way required. We recommend most of all that each
FACTS member pause and reflect at each new moon. How long you pause and what you
choose to reflect upon are purely your choices.
FACTS also has recommended Church garb, a recommended Church libation, and a
recommended closing hymn for each congregational meeting.
FACTS CHURCH GARB
There are multiple diverse ideas held within FACTS. Among these are that (a)
ideas are measured by their innate truth and worth, not by the credentials of
the person(s) who present(s) them; (b) life should be fun; and (c) there are
those who - merely due to bad luck - are less fortunate than ourselves, and
whose lives we have an opportunity to improve. With those notions in mind, FACTS
encourages its congregants to dress in joyous costumes at each of our
gatherings. In accordance with our belief in the equality of us all in regard to
the ability to bring forth good ideas, there is no "higher" or
"lower" form of dress among our members. Rather, the garb is limited
only by one's own choices and imagination. Not wanting money that could be used
for helping others to be wasted on pricey garments, we recommend finding our
dress in thrift stores, with the difference between what was paid and what one
would have otherwise paid (for new articles) being donated for charitable work.
NOTE: Inasmuch as it violates the FACTS Second and Third Suggestions (i.e.,
"Be honest" and "Do what's right"), we strongly disapprove
of using monetary instruments that say "In God We Trust" to make any
Church-related purchases. (We disapprove of using such instruments for any
purchase, but - unfortunately - there are often no other choices available.)
THE FACTS LIBATION
(i.e., The Freethink Drink)
At each new moon, a FACTS ritual is to share in the Freethink Drink. The recipe
is as follows:
Milk: What an amazing fluid is milk. It contains essentially all the nutrition
that is needed for survival. Milk, therefore, symbolizes independence,
completeness and perfection - qualities for which we strive.
Banana: Bananas grow in beautifully structured, compact bunches. Thus, bananas
symbolize the unity, companionship and fellowship of mankind.
Broken Pastries: Delicious and sweet, pastries represent the joy we hope all
will find in life. Because the sweetness exists no matter what form the pastry
may take, we specifically use broken, discarded or "day old" pastries,
to remind us that sweetness and joy can be found in all sorts of situations, and
within all sorts of people … whatever their disabilities.
Ice cream: Kept in the freezer - cold and dark - ice cream can be forgotten for
lengthy periods of time, yet still bring great pleasure when
"re-discovered." Thus, ice cream reminds us to stop and think about
the hidden or forgotten resources we all possess, which can be of great use when
one is in need.
To remind us both that there is always a possibility of improvement - as well as
the fact that tastes change - there are no fixed proportions for combining these
ingredients. However, a blender is used to mix them, to represent how life is
comprised of many emotions, occurrences and possibilities, which are all mixed
together. Hopefully, our lives will be as sweet as a Freethink Drink.
NOTE: Other ingredients certainly may also be added. It is, of course,
recommended that the best-tasting ingredients be used. Farmers' markets are
great for this, due to the freshness of the products there, as well as the
opportunity to taste the given fruits, etc., prior to purchase. However, it
should be born in mind that it violates the FACTS Second and Third Suggestions (
i.e., "Be honest" and "Do what's right"), to use monetary
instruments that say "In God We Trust" to make any Church-related
purchases. (We disapprove of using such instruments for any purchase, but -
unfortunately - there are often no other choices available.)
FACTS HEAD COVERINGS
At FACTS, we encourage each member to wear a hat or other head covering at our monthly church meetings. The purpose is not to show deference to any supreme being, but rather to be silly, in recognition of our belief that life is to be fun. Thus – although we consider, discuss and hope to effect positive change regarding grave and vital issues – we also appreciate that people shouldn’t always take themselves too seriously. Help for our fellow humans, for our fellow creatures, and for our environment can be provided not only with camaraderie, but with joyful camaraderie. Hats symbolize that joyfulness, and remind us that one of our ultimate goals is to bring levity and smiles not only to others, but to ourselves as well.
NOTE: As with the other FACTS rituals, we recommend that the hats, etc., be purchased at thrift stores, with money not spent on more expensive items used to support the church's endeavors.
THE FACTS CLOSING HYMN
(sung to the tune of Cry, written by Churchill Kohlman and made popular by
Johnnie Ray)
If you find there's no big fellow in the sky
It's no secret you'll feel better if you try
To understand that praying to some god that's not real
Leads to all the false emotions that you feel
If delusions seem to hang around too long
And your blues keep getting bluer when you're wrong
Well now remember that truth can be found
By having a skeptical eye
So, baby, bear down and question things 'til you die
If delusions seem to hang around too long
And your blues keep getting bluer when you're wrong
Well now remember that truth can be found
By having a skeptical eye
So, baby, bear down and question things 'til you die
NOTE: It is recommended that the FACTS Closing Hymn be performed in the dark,
and - at the end of the last line - small flashlights be turned on as each
parishioner traces out question marks. However, it should be born in mind that
it violates the FACTS Second and Third Suggestions (i.e., "Be honest"
and "Do what's right"), to use monetary instruments that say "In
God We Trust" to make any Church-related purchases. (We disapprove of using
such instruments for any purchase, but - unfortunately - there are often no
other choices available.)