Jimmy Allen

[B.H.]

I think he came to my church once when I was a young kid. Something came up and we did not go that night. Gosh, darn it, from talking to all of you here I feel like I was deprived.

[cathym]

Just As I Am was never my favorite, but thanks to Jimmy Allen, I now cringe whenever I hear it -- thankfully, it's not popular among the Disciples, as far as I can tell.

[faithfyl]

Ahhh Jimmy. What a simpleton he was. Every spring semester started with a week of chapel services where Jimmy preached about fire and brimstone. At the end of the week we're sing Just as I am as the invitation song and he'd keep repeating verses until sufficient numbers of people had come forward to be baptized or confess their grievous sins.

The only good news was that I knew my 9:00am class, which was usually my mandatory bible class would start late those days.

I took one of his Bible classes, Acts or Romans (can't remember).

I do remember the verse repetition that went on until a sufficient number of people grudgingly came forward, probably to confess anything to stop hearing that awful song.

[AtPeace]

booknerd, you are my hero! Seriously, that took bravery I wouldn't have had at that age. I'm impressed.

In the mid 70's, he spoke at the church I grew up in. Can't remember if it was a meeting or just a sermon, but will never forget his rant against abortion. Said if his daughter were raped by a negro (yes, actually used that word) that he would not allow her to have an abortion. I got up and walked out. He yelled out at me as I was walking out the back doors to the foyer and said something like, well just because you don't like it doesn't make it wrong. I was only in high school, but it was one of my proudest moments.

[KLP]

I never heard of Jimmy Allen...but when I see this thread pop up I always think of Jimmy Dickens.

[agricola]

Little Jimmy Dickens? Didn't he die recently?

[zeek]

.

[faithfyl]

In the mid 70's, he spoke at the church I grew up in. Can't remember if it was a meeting or just a sermon, but will never forget his rant against abortion. Said if his daughter were raped by a negro (yes, actually used that word) that he would not allow her to have an abortion.

Totally believe this. I can actually hear him saying that in his loud, booming voice.

Oh well.

What interesting memories we have from C of C. If nothing else.

[Melanie]

Yes, Chrisso99, I had forgotten that Jimmy was a proponent for integration. I recall a Gospel meeting about 40 years ago in which he expressed deep remorse for having made a racist joke once which hurt someone's feelings.

[booknerd]

You make an interesting point, and I did not know that he espoused progressive views on race. Perhaps his real focus in that sermon was on sexism and the punishment and control of women (c of c hallmark values) rather than racism. When I discussed this with my pagan husband, he pointed out that modern fundamentalist Islam, as well as some groups in India, punish women who have been raped. Women are often killed to preserve their honor or that of their families.