and hopes to see many of you!
alex

p.s. never partied in a church before!
Quijote, Oct 11, 2006 @ 10:09

I will defnately be going along with the usual suspects! :-)
flowerylyns, Oct 11, 2006 @ 11:32

if I'm still alive on Saturday, I'll be there kicking! :-D
C U there
Stef__Granny, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:11

is somewhat strangely disturbing for the non-praticant catholic that I am ...
and .. I have an hosewarming party right before ... so ...
I guess I'll be there as of ... after a while.

No evil twin thou ...

Vale (somehow feel weird partying wild in a curch .. thou I am pretty sure it's not used as a curch anymore ....) ...

Hoiling, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:13

I am introducing my friend from london to 'geneva life'... she will think we party in a church every weekend.

I am sure everyone will make her feel welcome in the true GOL styleeeee!

Tash
tash, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:33

.... for once no other plans seem to be going on at the same time.
munkypint, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:35

Be sure and count on us !
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:40

Am I the only one who is confused as to what church I'm supposed to be at? Where are we going??

Sorry but my brain is rather fuddled these days. Someone please tell me.
Nx
Kola, Oct 11, 2006 @ 12:58

is the one in the middle of rue de marche, city center (the tram way). Basically in the middle the square before place do molard (coming from Bel Air), where the Bclub is. If it's not clear click on the banner .. u shoudl get more infos!

Vale
Hoiling, Oct 11, 2006 @ 13:09

I know many are wondering about that. Please Nir / someone let them know
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 13:54

Will we have to confess at the door before joining the party?
Will the vicars be joining us?
:)
vinnie, Oct 11, 2006 @ 14:12

Place de la Fusterie, still "active" I think.
But they do a few different things sometimes. By exemple, I heard on "One FM" (a local radio) that they are organising a singing contest to discover the next stars, or something like that, and that their geneva's casting will be in that church (or if not the casting, a show of the selected people, not sure at all).
I'll try to attend that GoL party, if I'm in Geneva saturday, and meet a few more of you maybe :)
Remy
RemyS, Oct 11, 2006 @ 15:24

...really, doesn't anyone find the idea of a party in a church at all disturbing? Alcohol and a fake mass... it's disrespectful. And I don't even consider myself a very religious person.

Perhaps Nir could explain where the idea came from, why a church?

I will probably show up nonetheless. Just not sure about the whole thing. Makes me a bit uneasy.
Katri, Oct 11, 2006 @ 15:45

To me, as long as mutual respect is there, there's nothing wrong with having fun in a church. I don't want to start a big religious controvercy here, but share a felling. Let's remember one biblical fact; at Cana's weading, Jesus, it is said, turned water into wine, for the sole purpose of the party to keep being joyfull. This is the only "meaningless" miracle to some theologists, who argue it's a doubdtfull one as it is found only in John's Gospel. I see it another way. To me, "love all people as yourself" starts with "love yourelf". Having fun, enjoying life, dancing and drinking some reasonable amounts of alcohool from time to time is, to me, loving oneself. Thus, absolutely fine. And if a church is my father's home, why should he complain about that ?

For all that, me being a christian, I can tell everyone having another religion or no religious believes that, personaly, I would not feel offensed seing people dancing is a church. That being said, having a "fake sermon" by Grany or similar might offense some other people. For that reason, it should probably be reconsidered.

I just want to stress that this vision is purely a personal one. I can understand than other christians might see it a different way. Please don't take it wrong. I hope I've been clear enough.
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 16:31

I'm not religious at all, so not only I don't care that much about it, but I would not be able to use useful exemples as Hobbes is doing.
But I was also thinking that for some people, seeing that on saturday evening, there's a big party in the church they'll use the following morning, could be quite disturbing.
Remy
(p.s.: but, on a more positive side, the location is perfect, in the "rue basses")
RemyS, Oct 11, 2006 @ 16:36

... being me the other one feeling un-easy about this, I'll try to explain why.
It's not a matter of being over religious (cause I am not) and I don't wanna get into the debate .. it's more what I'd say a matter of respect.
Let me explain. Even when I enter a church as a turist, I cover myslef, try not to go sleevless and with short skirts or shorts, to show respect. I speak quietly.
Everyone has different views and different beleives and I don't find anything wrong with 'mokery' of anything, religion included. I just feel that doing that in a church (so .. mocking the host in his house) with fake sermons and for sure ppl way less dressed then turists, and most of them way more drunk then normal .. makes me a bit uneasy.
just to make it clear, I am fine with mock sermons .. not done in a church. I wouldn't go for dinner at someone's place and make fun of him the whole time .. like I do accept traditions and codes that I don;t beleive in when I am guest somewhere ... and I wouldn't held an Anti-Italians assembly in the italian embassy (outside maybe. ..) ..

hope this makes clear at least my motivations for feeling un-easy.
Hoiling, Oct 11, 2006 @ 16:40

And I would be very hypocritical indeed if I said I oppose drinking and partying. It's just that doing that in a church somehow seems wrong. It's a place of worship - and like Hoiling said, even as a tourist when you enter a place of worship be it of any denomination you try to behave respectfully, i.e. cover yourself in decent clothes, refrain from speaking too loudly and certainly from making fun of the religion practiced there, right? It's about good manners and respect for others to whom this place is sacred.
Katri, Oct 11, 2006 @ 16:46

do you need to ask??
Minda, Oct 11, 2006 @ 16:55

...what you're saying. There is, for sure, something special in churches. I am respectfull of other peoples beliefs and worshiping places. However, we do not squat the place. It is (i suppose) rentend by the Church itself, who knows for what kind of activities.

If a rabin would tell me it's fine to get in a synagogue without a kippah, if an imam would tell me it's fine to get in a mosque with my shoes on, why should I pretend I know better than them ?

I know a priest who loved prying at Luna Park. My son was baptised at the tip of a mountain. Once in Bali, I passed by a cremation ceremony. Our guide stoped us to have a look. I felt very awkward. Those people were buring a relative for god sake, who was I, stupid tourist, to disturb that ? Know what happened ? The relatives came to me and offered me drinks. In their culture, a cremation is a party time. A time to be good with others. The welcomed me with open hearths, and this really touched me.

For all that, I'd like everyone to feel welcome in that church. Who knows... maybe some will come back after the party for other reasons. And would we be talking about intercultural respect if that party was being held elsewhere ?
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:01

Interesting website for french readers; Geneva jewish fondation for intercultural understanding.
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:03

You're right in saying that the church itself did agree to rent the place out. In that sense maybe I shouldn't pretend to "know better", it's just a personal opinion that these kind of parties would be better held elsewhere. Would be interesting to hear from the organisers - is the place still used as a church? Who owns it?

"And would we be talking about intercultural respect if that party was being held elsewhere ?"
If you're referring to sacred places of any other religion, yes, I'd still feel uneasy about having this kind of a party there. Unless I was explained that this was ok in terms of this religion. The church being a Christian church I know for myself that it's not exactly customary to drink and dance inside.
Katri, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:12

I undertsand what you're saying. Some people might be anoyed, as a matter of fact. I feel a bit uneasy too, and want to apologize with those who might feel hurt in their believes. I would avoid fake sermons as well, for that reason.

But, as explained bellow, there are some christian values that are more important to me than habits or traditions. One of those is "welcome others". I'm happy to see a Church welcoming "half naked dancing sinners" instead of judjing them from far. To me, God is love and forgivness, not punishing judge. But, once again, this is very personal.
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:14

If the vicars are joining us where are the tarts?

A good theme for a party.. Vicars and Tarts
Susie, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:26

i was referring to myself with the term "hypocrite". Finding it a bit weird being the one arguing the conservative side, not exactly being a true believer myself.

Sorry for any potential misunderstanding
Katri, Oct 11, 2006 @ 17:32

I will be there........come and say hi to the newbie at his first GOL event! :-)
hully, Oct 11, 2006 @ 18:12

We do like virgins ! ;-P
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:19

There's a discussion of whether the party being held in the church is mocking religion or the church. Below is my personal view. Each member will have to make up his personal mind....

1. The church authorities are in full agreement to the party, knowing that is will also have alcohol and drinking. They also know the party is a private GoL event that will get friendly people together…

2. We chose this location cos it's amazing & special, and will make for a terrific event. That's it. GoL is ONLY about friendly people getting together, and we actively move away from making any political or religious statements.

3. We will party, while showing respect for the place and what it stands for. There WILL be happy friendly people dancing and drinking and having a good time, but there will NOT be smoking, drunk kids dancing to techno, go-go dancers, etc.

4. I do not know if the church is still actively used as a place of worship.

5. Last, the GoL 'sermon' is of course not meant to mock anything. It’s our usual ‘be friendly’ party speech (the one everyone, except me, hates…), with an insider joke about it being a sermon…

Net, I am convinced this will be a great party that will get 500 friendly people together to celebrate friendship and fun. The only think we mock is, occasionally, ourselves…(-:

Nir Ofek, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:26

i beleive everyone will make up his/her mind (and me mine) based on personal feelings, but thanks for the quick answer.
Have to say that i got worried when i heard of granny being recruited as a priest .. .knowing his vision .. i thought the sermone was going to get "X rated" :)

... Vale. Might see ya all Saturday ... might ...
Hoiling, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:32

A little respect for the wise and elderly!
and "X Rated" yourself!!! :-P

On a (not too much) serious note, I've never been in that church but I'm reading in this forum that it's a multiconfessional temple where they organize events (among wich OneFM pop concerts).
In many of the confessions of Christianism (namely many protestant churches) they see a church much more as a gathering point for the community than as a sacred place where you shouldn't even be allowed if you are not baptised.
I feel I respect that point of view organizing a party with the agreement of the sacerdotes of that church.
Regarding the "Sermon" we often called like this the speech given by "Father Nir" during parties. It's an inside joke, not a mockery.
Nir asked me to do it this time. I'll be happy to have an excuse to refrain if it is seen as disrespectful. ;-P
Stef__Granny, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:38

you're in it bro!

You tried all excuses from 'I'm sick' to 'it's disrespectful to God', but none of them are valid. It's your 'job' and you will do it, or you don't get the dinner tonight!

Nir Ofek, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:41

:) Just insider joke granny ..
I can tottaly see u saying 'Andate and Moltiplicatevi" (go and ..???) ...
with that naughty grin of urs :)

Vale - ok I X rate myself !
Hoiling, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:45

May GOL Bless you all, for GOL's sake! :-P
Stef__Granny, Oct 12, 2006 @ 11:38

We'll be there tooooo :)))
swisskiss, Oct 13, 2006 @ 19:54

I have to agree with Katri, Hoiling and Sherri. I find it strangely disturbing to party in a sacred place...
Carol A, Oct 14, 2006 @ 00:53

and some research saying that the temple is not used as such anymore, the fact that as a non baptized chatolic i'll go to hell anyway .. and the fact that if i am going to heaven all my friends will still be partying in the church so won't be there to keep me company, on top the fact that my ipod from hell has been playing randomly party songs since this morning and Hoiling want to dance .. means .. I'll be there too.

See ya all :)
Hoiling, Oct 14, 2006 @ 19:34

And just in case this should damn you forever, remember what one of the best americans ever, Mark Twain, used to say: "I prefer Heaven for climate, but Hell for company" :-D
C U later.
Granny

P.S.
Do I REALLY have to teach you cathekism?
According to the catholic tradition, a non baptised catholic goes to Limbo, not hell, even if recently the Vatican has announced that all of a sudden Limbo doens't exist anymore and even if you are not bapthised you can earn your ticket to paradise. :-)
GoL bless you!
Stef__Granny, Oct 14, 2006 @ 20:32

I know a non batpized goes to limbo, but give what i've already done and the fact i can't even confess i am destinate to go to hell .. and i guess the company will be much better :)

Thanks for the lesson granny and see ya later
Hoiling, Oct 14, 2006 @ 20:44

Looking forward to partying like crazy with you my friend !

Hobbes
_________
Hell is surely overrated !
Hobbes, Oct 14, 2006 @ 22:47