Save the Bears

A priest, a Pentecostal preacher and a Rabbi served together as university chaplains. One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard; a real challenge would be to preach to a bear.

So they decided to do an experiment. They would all go up to the Smokies, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it. Seven days later, the three clergymen met to discuss the experience.

Father Flannery said proudly, "When I met the bear, I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and he became as gentle a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation."

Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. In his best fire and brimstone oratory he claimed, "WELL, brothers, you KNOW that WE don't sprinkle! I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! Right quick-like, I DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus."

They both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV's and monitors running in and out of him. The rabbi looked up and said, "Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start."