Some of my clown friends have been having a discussion about what it means to be a secular clown and I want to share what it means to me with the readers of this forum.

I am a secular and apolitical clown. I practise my religion and have political views, but I feel most effective as a clown if my clowning is, what I call, "pure."
It's imporant to me that I show acceptance and make connections without any hint of wanting a person to change anything about himself.

Yesterday, while clowning on the oncology unit of Northwestern Hospital, I went into the room of a patient who had 4 visitors. One visitor was her niece; three were long time (30+ years) church friends.

We sang a silly interactive clown song as I conducted with my kitten mitten. When finished, I asked the patient if there was a song she'd like us to sing to her.

She asked us to sing "Jesus Loves Me." The 5 of us gathered at her bedside, arm in arm, and one of her church friends wore my kitten mitten as she led us in the song, "Jesus Loves Me."

The look of peace and contentment on the patient's face would move you to tears. Nothing could have been more meaningful to her.

This story is especially poignent because this patient knows she is dying, and my being in a position to facilitate the patient and her visitors sharing their love and their faith was awesome.

Just as the patient dictates our level of intimacy, the patient dictates the nature of our interaction, which can only happen if I am a "pure" clown.

[This message was edited by Clown Dode on April 30, 2003 at 05:27 AM.]

I don't know about the designation "pure", but I certainly agree that in a hospital or other clinical setting we are NOT there to try to convert anyone. I always stress this when I teach a class or induct new hospital clowns. Our purpose is to lift their spirits. I am also a member of a clown troupe which states up-front that we are ******ian clowns; but even in that venue we do skits that are purely fun as well as ones with a deeper meaning. There is a time and place for both types of clowning, but a patient's room is not the proper place for this Payyaso/Pastor to "preach". I think it was marvelous that you honored the patient's desire for the song. I'm sure it moved you as much as her.

Thanks your comments, Chester. Also, I have heard of situations where the clown offended a patient who complained to the hospital staff and, consequently, clowns were banned from the hospital.

Agreed, "pure" clowning is a clumsy way to express clowning without an added agenda.