He Finds Your Lack of Faith Disturbing…

High upon the northwest tower of Washington National Cathedral, almost at the top, between two huge louvered arches, there is a small peaked roof called a "gablet". At the bottom of each slope of this gablet is a carved "grotesque" (think: gargoyle). There, underneath the north (right) slope of the gablet, carved in stone, is the very visage of THE SECOND MOST EVIL GUY IN THE GALAXY!

That’s right! Darth Vader is immortalized in stone at our national cathedral. (Apparently a contest was held for kids to submit ideas for art to be used in the cathedral and some sensible kid chose the black helmeted, breathing-challenged master of mayhem as a fitting reminder not to give in to the "Dark Side". Is this a great country, or what?

The WNC Website gives alot of information and pictures about this grand structure, as well as some really cool panoramic 3-D wrap-around views (gotta have Flash animation capabilities, though).

Now I am even more anxious to get to Washington and tour this magnificent building. See? Sacred architecture doesn’t have to be boring!

Oh, STICKY NOTE to Camile Paglia – The cathedral includes sculptures of naked human figures (Frederick Hart’s classic "Ex Nihilo" is one example).

GET MORE "GROTESQUE" FACTS HERE!

Fr. S.

Two men who fell for at least one woman in a bad way,
and then went to the "dark side": Anakin Skywalker and Henry VIII.
So now they've both put their stamp on the Episcopalians.

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Lauda Jerusalem Dominum

Sacred architecture doesn't have to be boring!
Nor, apparently, very sacred, either.

nobody

How can the Episcopalians -- who have about 5 practicing members -- get the "national" cathedral?

Err, didja ever stop to think that there might be some history behind the Episcopalians having the National Cathedral? Look up its history to find out when they started building it. In the early 20th century, Catholicism and Evangelical faiths were considered, err...shall we say, not upper class? High church Anglican was pretty much the social pinnacle of Christian faith in America back in the day.
Today, anti-Catholic prejudice is a lot less widespread and only acceptable in certain circles.

Tim J.

Steve-
It came down, I believe, to a round of "Rock, Paper, Scissors".

Steve Jackson

Yeah, sadly, the non-denominational nature of the WNC seems to have a distinctly leftward twist. Poking around under their "programs" menu I came across a recent lecture by Sue Monk Kidd wherein she blathers about the Black Madonna being a "powerful symbol of outrage and boldness for those who are left out" and yammers about the icon reclaiming a "picture of God that includes the feminine".
Then there's Sacred Circles, A self-described Celebration of Women's Spirituality that features
"A deeply felt sense of women’s spiritual community,
woven by leaders in voice, dance, and religious ritual from diverse faith traditions".
In the words of Marvin, the Paranoid Android - "Ghastly, simply ghastly..."

Matthew L. Martin

The 'whippersnapper' was Admiral Motti, a rather ambitious Imperial officer. According to the radio drama of ANH, he encouraged Grand Moff Tarkin to use his command of the Death Star to seize power equal to or surpassing Emperor Palpatine--with Motti right there by his side.

Jimmy Akin

Briefing scene on the Death Star, early on in the movie.
Vader has had to confess that he hasn't got the plans for the Death Star back.
A young whipper snapper officer who's British but is dubbed with an American accent is ragging on Vader to Grand Moff Tarkin and says:
"Don't try and frighten us with Sorceror's ways Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the Rebel's hidden fortr..."
At which point Vader clenches his fist and the guy starts choking. Vader says:
"I find your lack of faith disturbing..."
What a great line!

Mia Storm

Arthur, it's during the meeting of Vader and the imperial honchos. One of them is ridiculing Vader's attachment to the Jedi religion and Vader responds by saying "I find your lack of faith disturbing." He then proceeds to, ah, massage the windpipe of the person ridiculing the Jedis.