Laity: Ploys for the Pious

Becoming a Christian may be primarily an act of commitment and faith, but it also means joining a lifelong sport with its own peculiar rules for success.

That, at any rate, is the view expressed in a sprightly new satire called Games Christians Play (Harper & Row; $3.50).

The authors, Protestant Housewives Judi Culbertson and Patti Bard, define some of the more popular plonks, gambits and counterploys:

·Mary Martyr is a game in which women excel. The participant undertakes all manner of thankless tasks with no sign of complaint, "except for the darkening circles under her eyes," until some kind soul...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!