Removeth Thyself

Ol' J.C. just ain't gettin' the respect he once did:

A man dressed as Jesus was kicked out of a St. Louis area church Sunday. Police were even called to get in the middle of the spiritual showdown. "We're called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, ambassadors should represent, and that's what I do. I try to represent my Lord and savior Jesus Christ," said Neal Thompson Monday night, wearing the same white robe and cross, and carrying the same staff he's been using every Sunday for 22 years.

He dresses up like Jesus every week, going to a new church every week, he says, to spread his Christian message.

He says he is questioned most weeks, but then welcomed. But when he tried to enter St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Des Peres, he was not allowed in.

"One of the deacons saw me," he said, "and when I went in the church he met me and he said, 'Can I help you? What do you want?' I said, 'I want to go to church here today.' And he said, 'What do you believe in? Are you Christian? What religion are you?' I said, 'I'm a Christian.'"

Thompson said he was not allowed in the sanctuary. Church members told him he'd have to sit in the hallway.

Them Lutherans don't play around; right serious they take their mysticism. He's lucky they didn't nail his ass to the door.

Bumper sticker: "I FOUND JESUS! (He and Julio mow my lawn every Tuesday)"