Re: Religious use of Tesla coils

["Alan Sharp" <AlanSharp-at-compuserve-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

Ken wrote:

>This is a sociological phenomenon that might be entertaining to look
>into.  I wonder how many List members have encountered these situations? 
>As I had posted some time ago, my first experience of Tesla coils was the
>same as Luc's, except that it was in 1939 at the World's Fair at Treasure
>Island in San Francisco.  I suppose it had to be the Moody Bible
>Institute, though I don't know for sure.

>Not a bit of the religious message stuck with me--but the sparks sure
>did!

Guilty - I have used a small solid state coil in church and in school
assemblies (UK) - particulary on Pentecost Sunday when you are struggling
to descibe how the Holy Spirit can work in a person - lighting up a neon
tube without wires is a good approximation. The coil is capable of a white
hot 6 inch arc and it can light up a 6 foot neon tube.

Inevitably all religious language has to use analogy - a lost sheep, a lost
coin,
a sower planting seeds. It's reasonable as long as you don't imply that
there is
something supernatural or mystical about the operation of a tesla coil.
There is a whole science / religion debate which isn't appropriate for the
list - feel free to
contact me direct (alansharp-at-compuserve-dot-com) or see the paper on my web
site: 
 www.alansharp.co.uk

But my secondary aim is to interest kids in science - it is really sad that
so few kids
are interested in physics or electronics. If you get a chance to
demonstrate a coil
in school then first think very hard about safety and then go for it. 

(Rev) Alan Sharp (UK)