Voting Station

James A. Pike

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (February 14, 1913-September 1969)
    Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    Episcopal Bishop of California
    Wrote 'The Faith of the Church' (1951), 'The Church, Politics and Society' (1955), 'A New Look at Preaching' (1961), 'A Time for Christian Candor' (1964), 'Teen-Agers and Sex' (1965), 'If This Be Heresy' (1967) and 'The Other Side' (1968)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a chain smoker and an alcoholic.
    He was married three times, divorced twice, with his second divorce caused by an affair with his secretary (who became wife #3).
    He resigned as bishop (1966) after being censured for his questioning of church doctrines, including the virginity of Mary, the existence of Hell and the Trinity.
    After his son died, he became a follower of spiritualism and participated in a televised seance.
    He died when he and his wife drove into the Israeli desert without preparation and their car broke down. After they separated to look for help, he fell down a dry creek bed.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He called for 'fewer beliefs, more belief.'
    He was an early advocate for ordination of women and acceptance of gays in mainstream churches.
    He joined Martin Luther King, Jr.'s civil rights march in Selma, Alabama.
    He was friends with Philip K. Dick and officiated at Dick's wedding to Nancy Hackett (1966).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 84.62% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 46.43% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 78.57% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 40 Votes: 70.0% Annoying