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westwend
I am a Roman Catholic by birth,i.e. my parents baptised me into that faith. I have remained one as an adult because it's tenets ring true to me . My formal religious instruction, from school that is, was poor because I grew up in a Church in upheaval after the Second Vatican Council. John XXIII opened a window(rightly so) but a lot of bugs came in. Parochial school religious instruction was reduced to a celebration of "feelings". Not a lot of substance for an inquiring mind.
My father is a convert from Episcopalianism and my mother is French-Canadienne-Indian(Catholic) as far back as anyone can trace. It would not be complete to say I'm only Catholic because they are. To be sure, I was born into it, but it is probably because they are good examples that I remain one.
My parent's faith sits on them like a well worn cloak. It's not a Sunday-only cloak. My father spent many years delving into theology and spirituality on his spiritual journey. Our house was always lively with theological debate. He respected the journey of each of his children and it's interesting that we all are practitioners of this faith. All 17 of us.
I was born into a family marred by tragedy. A year before I was born the second boy in our family was killed in a horrible accident while working with my father. He was only 16. My father told me that nothing had made him question the existence of God as that had. While inclined to steer away from God after this he, found many things too numerous to list here that kept leading him back to the sacraments.
That's enough for know-officium vocat. That is, kids are hungry. Maybe I'll post on this.
posted by
AnCatubh
on June 25, 2004 at 8:48 AM
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AMDG
I understand where you are coming from.
I sort of made a blanket statement -- blanket statements are stereotypes to be sure.
The mind of each individual cannot be gleaned.
And yet statements made by many Christian churchgoers and their representatives indicate that these statement-makers at least feel superior.
Let me make a partial list of the denominations whose services I have attended.
Christian
Baptist (saved there)
Episcopal (confirmed)
Catholic
Evangelical ReformedPresbyterian
Worldwide Church of God (once a member [so you know where I'm coming from at least partially]) (baptised)
Methodist
Unitarian Universalist
Unity
Probably a few others.
I've taken tracts from Jehovah's Witnesses, been shown a slide show by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (mormons) and been given the Book of Mormon, discussed religion with various individuals.
Of course these are all sinners like the rest of us -- but much of the time you don't see people who don't fit the mold of "churchgoer".
That's where I base my premise in this case.
And on the comments from non-churchgoers -- "I'm not good enough to go to church. It's only for the 'holy' and 'righteous'." Although that can be a cop-out.
I would welcome more conversation from you about where you come from and I intend to make more comments about where I feel my particular church should be going. I am a part of Christianity but feel that Christianity has more or less separated itself from the world of which it is supposed to be a part -- and in a counterproductive manner.
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 24, 2004 at 6:28 AM
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the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree
How can you possibly know why every person goes to church? I have different reasons everyday I go.
You and kooka need to come down off the ivory tower. People are nicer when you see them up close.
posted by
AnCatubh
on June 23, 2004 at 11:57 PM
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man-boy, you said it all
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 22, 2004 at 6:15 AM
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I am alone when I stand before my God.
My children will stand alone. My wife stands alone before her concept of God. Not necessarily my concept of God but that makes no difference. We are not smug nor self-satisfied because we recognize the magnificent grace of forgiveness and we wouldn't presume the arrogance to tell anyone else how to approach eternity. My Dad doesn't like to discuss spirituality so I don't but he says he is at peace with himself and I believe him. To force any other model upon him would be the height of arrogance. I so happy to finally know that there are others out there who believe as I do that a person's spiritual life is their own concern and if they choose to worship they will but we can worship by living mindfully and in the moment every second of our lives. I strive to make every moment open to God knowledge.For me. Not for anyone else. Every day can be lived in awe at the very idea that I have lived. What a priviledge! To whom do I owe that priviledge? In the event that I cannot identify such I repay my debt by looking out for the needs of the entire world around me. It is the least I can do.
posted by
man-boy
on June 21, 2004 at 10:36 PM
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thank you lonebutte
great comment
i would think many people have the same experience.
religion loves temples, walls to enclose belief -- places to draw believers -- ways to cause attachments and commitment to the institution instead of the reality of the world around.
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 21, 2004 at 5:51 PM
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nature is spiritual
I think nature can just as easily be a church. You don't need a special building, or a formal sermon, or a particular day of the week. I'm agnostic, as you know, but I often feel uplifted when I'm just walking with my dogs and checking out the scenery in my neighborhood.
posted by
lonebutte
on June 21, 2004 at 3:05 PM
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so where to you go?
search, seek, don't stop
this site is a good place to do that.
problem is everyone here is out to convert you
including me
actually no -- we are just speaking our minds.
but it's better than driving or walking all over to the various churches and spending two hours with them trying to figure out which is best
sort of like a philosophicial shopping mall.
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 21, 2004 at 10:03 AM
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I'm the opposite
At this point in my faith journey I feel hypocritical if I go to any church. I disavowed Catholicism a while back. My parents try to get me to attend the United Methodist Church, but I feel uncomfortable because I'm not an out-an-out Methodist. I'm not even a Born Again Christian. So I don't go to church, but I don't really feel guilty about it because I'd rather not be a hypocrite. I made a deal with God; He has to help point me in the right direction (and I've been listening), and that's where I'll go.
posted by
roofpig
on June 21, 2004 at 9:06 AM
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Sinner vs Non-sinners
Going to church makes people happy because you are in the presence of other hopeful and happy people. It's contagious like smiling. Which is nice, since we are all sinners regardless of an hour spent in church.
posted by
MiaElla
on June 21, 2004 at 9:04 AM
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