Go to Naut's Thoughts
- Add a comment
- Go to The ‘Non-Existing Existing God’ Revisited – Response to Mneme, Part III
Re: You make excellent points...
Just to add a small point here; the other side of this is that part of the work of Christian Evangelism is to get out there and get people interested and enthusiastic about what the church is there to do. Primarily for worship, but I have seen so much good come out of an active church community. It has to start somewhere, and in the local community is a good place to set the ripples in motion.
posted by
mneme
on February 16, 2009 at 1:48 PM
| link to this | reply
You make excellent points...
...about the need for ritual, and bythewindowsills comments about "furthering humane conduct and nurturing healthy emotions..." would work as long as people attend churches to learn about it.
posted by
metalrat
on February 7, 2009 at 7:14 PM
| link to this | reply
Oh yes. I see that I have already read it. I agree, that was a very good post.
posted by
TAPS.
on February 3, 2009 at 5:23 AM
| link to this | reply
I'm off to read the bythewindowsill link. But first, just wanted to mention that I finally, yesterday, got the book you suggested,
Beyond The Hoax, and have started reading it. It's been so long that I have forgotten if there was a specific reason for your recommendation but maybe it will come back to me as I move along.
posted by
TAPS.
on February 3, 2009 at 5:21 AM
| link to this | reply
Nautikos
Sure, and just when I was waiting for the answer to what is happening to our civilization
posted by
WileyJohn
on February 2, 2009 at 11:47 PM
| link to this | reply
Thanks Naut I just went and read on your recommendation and it is a powerfu
argument for community, for the retaining of traditions and regard and respect for our wider families. I would love to agree that this spirit of community is available within the confines of a Church or a religion but for me humans have really wrecked traditional forms of worship with their ancient man made laws and condemnations.
posted by
Kabu
on February 2, 2009 at 10:22 PM
| link to this | reply
I did read inthewindowsill's essay and it is indeed an incredible piece. I agree with you that ritual is an important part of religion - in fact, some would claim that it is the integral part of religion. Though I was not there yesterday my Rabbi officiated at a funeral for a 23 year old girl who was otherwise healthy, had a bad sore throat, went to bed and never woke up. There is no rational explanation for this unbelievably heartbreaking loss, and so the family and community came together to grieve, to seek comfort from each other and to recite Hebrew prayers which provided a sense of continuity and hope. I remember the first Yiskor (remembrance) High Holiday service after my Dad passed away, hearing everyone else murmuring, crying, reading the words that proved to me that everyone dies, mourners are left behind, this is how they feel now, and there is hope later on. This is part of religion, too, but the aspect of religion that I claim is personal and indescribable and I can no more force on someone else than have taken from me. I'm looking forward to your next installments, Naut. Mal
posted by
gapcohen
on February 2, 2009 at 4:04 PM
| link to this | reply