While I have no doubts about my faith, despite my devotion to several bloggers who espouse atheism, I certainly understand and sympathize with those who find themselves at odds with organized religion. I count myself among these people.
Going to church is not about looking good for others. It's not a place to be seen because you're running for political office. You go to give thanks to God.
I don't see alot of thankfulness. I see alot of old folks making pained faces because they don't like the benches or the kneelers. (I'm Catholic) I guess they feel if the seats at church hurt then God will give them Laz-E-Boy recliners in Heaven.
I see parents wearing themselves out trying to keep small children quiet. Folks. If some asshole gives you a dirty look because your young child is acting like a young child, I will gladly tell the asshole to go fuck himself for you.
I see the poor guy that's trying to lead the congregation in song. Bless his/her heart. The songs suck these days. The organ music sucks. What's worse is when the singer thinks he's the American Idol and insists on singing at least five verses of song's that weren't meant to be sung by anyone but Placido Domingo or Beverly Sill.
I've attended services at Protestant churches. They were lively and entertaining. But then I wonder if lively and entertaining were what God had in mind when He commanded us to keep the Sabbath holy.
I wonder if we'd all be better off without organized religion at all. It just seems that church is where most people go so nobody will think they're "bad." A Catholic can't help but wonder how much of their donation is going to pay off victims of abuse by depraved bastards that somehow got themselves ordained priests. No doubt, members of other denominations wonder how much or their tithe went to pay for Jimmy Swaggert's or Jim Bakers trists. Or the Reverends expensive house and Mercedes. Are these guys here to save our souls or just good fundraisers that know Bible verses?
What sickens me the most is not the people pretending to be holy when Father is around, then acting normally when he leaves. We all do that. I'm sick of the guilt trip laid on us. " Give this much or the church will go broke. The poor will die of starvation. A 900 foot tall Jesus will kill Oral Roberts. We'll be forced to look at Tammy Faye Baker. You will burn in hell. Your children will be raped and murdered because you didn't send them to our religious school. None of the other parishioners will buy your stuff because you didn't work as an usher or lector at Mass. You read James B. Webbs BRAIN RAGE."
I sometimes think we'd all be better off spiritually without the priests, reverends and the rest.
Just look at the sky on a starry night and say "Thanks God." You don't even have to get dressed up.
9 comments:
To see a miracle in every breath we take, in every leaf that unfolds in spring, in every snowflake that falls from the sky, in every breeze that brushes gently against our cheek and being thankful for it all - that is the wellspring of faith.
Every day is a great gift shared with me by God and the universe.
There is no need for books of words or songs of praise; my heart already know them.
Your friend Rockync is wise O. Now bring back your Onion. It was the only news in Quincy worth reading.
My niece belongs to a congregation in Sterling, Mass., that dates back to the 1730s. I've met her pastor, and been to services there.
Pastor Gray helped our family through a horrendous tragedy in January of 2008, and I shall forever be grateful to him, the church, and all of its congregants.
I was raised a Catholic, and often find myself repeating certain parts of the Mass to myself--in Latin.
I am no longer a believer, but appreciate the good things that the Catholic/Christian faith has contributed to civilization.
Michelangelo and his magnificent art comes to mind, Bach and his St. Matthew Passion, The Dominican friar, Fra Angelico and his elegant paintings, Dante's Commedia Divina.
Chartres Cathedral.
I just cringe when under the guise of "religion," people bring suffering, pain, and humiliation to those who do not practice their particular faith.
I decided that I don't need organized religion to be spiritual.
It disgusts me that religion has been hijacked by so many evil people over the course of history. No faith is immune from the perversions and twisting of scumbags.
Thank you Rocky and Shaw for your comments.
MaineSt. : Circumstances prevent me from fighting a good fight. It's best to know when to walk away.
Truth: It’s sad that so many think going to Church will save their souls because they “attended” service on Sunday but acted like heathens all week long. Living the good word is just that...LIVING it. I love what Rocky wrote. God, or whatever one wants to call the Higher Being one believes in, is in every breath we take, it’s in the miracle of birth, the sound of a child’s innocent laughter, the sound of nature all around us, a blooming flower, even bees. I’m a lover of Mother Nature and her miracles. I’m not a Christian, a story for another day, however I try to live a good clean life and treat others as I want to be treated. And I agree 100% with Shaw that one can be spiritual without organized religion.
You sure you're not a Democrat Pamela? You would be most welcome.
Truth: I do have a few Liberal views, but most of my views are Conservative. Thank you for the invite though.
This is one subject that is near to my heart. I love to talk about my faith, but I am of late having problems also with organized religion.
I think the whole church thing needs to be revamped.
I think people go to church under false pretenses.
I don't pretend to have the answers, but I do think that Bill Maher, in his movie Religulous has a few ideas. He doesn't know it all, but I think he is on the right track.
And I'd like to end this by saying most sincerely - Praise the Lord.
That's not what God looks like.
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