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Forget Your Perfect Offering
We went to church twice over the holidays. Once in Brenchley on Christmas morning, early and the second time in Hadlow this Sunday.
Hadlow is the village where I spent my early adolescence. The church has a Norman tower and bells that still can ring. There are crusader crosses in the stonework round the door, 17th and 18th century hatchments in the nave and a set of clumsy, early twentieth century, stained glass windows- one with a knight in a dark wood and St George standing on the dragon's head. Being there felt entirely natural- not like a homecoming but as if I'd been gazing round at these things every Sunday of my life.
I'm tired. I don't want to argue about theology anymore. I've tried all sorts of different religions and none of them was any better than the one my ancestors made. Anglican Christianity isn't perfect- I reserve the right to disagree on points of detail- but I think it'll last me the rest of this life.
Hadlow is the village where I spent my early adolescence. The church has a Norman tower and bells that still can ring. There are crusader crosses in the stonework round the door, 17th and 18th century hatchments in the nave and a set of clumsy, early twentieth century, stained glass windows- one with a knight in a dark wood and St George standing on the dragon's head. Being there felt entirely natural- not like a homecoming but as if I'd been gazing round at these things every Sunday of my life.
I'm tired. I don't want to argue about theology anymore. I've tried all sorts of different religions and none of them was any better than the one my ancestors made. Anglican Christianity isn't perfect- I reserve the right to disagree on points of detail- but I think it'll last me the rest of this life.
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Now- onto something else? I`d like to see more paintings- it was good to see the one you posted. And more Purchas- I`d love to see a SF Purchas- your idea of the future would be fascinating. And why not? I gather you`re not so fond of SF, but you do like Star Trek right? Put together a vision!
And Happy New Year to both you and Ailz!
Mike.
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Yes, all spiritual systems are imperfect, so why not stick with the one you were born into? I've reached a stage where I'm tired of trying to create systems for myself.
SF always says more about the era it was created in than the future. The original Star Trek, for instance, is a perfect little time capsule from the 1960s. I haven't a clue what the future will be like- maybe it'll be all nice and green and friendly or maybe it'll be a nightmare. I think the only thing that's certain is that most of our guesses will turn out to be wrong.
I started another Purchas earlier this year, but it died on me halfway through. Maybe I'll take it up again, but I doubt it. I'm not sure I can write those characters any more.
But I may take up painting again. I've been thinking about it. Perhaps I should make it my New Year resolution.