The Next Step

[poliphilo]

The next step is to find a church to belong to.

There's one just up the road

But it isn't medieval. The nearest medieval church is in Ashton. Mmmm- the legend of St Helena in glorious, 15th century , stained glass.

Remember what the Archbishop said in his New Year Address to the Nation; the church isn't buildings, it's people.

You mean old Beardy, the Welsh Windbag?

Calling him names is childish- and doesn't affect his argument.

But that's the other thing; I don't like people. And Christians are the worst of all

How so?

Oh, you know.  Do I really have to spell it out? They're all hypocrites-  and misogynists- and homophobes- and racists. And they go on about Jesus all the time. *Shudders*. You can laugh at me wanting to worship in an ancient building, but it's a deep, spiritual thing- I want to commune with the ancestors.

And the ancestors weren't entirely as ghastly as people today? Ask your friend, the medieval peasant, for his opinion of bougeres and women priests.  Think of the present generation as the ancestors of tomorrow.

Oh, very clever. * Claps ironically.*  But you just don't understand...

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Is it just the buildings, the people who have gone before and the spirit of the place you want to immerse yourself in? Or is the religion the primary thing?
Jenny

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Good question.

I think the answer is both.

Sounds like...

[jubal51394.livejournal.com]

You might try worshiping alone out in nature somewhere like Stonehenge...

Oh! Wait! You've already tried that haven't you? What do I know? ;)

Re: Sounds like...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm too old and urban for that outdoors religion. I don't like getting cold.

Besides I still intend to visit Avebury whenever possible.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You mean old Beardy, the Welsh Windbag?

LOL! That's funny.

I am pondering spirituality, too...rather, pondering my current lack of angst surrounding my spirituality, which is totally outside of the boundaries of what I was raised to be and believe. I intend to post about that, soon.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Lack of angst is good.

I've been all over the place with my spirituality- and, really, there's no single package that suits me.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

[sculptruth.livejournal.com]

A spiritual journey of any kind is so delightfully personal, I don't understand the value judgment others might have. Besides, I never felt the presence of holy (in the sense I understand the word) until I stood in a vast and ancient cathedral; the vaulted sky rising so far above me I felt dizzy.

I hope you find one!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm looking, but it seems as though it's being asked of me.

Time to get involved with people, perhaps.

[oakmouse]

If you need continuity and the presence of time, then you need it. Personally, I agree with you; I find modern churches aesthetically ghastly and spiritually vacant.

And Rowan Williams badly needs an editor. Preferably one who holds him to a limited word count.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If it ain't medieval, it's modern. :)

Williams would have been a great archbishop in quieter times. There's a real aura of spirituality about him.

[oakmouse]

I have to settle for 19th century, since I live in an area that wasn't settled until the 1850s. ;) However, that said, my favorite American cathedral is Stout Grove in the California redwoods --- very old indeed.

Williams is better than he's usually cracked up to be. His problem is that he's just too good at giving the media out of context sound bites to have fits over.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My favourite "cathedral" is the Avebury stone circle.

I like cathedrals, but I believe I prefer tiny, little, Norman churches.

I think Williams is one of the better modern archbishops. I think the truth of the matter is it's an impossible job.

[oakmouse]

I love Avebury very deeply, but it's just too far away. I can't get there more than once every decade or so; plane fare is prohibitive, never mind the rest of the expense.

I like the smaller, 19th century Catholic churches you find in the United States. They're generally brick, comfortable, well-proportioned, and aesthetically attractive both inside and out. They also smell good. (What can I say, I love incense and votive candles.) It's a pity I can't handle Catholicism in any way, shape, or form any more, because that kind of church shaped my childhood experience of collective spirituality.

I think nearly any headship of a large non-commercial entity is a nearly impossible job these days.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Ah. So.

I like the acoustics. And the darker the church, the better.

And short sermons.

We have lovely stained glass windows that look old.

I have an Epiphany rehearsal in the morning with an orchestra. I can't wait.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Amen to short sermons.

The church I'll probably be going to is late Victorian or early 20th century. We'll be checking it out tomorrow.

[silverhawkdruid.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, give me the older buildings every time. They seem to absorb so much over the centuries and simply ooze spirituality, even if you don't totally accept the faith practised there. You can feel the difference as soon as you walk into the older churches. IMHO. :-)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah yes.

Though the ambience isn't always benign.

Ailz- who is sensitive to these things- had to leave Winchester cathedral in a hurry, because it made her feel sick.

[silverhawkdruid.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's not good! Poor Ailz!

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

My favorite church building is Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston - for its aesthetic value. It is such a thing of beauty!
However, I prefer my small Baptist congregation for the spirituality of my personal faith. We have no building, just rented quarters with a piano. This works for me.
As far as outdoor "cathedrals" go, I have had many spiritual experiences in outdoor places, such as the Wilderness in Franklin Park, and the Cathedral in the Pines in New Hampshire. There are more of these places in my memory and in my mind...