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

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? ;)

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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. :-)

[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...