Religion
As there is no sub section for any discussions on variouse religions , I guess dilemmas is as good as any .
Join in if you are interested or don't bother if you are sensitive to discussion on your particular faith.
I always think of the hours of embroidery that goes into those Robes.
I admire the pictures and sculptures, carvings as works of Art and distracting so find more peace present in very simple churches.
Viv,
No doubt an offshoot of religion has been the production of incredible buildings, magnificent works of art and incredible inspirational music. This offset sadly by much evil. Religion would appear to be capable of bringing out the best in people, and the worst.
One of my jobs in the home where I was raised was to look after the church. Three of us, I was the senior boy. It was a small church, quite old, we did our thing before school and as required in the afternoon and on weekends. Clean, polish etc.
Oddly enough it became a sort of sanctuary as we were removed from the normal hustle and bustle of home life, the church being some distance away from the other buildings and it was not the domain of the regular house masters.
I have returned a few times over the years, sat there on my own and reflected on the past and where I have ended up. It still has that feeling of sanctuary after all the years. For a time there it was my church, my responsibilty, it meant quite a bit to this young boy, still does. Strangely enough there is no religion in it. Something else that is a wee bit hard to put into words. I can still picture every detail.
There you go.
Take it easy.
SD
Sd... Why did those people feel driven, or the need to builld those magnificent buildings, What was driving them? What was their reason?and also well know hymns, such as Amazing Grace, to which the words ,can tell the story of John Newton, who was a depraved slave trader
I agree that a church can become a sanctuary, where even if you have no idea why, you can in a time of distress, find a little reflection will gain you peace. That is available to anyone in a time of distress, no matter who they are.
What you find in a family church, as you describe, is not 'religion'' but faith.
Seth,
It was not a family church.
I used to get a hiding if it was not spick and span.
SD
SD. even in a non family church, you can still reflect and if your mind is receptive, peace will come, even to a non believer.
Just an aside, I firmly believe that churches do pick up the 'vibes' emotions of those attending, you can walk into some churches which have an unforgetting atmosphere about them.
Seth,
I was an altar boy, choir boy and cleaner. Covered most bases.
The church itself has no bad vibes. Sits peacefully on a hill looking over a river in a country setting. One of the very early churches in WA.
I still like choir music, especially the singing of the Russian Orthodox choirs.
SD
Talking about churches. Peter and I on occasion sit in the big lovely church in Traralgon where we live, because we find it nice and peaceful BUT last week when we sat down found we did not want to stay, as 4 cleaners/alter organisers were talking quite loudly about where they had been and wanted to go for their holidays, which was such a distraction.
I found it very disrespectful (as they were obviously Religious folk) to be SO loud in the church when people were kneeling in silent prayer.
Churches are beautiful places, whenever I travel, I always try to visit, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples. Regardless of what faith one practices, there is an aura about places of worship.
Yes there is a lot of beautiful architecture in churches - too bad so many are destroyed during wars.
GD your sentiment is correct, but do you think their is a difference between those who build them, and those who destroy them?
I see the difference in the creators being 'civilised'showing morals,intellectual advancement, humanity, and being ethical and reasonable, whereas the the destroyers are in line with the primitive barbarians and savages.
GD I always knew there was more to the gold digger than just working in the gold mine.
Phyl,
Have you ever wondered why altar boys tend to look heavenward ?
It is because they have scaley mates in the congregation pulling faces at them and they are not game to look at them, not if you want to keep a straight face and that angelic look about you.
Eyes up is safe country.
One of my associates who was an altar boy had the temerity to fart as the priest, my associate and the other altar boy started their walk down the aisle. They all got the giggles including the priest and they had about five attempts to start the walk down the aisle before they got their act together.
A bit of cuffing about the head occurred after the service.
Take it easy.
SD
I was a choir boy as part of my duties was a run to the off license to collect a bottle of Whisky , waiting in a brown paper bag.., for the Vicar.
What a variety of experinces in a church. Apart from Zapot wearing his dragon outfit everything was human behaviour, so even though the memories are there, as with most who experienced Sunday school? or attended a Church! does anyone remember/describe any brainwashing that has been claimed.
My early years it was my Aunty who held a sunday school for all the kids in the street, this was in the early twenties up until we left Ipswich to go to Adelaide. They were really fun and happy days.
Even though I had no bad experiences with any 'congregation' and like most younguns' thought I knew everything and so I drifted away.
Your last sentence Seth ? When you say you drifted away ?
I loved Sunday school seth...loved almost all the stories in the Bible..although I look at them candidly now...still with fond memories!
Fleur like most sunday school bible stories, there was a teaching, for good.
Pete like most teenagers, although in my time there was no such animal [teenager] we were ''youths' and the behaviour was being youthful, fights against rival groups mainly at dances where it could escalate into a brawl were common and in some cases Sat.night was looked forward to. So you see what drifting away was all about, you weren't looking for anything serious.
Oh I see. But you did drift back.? To a congregation?
No Pete I never drifted back, I was compelled to return, even though at that time not understanding why, Now, I had been through and seen things no one could have envisioned, I needed something to help in the healing process, which came, surprisingly, not in a church, but at home, although it was through church teaching, since then I have what I needed, and hopefully more understanding of those who haven't.
Glad to hear you found help in the healing process Seth .none of us could imagine what you went through .
in your writings on here you seem to have reached a point of being comfortable with yourself .
Pete,
And that's what it's all about !!
Being comfortable with yourself.
SD
Well said lads.
It's not what it was - nor what it will be - It IS what it is. Be happy with our lot.
Amen.......
is that the end ?
Phyll I wish you had stopped at the last is .
Oh no Gerry . Its a starting point .
You are happy with what you have Pete!
Yes. Very happy Phyl,,,
Just saw this little quote...
The pursuit of happiness and the dignity of personal responsibility form the basis of our existence. We are not fragile but fallible; we need not protection but experience.
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and then He gave Irving Berlin ‘Easter Parade’ and ‘White Christmas’. The two holidays that celebrate the divinity of Christ — the divinity that’s the very heart of the Jewish rejection of Christmas — and what does Irving Berlin brilliantly do? He de-Christs them both! Easter turns into a fashion show and Christmas into a holiday about snow… He turns their religion into schlock. But nicely!
Pete cannot you enjoy both? as they reflect the attitude of most, amidst the mystery of feeling the spiritualism, their is sceptism,
Seth the bit above is not seriouse but a bit of Jewish humour...
there certainly is sceptism .
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and then He gave Irving Berlin ‘Easter Parade’ and ‘White Christmas’. The two holidays that celebrate the divinity of Christ — the divinity that’s the very heart of the Jewish rejection of Christmas — and what does Irving Berlin brilliantly do? He de-Christs them both! Easter turns into a fashion show and Christmas into a holiday about snow… He turns their religion into schlock. But nicely!
You forgot a reference pete: taken from www.spectator.uk
Quote from Phillip Roth .. Operation Shylock .
Om, the sound of everything...Om...
Everything is nothing , nothing is everything .
Pete age 16 during Buddist phase ...
Bookwyrm I sit under my pyramid in the lotus position saying ommmm ommm very relaxing.
Nude Phyl ?
No not quite nude Pete. In undies or nightie :) We do have ducted heating so could - no probs. as Peter has seen everything I have lol.
I bought my Pyramid many years ago, but would be vey easy for people to make. We are lucky I have a big unused room for my paraphenalia lol.
A pyramid! What does it do for you, Phyl?
Hi Bookwyrm. I was SO afraid of Pete. because we are right off his topic re Religion, I have some info. in Lets Chat just in case Pete. wants to start a war with me. 
Omm is a is a mantra and a mystical sound from Hindu religion so how can that be off topic ?
Sorry, I was offline when you were on, Phyl, I think. I didn't see your remark till much later. I
Phyll why are you so rude?
One thing I do find odd is the need of some clergy to wear ornate dresses and funny hats, and also find a need to assume extraordinary titles.
Watching some of the gatherings that these esteemed, and obviously well fed men of the cloth attend, I feel if Jesus did put in an appearance at any of them he would find himself out ranked. Certainly out dressed. Ejected even from such an elite and pious gathering.
Take it easy.
SD