Church

[anjelikaferrett]

I don't go as often as I used to but if I do go there is a feeling of well being afterwards - although that could just be conditioning from growing up as a practising Catholic and passing through the Catholic education system. I love old churches- there is a certain peace and tranquility to be found in them. Just sitting, having a moment of quiet reflection is always beneficial for me.

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

I recall midnight's mass Christmas was chocker.

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

Holy days of obligation, still happen?

 

[Connor mcloud]

Old churches are boss when empty. My dad was a catholic monk (before me, obviously) and when we lived in Mexico we would go to churches all the time, not to pray or worship but for like musings about Latin and art and symbolism. He just loved strolling through them and telling me all the lore. One of the favorites was this one, which was outside of the town we lived in. He would translate the Latin on the walls or tell me the symbolism and iconography of the paintings, or go into the architecture etc.

It took me awhile to realize I didn't have a normal childhood.

And then you ended up on here
Hmmm

 

[degsy]

Please don’t turn this into some mad religious thread… it’s just a general question.

I texted a mate earlier to see how he’s doing as he’s recovering from a recent operation. He told me he’s on the mend and was able to go to church this morning with the assistance of his sister who drove him there. Now, we’ve been friends for almost 35 years and I’ve never known him to go to church before but in conversation he told me he’s been going to church 2 or 3 times a week for the past 3 months. He has had recent struggles with depression and alcohol but said he finds inner peace and comfort when he’s at church and hasn’t felt the need for alcohol at all. So, my question really is do you go to church ? Do any of your friends or family go to church and do you think it’s a place where you can find some level of peace and happiness?

That would be an Ecumenical Matter

 

[Abertonian]

Exactly. People do not have to believe in a deity or specific traditions/rituals or whatnot, but if it aids someone, then it's a positive for me. Horses for courses.

On a personal level, I often do feel better once I've been to mass, but it's hard to explain how or why. Perhaps it is the direction, the guidance or the fraternity.

I think I feel better because for that hour I've stopped thinking about the small things in life. I tend to pray for the health of loved ones which makes me think about them and people who've passed away.

I also feel better after a walk in the woods with the dogs, so there are numerous ways to lift my spirit.

However it is achieved, if we could all find peace in ourselves the world would likely be a better place.

 

[chrismpw]

Old churches are boss when empty. My dad was a catholic monk (before me, obviously) and when we lived in Mexico we would go to churches all the time, not to pray or worship but for like musings about Latin and art and symbolism. He just loved strolling through them and telling me all the lore. One of the favorites was this one, which was outside of the town we lived in. He would translate the Latin on the walls or tell me the symbolism and iconography of the paintings, or go into the architecture etc.

It took me awhile to realize I didn't have a normal childhood.

My mum's dad was a franciscan monk, before he went off to WW1. He clearly came home with different values about living!

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

I am fascinated by the life of Jesus Christ, where the prophecy and the history intersect. My grandmother used to take me to the Greek Orthodox church because that was the faith she held. I don't hold any particular faith myself, just a belief that Christ was a real man, I don't need him to be the son of God because I don't believe in any of that divine creation stuff.

I am partial to looking at the religious statues and the exterior of churches here, we've got a mix of different teams - for some reason, I am more intimidated by Catholic churches than the Hussite.

 

[Yarrgh]

I found God in the back of my Ford Fiesta.

How much for a pair?

 

[Yarrgh]

Belter thread, it's produced pieosity. I'm in!

lol

Mmmmmm. Pie.

 

[Kurt.]

I found God in the back of my Ford Fiesta.

Better than having found him hanging out the back end of an Escort I suppose

 

[wandyr79]

Love a good church/cathedral, the architecture, the lavish designs, the artwork, statues, etc. always amaze me.

However, there is always a part of me that is saddened for the probable reasons they were built. To show power, to show status and all in all to create wealth for the few.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Please don’t turn this into some mad religious thread… it’s just a general question.

I texted a mate earlier to see how he’s doing as he’s recovering from a recent operation. He told me he’s on the mend and was able to go to church this morning with the assistance of his sister who drove him there. Now, we’ve been friends for almost 35 years and I’ve never known him to go to church before but in conversation he told me he’s been going to church 2 or 3 times a week for the past 3 months. He has had recent struggles with depression and alcohol but said he finds inner peace and comfort when he’s at church and hasn’t felt the need for alcohol at all. So, my question really is do you go to church ? Do any of your friends or family go to church and do you think it’s a place where you can find some level of peace and happiness?

In the best scenario churches can provide a real sense of community and an aspect of counseling that is useful. Not all churches do that well, of course, and every church is full of nutters. Religion of course is an important factor in what goes on inside a church as well; you can't hide the ideas and their consequences (see above about nutters) and this always works out (this is kinda the point). I'm pro-religion and pro-church myself, but not every situation is helpful. How is your friend doing--does he seem better off?

 

[SerenityNigh]

I go weekly. Each to their own of course, as I have no interest in trying to convert anyone or preach and all that.

Preach bro... oh, sorry about that...

 

[SerenityNigh]

There’s a huge uproar in my town at the moment, we have an old Roman church on the town centre which is walled all the way around and is stunning, but the diocese have decided to turn the use of the church to a play centre and put solar panels on the roof amongst other things as the running costs of the church are too expensive

expensive buildings that get used 1x weekly are dumb, but that's what we have in most church buildings. not that I know the solution.