So I went to Church for Easter yesterday.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

It was the first time I went to a Christian service in about 7 years (I have been to Unitarian services in the meantime). I was raised Catholic and have come to dislike organized religion in general, though I still consider myself spiritual and I do deeply miss the rituals and ceremonies. I went with Vash the Gal to a Methodist church in Virginia yesterday.

Making a short story shorter, it took me all of about 5 minutes to remember everything I hate about organized religion. "Opiate for the masses" indeed. And to top it off, the pastor started off his sermon talking about terrorism. Immediately, within the first sentence. x(

It will probably be more than 7 years before I go to another Christian service.

[progmom]

1. oh no!

Damn...that's disappointing. Nothing like that in the Methodist service I attended yesterday. But we're in a really liberal town...maybe that's the difference?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. It was Arlington.

They voted for Kaine here by about a 4-1 margin.

I've heard Methodist are fairly moderate at least - not this one, apparently!

[Arugula Latte]

3. That sounds like my high school reunion.

Many years ago, I though, Okay, I'll go to the fifth-year reunion. How bad can it be? Maybe I didn't remember high school correctly? ... Then I walked in, and it all hit me like a ton of bricks. "Oh yeeeeeah, THAT's why I despised it." Haven't been to any more reunions.

[dr.strangelove]

4. That sounds like my 10 year reunion - bad time for all

My 20th will be here in no time and I do not plan to attend. There are only two people from high school I actually care about. One I talk to a few times a year, and the other was my "sweetheart" whom stays in touch with my sister and I hear is doing very well with her own family. Thats all the reminder of HS that I need.

[Left Is Write]

8. My 20th was way better than the 10th -

I had a good time at both, but people really had matured and mellowed by the 20th.

[underpants]

5. Me too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x204296

[Shell Beau]

6. Sorry you didn't enjoy it!

Maybe you pick the wrong churches or maybe it just isn't for you!!

[Left Is Write]

7. Our pastor started his sermon talking about the movie "Crash"...

and ended with the need for peace in the modern world.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. :(

[xmas74]

9. I'm a Methodist.

It's got to be the pastor. My pastor is very antiwar and would never bring something like that up. Our service was about the Resurrection.

Don't you wish you were in WI? I bet there was a most excellent service at a DU'ers church yesterday!

[LostinVA]

10. That crazy Rev. Cheesehead

[xmas74]

11. I bet her sermon yesterday was wonderful!

[MadHound]

12. A suggestion to take this nasty taste out of your mouth

This coming Christmas, go find an old school Catholic church, and attend the Midnight Mass there on Christmas Eve/Christmas. It is full of all the old rituals and ceremonies that you love, and unless the priest is an absolute ass, the sermon will pretty much be sticking to the Christmas themes.

I still hit one of these every few years or so, just because I think they're one of the most beautiful services going.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. Yeah, that's not a bad idea.

I've dabbled in Unitarianism, but I still miss the traditions and such. Maybe I'll try that. Thanks! :hi: