I went to church yesterday, and I liked it!

[batfink79]

I know the above seems a trite comment, but I'll set the scene.

Having been RC brought up for most of my formative years, I grew to see church and the teachings that went with it as self flagellating,austere and full of guilt... (traits of which I know are peculiar to the RC faith). Having been part of this from 7-12yrs due to parent convictions, at the first available expression of self will I stopped going.

Fast forward to yesterday; My job now is managing people in the community with long term mental health issues, and I happened to be working the weekend. One of my clients is in hospital on a sec3 and would like to go to her church to celebrate sunday, having been given Sec17 leave.. so I take her.....


(Disclaimer: I am not sure of correct PC terms etc, so apologies if I appear ignorant or ill informed)

situation is thus, I ended up taking my client to a black christian church celebration, there was lots of singing, dancing etc and people seemingly very happy to be there and welcome others.Quite honestly I was astonished by the vibrancy of the community, and how it seemed to function. I was the only white guy in the congregation, and after a while I was welcomed by the pastor (as a friend of my client who they knew) and asked to stand and be welcomed by the church....

One of the things that struck me was that they had six little people come out to the front of the church and they were asked what respect meant to them, to which they answered "treat others as you would like to be treated, as you would wish to be treated etc etc"

They were then asked who they felt they should respect, and their answers included their mother,father, the lord, my elders, and the police.....

I'm not the most multiculturally aware chap, having been brought up in wiltshire in a predominantly white community, and I am sure that the above scenario is not one that is colour/creed etc isolated......... But I will say that yesterdays events and being privy to an extended family, albeit through faith, did make me consider some of the lack of awareness I have of others and their beliefs.

As I have said above, I don't wish this post to appear trite, and if it was simply a case of my eyes being opener multifaith stylee then so be it, the experience did seem to be something of joy, support and extended support, and I'm considering going back in my own time, purely to have some time to reflect........


"awaits flaming smiley"



Finkers

[Plotloss]

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

[batfink79]

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Nail on head mate . In reflection that may well have ben it, pure and simple. the part about the teaching little nippers to respect family, those in authority just struck a nerve really....

[elster]

batfink79 said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Nail on head mate . In reflection that may well have ben it, pure and simple. the part about the teaching little nippers to respect family, those in authority just struck a nerve really....

If this was done outside religion it would be a whole lot better world to live in

Edited by elster on Monday 13th October 23:38

[deadslow]

elster said:

batfink79 said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Nail on head mate . In reflection that may well have ben it, pure and simple. the part about the teaching little nippers to respect family, those in authority just struck a nerve really....

If this was done outside relion it would be a whole lot better world to live in

And we wouldn't have any of this 'my version of the sky god is better than yours so I am going to kill you' nonsense.

[shadowninja]

Isn't that what religion is about? That and strapping candles to your waist and blowing yourself up in mosques.

[Shaolin]

Great post mate - sounds like a great experience.

[batfink79]

I'm not too sure about candles/waists/explosions and the rest. I've always been a take as you find sort of chap.....

This was a very small church celebration being held in a community hall in deepest darkest Brum, I was just very pleasantly surprised by the sense of togetherness in a non militant fashion, the ability to be aware of outside influences and the constraints that they posed, and the welcome that I was given as a guest at the proceedings.....

[NDA]

Sounds spine-tingly-dingly

[Jetl3on]

batfink79 said:

I know the above seems a trite comment, but I'll set the scene.

Having been RC brought up for most of my formative years, I grew to see church and the teachings that went with it as self flagellating,austere and full of guilt... (traits of which I know are peculiar to the RC faith). Having been part of this from 7-12yrs due to parent convictions, at the first available expression of self will I stopped going.

Fast forward to yesterday; My job now is managing people in the community with long term mental health issues, and I happened to be working the weekend. One of my clients is in hospital on a sec3 and would like to go to her church to celebrate sunday, having been given Sec17 leave.. so I take her.....


(Disclaimer: I am not sure of correct PC terms etc, so apologies if I appear ignorant or ill informed)

situation is thus, I ended up taking my client to a black christian church celebration, there was lots of singing, dancing etc and people seemingly very happy to be there and welcome others.Quite honestly I was astonished by the vibrancy of the community, and how it seemed to function. I was the only white guy in the congregation, and after a while I was welcomed by the pastor (as a friend of my client who they knew) and asked to stand and be welcomed by the church....

One of the things that struck me was that they had six little people come out to the front of the church and they were asked what respect meant to them, to which they answered "treat others as you would like to be treated, as you would wish to be treated etc etc"

They were then asked who they felt they should respect, and their answers included their mother,father, the lord, my elders, and the police.....

I'm not the most multiculturally aware chap, having been brought up in wiltshire in a predominantly white community, and I am sure that the above scenario is not one that is colour/creed etc isolated......... But I will say that yesterdays events and being privy to an extended family, albeit through faith, did make me consider some of the lack of awareness I have of others and their beliefs.

As I have said above, I don't wish this post to appear trite, and if it was simply a case of my eyes being opener multifaith stylee then so be it, the experience did seem to be something of joy, support and extended support, and I'm considering going back in my own time, purely to have some time to reflect........

"awaits flaming smiley"
Finkers

This is the part of the black community most on here never get to see or are uninterested in, preferring to focus on the negative aspects.
Good on you mate, nice to hear something positive being said about the ethnic minority in PH for a change.

[SS HSV]

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Faith has everything to do with it. Social interaction is a part of it agreed, but the experience is brought about because like minded people are happy to share their common religious beliefs openly.

Either you have beliefs or you do not. Please don't dismiss the beliefs of those that do.

[elster]

SS HSV said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Faith has everything to do with it. Social interaction is a part of it agreed, but the experience is brought about because like minded people are happy to share their common religious beliefs openly.

Either you have beliefs or you do not. Please don't dismiss the beliefs of those that do.

I am not religious, I know lots of groups of people all over the world who have quality social interaction. In fact probably a lot better without the religion. I thought the post was about a good way for youngsters to be taught good values, not my religion is the right one kind of a thing.

[Plotloss]

SS HSV said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Faith has everything to do with it. Social interaction is a part of it agreed, but the experience is brought about because like minded people are happy to share their common religious beliefs openly.

Either you have beliefs or you do not. Please don't dismiss the beliefs of those that do.

So why is there no evidence that people who go to church whilst demonstrably happier are happier because of faith?

Its all about social interaction and achieving an outlet/happiness through commonality.

You could be gathering regularly to discuss the joy of staplers and the outcome would be largely the same.

[deadslow]

SS HSV said:

Please don't dismiss the beliefs of those that do.

I accept the importance of these beliefs to some people, but my own view is that those beliefs are nonsense. Please don't dismiss my viewpoint either.

[batfink79]

NDA said:

Sounds spine-tingly-dingly

I have had that from a few of my mates today!

[Jetl3on]

deadslow said:

elster said:

batfink79 said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Nail on head mate . In reflection that may well have ben it, pure and simple. the part about the teaching little nippers to respect family, those in authority just struck a nerve really....

If this was done outside relion it would be a whole lot better world to live in

And we wouldn't have any of this 'my version of the sky god is better than yours so I am going to kill you' nonsense.

How did you come to this sad conclusion from the OP one off experience? Is it necessary to turn these (for a change) positive thoughts into death and destruction? not every religion or follower is that way inclined.

[Chilli]

Jetl3on said:

batfink79 said:

I know the above seems a trite comment, but I'll set the scene.

Having been RC brought up for most of my formative years, I grew to see church and the teachings that went with it as self flagellating,austere and full of guilt... (traits of which I know are peculiar to the RC faith). Having been part of this from 7-12yrs due to parent convictions, at the first available expression of self will I stopped going.

Fast forward to yesterday; My job now is managing people in the community with long term mental health issues, and I happened to be working the weekend. One of my clients is in hospital on a sec3 and would like to go to her church to celebrate sunday, having been given Sec17 leave.. so I take her.....


(Disclaimer: I am not sure of correct PC terms etc, so apologies if I appear ignorant or ill informed)

situation is thus, I ended up taking my client to a black christian church celebration, there was lots of singing, dancing etc and people seemingly very happy to be there and welcome others.Quite honestly I was astonished by the vibrancy of the community, and how it seemed to function. I was the only white guy in the congregation, and after a while I was welcomed by the pastor (as a friend of my client who they knew) and asked to stand and be welcomed by the church....

One of the things that struck me was that they had six little people come out to the front of the church and they were asked what respect meant to them, to which they answered "treat others as you would like to be treated, as you would wish to be treated etc etc"

They were then asked who they felt they should respect, and their answers included their mother,father, the lord, my elders, and the police.....

I'm not the most multiculturally aware chap, having been brought up in wiltshire in a predominantly white community, and I am sure that the above scenario is not one that is colour/creed etc isolated......... But I will say that yesterdays events and being privy to an extended family, albeit through faith, did make me consider some of the lack of awareness I have of others and their beliefs.

As I have said above, I don't wish this post to appear trite, and if it was simply a case of my eyes being opener multifaith stylee then so be it, the experience did seem to be something of joy, support and extended support, and I'm considering going back in my own time, purely to have some time to reflect........

"awaits flaming smiley"
Finkers

This is the part of the black community most on here never get to see or are uninterested in, preferring to focus on the negative aspects.
Good on you mate, nice to hear something positive being said about the ethnic minority in PH for a change.

Absolutely...Good for you.

[smutbag]

Plotloss said:

SS HSV said:

Plotloss said:

Faith had little to do with it.

You've engaged in quality social interaction and that in itself feels great.

Faith has everything to do with it. Social interaction is a part of it agreed, but the experience is brought about because like minded people are happy to share their common religious beliefs openly.

Either you have beliefs or you do not. Please don't dismiss the beliefs of those that do.

So why is there no evidence that people who go to church whilst demonstrably happier are happier because of faith?

Its all about social interaction and achieving an outlet/happiness through commonality.

You could be gathering regularly to discuss the joy of staplers and the outcome would be largely the same.

I agree with this (to a certain extent). I think the sense of community and belonging that people achieve from being 'one of the flock' provides them with some form of hygiene factor.

However I also think that many people need to feel that there is more after life and cling onto the church in this hope.

I was brought up RC and to be quite honest, whilst I still get a warm feeling in a church, I think it's a lot of codswallop. But if it makes people feel good and stops the blue rinse brigade from starting bingo wars then it's not too bad a thing.

[Mc Lovin]

Oh Jebus i get enough of this from the inlaws, with their preaching and the church going and the ruuuules.

[Scraggles]

gave up on religion as a teenager, irish priests saying u had to give all your money to the poor, who for some reason were all pikeys

if someone needs some idol to prostate and meditate in front of, great if it works for you....