I don’t go to a church because I’m already in one.
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is exquisite. But as talented as Michelangelo might have been, his fresco pales in comparison to a star-filled night sky. Or a wispping cloud being carried by the wind. The frozen sculptures and statues that line column-filled cathedrals can’t hold their own against the real thing; I’d take a beating heart over a carved block of marble any day. And even as I write this, a trio of birds sits on the telephone wire outside my home – singing a springtime song that could rival even the most glorious of choirs.
As a young child, I remember my mother dragging me to Sunday mass. Kicking and screaming, I wanted to enjoy my weekend. Spending half my day at Church wasn’t high on my list, and I recall telling my mother, “If God is so smart and wants me to be happy, he wouldn’t ask that I waste the day by being miserable in Church.” While my mother told me that Church is a celebration, the morbid faces of the parishioners showed otherwise. And if mass went on ten minutes too long, there would be hell to pay in the mad dash to the parking lot. Not much of a celebration, if you ask me.
I think the best and most appropriate way to thank God, the universe (or whatever other words we may use), is to live your life. Instead of sitting in a pew, I think it is wiser to live and run, to laugh and to play. I give thanks by making the most of this short life that I’ve been given.
The world is my church, and my life is my worship.
May 11, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Yes! Fellowship is a wonderful thing that happens when we gather together in openness and looking for connection.
May 11, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Really? It that the way to inspire someone; to put them down?
May 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm
When I read DW’s blog, I suspected that most all of the comments would be in his favor. Nice to see that there are people who look beyond “gay” and contribute to all of the world. The Church is part if the world. Amen.
May 11, 2011 at 5:57 pm
The Church is so glorified in society today. This makes me sick. When people worry (WORRY) about going to mass so they won’t go to hell. My Gods a personal one, though it is healthy to socialize, my body is the church.
(hopefully this comment doesn’t get deleted like the others)
May 11, 2011 at 10:36 pm
I completely aggree with you Davey! I have a friend who is ALWAYS at our church and is always quoting verses and telling me to go to church every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, but really I think it’s better and more healthy (at least for me) to worship alone and in your own way… To show creativity and not follow a strict worship plan for every second of your life. I’ve actually been exiled by some of my once-friends for not going to youth group every week, and I think that’s not how God wood want us to worship at all!
May 12, 2011 at 9:16 am
You are so right! But you must also remember that the Church is there for the sheep who are lost without a shepherd. Luckily, you don’t need the shepherd – you are a shepherd unto yourself. And you have chosen the right vocation – to spread the Word of God through Love. What a wonderful shepherd you are – lead on!!!
May 12, 2011 at 11:54 am
No god. No dogma. No congregation. No exclusion. No discrimination. No religion. No lies. No leader. No priests. No experts. No delusion. No fear. No anger. No hatred. No heaven. No hell.
Only love and compassion for all beings. If you really need to worship, worship Nature and the Universe. Do no harm.
Be well,
May 12, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Sssooooo true!!! Thank you know I can explain it to my mom!!
May 13, 2011 at 10:57 am
Be sure to give her a hug first.
May 13, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I second that!
May 14, 2011 at 4:58 pm
You’re evoking ideas of some American Transcendentalists. Emily Dickinson:
“Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
“Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton — sings.
“God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.”
May 25, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Why do you need to say it like that. some times religion is making this world better and making order in chaos. Loving the world is something all should do but saying that people should abandon faith that’s just wrong. For God sake let people be free to chose something other than what you believe is right.
March 2, 2012 at 10:50 am
Dear D.W.
I’ve learned to overcome the negativity most Christians have insulted Christianity with. When they hate it isn’t Jesus they are honouring. I’ve never been happier than when I’m living my Catholic faith the way I’m supposed to, loving my fellow man and trying to be holy to my G-D. Because at the end of the Day if you truly don’t seek the G-D one says they might believe in is everyone elses hypocrasy going to be a sufficient excuse for not giving G-D what He might want? When it comes to G-D or a god, whatever you believe in is its not just about what suits you, its a two way street like any relationship so what does you is only half the battle, and if it isn’t a battle of giving too as well as taking its not much of a relationship. The love I feel from G-D gives me strength to deal with the homophobic christians…
might I advise looking into an LGBT friendly episcopal Church or a Dignity chapter?