Anglican adventures

[skeptigal]

Wow, the anglican church was everything I hate in church. The service was 2 hours long, included anointing with oil (for healing), the Eucharist (which I expected) and a sermon that was almost an hour long. Now, I know the church was next to the University, and that can lead to more academic sermons than the cozy hearth of the suburbs, but wow.

Comments

[kattale]

My main problem with the Christian churches is the attitude that "we are not worthy", as opposed to the pagan concept that "we are all sacred".

When i attended the Catholic church, they said, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

The Anglican Church (I think it was High Anglican, which is more formal) said, "Lord I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs under thy holy table, but only say the word..."

It kind of put me off Anglican. But i do know that there are different levels of formality (I hesitate to say, Low Anglican, because i don't think that's what it's called, but it's less formal than High Anglican) and another might suit you better.

Generally the Catholic churches are fairly relaxed and fun, and i very much approve of the attitudes of the United Church. I have also heard that St. John's Anglican on Elgin near Somerset is very progressive, my friend told me they had a gay choir leader, and make regular donations to AIDS research.

[skeptigal]

I agree in part, but that was not my experience growing up in the United Church. And we never said those particular words. I could never be Catholic because it makes no sense to me that I couldn't talk to god myself, but rather need a Priest as a go between.

I connect with Pagan spirituality in some profound ways, but I guess I am fundamentally a seeker. And I keep circling around from christianity to paganism and back. But right now, my spritual life is centred around the practice of Yoga. It is were I feel connected to the universe in a way I don't during most other forms of worship/ritual. But church does community is a very powerful way, that I think there is a lot to learn from. So, ultimately I'm still seeking. Thanks for the tip about St. John's - I might give them a whirl, but I think I might also try the United Church near my home too.

[kiwano]

My main problem with the Christian churches is the attitude that "we are not worthy", as opposed to the pagan concept that "we are all sacred".

One of the benefits of the Christian attitude though, is that unworthiness should engender a spirit of "I can and must do/be better", and motivate self improvement. The neopagan attitude can lead far too easily to complacency, a problem heightened by a widespread notion that there's no "better" beyond harmlessness.

[kattale]

That is true, it was one of the problems i had in an organized pagan church. I like to think of it as "we are all sacred - so bloody well *act* like it!" Or rather - what constructive contribution have you made to the universe today? :)

[iambic_cub]

Why did you choose Anglican?

My mother is Anglican, so when we'd go visit here family, we'd go to their church. I always found it so confusing - it was so much more ritualized than I was used to. So much up-down-kneel-up-down...

[skeptigal]

It was in conjunction with a friend's assignment for school - he chose. I had hoped for at least decent music as it often saves the service for me. But hopes were dashed.

If I were to choose on my own, I'd probably go back the the UCC - you can count on getting out in an hour, and I appreciate the emphasis on social justice. There is something about incense and elaborate ritual that can be appealing to me too. But, never that church again!

[iambic_cub]

The music is important. The music is the only thing I miss about church.

I tend to blame my atheism on the UCC's lack of ritual. I always figured that the right kind of mysticism would have inspired in me the kind of mysticism I needed to become a believer.