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Isra
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Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 1086
Location: Skagit County, WA
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 Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:37 am Post subject: |
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You know, Lenka, some people find the ritual of Catholic mass comforting and grounding, even if they don't believe in the doctrine of the Church itself. Some of the mass prayer time is much like meditation, and the focus on candles and such can be a soothing experience, especially if you have history there. (And some neat architecture to stare at.)
What church (or temple, or mosque, or public park, or whatever) you go to doesn't matter, as long as you are getting what you want out of it... sometimes it's the general feeling of the place, and not the specific set of beliefs that can bring peace.
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(Fi)(Ne)ly tuned ISTP
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
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DebiPrefersNonCatholics
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Joined: 01 Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:48 am Post subject: |
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Don't sugarcoat me.
Last edited by DebiPrefersNonCatholics on Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Romana
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Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 2939
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| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| Lenka wrote: | | I moved to the Czech republic (ie. home) so my most immediate choices are Catholic, and then a few dodgy local groups. (which are a part of our national history but tbh they became like that by deviating from doctrine, and evoke more nostalgic and patriotic feelings than genuine desire to learn and understand... I don't trust them with the truth. But i've always heard so much dirt piled on the catholic church by all of my liberal-minded friends, so this kind-of fills me with doubt too. But I think the catholic church is what I'll look into first. If anything, it's a lot more common, I can just walk 20 minutes or so on a Sunday, down to the town centre. |
If you went back to the Czech Republic, what about school? That was in the UK, right?
In any case, the Catholic Church, like other religious groups (or any groups) has its pluses and minuses. The key is to keep an open mind, get plenty of information, and check it out for yourself. Yes, the ritual of the Mass is often beautifully done and quite meditative and inspiring. There are also priests who have no sense of beauty and just rush through to the end. The use of Latin in the tridentine Mass enhances the ritual for some, and has the added aspect of making Mass accessible and predictable everywhere you go, whether you know the local language or not.
Rules in the Catholic Church are an interesting situation. There are certainly plenty of them, but enforcement/encouragement is uneven from parish to parish. It is also my understanding (as a former Catholic who looked into such things) that Church teaching in fact holds that ultimately an individual must follow his/her conscience. Many priests will try to tell you otherwise, but this is wrong.
Do not feel you have to agree with or do everything the church dictates just because you find the Mass a meaningful worship experience, or wish to investigate Catholicism. If you want to "try it on" and abide by them closely for a time, do so. This can be a valuable aspect of determining whether it is for you. But never take anything blindly; always think about it and ultimately decide for yourself. If too many of the strictures make you feel uncomfortable or seem senseless, it may be time to move on. If this happens, take stock of what you have learned, what you would like to include or exclude in your next experience. This may sound like simply picking and choosing the aspects of a religion that appeal to you rather than accepting one for what it is, and to a degree it is. Ultimately, though, you believe what you believe. Compromising on practice in the interests of a worthwhile worship experience or community is fine, provided you can do it willingly, and with your eyes open.
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Romana
INTJ
“The awareness of our own weaknesses allows us to view the weaknesses of others with immense compassion and to appreciate the value of their offerings.” ~ Logospilgrim |
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Lenka
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Joined: 31 Aug 2007
Posts: 3877
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| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Isra wrote: | You know, Lenka, some people find the ritual of Catholic mass comforting and grounding, even if they don't believe in the doctrine of the Church itself. Some of the mass prayer time is much like meditation, and the focus on candles and such can be a soothing experience, especially if you have history there. (And some neat architecture to stare at.)
What church (or temple, or mosque, or public park, or whatever) you go to doesn't matter, as long as you are getting what you want out of it... sometimes it's the general feeling of the place, and not the specific set of beliefs that can bring peace. |
Isra, I think this very well fits into what I was aiming for. I honestly do not know what I'm doing, but I know I need to change something crucial about my outlook on life, and at times this stuff seems meaningful and important.
I don't think I'm wearing life right, is that makes sense. I'm not in it. I want to be in it, but I'm running from it at full speed. That's how I feel. I know it's all a matter of perception - everything is a matter of perception - but screw perception, i don't want to think about it anymore. I just want to exist.
end of rant.
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TexasIsUninhabitable
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Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure. If the priests' confidentiality is anything like the doctors' confidentiality, then why bother? Also, I do not enjoy being gang raped by males and females. Correct me if I am wrong.
Didn't I just get gang raped by men and women? There are some things I really cannot post. America is not the land of the free. There is nothing to write home about, sorry.
Did the Pigs of America just pimp me out to every christian and dud in america? Who is not a part of it? |
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