HAPPY EASTER

[cornerofmadness]

HAPPY EASTER to all of my flist that celebrate it.


Most of you know I'm not all that tremendously religious, leaning towards a strange blend of Catholicism and pagan that kept Italian 'witches' alive and hidden for centuries. Left to my own devices I could do well without organized religion but once a year the parents will ask if I've gone to church (the only other time they care is Christmas of course but i'm with them and they know where I am...with them). So I do go.

But there's not a Catholic church for over 25 miles. (the other being 40 miles off). Hmm Epsicopalian (which suits me even better truthfully) is over 30 miles. Huh. Guess I'm lucky I'm not Jewish or I'd have no where to worship since the phone book ranges 50 miles out and not temple listed. Sheesh. Mostly we have Baptists. I'm not real mixy with that. I did find a Presbysterian church. Well, I went to a Presby college, I've been to ceremonies there before and it's an interesting church to look at on the outside (might be lukewarm on organized religion but i love churches)

It's a strange lopsided octagon inside. This one starts out services, after the hand held bell ringing which was nice, by 'granting peace' which seems to be made up of milling around the church and saying hello (everyone pegged me as an outside and no wonder it's a small congregation and the church was barely half full, oh and that whole kneeling before you get into a pew thing is sort of a give away not to mention the crucifix...) Being Catholic, we do this too, much later in the mass and we don't leave the pews. We had representatives from a Thailand sister church there and he presented them gifts including a stained glass dogwood telling the legend of the dogwood which i had forgotten. By chance I had worn a shirt with dogwood on it.

I'm also not used to the reverend slinging a guitar over his shoulder and jamming along with the choir. I knew of course not to expect Communion (which Catholics do every Mass) but the reverand's homily went on too long. Even the choir was falling asleep. He had two separate ones. He should have picked one or the other. Finally he ends, we sing and the old lady next to me says 'yes, we're done.' Apparently I looked lost or bored (well his neverending homily was a good time to do reflexology on my hands...).

Not planning to do much with my day. Write and watch tv.

(this is available at FTD florist...)

Comments

[marlex.livejournal.com]

Happy Easter.

I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to church simply to go to church. The last time I remember doing so was when I was staying over a friend's house for the weekend and I went with his family. If that was it, that would have been able 13 or so years ago. Even then, I didn't go regularly.

If I had to describe myself religiously, I would probably have to say deist.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

basically it's so i don't have to lie to the parents. Otherwise i wouldn't be there either to be honest and happy Easter to you as well

[marlex.livejournal.com]

Somehow the conversation has never come up with my family. No one in my family is a regular church-goer, unless you county my father's siblings who are all devout Catholics. At work, many of co-workers are very religious and over the past four years have managed to steer clear of any conversations about it. Although I am not ashamed by my beliefs, I really don't know how well they would take it they learned I am two steps away from being agnostic.

Last time I went to church with family was several years ago for my nieces' Baptism. After the service, my brother and I were talking. His wife and children are religious (Baptist I think), but he doesn't go to church except for special occasions such as his daughter's Baptism. Anyway, we were talking and he leaned over to me and said, "With the two of us in there, I'm surprised the building didn't burn down."

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yeah mom is usually surprised teh holy water doesn't boil when i walk in.

My co workers are exceedingly religious to the point of being pushy. If I wanted that I'd teach at a Christian college. It bothers me when you start pushing beliefs. Some of them are PISSED I teach evolution. Hello, scientist. I'm not teaching religion. they can go to Wood Hall for that

[ex-chaos-by-699.livejournal.com]

Some of them are PISSED I teach evolution.

Whaaat? That kind of crap happens at the college level? That's really sad.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

it's becoming more and more prevalent. its frightening. I tell the students, I don't give a damn if you believe in it, just memorize the theory and believe what you want.

[lejlkwiet.livejournal.com]

*sigh* the only upside to being sick this week was I got out of going to all the religious stuff. Seriously I can't wait till I move out, I'll never set foot in a church again. And I already know I'll be lying my head off about it to my parents, much like I've been doing about confession the past 6 years. "yes mum. of course I went. definitely". Aha.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i figure going once a year is easier than fighting with the parents, far less tiring

[lejlkwiet.livejournal.com]

It probably is, I'm just so damn tired of silently raging about it and not being able to do anything. :/

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

never gets much better. Nothing can destroy friendships and other relations like talking religion, politics or money (think it was Ben Franklin taht said that...)

[lejlkwiet.livejournal.com]

I can imagine. But honestly, mum is trying to get me to go to a youth prayer group now! The idea sickens me. Honestly, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I'd lose my temper and tell them what I really thought of their damn religion and where they could stick it and would get myself thrown out in less than 10 minutes.

I have really, really, REALLY bad issues with religion. I can't even see that there's a religiously themed movie on tv without getting mad. Gah. The number of times I've restrained myself from ranting about it on my LJ......

I'll shut up now *sigh*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

probably for the best because people won't always want to hear it (trust me I need to do it at work a lot)

[ex-chaos-by-699.livejournal.com]

I'm an atheist but I like old churches with lots of stained glass.

Your flowers are pretty.

Tomorrow the chocolate bunnies go on sale. Yay!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i do too. I love the old Gothic looking ones

hmm i have to go to town to pick up meds tomorrow. Should check out any sugar free candies on sale (of which Kroger carried NONE)

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

So, how'd the church feel to you? I almost considered going this a.m. but I didn't (a) know which church to attend and (b), you KNOW how churches feel about me wandering inside. *laugh* Plus, my only "dress clothes" are a bit on the Goth side.

We had ham and sweet potatoes, diced cukes and macaroni salad and I got a small "basket" of candy, hand lotion and bath soaps. Not a bad day. Oh, and the dogs got some yummies and toys and one new leash. *grin*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

dead. no energy at all.

cool. no ham. I'll make a filet mignon (fake, you know the cheapo kind sealed up like an iPod in plastic) with a balsemic reduction and goat cheese and some asparagus wrapped in bacon

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Ewwww, dead church. *shudders*

Your meal sounds more interesting.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

it came out perfectly

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

yay for that!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yeah seriously, i can figure out how to interupt the bible on my own. It's a left over from when people couldn't read and mass was in latin. i could do witout it

[0-mother-0.livejournal.com]

Wow, those lilies are gorgeous! Hope you had a great day.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. FTD has lovely arrangements. Pricey as hell but lovely. You know if i didn't have the scientific drive that i do I think i would have enjoyed being a florist

[0-mother-0.livejournal.com]

Me too! I love to do arrangements. Just the idea of working with flowers and greens all day and not having to deal with people (too much at least) has always sounded so nice.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yes indeed

[spideygirl81.livejournal.com]

Hey Dana, Happy Easter to you too, here in Singapore is already over but wanna wish you. Have a good Easter =D

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. same to you