Sir James...your chaplain sounds like a man after my own heart. Despite the obvious dichotomy of being a Templar fanboy, I find it at times hilarious, and yet also at other times incredibly sad that mere men should be so arrogant as to proclaim to know the will of God. Not to mention the plethora of 'denominations' all of whom claim to be the One True Church where God resides; which one has the right of it? What is to happen to all those who are not?
I feel like I took that from a movie, it sounds familiar...anyhow, it says what I mean so I'm using it. It seems to me that churches these days are more interested in how much a given parishioner makes as a salary, so they can ascertain whether or not that person is tithing as they should. You think I'm kidding? I visited two churches just in my area- both wanted copies of your W-2s and a canceled check so that the tithe could be automatically deducted from your checking/savings account in the amount it should be based off of your salary.
I was looking for metal detectors - I just knew any coin-carrying people would get turned away; to call that a travesty is like saying you got a little dirty after being pulled out of a sinkhole full of mud. At the one church, Jericho City of Praise, they wouldn't even greet me as I came in- you'd thought I was a servant of some sort! Then I walked into the amphitheatre style 'sanctuary' - they had Spirit Dancers all in white flowing robes swaying and turning to softly piped Gospel music and did I mention it seats 3500 and is full to capacity in both services? With a jumbotron suspended from the ceiling for the nosebleed section (which is quite high up); the congregation behaved as if it were a fashion show, walking in amongst eachother in the pews, the Bishop sat in her throne just looking on, (or asleep).
I was disgusted at the tawdry display of worldly possessions- and the lack of actual spirituality that I grew up with as a Lutheran. I tried another church after that with similar results...I know 2 is a small number to try but I'd had enough. IF I go to Church, its usually to my parents' in NY; it is small, family-centric and no one's putting on airs. The message is taken from the Bible, not ad-libbed to suit tastes, and is kept to the point. Wish I could transplant them but then where would my parents go?
This:
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others."
Matthew 6:5
Will be my sig somewhere someday for these are words to live by.
