Friday, August 04, 2006

Day 38 Current mood: contemplative Category: Religion and Philosophy

I was recently asked why I go to church.

I was ready with an answer but before I tell you what it is, I want to tell you WHY I have a ready answer.

I grew up in two very different households as far as religious views go. My mother and stepfather were raised Evagelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic respectively. My mom grew up very actve in the lutheran church. My stepfather was Irish Roman Catholic. They married in a non denominational service in our living room when I was 12. Organized Religion was not something that was important to them. I do think they believed in God, but not in the organized fashion that they were each raised with.

Personally, I always thought this was a cop out for people who like to sleep late. Being one of them - there are weeks when I can tell you that I just can't make myself get up!
My Dad and My stepmom married the same year as my Mom and Step dad. My stepmom was formerly R.C. ( just like my step dad ironcally) and my dad was Methodist. My step mom had converted to episcopal ( some of you will know it as Church of England, Henry the eighth wanting a divorce and all that.) some years before and my father had converted to "nothing". They married in the episcopal church and my father ultimately converted. My brother and I were required to attend church on the weekends that we were with them and we had to make our confirmation in some church.

While they were still married, my Mom and my Dad had attended the Methodist church with my brother and I when we were little. I continued to attend with or without my family and made my confirmation there. My brother made his confirmation at the episcopal church as it was easier.

Now I don't think I mentioned that I have step siblings. All raised R.C. I have an older brother and sister-in-law that live upstate ( yes REALLY upstate! ) with their 5 children. They are not just R.C. but belong to a sect that refutes Vatican II. Depending on who you ask, they are either ex-commnicated or they are the true Catholics. They say mass in Latin, the women wear chapel veils. The proper time for mass is 9AM. My brother teaches sunday school - something I never thought I would see happen but more power to him! My sister-in-law tends to mix politics and religion frequently but after 18 years I have learned not to bite when baited.

This is the reason that I have a ready answer!

My Sister and youngest brother both married R.C's but they are the normal flavor.
To give you my ready answer: Today, I attend the epsicopal church that I grew up in. I attended Sunday School there albeit every other week, I sang in the choir, I was a member of the vestry. Over the years I have made some wonderful friends including our current priest. My reasons for staying there are that I have found that worshipping in place that was filled with strife ( as it was for a period of time) did bring peace to my soul.

It sounds kind of corny but if you can worship in a place that is not the most ideal scenario and still walk away with your soul soothed or your mind at peace, then maybe you are in the right place after all? My church has run the gammot and at the end of the service on Sunday I drive away feeling that the world is a better place, I can love my friends and family regardless of what craziness is happening and the message I walk away with is alwasy positive and gently makes me reflect on what changes can I make to improve myself, my life and the world around me. Most importantly it feels like home when I walk in the door - and not just in my own church - but any episcopal church.

So thats my answer. What's yours?