My best friend of some 25 years reaffirmed his marriage vows yesterday after 30 years together. They are both recently converted to Christianity and the service was delivered in the manner of their church. Now I don't want to piss anybody off here as apart from my, stated vendetta against cyclists and caravanners, I'm a pretty easy going bloke. I pootle down the path of life about halfway across my lane at a speed that's not excessive, well within the limits of morality and good taste, but not one to cause a traffic jam behind me (cyclists and caravanners please note). When it comes to faith I have certain things I believe whole heartedly. Evolution, the fact that one day Alex Kingston will agree to have babies with me and once or twice recently I've developed a strong belief in Nissin. I was brought up a catholic and rightly or wrongly that has left a strong and cynical taste in my mouth as regard to all organised religion. So, let me reiterate to the faithful among you, I have no problem whatsover with faith in any creed. It's just religion I growl at. So with this in mind, me and the lord have got ourselves an understanding. He doesn't mess with my mind and I don't leave his followers in gibbering heaps cowering under the table if they don't read his notes concerning me and try to. Anyway, even realising I was going to be in a bit of a minority in the room still didn't quite prepare me for the outwelling of emotion from the congregation once the whole thing started. It was almost physically hurting them to pour out their feelings for their god, although repeating his name as frequently as they were just to get his attention was twanging a little bit of cynicism inside. As the thing dragged on I did begin to feel a little bit isolated and wondered, 'is this how they feel around non believers all the time?'. It was quite an enlightening experience all in all and by the end I did actually reach an epiphany. It turned out they'd actually laid on a bar. So I got my heathen, condemned arse out to it quick, before my skin caught fire and my horns grew.
Live and let live and all that but I don’t understand it at all. The only time you will get me near a church is family weddings and funerals. During my own wedding waiting at the alter for Mary to turn up my best mate Richard told me to hop from leg to leg so that when the thunder bolt comes through the stained glass window I would at least be a moving target. I think the roman's had the right idea.
I suppose it gives him an opportunity to take stock of his place in the universe, tap into a conciounce larger than himself and express unconditional love for his deity of choice. And it only costs him 10% of his not unsubstantial salary too...
religion! more people have died thru religion down the years.i hav"nt got the time of day for any of it.
It's been over 25 years since the "Hand Of God" incident. Even after all this time I still ask the same question. Why me Father O'Riely you bastard. Why me!! Actually it wasn't me. Says how ugly I was as a kid, I was the one that wasn't allowed to sit on the Priests Knee.
I do love going into Church's, but only as places of historical interest, being an athiest i have no interest at all in any religion, but i am a great one for do what you want as long as you do no harm. So if you want to be a member of the '' Earth is flat society '' or any other ' faith ' group, good on you..... the world would be a lot nicer place if people just let others get on with the life THEY want to lead and not try and impose any other way onto them.
Balls to that crap, but I do respect peoples opinion and faith/belief etc. as mentioned, keep it to yourself then fine. I am on this earth to live then die, if I make a few people happy whilst I enjoy myself then great. But I, will along with all of us eventually cease to exist. At that point, who the feck cares? I am nothing! Of no significance, of no matter other than to those who care about me.
I'm with you lot. Live & let live etc. I do however have inlaw's that are more on the fundamental side of Catholicism (mother-in-law has been known to disappear on a pilgrimage at the mere suggestion of a sighting of our lady somewhere on continental europe). After 7 years we've come to a mutual understanding. They leave me alone, I stay home on Xmas morning/easter sunday to cook dinner, and so the equilibrium continues.
