I appreciate this so much. Easter is a holiday that has always creeped me out, but I do enjoy all the secular facets of it. It's more of a new year celebration for me
When I was 5 years old, my first mistake in Sunday school was asking why the first sin was blamed on Eve. The teacher was shocked and had a talk with my parents. 61 years later and I still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I'm still asking the same question.
In the Christian Reformed Church, teenagers are expected to make their public profession of faith. I never did that, which led to surprise visits throughout the years from church elders with their messages of doom. They shouldn't have taught that doing all the right things and believing wouldn't matter if God decided who was worthy enough for salvation.
My mother is a believer. Her faith apparently gets her through life's problems. She's 95, in good health, and recently moved to PA. Her new church expects her to give her testimony before the church and be baptized in the Lehigh River or else she cannot be a voting member of the church. They don't care that she handcrafts intricate cards and makes casseroles for the sick, shut ins, and new parents, or that she was baptized as an infant and gave her testimony as a teen, or was a charter member of her church in NJ.
Thanks. I actually still participate as a choir member in a Catholic Church so may attend 6 - 10 services each year. I am not a believer but I do think Jesus’ words are a great guide to a moral life.
My son was not baptized nor raised with religion at all.
At the end.. if there is a pearly gates, my hope is the while St Peter bars my entrance, that Jesus comes up and say to Peter, its ok he is with the band.
The music got me through the years I was forced to attend. Music was taught from kindergarten on in Eastern Christian schools. The organists, choirs, and soloists were all wonderful. Even the congregation sang in 4-part harmony. My husband still can't believe I know so many hymns.
I appreciate this so much. Easter is a holiday that has always creeped me out, but I do enjoy all the secular facets of it. It's more of a new year celebration for me
When I was 5 years old, my first mistake in Sunday school was asking why the first sin was blamed on Eve. The teacher was shocked and had a talk with my parents. 61 years later and I still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I'm still asking the same question.
In the Christian Reformed Church, teenagers are expected to make their public profession of faith. I never did that, which led to surprise visits throughout the years from church elders with their messages of doom. They shouldn't have taught that doing all the right things and believing wouldn't matter if God decided who was worthy enough for salvation.
My mother is a believer. Her faith apparently gets her through life's problems. She's 95, in good health, and recently moved to PA. Her new church expects her to give her testimony before the church and be baptized in the Lehigh River or else she cannot be a voting member of the church. They don't care that she handcrafts intricate cards and makes casseroles for the sick, shut ins, and new parents, or that she was baptized as an infant and gave her testimony as a teen, or was a charter member of her church in NJ.
None of it makes sense.
May the Easter bunny be generous to you.
Thanks. I actually still participate as a choir member in a Catholic Church so may attend 6 - 10 services each year. I am not a believer but I do think Jesus’ words are a great guide to a moral life.
My son was not baptized nor raised with religion at all.
At the end.. if there is a pearly gates, my hope is the while St Peter bars my entrance, that Jesus comes up and say to Peter, its ok he is with the band.
The music got me through the years I was forced to attend. Music was taught from kindergarten on in Eastern Christian schools. The organists, choirs, and soloists were all wonderful. Even the congregation sang in 4-part harmony. My husband still can't believe I know so many hymns.
I love the music.