tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post6605618794651268721..comments2023-08-23T08:27:08.039-04:00Comments on UU A Way Of Life: Why do people go to church?David G. Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-57266257072214348752016-02-25T11:41:46.549-05:002016-02-25T11:41:46.549-05:00Dear David:
Thank you for your comment. When I wa...Dear David:<br /><br />Thank you for your comment. When I was going to Corpus Christi and people were transitioning to what is not Spiritus Christi people stated they wanted to be "spiritually nurtured." I have never been clear about what this means to be "spiritually nurtured," but I would guess in means "inspired" in some way. It sounds that perhaps this is what you are referring to when when you describe your experience in the "exchange of ideas" rather than "the ritual."<br /><br />As far as "ritual" goes, nothing beats the theater of the liturgical churches such as Catholicism and what makes the theater of the liturgy work so well is primarily the music and the poetry of the prayers of the liturgy which are often learned by heart by frequent attendees/participants.<br /><br />Having attended First Universalist this past week, 02/21/16, a woman I had never met before told me that what she likes the most about the service is the music. <br /><br />Most of the UU music from the hymnal leaves a lot to be desired especially when it is poorly executed and the congregation is not familiar with it.<br /><br />In summary, it seems that what people want from a church service is inspiration to live a fuller, more satsifying life, to be "spiritually nurtured" as my old Catholic friends put it.<br /><br />I am glad to read that the exchange of ideas does that for you and that you have found some ways in your church to engage in this.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />David MarkhamDavid G. Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-48879550898545816722016-02-25T10:57:06.283-05:002016-02-25T10:57:06.283-05:00David, I go to my UU church for a variety of reaso...David, I go to my UU church for a variety of reasons, primarily an exchange of ideas. This necessitates discussion and fellowship which I also enjoy. It so happens that at my particular church, we have a discussion group so my metaphysical needs are met weekly. I enjoy this more than the service since it is primarily spectator in content. Secondly, I enjoy the mental stimulation of a good sermon. I dislike the more metaphysical ones that use "UU preacher speak" that tells me a lot about love, pathways, encircling of light etc. these tend to be cliché. The sermons that engage me are more "hands on" or storytelling, primarily applying UU values to the here and now. The ritual, meh.DavidDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10274852383157007802noreply@blogger.com