I was raised Baptist. I guess you could say that I'm at least agnostic if not atheist now.
At the tender age of 16, I was invited by my girlfriend to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the local catholic church.
The most bizarre string of ritualistic craziness I've ever seen.
Didn't get the whole thing then, don't get it now, never will get it.
Bloody statues, parades of people in robes, people speaking ancient languages and swinging incense burners.
I got out of there as fast as I could graciously and never talked to the girl again.
Scared the crap out of me to see people I thought were normal participating.
You wrote:
“Didn’t get the whole thing then, don’t get it now, never will get it.”
I think you’re selling your intelligence short. Ask a question. Someone here will get the answer for you. Was Jesus’ Judaism not stepped in “ritualistic craziness” as ordained by God? Ever read the Old Testament where YHWH actually ordered all that BLOODY craziness like the sacrifices? And you’re going on about a few bloody statues. My God, the Son of God, died on a cross. That was bloody. And beautiful.
“Bloody statues, parades of people in robes, people speaking ancient languages and swinging incense burners.”
Sounds awesome! I’m partial to the Romans and Russians myself: look here in the middle of the video. The music is beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdkBFwulcI8
“I got out of there as fast as I could graciously and never talked to the girl again.”
Clearly she was better off if that was how you would treat her just because you didn’t understand the Mass.
“Scared the crap out of me to see people I thought were normal participating.”
Then you must think very little of Christ because of His circumcision, sacrifices at the Temple, paying Temple taxes, kosher diet, etc. Did you ever think that maybe you’re just a small mind and person and maybe God and Christianity were bigger than you? Did you ever think that maybe you should grow as a person to be more rather than simply abandon faith altogether.
Christ changed everything. What have you done lately that merits any note?
When was the last time you even tried to pray? Maybe you just need to realize what you aren’t. You aren’t God. But He loves you and is even now waiting for you. Will you respond? Or will you run away from him like you did your girlfriend when you were 16?
You are aware that shortly after Jesus was born, two turtle doves were killed right? You are aware that prior to dying, Jesus was tied to a post, whipped and beaten. He was then paraded around, with a crown of thorns on His head and mocked. Someone took a reed and beat Him around the head (while He was wearing a crown of thorns). Then after being beaten and humiliated, He was made to carry a large and heavy wooden cross up a hill (both ways in the snow). Finally He was nailed to a cross; the nails went through His wrists and feet. A soldier proceeded to drive a spear into His heart to make sure He died by nightfall.
While He was being crucified, His mother, the Virgin Mary, watched as her only son was killed for the sins of all mankind, including yours and mine.
I am not sure what the objection to ancient languages and incense burners are.
To understand it, start with God sending his only son to die so that our sins may be forgiven.
At the tender age of 16, I was invited by my girlfriend to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the local catholic church.
The most bizarre string of ritualistic craziness I've ever seen.
Didn't get the whole thing then, don't get it now, never will get it.
Bloody statues, parades of people in robes, people speaking ancient languages and swinging incense burners.
I got out of there as fast as I could graciously and never talked to the girl again.
Scared the crap out of me to see people I thought were normal participating.
But . . . but they believe in evolution! That's supposed to make everything all right and appeal to intellectuals like you!
Been in any Charismatic services?