It was cold and rainy this morning, and Ed thought it was too slippery to drive over the mountain to Sparta, so we decided it would be a good Sunday to try worshipping with the Baptists next door (but one). Oh my. I am sure that there are plenty of Baptist churches where God's love, and the importance of service to others are preached, but the pretty white church where so many of our neighbors worship is not one of those. The preacher began by offering several sordid examples of what any ugly, broken, dangerous world we live in -- "Come quickly Lord Jesus!" and then moved on to focus on the wrong ways that other Christians worship, and how God will punish them and their children, to the third generation. Specially singled out were those who use icons or beads as an aid to prayer, since they are worshipping false idols, no matter what other explanation they might offer. The congregation 
played no part in the service, not even saying "Amen" after the rambling prayers, although a few "Amens" were offered up at particularly inspiring bits in the sermon about how the misguided would be punished. Both T. and K. turned to me during the service and whispered, "I don't like this church," and I saw Ed "bite his tongue" several times, especially when the preacher proclaimed that "Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in" (I'm pretty sure that standing up for forgiveness, acceptance, and compassion was not what the preacher had in mind). Fortunately, there were no refreshments after the service, so we didn't have to spend extra time mingling and further risking our already imperilled souls (kidding!) by lying about how much we'd enjoyed their awful service. I felt like I needed a shower when we were through, but instead, we walked over to the corner store and bought large quantities of chocolate, which, as Professor Lupin might tell you, is fortifying after encounters with Dementors and also the demented. On future icy Sundays, we will remain at home.
played no part in the service, not even saying "Amen" after the rambling prayers, although a few "Amens" were offered up at particularly inspiring bits in the sermon about how the misguided would be punished. Both T. and K. turned to me during the service and whispered, "I don't like this church," and I saw Ed "bite his tongue" several times, especially when the preacher proclaimed that "Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in" (I'm pretty sure that standing up for forgiveness, acceptance, and compassion was not what the preacher had in mind). Fortunately, there were no refreshments after the service, so we didn't have to spend extra time mingling and further risking our already imperilled souls (kidding!) by lying about how much we'd enjoyed their awful service. I felt like I needed a shower when we were through, but instead, we walked over to the corner store and bought large quantities of chocolate, which, as Professor Lupin might tell you, is fortifying after encounters with Dementors and also the demented. On future icy Sundays, we will remain at home.Our snowfall has been 
postponed indefinitely, but we do have lots of rain and ice. K. took it into her head tonight that she needed to collect a basket of icicles. She bundled up, enlisted her brother and daddy in the expedition, and went out collecting. Two minutes later she was back, howling with pain and damaged dignity. Ignoring her wise daddy's warnings, she had run down the icy ramp and fallen hard. Poor baby! She is now quite cheerfully playing in a warm bath, but I've never seen such a bright red backside.
postponed indefinitely, but we do have lots of rain and ice. K. took it into her head tonight that she needed to collect a basket of icicles. She bundled up, enlisted her brother and daddy in the expedition, and went out collecting. Two minutes later she was back, howling with pain and damaged dignity. Ignoring her wise daddy's warnings, she had run down the icy ramp and fallen hard. Poor baby! She is now quite cheerfully playing in a warm bath, but I've never seen such a bright red backside.
3 comments:
The baptist church I went to wasn't that bad. Just so ya know :P
And geez, K is cute. Are those freckles on her nose?
OUCH! Poor little one. Ice just doesn't look so dangerous when you're under, say, 30.
Ah, the church. I am so sorry. I've never had anything other than that exact experience at a Baptist church in my life (and I was raised in 'em). That would be why, in spite of being hedged in by them at both the north and south ends of our little road, we drive an hour for church. It's sad, really, to think how many people live their lives being so angry and so bitter about being "right". (And I don't put that in quotes, as in a political stance, obviously, but rather just as in being so convinced one is correct.)
Jesus got torqued a time or two, sure, but it was over things worth getting angry for - cheating, stealing, uncharitable hearts (!?)
But, you know, if they start to get to ya, lmk and I'll pray for your soul. (*wink*)
Dy
Cece -- Glad to know you went to a nicer Baptist church! I can't imagine any reason that people continue to go to the one we visited except force of habit -- they've all been going there all their lives. I don't think K. has freckles (now I'll have to check!), so it's probably chocolate.
Dy -- I'd have broken something for sure if I'd fallen as hard as she did! Thank goodness for young bones.
We've decided to drive forty minutes to a church we really like, and are keeping the twenty minutes away church for drizzly weather back-up. We won't ever be going back to the church next door, no matter what the weather! I've certainly been to services where I've failed to feel uplifted, but never to one that made me feel dirty. Fortunately, the members of that congregation, at least the ones that we've met, seem to be kind-hearted people, so maybe they just don't pay much attention to their preacher.
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