I have mixed feelings on the Catholic church and religion in general.
My father was an academic with a disdain for Catholicism, but my wife is a devout (though non-evangelical) Catholic. I decided to attend Mass just for the hell of it (ok maybe not the best choice of words?) and noticed the church in question had a desperate need for musicians. I play violin, so I wound up joining their music ministry.
I’m still not Catholic (let alone religious) to this day. When cornered, I say I’m a practicing non-Catholic (as opposed to the far more common non-practicing Catholic), as I attend weekly music practices. I understand all of my father’s well-reasoned arguments against, most of which are still all-too-relevant. Otoh I have to acknowledge that my church experience has been a net positive. I made contacts within the Irish Catholic community and started playing in Celtic bands and such. As an introvert, I don’t think any of this would’ve happened by default, and it’s been quite a ride.
That’s the double edge sword of religious communities. They are actual communities with real people doing real people things. It just sucks about the whole religious aspect of it. Growing up in a religious community, I miss it a bit. Built-in friendships with regular meet-ups.
I have mixed feelings on the Catholic church and religion in general.
My father was an academic with a disdain for Catholicism, but my wife is a devout (though non-evangelical) Catholic. I decided to attend Mass just for the hell of it (ok maybe not the best choice of words?) and noticed the church in question had a desperate need for musicians. I play violin, so I wound up joining their music ministry.
I’m still not Catholic (let alone religious) to this day. When cornered, I say I’m a practicing non-Catholic (as opposed to the far more common non-practicing Catholic), as I attend weekly music practices. I understand all of my father’s well-reasoned arguments against, most of which are still all-too-relevant. Otoh I have to acknowledge that my church experience has been a net positive. I made contacts within the Irish Catholic community and started playing in Celtic bands and such. As an introvert, I don’t think any of this would’ve happened by default, and it’s been quite a ride.
That’s the double edge sword of religious communities. They are actual communities with real people doing real people things. It just sucks about the whole religious aspect of it. Growing up in a religious community, I miss it a bit. Built-in friendships with regular meet-ups.