Comments on: At One With God and 16,000 Other Worshipers http://www.sortroom.net/2005/07/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/ Filltering through the murky water to highlight what most people sent to page two. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:29:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marshall http://www.sortroom.net/2005/07/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Marshall Mon, 18 Jul 2005 17:39:57 +0000 http://www.sortroom.net/index.php/archives/2005/07/18/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/#comment-183 Yes, well, I think that was exactly the point Jesus tried repeatedly to put across: it's one thing to study together, to learn from one another's experiences, even to cooperate and struggle together in planning good works; but "when push comes to shove" spiritually, it's always strictly between every individual soul and the face God chooses to turn toward that soul. Anybody who thinks getting all spiffed up of a Sunday and mumbling along with the crowd in a series of collective prayers is the essence of religion already "[has] their reward." The essence of religion consists in intensely private reflection and prayer, combined with the tangible effects they produce Monday through Saturday in the marketplace, the workplace and the public forum. Yes, well, I think that was exactly the point Jesus tried repeatedly to put across: it’s one thing to study together, to learn from one another’s experiences, even to cooperate and struggle together in planning good works; but “when push comes to shove” spiritually, it’s always strictly between every individual soul and the face God chooses to turn toward that soul. Anybody who thinks getting all spiffed up of a Sunday and mumbling along with the crowd in a series of collective prayers is the essence of religion already “[has] their reward.” The essence of religion consists in intensely private reflection and prayer, combined with the tangible effects they produce Monday through Saturday in the marketplace, the workplace and the public forum.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.sortroom.net/2005/07/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/comment-page-1/#comment-181 Patrick Mon, 18 Jul 2005 16:06:30 +0000 http://www.sortroom.net/index.php/archives/2005/07/18/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/#comment-181 Wow. Good point. I posted that because I thought it was interesting rather than disturbing. I don't see a problem with people getting together to pray even though it feels to me like everyone's watching one another to see how well they're doing, how they're interactive as they 'should'. I can hardly comment since I go to church so infrequently, but I feel most comfortable with the idea of ones faith being such a personal thing that no-one else can really guide you to it. I find it strange that one person is thought to be able to preach to another, although I find the words of the Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury interesting and helpful from a moral point of view. It seems like the most realistic representation of a priest ought to be someone who helps you to travel your life with moral purity or understanding, letting your understand God and religion on ones own or through ones own research. Wow. Good point.

I posted that because I thought it was interesting rather than disturbing. I don’t see a problem with people getting together to pray even though it feels to me like everyone’s watching one another to see how well they’re doing, how they’re interactive as they ’should’. I can hardly comment since I go to church so infrequently, but I feel most comfortable with the idea of ones faith being such a personal thing that no-one else can really guide you to it. I find it strange that one person is thought to be able to preach to another, although I find the words of the Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury interesting and helpful from a moral point of view. It seems like the most realistic representation of a priest ought to be someone who helps you to travel your life with moral purity or understanding, letting your understand God and religion on ones own or through ones own research.

]]> By: Marshall http://www.sortroom.net/2005/07/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/comment-page-1/#comment-180 Marshall Mon, 18 Jul 2005 15:59:04 +0000 http://www.sortroom.net/index.php/archives/2005/07/18/at-one-with-god-and-16000-other-worshipers/#comment-180 At moments like this, I always like to remind myself that Jesus was not a Christian; nor would he likely be one. <i>And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.</i> <i>But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.</i> <b>Matthew 6:5-6</b> At moments like this, I always like to remind myself that Jesus was not a Christian; nor would he likely be one.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:5-6

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