Sunday, June 25, 2006

Ten pluses ten minuses

because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth
--Revelations 3:16
I prefer the more updated version, and I can't find my modern english Bible right now, but I think it goes, 'You are neither hot not cold so I'm gonna spit you outta my mouth.' or something like that.
That's been my theme. That has been my problem. I am lukewarm. G-d's gonna spit me out. I've been comfy in the Anglican Church because it was lukewarm not Baptist hot or agnostic/ humanist cold, just right. However the waters is gettin a bit chilly. Sorta warm, with an ever increasing cool comeing on. Of course, that could be my perception through the lens of the orthodox. I said my move, if I move, or swim the Tiber, will be in 1 to 2 years. I will spend that time in prayer. Someone noted that one shouldn't swim to one side of the river just because things on your side, is looking bad. No. I really need to give it some thought.
Another thing, I am lukewarm because I am constantly trying to balance various beliefs about Democracy, faith, fairness, and life in a pluralistic society. I know that in the end when things battle out, G-d wins. Because of all those things, it is faith that is the only thing I will submit to. I want to be a good citizen. I want to be fair. I want to make the best of a diverse city and nation. I must be the best Christian I can be.
Anyway, so crossing the Tiber. There are reasons not to. 10)It is a controversal church. 9) Pope, I like him but the idea of one man with all that power... 8)Past sins of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, when it was less than the bride of Christ. 7)It's so unyielding. 6) Confession. 5) Bad & boring homilies. 4)People and Priests, who believe priests are all that and a bag o' chips. 3) Bad priests, who don't think and those who hurt people and destroy the faith. 2) No Fr. Connor. 1)I was confirmed in the EUSA 4 years ago, crossing now seems wrong.
Ten reasons to cross:
10. Hot Catholic men
9. Church excommunicates Spong-like nuts
8. Fr. Roderick, and all the other Catholic media folks who draw me to the RCC.
7. St. Paul's and mid to high church services have already prepped me for RC mass.
6. Worldwide communion.
5. "Upon this rock...."
4. Greater tolerance for Catholic liberalism than Episcopalian liberalism.
3. Consistancy on certain issues.
2. Smells & bells and lots of latin (depending on church)
1. If and when I have kids I might get a discount at the parocial school.

2 comments:

TooMuchCoffeeLady said...

You don't get a discount on parochial school unless you can prove economic hardship. Also, despite my being attractive and Catholic all my life, only Lutherans and Episcopalians ever liked me.

Ok, so I've been reading your blog and don't get why you're such a crappy Christian?

Mari said...

The discount is the 'in parish' price I sometimes see.

Crappy Christian? Because I know I could be better.