Worship in the face of rejection

[rug]

There have been many last straws for Richard Iandoli.

He was stung when his church’s hierarchy disparaged adoptions by gay couples, when his church emerged as a political leader against same-sex marriage, and by the way his church refers to homosexuality as “disordered.’’

Earlier this month, the insult was more personal: The Boston Archdiocese stepped in and postponed an “All are Welcome’’ Mass to commemorate Gay Pride Month at Iandoli’s church, St. Cecilia on Belvidere Street in Boston.

“It hits you in the gut,’’ Iandoli said. And he has wondered: What am I doing here?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/06/27/gay_catholics_find_community_despite_hurtful_words_from_rome/

[roguevalley]

1. Go where God lives. Even if it isn't in a church, go with your heart

and your soul. God is wherever you are. Ritual without love is nothing. It would be easy to leave and I have. I don't regret it. I find God is closer, more loving and easier to talk to without the agony and irritation of organized religion.

[dimbear]

2. You see a lot of this sort of behavior in the lives of the saints and martyrs.

Actively seeking to be hurt.

Not so well respected now that it's recognized as a medical condition.

Heartbreaking stuff.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. There is a path for serenity, happiness and freedom for this poor fellow.

I hope he finds it.

[LeftishBrit]

4. Agree. Best wishes to him.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Christianity insults EVERYONE.

Original Sin. Just because you're breathing you're a sinner.

How is that not psychologically abusive???

I eventually developed enough self-esteem to walk out of church and never look back.

Christianity is a glorified death cult devoted to keeping people poor (due to tithing) and depressed, and irresponsible (saying everything is God's will).

[rug]

6. You are not everyone.

[LeftishBrit]

7. As an atheist I disagree. I think this is true of SOME Christians...

but by no means all.

The idea that 'everything is God's will' (and thus we can't or shouldn't change it) is certainly not a feature of all forms of Christianity.

Similarly not all Christian churches practice tithing; in fact, I don't know any churches here that do, though I don't claim exhaustive knowledge of British churches. But it is not a feature of Anglican or Catholic churches, and the word 'tithe' to most Brits, religious or not, would mainly conjure up vague memories of history lessons about taxation in the Middle Ages.

Original sin gets different types of emphasis and interpretation by different people in different churches: it can range from 'we all have a *capacity* for evil which we need to control' to 'we are all miserable sinners who are going to hell' to 'most people are miserable sinners who are going to hell, but WE are saved'.

Overall I'd say that while some churches do have a baleful cult-like influence, mostly people use their religion or non-religious ideology in the cause of their own basic characteristics, more than the other way round. For example, many non-religious people will excuse inaction in the face of injustices with 'You can't change human nature' in exactly the way that their religious counterparts will say 'It is God's will'. People who are inclined to feel excessively guilty or to condemn others excessively will do so even if they have no belief in original sin; though admittedly the doctrine of a literal Hell probably doesn't help matters.