I'm wondering I'd it's the Catholic/Protestant thing? Do you have many Catholic churches in your town Robin? We have one. We have a couple of Methodist and at least 4 baptists that I can think of. Plus one Presbyterian, 1 Episocpalian(sp?) and a non denomination. That's not counting the predominantly African American churches, there's at least 3 or 4 of them, I think they're Baptist.
I'm wondering I'd it's the Catholic/Protestant thing? Do you have many Catholic churches in your town Robin? We have one. We have a couple of Methodist and at least 4 baptists that I can think of. Plus one Presbyterian, 1 Episocpalian(sp?) and a non denomination. That's not counting the predominantly African American churches, there's at least 3 or 4 of them, I think they're Baptist.
Well, there are two Catholic churches in my suburb but more within the city of Memphis. There are two United Methodist churches in my suburb--one large (where we go) and one very small. There are 4 (I think) Baptist churches in Bartlett, at least 2 presbyterian, a couple non-denominational, and several that I don't know the denominations of. I know I'm missing several because there's practically a church on every corner. There's more in Memphis, and Bartlett is a suburb of Memphis so they're all pretty close. There are also two pretty large Jewish synagogues in Memphis. There are a few mosques as well.
I'm wondering I'd it's the Catholic/Protestant thing? Do you have many Catholic churches in your town Robin? We have one. We have a couple of Methodist and at least 4 baptists that I can think of. Plus one Presbyterian, 1 Episocpalian(sp?) and a non denomination. That's not counting the predominantly African American churches, there's at least 3 or 4 of them, I think they're Baptist.
The town I grew up in had 3 Catholic churches (have since consolidated to 1 due to priest shortage), one Episcopalian, one congregational, and when I was a teenager- a very conservative church moved into town. I don't even know the name- please don't take this offensive- most people shied away from them thinking they were a "cult-like" church. No Baptists that I can thing of. Oh, one Tiny Methodist church that closed. Literally no attendance. EVERYONE in my school (public) was Catholic. Even the school menu revolved around the Catholic schedule.
The town I'm in currently has only one church- a VERY liberal leaning universilist unitarian (??) church. Imagine a bunch of professors and such all attending church together, that sort of more academic-ish feel. Oh, wait- there is the college student catholic church, and a methodist church that is also on the verge of closing due to no membership. The christian but non-catholic church on campus has been defunct for years. Oh, I almost forgot, we have a large Muslim church (I don't think they call their building a church, but you know what I mean). In this town, no Baptist/Presbyterian, etc.
The town we are moving to has one Baptist church and I just learned one 7th Day Adventist (?) church. The second seems scary- again- no offense. Even the building is down this long private road. Very secluded. We get the impression the Baptist Church is sort of the town center. Baptist or not, if you want to be a part of the town, you go. So, we're going.
Maine is/was heavily Catholic, particularly in the Franco-American communities. The church in general is struggling here however due to priest shortages, to the sex abuse scandal, to the very heavy stance they took against Gay marriage in a recent election which turned away many of the younger crowd. There is a big "catholics can always come home" campaign, but truly when you walk into any congregation around here, the membership is very aged. We have stopped attending Catholic mass due to issues I have with the church and I don't think we will return. Still looking for a "home" base.
also, around here i'm pretty sure you can find just about any church you want - but i am hard pressed to think of anyone i know who is not catholic, jewish, protestant, or episcopal. the vast majority of people i know (vast - like 98%) are catholic or jewish. there are a gazillion cath churches around here. i couldnt even begin to count.
also, around here i'm pretty sure you can find just about any church you want - but i am hard pressed to think of anyone i know who is not catholic, jewish, protestant, or episcopal. the vast majority of people i know (vast - like 98%) are catholic or jewish. there are a gazillion cath churches around here. i couldnt even begin to count.
eta: i also know a ton of ahteists/agnostics, but i wasnt counting them in my 98% - i meant the majority of church/temple-goers that i know are cath/jewish.
Well, as a catholic I can say that a catholic church in ohio (north) and north carolina (south) are pretty darn similar. but the mass is quite structured. it is even VERY similar in french and luxembourgish
what i see is different for me from what you guys are talking about is that I live in a catholic country and that our church is financially assisted by the state (government) so while the offering is passed around, there are no long winded talks about giving money in the sermon.
that and that religion is taught in public schools so "sunday school" does not exist. there is a church hall where there are activities and kids programs and such.
(and for those curious, the lux gov't also financially helps other religions here - they even put police security in front of the synagogue. (and it ALways saddens me that thew have to do that)
Now that you mention it, I don think I have a single Jewish friend. I have every other denomination, but I don't think I have a Jewish one....I'm going to have to really think about that. And I mean irl, I have online friends, but not a single one I know in person. America is so wonderful :). So many differences here.
Now that you mention it, I don think I have a single Jewish friend. I have every other denomination, but I don't think I have a Jewish one....I'm going to have to really think about that. And I mean irl, I have online friends, but not a single one I know in person. America is so wonderful :). So many differences here.
really? that's amazing to me. but it's true, where i am, there is a really large population of jewish people (prob largest in the country). for a while there, when everyone was getting bar/bat mitzvahed, i was going to temple more often then church - i can even say the hebrew prayers :)
Now that you mention it, I don think I have a single Jewish friend. I have every other denomination, but I don't think I have a Jewish one....I'm going to have to really think about that. And I mean irl, I have online friends, but not a single one I know in person. America is so wonderful :). So many differences here.
to me it is such a fascinating religion. i am very curious especially about the practices of the orthodox jews. i have asked Estraya soooo many questions over the years 'remember her from the original board?)
i am really wanting to visit israel and see jerusalem, bethlehem - that would be amazing. i was THISCLOSE to visiting Estraya about 4 years ago - but just before, a war broke out and it was unsafe. but someday...
Now that you mention it, I don think I have a single Jewish friend. I have every other denomination, but I don't think I have a Jewish one....I'm going to have to really think about that. And I mean irl, I have online friends, but not a single one I know in person. America is so wonderful :). So many differences here.
to me it is such a fascinating religion. i am very curious especially about the practices of the orthodox jews. i have asked Estraya soooo many questions over the years 'remember her from the original board?)
i am really wanting to visit israel and see jerusalem, bethlehem - that would be amazing. i was THISCLOSE to visiting Estraya about 4 years ago - but just before, a war broke out and it was unsafe. but someday...
I definitely think it's a Catholic vs non-Catholic thing.
I was raised Catholic and basically if you read Kelly's posts from the other thread, you'll know my point of view.
I also have struggled with some stuff like Sara that has made me question things as of late.
I have gone back and forth about changing to a different church but unfortunately, the other ideologies don't sit right. I have come to expect that the Catholic church is "normal" and anything else is not. I've also really struggled with putting Ethan in religious ed classes. He was baptized in the church and I keep going back and forth about having him receive his other sacraments.
Ethan and I do talk about God and Jesus, although I mostly wait for him to ask me questions. I also think I'm too academic? I don't know if that's the right word. Basically I don't like to tell him what to think so I always tell him some people believe this, some people believe this, what do you think and let him make his own decision. He usually wants to know what I believe and I'll tell him only then.
Dustin is more religious than I am. He does not go to church but he prays a lot and has started listening to audiobooks of the bible in his car. (He does not like reading. lol.)
I believe in God and Jesus but the church and it's manmade rules have put me off to the point that I feel hypocritcal if I attend mass. That and some anger have I toward God keep me from going.
I definitely think it's a Catholic vs non-Catholic thing.
I was raised Catholic and basically if you read Kelly's posts from the other thread, you'll know my point of view.
I also have struggled with some stuff like Sara that has made me question things as of late.
I have gone back and forth about changing to a different church but unfortunately, the other ideologies don't sit right. I have come to expect that the Catholic church is "normal" and anything else is not. I've also really struggled with putting Ethan in religious ed classes. He was baptized in the church and I keep going back and forth about having him receive his other sacraments.
Ethan and I do talk about God and Jesus, although I mostly wait for him to ask me questions. I also think I'm too academic? I don't know if that's the right word. Basically I don't like to tell him what to think so I always tell him some people believe this, some people believe this, what do you think and let him make his own decision. He usually wants to know what I believe and I'll tell him only then.
Dustin is more religious than I am. He does not go to church but he prays a lot and has started listening to audiobooks of the bible in his car. (He does not like reading. lol.)
I believe in God and Jesus but the church and it's manmade rules have put me off to the point that I feel hypocritcal if I attend mass. That and some anger have I toward God keep me from going.
I may be wrong, but I *think* Catholic ideologies are not all that unlike from other "Christian" ideologies...I mean there are some things that are different in my religion, Baptist than Catholic, but we believe basically the same thing, I think?
All a "Baptist" means is that we believe in "baptism of believers", starting at the age that we understand what that means. SG, for instance, knew at 5 what it meant, she was baptized at 6. I was a young adult, Kenneth was grown and married before he was baptized, even though he knew long before then (he has no idea why he never was before, lol)
I pray you can let go of your anger. Anger keeps us unhealthy, and I want you to be healthy
