Unlike most Sundays, this one started with a trip to church. And no, I am not religious, and will never be. I don't care if others are and I can have lots of conversations about many things related, but as soon as I feel someone is trying to push their belief system as if it is some kind of fact, I lose interest. I have had some great conversations with some very religious people over the years - and I have also had some ridiculous and inane ones.
But that is not the point of this post.
It was a confirmation event for my wife's godson and something that many teens do here, despite most Finns not giving too much of a damn about the church, unless they want to get married in one. And while I am not a fan of any of this religious stuff, I still support my family if they choose to be part of it in some way. Here, it is less a "public affirmation of their baptismal vows and commitment to the Christian faith" and more a coming of age event.
Smallsteps was bored.
And she understood what was being said.
But an hour and a half later, it was finished and we could get on with the good bit of the day, eating a delicious lunch at my sister-in-law's cottage, and having some great cake and coffee. Plus, I was designated photographer for the day and took photos in the church (from my seat) that turned out pretty well, as well as family photos outside and at the cottage. They turned out pretty good considering the setup, but I can't post many here as they are of people.
Cheese cake.
And, while the morning was uncomfortably warm for a suit, the cottage was a sauna. It was incredibly hot in there, and because there was a dog that couldn't go outside, the doors had to stay closed and the old windows didn't let much air in. These places aren't designed for really hot weather, but I was soaked through (as was everyone else) for the entire day. It was warm.
And then it pelted down with rain.
And got very, very humid on top.
But it didn't stop us from having a good time and I was glad that all the grandparents could be there. One of the grandads has dementia and it is rapidly taking him away, but he made it through the day without too many episodes. This was the youngest of the kids, so there won't be another one to attend.
Smallsteps won't have one.
At least at this point. She wasn't Christened as a kid for starters. She is a heathen. I guess no matter how good she is, she is just going to have to go to hell for eternity to live in eternal damnation. Because you know, that is what god is like if you don't give it enough attention.
Petty.
I would have made a good godparent.
But enough of that - now it is time to get serious and try and catch up on all the things I have missed over the last few days after being away from the computer. I have been reading and voting a bit, but not commenting very much and they are piling up!
Taraz
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Amen Brother!
I might change my mind and believe in a god, once I get to have a chat with them and ask, how do you know you are the only god?
They say, "A man who speaks the truth doesn't mind being questioned…"
So, hearing that, I think god might stutter…
I seen this video years ago. I think it is very funny. Creator of this video has made many more atheist comedy videos but I think that this one is my favorite. The plot twist at the end was awesome. (short summary in case like galenkp you don't click on links here/ or don't want to watch around 10 minute video): In this video many gods exist. They all believe that they are omniscient and omnipotent. But each god has god even higher than him/her. Until finally we reach a being who doesn't care to claim that he knows all or is all powerful. Yet that being created all the gods. that being was human.
You do say that you aren't a religious person, and we even had a conversation that proved that. But one thing for sure is that you are logical and reasonable in the way you deal with this, and I like that about you and also the part of you having a good heart. Believing in God doesn't have to do with going to church or attending church services although a lot of people will argue with you on this and calm that if you truly believe in God you will surely attend program and do the will of the father. In the part of the world where it seems like every street you enter, there are religious institutions, yet there is crime and a lot of crises.
Also, I understand what it means to show up for family, especially during important moments like this. It’s not always about the ceremony or the beliefs behind it; sometimes it’s just about being there for the people you care about, and you truly showed that.
I have known many religious people in my life - none of them seem to be overly good people. There are many people who go to church on Sunday with a cross around their neck, who sell drugs to children, kill rivals, and enslave women. There are dictators and warlords who say god is on their side. And of course, there is everything between. Very few people in this world, religious or not, deserve a heaven.
We are all entitled to our own belief and opinion about things which don't necessarily mean you have to be forced to accept or join others people's choices because they want you to or because they feel they are right in what they do. However I feel Sundays are always special but to some people it is kind of boring except outings is involve.
Yes. People can believe what they want. But it doesn't mean what they believe, and their actions born from that belief are good.
Usually, to be honest, I've gotten into trouble with people I thought were my friends, heh, heh, heh. I saw the pictures first before reading and he says ‘but yes, friend @tarazkp does not commune with religion’. Well, I read and made sure I wasn't wrong. And of course Smallsteps was bored, she is the living reflection of her father.
She might choose different to me. I just find it all childish.
And I think "commune with religion" should be "consume religion". It is another consumer item.
Since the emergence of organized religions, many of these institutions, in particular those that promulgated doctrines of superiority and exclusivity, encouraged the perception of beliefs that do things their own way to justify and to do unjustifiable things... And to say that they do justice. . As well as underlying beliefs that have never been seriously challenged.
The redeemable thing about this cultural event is that the family was able to get together, eat cheesecake and celebrate the belief of his wife's godson. Greetings, Mr. Tarazkp.
Even without sharing the beliefs, showing up for family and capturing the day with your lens is what truly matters.
The heat sounds horrible. I would be walking around in sweat stained clothes for sure!
The only thing I like about churches is that they tend to have stained glass windows. I don't get to see them anywhere else and they are cool looking.
I share your position on churches and religion, though my wife says she is spiritual. I respect that, but don't really share those beliefs...
I have a similar perspective on religion to yours. I try to attend religious ceremonies. However, if the ceremony goes on for too long, I start to get bored because I start repeating things that were just said.
We didn't baptize our children either. I thought, why impose anything on them? When they grow up, they will decide for themselves what to do. I read that in early Christian times, people were baptized at an adult age.
I think that the main God doesn't care what religion his creations profess. In my opinion, he is not interested in us at all :)
Never say never...lol
Got assaulted in my sleep by a trip chaperone when I was 16 on a Jewish youth trip across the country. We happened to be at Yellowstone. Tricky little thing religion can be and one's relation to it. USA is in very big trouble because they listen too much to religion instead of decency, morality, SCIENCE!