Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Religious Blog
On Sunday, whilst in Sydney, I went to church.
As I walked through the arches, the roar of the congregation greeted me. There were lots of busy people, and as long as you paid your dues, and were wearing your sunday best, you were allowed through the hallowed archway into the old stone building. I found my way past the money changing tables, and past the brood of vipers at the food stall, and fought my way through my fellow church goers to find a seat in the crowded auditorium. I could sense the presence of God, or maybe it was beer.
The crowded congregation came to a lull, and the Lord's prayer was said. The bishop laid his prayer on the ground and it bounced up to the heavens. It was then passed around by the religious leaders before it was given to a member of the congregation. He promptly gave it back.
There was much competition by the religious leaders, all who wanted to lay their hands on the prayer, add to it's veracity, and speed it to another member of the congregation at the other side of the enormous auditorium. As I squinted my eyes, I noticed that he too, gave the prayer back.
The religious leaders were becoming frenzied, flying around handing the prayer to other leaders, almost fighting over it in their frantic efforts to employ it's mission, and yet the congregation members kept giving it back.
After around an hour watching this unusual display of religious fanaticism, we paused to worship. There was a call on the enormous screen overhead to hold up our hands to be blessed. Thousands held their hands up to the heavens, holding aloft their sacrifice - a coke bottle. And then one was selected by the Gods to be blessed. He had the magical coke bottle, and the Gods rewarded him with a CD player. Praise be to God.
After the service, we walked outside to queue for a bus home. We talked freely among ourselves reflecting on our spiritual growth this year. Strangers talked to strangers, and we laughed and sang together.
God was in this place, said one. Truly they were, said another. Still it was good to see the Swans get a win.
As I walked through the arches, the roar of the congregation greeted me. There were lots of busy people, and as long as you paid your dues, and were wearing your sunday best, you were allowed through the hallowed archway into the old stone building. I found my way past the money changing tables, and past the brood of vipers at the food stall, and fought my way through my fellow church goers to find a seat in the crowded auditorium. I could sense the presence of God, or maybe it was beer.
The crowded congregation came to a lull, and the Lord's prayer was said. The bishop laid his prayer on the ground and it bounced up to the heavens. It was then passed around by the religious leaders before it was given to a member of the congregation. He promptly gave it back.
There was much competition by the religious leaders, all who wanted to lay their hands on the prayer, add to it's veracity, and speed it to another member of the congregation at the other side of the enormous auditorium. As I squinted my eyes, I noticed that he too, gave the prayer back.
The religious leaders were becoming frenzied, flying around handing the prayer to other leaders, almost fighting over it in their frantic efforts to employ it's mission, and yet the congregation members kept giving it back.
After around an hour watching this unusual display of religious fanaticism, we paused to worship. There was a call on the enormous screen overhead to hold up our hands to be blessed. Thousands held their hands up to the heavens, holding aloft their sacrifice - a coke bottle. And then one was selected by the Gods to be blessed. He had the magical coke bottle, and the Gods rewarded him with a CD player. Praise be to God.
After the service, we walked outside to queue for a bus home. We talked freely among ourselves reflecting on our spiritual growth this year. Strangers talked to strangers, and we laughed and sang together.
God was in this place, said one. Truly they were, said another. Still it was good to see the Swans get a win.
