Losing my religion
 

The first week of Great Lent has just finished. Not Roman Catholic Lent, that started on Wednesday, but Orthodox Great Lent. There are four preceding weeks, each with its own significance and hymns that are sung at no other time of year, and then Forgiveness Sunday, and Clean Monday. The first week is the most strict, the most devoted. Each succeeding week has its own significance and particular services. I kept it for two decades. Not so many years, really. It's a great spiritual exercise, at its best an experience in the mystical.

I still find it difficult at this time of year. I am intensely angry, I no longer attend or observe, but I haven't so far been able to insulate myself against the calendar.

I'm wondering about the experiences of others - mystical or not, observances that are grounded in community or eremitic and ethereal. No agendas, just wondering.

Lent bothered me for a couple years after I quite the RC business. I still appreciate what they're trying to do but my view is much more secular now. I see a people who will not actually change their day-to-day lives but will put on a show of making a public attempt. Changing the way your mind is oriented means some habits of thought must be recognized and somehow replaced. The religion of my youth was not up to that challenge.

Thanks, griff. I spent a lot of energy trying to observe a demanding Lenten schedule with my kids. But while I, and my kids (for a time) did it from conviction, somehow it didn't matter to those who did it for show and who organized everything.

Habits of thought is key, I think. I can still be conscious of how I interact with others, still be observant of my habits.

It's hard to let go of some of the beautiful aspects of the services, the aspects that take you out of and above your daily concerns and on to a bigger view. But if it defeats people it can't really be beautiful, can it?

Two thoughts:

One, the bible specifically says not to make a show of it. It's very clear on that point. So I think a lot of people are doing it wrong.

Two, New Years is a convenient time to examine your own life and look for things you can do differently to feel better about yourself. Lent comes around at about the time that you are losing focus on those resolutions, and it's a convenient time to reflect on your life again and perhaps steel your resolve. It takes time for good habits to be cast in place.

Lent is supposed to have a religious aspect to it, but for me, it's more spiritual and self improvement focused.

I have no problem attending services and participating in them but only taking what I want from them and leaving the rest.

The Old Orthodox schedule in Lent is very demanding; it originated in monastic practice. There's beauty in following the full schedule, because then you see the continuity from day to day. However, it's almost impossible for people who aren't monastics.

For a long time I very much wanted to be a monastic, but with four children it really wasn't in the cards. Now I know for sure it isn't in the cards.

If your religion doesn't come looking for you when you're lost, it probably isn't much of a religion now anyway. - the Good Shepherd

If your religion has to come looking for you, you're doing it wrong. ~Gravdigr

If your religion cannot coexist with all other religions (and aethists), then it is wrong.

I say, tw, how remarkably intolerant of you. you sound positively zealous on that point.

Phobic.

Indeed. I was wondering about positive experiences others have had, not trying to get into arguments about whether one religion or another is wrong. I suspect they're all aspects of human desire/approach/experience with what some call the 'divine'. All bearing truth and all falling short.

He told me the deposit slips were by the entrance.

I have met some wonderful christians in my time. Also, some very nice muslims too. A few pretty noisy hindus and the odd budhist. There are people out there who do practice the loving tenets of their particular religion, and do so all their lives. They are the diamonds in the rough, and well worth finding.

The people practicing are usually OK. The one's preaching, proselytizing, not so much.