Liturgical Protestantism is mostly dead- killed by the crassness, commerciality, and breast-beating of the megachurches - but it had very deep roots in the rhythms of the seasons. It was a modest, reverent thing- totally unsuited for the gluttonous, narcissistic America of the Me Generation and the Yuppie Revolution.
I don't think we can ever go back there- the fields of the Lord have been salted forever by forty divisive, duplicitous years of the redneck Religious Right. But I think something new will rise - something deep, rich and strange - once the moneymen finally pull the plug on the old charade. That process is happening faster than you can imagine. There's a hallelujah for you.
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3 comments:
I remember a hint of nostalgic bliss searching for painted easter eggs which the "easter bunny" hid (in the earlier years). We had to find them because they would stink up the whole yard if we didn't... Oh, and the chocolate and stuffed animals.
I grew up without any religion to speak of besides consumerism. Self-destructive to say the least. We still celebrated holidays but only in the consensus reality approved consumer forms (Christmas was never about Jesus even though we had little nativity sets and stuff, it was about Santa and presents, etc.), my family never claimed to be a part of any religion (in yuppie fashion) but definitely followed a ritualistic pattern.
forever's a long time
the lord probably appreciates your concern for his fields
Beautiful post Christopher - thanks so much.
It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the monster at the gates but that can never mean te truth will just disappear.
I grew up in a church much like you described and your short ode to those rythmns of the past made me tear a little
And you are right I think about the about how quick those ChruchCorp will fall It has all really been a continuous Ad, and like the rest of the collapse, the customer is bound to realize that they have only bought something worthless.
Happy Ishtar!
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