Many things in our lives require a form and routine and some are ritualistic in nature. They all serve a purpose and, at times, they are absolutely necessary. However, routines, thoughtless repetitions, tend to minimize the task at hand and, if the form is rigid, removes any enjoyment from the task.
Rituals, like routines, always risk becoming perfunctory in nature and the purpose of the ritual is lost. Religious rituals lose much of their significance when they become rote repetition of memorized words and phrases which have been composed by someone else. If there is no spontaneity, no personal, heartfelt, original expression of worship or joy, those are inhibited by the ritual and never find external expression and without that, are repressed and rarely experienced. I don't know if the movie portrayal of black churches is accurate but that IS worship.
Worshiping a deity does not have to have a somber, funeral-like atmosphere. If Heaven were to be that uninspiring and morbid, leave me out. Jitterbugging on hot coals would be preferable.
All I'm saying is that worshiping God should be a joyous, full of life, happy expression. Even the hush with which people speak in church as though God himself were listening and wanted us to be quiet little children, makes no sense. He's pretty old and may have hearing difficulty, like I have, so speak up if you want to be heard. If I caught you whispering in my house, I'd think you were saying something bad about me.
When was the last time the Pastor or celebrant said something that made you want to shout, "Hallelujah"? Never! Even the "AMENS" are on cue. There must be a better way.
Rituals, like routines, always risk becoming perfunctory in nature and the purpose of the ritual is lost. Religious rituals lose much of their significance when they become rote repetition of memorized words and phrases which have been composed by someone else. If there is no spontaneity, no personal, heartfelt, original expression of worship or joy, those are inhibited by the ritual and never find external expression and without that, are repressed and rarely experienced. I don't know if the movie portrayal of black churches is accurate but that IS worship.
Worshiping a deity does not have to have a somber, funeral-like atmosphere. If Heaven were to be that uninspiring and morbid, leave me out. Jitterbugging on hot coals would be preferable.
All I'm saying is that worshiping God should be a joyous, full of life, happy expression. Even the hush with which people speak in church as though God himself were listening and wanted us to be quiet little children, makes no sense. He's pretty old and may have hearing difficulty, like I have, so speak up if you want to be heard. If I caught you whispering in my house, I'd think you were saying something bad about me.
When was the last time the Pastor or celebrant said something that made you want to shout, "Hallelujah"? Never! Even the "AMENS" are on cue. There must be a better way.
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