What do you miss about religion?

[PJMcK]

5. Not much, to be honest

For about 15 years, I belonged to a modest-sized Presbyterian church in a New York suburb. It was fairly liberal theologically and most of the members were friendly and welcoming. Years earlier when I was growing up, I had an extensive Biblical education and had participated in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, led the children's choir and was part of the youth group.

During my time with the Presbyterians, I became a Deacon, an Elder, taught Sunday School, played piano when the organist wasn't there, taught an adult Bible class and was the Clerk of Session, (sort of the lay leader). Eventually, I burned out and came to my own epiphany about faith and creation.

I miss some of the people who became friends although I still get together socially with some of them. It was a very pretty 150-year old church situated in a beautiful park. The services had LOTS of music, usually 3 or 4 hymns, and a number of sung responses, a couple of instrumental solos and a vocal solo.

I don't miss the inside politicking. I don't miss the financial arguments. I don't miss the zealots. I don't miss the stress. I really don't miss the unspoken criticisms that were often just beneath the surface of some conversations; several of the members were hard-core literalists who held contempt for anyone who didn't agree with their strict interpretations. And I don't miss the behind-the-back criticisms of the several ministers we had during my tenure at this church.

Mostly, I don't miss the internal intellectual conflicts of what I know to be true because of Science and what I can't reconcile with the Iron Age mythology. Life is so much easier with facts.