Churches have to give the faithful some kind of entertainment
I have already said that in my opinion it is rather morbid
and in bad taste to worship an agonizing, dying man crucified. It is meant to
draw upon the feelings of pity, compassion and empathy that all human beings
have.
But there are many other aspects of the show that all
religions put on every Sunday…some on different days just to be a pain in the
ass. These elaborate rituals range from lavish costumes to expensive jewelry
and accessories, not to speak of the surroundings that are in the Catholic
religion opulent and garish.
When one thinks about the clothing worn by the clergy,
usually very clean and crisp, most of the time adorned and enhanced with
embroidered masterpieces, set on rare and delicious fabrics is all meant to
remind the common man, the follower that the church hierarchy is above them,
they are better and they are privileged…it is the way things should be
according to the churches.
The Protestants tried at one point to run away from such
displays of wealth and excesses. They did away with the elaborate worship
temples and replaced them with more modest if not downright Spartan buildings.
They rejected the fancy wear and opted instead to attempt to show humility and
modesty. But of course, with the passing of the years these were replaced by
something else. Oh, sure, they still don’t have the elaborate temples and
garish garments; but what they do have is a display of theater, a veritable
circus every week that is meant to appeal to the followers and entertain them.
The “SERMONS” have become more passionate, true works of
eloquence and speech manipulation. Oftentimes they are vicious and mean, they
are meant to scare the shit out of followers with visions of eternal damnation.
One also finds that the clergy is almost compelled to become
controversial, they will defend indefensible causes and absurd moral positions
in order to maintain the followers occupied. This of course gives birth to the
vitriol and hatred that we see spewed from the pulpit of so many Evangelical
churches and even others of the Catholic persuasion.
If you see things as clearly as I do when it comes to the
role of religion in society, what it means to the common man and what is their
function, then you would realize that all these ceremonies, all these displays
of commitment to the church are totally absurd, unnecessary and harmful to
society.
Don't just single out the Catholic Church, there are plenty of opulent protestant churches also: (http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches) and other, non-christian religions have grand buildings and rituals as well.
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