If I wrote something explaining why I don't fly space shuttles, I can't imagine it being filled with more stupidity. I had no idea that Anglicans teach that the Spirit is only present once a week inside the church service. Obviously trying to make a point, but hindered by a glaring example of someone who never bothered to understand the faith she now appears to reject.
Dave G. | 05.30.07 - 1:41 pm | #

“Silly things, really. First, the long-ago refusal of the senior minister to allot $25 for new crib sheets for the nursery. I had given my time to help out. Even though I was a teenager, parents trusted me with their babies every Sunday morning. The crib sheets were old and worn out, yet my request was denied. My personal contribution as a church member was not honoured.”


Well she admits that it was silly things, but I hear this quite a bit about those who left church…”so and so said this…reverend Doe did this…” There is something, if not selfish, childish in such an outlook. Geebers…if how would Annis like if others dropped their friendship with her if she failed to deliver or provide on so-called silly things. If all of us behaved this way, we would all be very lonely.


“But there are some church-goers who forget that the other six days of the week, waking in their homes, driving on the roads, working at their desks, nurturing their children and their relationships, honouring their spouses and their families and friends, eating meals, bathing, writing, creating -- these are also moments blessed by God.”

This comes across as arrogant—arrogance is something we can all be guilty of. How assured is Annis that she knows such about others? Is the forgetfulness of others any worse than the times Annis forgets about God’s blessings? There is a teaching in the Gospel about a plank in one’s eyes…
dpt | 05.30.07 - 1:44 pm | #

I read this article this morning in the paper. I would have dismissed it except that I know quite a few people who hold opinions just like the writer's. What they usually share is a misunderstanding of community and meeting God through one's neighbours.

It is all well and good to seek God in every part of one's life and to consecrate everything one does to Him. I try to do it myself. But I think this author is not really objecting to churches that claim you can "only" meet God within their walls, because I have never heard of a serious church that claims such a thing. I think she really objects to having to meet God in situations in which she doesn't feel one hundred percent comfortable. The notion that God's will might not always mean doing the comfortable or preferred thing does not seem to have occurred to her.

The chief danger of being "spiritual but not religious" and merely "appreciating" God's blessed moments is that it is very easy to backslide and conflate those warm and fuzzy feelings - and by extension, one's ego and self - with the real worship and service of God. I find this sort of attitude very common among people I know who hold these opinions. They tend to identify the satisfaction of their own ego with the satisfaction of God's will.

Common prayer and worship, on the other hand, is often difficult and boring, because all worshippers are real people with real flaws and sins. Notice that the author shows a marked preference for a very specific type of worship - one which tends to attract a very specific type of person, and one in which "enjoyment" of yourself is a key goal.

However, more formal worship confronts us with the fact that it is in the stranger where Christ is most easily discerned. If God loves and calls me to love the priest whose sermons ramble on, or the smelly woman who sits behind me, or the busybody who runs all the parish committees, just as much as me, I gain a better sense of my own sinfulness and need for mercy in God's eyes. Who am I to say that I'm any better than them?

I do have say kudos to the National Post for beginning this series on journeys of faith. Usually they are quite good - just not today!
Sean | 05.30.07 - 2:42 pm | #

I find it hard to disagree with her when she says there's nothing really so special in the Anglican Church as to make her feel any need to attend.
Seamus | 05.30.07 - 3:21 pm | #

"My personal contribution as a church member was not honoured."

Well that says it all.
Liam | 05.30.07 - 9:45 pm | #

Whole lotta navel gazing in that article.
'thann | 05.31.07 - 9:11 am | #

I am grateful that my personal contribution is forgiven.
Ed the Roman | 05.31.07 - 11:24 am | #

Basically, she admitted she's cheap. Instead of leaving in a snit, I would have bought the damned crib sheets.
kentuckyliz | 05.31.07 - 11:44 am | #

Her leaving over crib sheets reminds me of Howard Dean leaving his church over a dispute about a bicycle path.

It seems to be a common failing of churches that they require you to interact with other human beings.

So much better to join the perfect church; perfect because you are the only member of it.
Glen H | 05.31.07 - 12:47 pm | #

As always, the comments are so good that I can only hope that you guys ALSO sent them to the author of the article!
jmt | 05.31.07 - 5:19 pm | #