Shelby said:
Huh?
My post was serious. I grew up attending a sterile Presbyterian church. The overriding theme seemed to be we're all bad. The black church I had the privilege to attend on occasion wasn't like that at all. It was about love. I know it's probably cliche to say this but what the fuck - it was spiritual.
It was a JOKE Shelby. You generally post in only short sentences/paragraphs which, by itself, is not a criticism. It's just that (as Lex noted) it's a bit difficult to read you sometimes. But I
will tell you that I never pegged you for anyone who'd even entertain the idea of that "rapture" thing. Tell me you don't mean it in that Pentacostal fundie sense where all these various tongue-speaking "Jesus" types start miraculously floating up to heaven..
If that's you dude it's not the Shelby I've witnessed on this board.
I hear you about 'all about love' and I'm sorry your experience in your Presbyterian atmosphere during your upbringing was so poor. I've attended my share of Presbyterian services and I think calling them 'sterile' is certainly unduly harsh. If you're ever in Scotland attend one there. I think you'll walk away with a lovely sense of the ritual and tradition (and perhaps a shot of that 'love' of which you speak to boot).
In the broader picture I think spirituality per se is to be found by anyone in any place of holiness on this earth. The venue, to me, is most often in the unexpected vista or the unique one-on-one personal encouter.
Hell, the sex I had with my boyfriend at 4:30 this morning was 'rapturous'. I'm not being snide either. It was. I think when you love someone as much as I love him sex takes on the spiritual. In fact I know it does.