Religion, atheism and theological opportunities

[sawyl]

In something of a radical departure from his normal atheism, my pater has enthusiastically recommended that I make an effort to go to church, just to see what a load of hokum it really is. It turns out that he and mater went to a christening today and that M made the mistake of insisting that they sit up front with the child's grandparents, so he was forced mouth along with all the religious platitudes he didn't really believe or risk offending them.

When we discussed it, he was so impressed by my half remembered details of Catholic doctrine and my vague working knowledge of the theories of St Augustine (of Hippo, natch) and St Thomas Aquinas, that he immediately suggested a theological career with his usual cry of, "Army or church! Army or church! That's what we've always said, my boy!" I pray to God he was joking...

But, now that I think about, maybe I should pursue his suggestion: any number of people have told me that they think I'd make a good priest — except for the believing in God bit — and sides, everyone says I'd look super natty in a clerical collar.

Comments

[sawyl.livejournal.com]

The great thing about retro-religion is that it's all in Latin and as such, totally incomprehensible. Thus, you can mumble your way through the various ceremonies without being aware of the foolishness you're spouting, completely unembarrassed by the whole procedure. The same, unfortunately, can't be said for religious rites observed in plain English/French/whatever...