Why Men Don't Go To Church
Posted by: tony on 07/31/2006 10:16 AM
Updated by: tony on 07/31/2006 08:01 PM
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Expires: 08/31/2006 12:00 AM
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Bill Cork at Built on a Rock posted a link to a book about why men hate going to church. The inimitable Fr. Philip, OP posted this comment:
When I was in seminary I went to a campus ministry Mass with another friar. Right off the bat I noticed that 90% of the congregation was female. Why? 1) the walls of the round chapel were painted shocking pink and 2) decorated with drawings made by 2nd and 3rd graders; 3) the music was happy-clappy Oprahesque goo, including 4) versions of the Gloria, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei that required vigorous clapping and bouncing. At the beginning of Mass 5) the swishy presider introduced the officers of the Catholic Student group: 6) all rather butchy women in sensible shoes (ahem), one of whom commenced 7) to berate the gathered souls for their poor attendance at some sort of lefty solidarity with some oppressed group or another thing. One of 9) the womyn served the Mass as an EM, running around the chapel with a plate full of 10) consecrated bread (fully leavened and sweetened, btw) 11)asking people: "More Jesus?"
There was one poor frat boy who looked like he wanted nothing more than to die and be absorbed into the floor. His girlfriend was constantly ribbing him to sing or whispering urgently in his ear to participate. I told the other friar afterward: "He'll never step inside a Catholic Church again."
"More Jesus"? Can't get too much Jesus. Unfortunately the "bread" they were distributing was empty "spiritual calories". No nutrition to be found.
As a man, I like to be challenged in church. I want a call to greater holiness. I want to admit my faults and strive to do better. A message that Jesus loves me no matter what I do and accepts me exactly the sinful way I am, does not resonate with me as a man. I'd imagine other men might think the same way.
Let's discuss it.
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