I like the idea of going to church. When I see people going to church on Sunday or a house of worship on a Saturday or a mosque or temple on any day, I think that what they are doing is wonderful.
In many cases folks going to worship are wearing, as some say, “their Sunday duds; all decked out or dressed to the nines” and as I’ve heard in parts of old Canada, “all up in their best bib and tucker”. Some worshipers come in traditional religious gear and clothing. Some people don’t fuss with how they look, they just come as best they can and that’s fine too.
The charm for me is that people from every corner of this country, in every town and city come to a place together with an attitude of genuine pleasure to see one another and say hello. They come in many cases to sing together, which is what I like the best. Others may chant together, recite prayer or just be quiet together.
It can be very pleasant to be in a house of worship because it is a gathering of people like no other. Before the service starts and when it is over you can talk to others without raising your voice, even in a full room. The acoustics in some places of worship are often so good that you have to lower your voice in case you are too loud. I find that to be unique to any other event or gathering of people.
It’s a lot different when people come together at hockey games or baseball games where there is a lot of shouting for encouragement during a full count or groans of dismay when the puck just misses the net. People come to bars for a good time or parties with loud music for dancing or atmosphere. In some cases it is so loud that you can’t hear yourself think. Maybe that’s the point. People also come together at rock concerts, mostly when they are young, and sales conferences, mostly when they are older. In both of those cases there is milling about in either mosh pits or seminars. Focus is hurried, brisk and abrupt.
People come to sporting events and party places to have fun, let loose and be entertained. That’s the point. That’s the intention. Good on them.
It is hypocritical of me to comment on all this because I rarely go to any events. I am too old and uncomfortable to go to rock concerts. I am in no mood ever to sit in the hot sun at a ball game, chow down on a soggy hot dog and drink warm beer with thousands of other fans jostling me for elbow room. I am too crabby to make small talk at a party. I am also very uncomfortable at church when the religious leader says things I know in my heart are wrong.
Having said all that I confess that I am endeared to the intent of worship.
While I am not naïve enough to suggest there is no entertainment or even shouting at a house of worship, the intent is different from other gatherings. It is the intention, not the doctrine of what is there that has the real value, at least to me. There is a meaningful difference.
I have seen young men dressed in all manner of frocks, robes, wide brimmed hats, small caps and turbans going to worship. All black or white or orange and other traditional colours of dress depending on faith. I have observed some of these young men walking in opulent neighbourhoods. Great wealth is irrelevant when they walk to worship. They are humble. They are magnificent!
I have also seen the extraordinary dignity of a single mom who lives in extreme poverty as she makes her way to church with her children. She is dressed in all the finery she can manage and her children are scrubbed clean and clothed in their Sunday best. For the entire week they barely survive with limited resources, even basic food, but on this day, for these few hours, they look stunning and will be surrounded by a wealth of friends and fellow parishioners. They’ll belt out wonderful hymns and exchange sincere greetings after service.
For this short time, for all those who go to church or mosque or temple or sanctuary of faith, their intention is about as perfect as humanity can get.
We should all strive to this in all things that we do every day at home, at play and at work. How hard can it be?
Heino Molls is publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
