Saturday, April 12, 2008

Holy Roller

Despite a few changes in the story (the underwear and the baptism since I was never baptized) this was EXACTLY my experience with organized religion as a child: http://www.violentacres.com/archives/250/the-pentecostal-church-and-the-holy-ghost-want-you-to-wear-pig-panties

Reverend Bud would begin the sermon slowly and thoughtfully. He preached
the wonders of God’s love and the importance of attending Church regularly.
Although this was typically the most boring part of the night, we (the kids)
used the time wisely. We’d make faces at each other over the pews or give random
people the finger behind our Bibles. The purpose of our antics was to simply
keep ourselves occupied until the adults starting yelling, “Amen!” and “Praise
God!” It was at this point, we would swivel around in our seats and keep our
eyes glued to the front two pews. This is where the action usually
started.

My parents got involved with a Pentecostal Church a year or two after my Dad stopped drinking (I was 5 or 6). We stopped attending that church and left the organized evangelical movement when I was 11 after a few uncomfortable incidences where the preacher proclaimed the Catholic Church across the street was all "going to hell". (Hi Barack Obama! Yes, it is okay to leave a church when you don't agree with the minister.)

But nevertheless hearing or reading about or watching the ol' Holy Spirit brings back the memories for sure.

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