What's good about Christianity?

[Nearly Sane]

The gentle loving forgiveness and understanding that my mother has always shown.

[Rhiannon]

The Lindisfarne Gospels

[Nearly Sane]

Was at a funeral today in a standard mid late 60s church, and there was a rather lovely set of stations of the cross.

[Rhiannon]

Oh that reminds me of the gorgeous house of retreat at Pleshey, associated with the mystic Evelyne Underhill.

Sad to hear that, NS.

[Nearly Sane]

Oh that reminds me of the gorgeous house of retreat at Pleshey, associated with the mystic Evelyne Underhill.

Sad to hear that, NS.

Really not an issue, was there to be a support for a friend. Today's reading which was not chosen deliberately was a thing though, don't eat the sciatic nerve!!!

On topic - J S Bach, and the discipline he followed .

[Rhiannon]

Hildegard of Bingen.

[Nearly Sane]

As a caveat though, much of the art, action and intention I might choose ad Christian isn't produced in a vacuum. I see the same beauty in Gonnagle as Rumi as Pele as .... While I think the word spiritual a useless leaking bucket, I end up posting on this thread about beauty 'for me', just as usrlrdsy, just as leaking.

Take away Christianity and we are left with what? It is not the source of the beauty not even the trigger. And the same applies to the evil committed in its name and the ugliness. Rather it is what some beauty exists in the name of...

[ad_orientem]

The ancient liturgies, especially the hours.

[Owlswing]

I know: but you were correct anyway. 

On topic - I'd add that most Christians I've ever come across are invariably thoughtful and generous people.

I wish that I could say the same - my father was Christian and a bigger bastard it would be hard to find!

[floo]

There are some very decent moderate Christians, like my own three girls, but there are some very nasty people claiming to be Christians who make the much maligned Satan look like a saint.

[Aruntraveller]

Bach's Magnificat.

Many, many other pieces of music inspired by the Church.

The kindness of Christians I have known - although I'm not altogether convinced they wouldn't have been kind anyway.

The cool, calm of Churches.

Southwell Minster.

[floo]

Bach's Magnificat.

Many, many other pieces of music inspired by the Church.

The kindness of Christians I have known - although I'm not altogether convinced they wouldn't have been kind anyway.

The cool, calm of Churches.

Southwell Minster.

I agree, religion doesn't usually change someone's personality, in my experience.

[Shaker]

The Quakers.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Rhi,

Oh that reminds me of the gorgeous house of retreat at Pleshey, associated with the mystic Evelyne Underhill.

Ridden past it many times on my bike. Very nice.

[bluehillside Retd.]

NS,

As a caveat though, much of the art, action and intention I might choose ad Christian isn't produced in a vacuum. I see the same beauty in Gonnagle as Rumi as Pele as .... While I think the word spiritual a useless leaking bucket, I end up posting on this thread about beauty 'for me', just as usrlrdsy, just as leaking.

Take away Christianity and we are left with what? It is not the source of the beauty not even the trigger. And the same applies to the evil committed in its name and the ugliness. Rather it is what some beauty exists in the name of...

Yup. I remember someone asking where we'd be without the great art and architecture that's "Christian" as if Wren and Pergolesi and the rest would have been cabbage farmers instead. The answer I'd have thought would be that we'd have different buildings, paintings, music etc rather than none.

PS A lot of paintings of saints are awful dull too by the way   

[Rhiannon]

I agree. But this isn't just about Christian art, music and architecture.

[Rhiannon]

Rhi,

Ridden past it many times on my bike. Very nice.

The atmosphere inside is one of complete calm. In the little church, too. It has a set of the Stations of the Cross as NS mentioned, starting outside IIRC.

Incidentally, having been discussing the Order of the Golden Dawn elsewhere, Underhill was rumoured to be a member.

[Enki]

I think the social aspects of belonging to an organization are important. There are many people who, as part of their individual churches, find a meaning which is suitable for them.

Secondly, I think that for some people the comfort that they find from their particular brand of Christianity is very important to them.

I also find that it can be very refreshing to meet Christians who are not dogmatic, who do not try to push their brand of Christianity down your throat, who are caring and pleasant human beings and who have found expression for their particular slant of Christianity within their particular church.

I also think that many of the older church buildings in particular are quite awe inspiring and fascinating, and are part of my cultural heritage.

Sorry, Can't agree about Richard Coles though.

[wigginhall]

Some of the mystics used to blow my mind, especially of course, Meister Eckhart who is like a Christian version of Rumi and Zen, combined.

[Dicky Underpants]

Some of the mystics used to blow my mind, especially of course, Meister Eckhart who is like a Christian version of Rumi and Zen, combined.

Have they ceased to blow your mind, wiggi?

BTW, I agree with most of the suggestions made by Shaker, Rhiannon, NS and bluehillside, especially the musical ones.

And I'd have to reiterate Richard Holloway - principally because he strikes me as a fine human being and writer, (but also because I know it will wind up Vlad).

[Dicky Underpants]

Bach's Magnificat.

His son CPE wrote a very fine one, too

Southwell Minster.

Had a very fine choir when I heard them decades ago.

[Dicky Underpants]

Ely cathedral

Langley chapel

The Authorized Version

The 1662 BCP

Didn't you also have a soft spot for 'Revelations of Divine Love' by St J of N?

[Shaker]

I'd have to reiterate Richard Holloway - principally because he strikes me as a fine human being and writer

Absolutely. His autobiography, Leaving Alexandria, which I read recently, is one of the most delightful memoirs I've had the pleasure of reading.

(but also because I know it will wind up Vlad).

Always sufficient motivation for anything, surely.

[Shaker]

Didn't you also have a soft spot for 'Revelations of Divine Love' by St J of N?

Yes! Well remembered that man 

[Dicky Underpants]

Part One of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

Vaughan Williams's opera of the preceding

Not to mention his 5th Symphony, partly inspired by the same.