not me typing a whole rant about some catholics being insufferably smug about their "better looking churches" while ignoring the history behind the barebone austerity of protestant churches and then deleting it all because my seething anger isn't christ-like either
*gnaws on wood* God help me love your children even when they are absolute prigs
I got pissed in my tags but I should very much point out that in no way is this austerity exclusive to European Protestantism specifically. The early (catholic) Church also gathered in simple homes and even caves, as all disciples of Christ have always done under persecution (as many still do today, and as many more will be forced to), and it's abhorrent to me to hear anyone say God would ignore them and leave them "spiritually dry" because they worship him in bareness and simplicity. If architecture is what fuels your spirituality, then what will you do if you're cut off from it, in exile, on the run, or wandering? God's prophets were nomads and Jesus was homeless, the God who created the universe doesn't need us to build Him statues with His own stones to know our hearts.
This morning, after the worship service, my pastor just talked a bit about a man he met who was from a country where practicing Christianity is illegal, where people had to be quiet in their gatherings, kneeling back to back.
It really made me think of this post
He mentioned it but it also makes one think also how blessed we are, now, in the U.S and Europe and other places where we can be as loud in our worship as we are. That we can tell people we follow God, speak of Him and all the things that come with it.
I don’t particularly have anything against worshiping God in beautiful buildings. I’ve visited a Catholic Church - it was absolutely stunning. And yes, God absolutely deserves the best because He deserves everything. But the thing is, He doesn’t need it - all he wants is a relationship with You.
Objects shouldn’t really be so intrinsically tied with your relationship with Christ and spirituality because in the end, God and your relationship with Him is a you have. You can’t bring anything with you. Everything else will just fade away.