In another blog We have described the beauty and the power and significance of a Catholic service.
See http://watchthegod-english.blogspot.nl/2011/11/frenkie-visits-catholic-church-and.html
So now the great values of a Protestant church service.
Thus We will review in
due course all forms of religion.
The Maria image and the
saints, the public devotion, the lightning of candles for the statues of
saints, the richness of Holy stories, rituals and images are removed by the
Protestant churches.
What have become the
alternatives? Of course it can’t be true the Protestant services have lost
value with regard to the Catholic services? No, one has realized with the help
of God a different form of faith of equal value.
A couple of new
values have come instead:
- We will substantiate this with a text mentioned on one of the walls of the church (1840) "Do love God above everything and thy fellowmen as thyself. Upon these two commandments rest the whole Law and the Prophets. Mathh: XXII 37-40 " The Protestants have become more focused on the One God and on charity. Therefore you see in the northern European countries where the Protestant churches have got more influence on society and government more has been achieved in the field of social security, tolerance and emancipation of women and homosexuals than in the "Catholic" southern European countries. One has put more energy in this second basic Commandment and therefore realized it in the community.
- The churchgoers are clearly a little freer in their behavior than in Catholic services. You see how they greet each other more elaborate and even in the church befóre the service are asking each other after their holidays. The spirits of freedom, independent thinking and the practical usefulness are having room. We are not talking of orthodox Protestant churches, where fundamentalism is playing a part. Fundamentalism was subject of another blog before. See http://watchthegod-english.blogspot.nl/2011/10/the-personality-its-tricks-and-how-man.html .
One behaves less sacredly in the church but is more acting out of it. It is a feminine approach of God: less grandiose ideals like men have but more useful and one even realizes them. The spirit of freedom becomes manifest as well in the prayer of the pastor at the end of this service on behalf of the yesterday in Amsterdam held Canal (Gay) Parade. She said, may all people in their quest for own identity be helped to be who they are.The pastor is a mature woman who is knowing life and problems and is radiating what it takes to get close to God: a question mark instead of an exclamation mark. The spirit of openness and doubt, the willingness to explore, a willingness to examine oneself is a good thing in this sermon. The minister is quoting the theologian Karl Barth, who states: “God will descend straight into an open mind”. She is posing questions at the old thinking of the personality which is tending to impose the own truth on others. She is asking the churchgoers to investigate their prejudices as a form of evil. She is bringing caution and openness into the church. In such an open mind God can have Its influence easier than in a mind thinking one is knowing everything. - The feminine element of God, you could say the Goddess, is extensively performed in this service by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. The loving touch of man by God, the cherishing energy, the love and wisdom wanting to bring man closer to God and into It’s Heart. In this service is regularly mentioned the Holy Spirit, Her Strength and Her Energy. And the willingness of the congregation to be open to Her, to receive, to be inspired, to be admissible.
And to conclude, the Protestant church has created guarantees for the feminine element by her female pastors and ministers. A great leap forward into the eyes of God.
May the Protestants be blessed.
My blessings to you all
Nr. 91
Nr. 91
