h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Pastey, I just want to thank you for writing this piece. I think I am not very concerned that people would baptise their kids into a certain church so as to improve their education options ... after all it is for the sake of those children ... what I'm more concerned about is that a church would be OK with this, namely the idea that people don't really believe its teachings but 'use' it for advancing their social positions. Over here it WAS like that. The NG Church was almost a State Church ... along with the other two Calvinist churches, the 'Hervormde Kerk' (Reformed Church) and the 'Gerevormeerde Kerk' (which also means Reformed Church but is a different church). If you belonged to those churches your options for advancement in all professions were improved. Belonging to the right church got you certain priveleges, it was part of the 'privilegedness' of the white 'ruling class'. Not a healthy situation - not for the church, not for the country, not for the 'ruling class' either because it all blew up in their faces. Religion in this country is currently in a state of confusion ... heck, the country as a whole is in a state of confusion.

Hi Willem,

It was a very strange situation being sat at that christening. I was brought up a catholic, was christened and even confirmed. The school I went to even had a couple of priests as teachers. I no linger follow the religion, but my mind is still open as to whether or not it could be right about some things. But I do understand it.
And sitting there at the back as one of the few people in the room who wasn't pretending to be part of it, it was strange that I knew when everyone should be standing, that I knew all the responses and all the prayers. I knew more about how to behave in the church than those that purport to follow it.
And I think that included the priest.

I'd like to cut the priest some slack as he'd not long been a priest, and he was dropped in at the last minute with this. But three christenings at once? It seemed strange. I've been to multiple christenings before, but that was many years ago when the christening ceremony was held during the main Sunday mass, and it just happened to be that there were two kids at the same time ready for christening.

But this one definitely had the air about it of a last ditch desperation of trying to get more members into the church. Even though they must surely know that the parents are using it for the education, and they're happy with that.

I remember a priest when I was younger refusing point blank to christen a kid of a couple who'd just started coming to the church because he wasn't convinced they were going to remain catholics. Six months later he christened the kid, but in those six months the parents had to attend the church every Sunday and holy day to prove they believed in the religion. Now it just all seems so hollow.

Old cynic that I am, I have a different take on it.

I argued myself (and perhaps [hopefully!] one or two others) out of religion in my mid teens while, perforce, part of a church-sponsored youthclub, whose Rector held regular discussion groups at his house after the badminton session.

I'm left with mixed feelings - primarily, that Church is an anachronism but then

On the one hand it seems that many actually need to be led and a church was - and perhaps still is, arguably, pretty safe in this world of ours. The herd instinct isn't extinct in our species, either.

On the other hand there are the pushy, evangelistic, ones many of whom it seems to me, are camouflaging their own uncertainty - the laity doth protest too much, methinks.

Anyway, I can understand those who are prepared to pay lip-service in the expectation/hope of a decent education for their children. My children's education was important to me. My grandsons' education is, now, at least as important.

I say, therefore, that the fault lies not with the fickle opportunism of those less-than-high-minded folk but with the education system they live within.



(perhaps a percentage return, of persuaded attendees, may be seen as worthwhile)

Having said all that then the occasion you wrote about, Pastey, does leave a rancid taste.

I kinda feel like I should stick up for my mate here as to why he got his daughter christened, but when asked he really did answer "To get her into a good school."

I do think therefore that there is a problem with the education system in this country if people feel the need to use church schools if they don't believe in the religion themselves. I've actually nothing against church schools, in fact I see them as quite an important part of a religion. If someone is growing up in their faith, then a good faith school can help them with that.

And more often than not the education that comes from these schools tends to be better, if a little blinkered in certain areas. I think it's the hollow pretense that irked a little. I remember when I was younger believing in the religion, and when I stopped believing in it, I stopped pretending that I did. Yet that church was full of people pretending, going through the motions but with no real faith.

Hmm. >>hollow pretense ... pretending<< , yes, that's an understandable response though not what I'd call it - different backgrounds, different residues, which inevitably get in the way of proper understanding.

>>Yet that church was full of people pretending, going through the motions but with no real faith.<<
or
'If that's what's required Will I go through the motions? ... Well, it's Jane & Johnny's schooling. It's the family/clan future ... Yes, I'll do it'


That's not to say I would tread that path - I'd have horrendous problems so I won't pretend either way.
(luckily I don't have to, now, (within reason)) - but I can envision the attitude.



It's late, Malt Watch Over Me. All is good.
G'night

G'night Rod.