I went to St. Dominic's yesterday with Laura. I haven't been to church in a long time. I suppose I was half expecting to burst into flames... but obviously that didn't happen. (Note: does this disprove god?)
It was an interesting experience. Mass used to mean something to me, and now... I'm an outsider. After all the reflection I've done, I now see mass as two things - a work of art, and a piece of propaganda.
Aside from the architecture, which is spectacular, and the music, which is beautiful, I think the mass itself ought to be considered art. It's a piece of oral and written tradition that has been passed down and modified for nearly two millenia. Something has to be said for that.
On the other hand, what struck me as propaganda was the focus on love and unity. I would have liked to simply take it as an admirable message, but when I compare that message of love and unity to the policies of the catholic church regarding homosexuals, it rings hollow. Even worse than the institution is the beliefs of some of the members... somehow 'love' gets left out and hate for those who are different is acceptable.
I'm not sure exactly how it happens, but it seems to me that preaching love while not condemning hate allows people to believe that the hate is somehow part of the love.
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