I was walking past a hospital chapel this afternoon when a phrase sprang to mind - "bless me father, it's been a long time since my last confession" or something like that. I know I didn't include the part "for I have sinned".
I've never been part of the Roman Catholic church or any other church that required confession, so that must have come from watching movies or tv or reading. I was an Episcopalian from about age 24 - 40ish and it's optional and rarely used apparently. I never went to confession.
As a former Episcopalian, the phrase "Peace be with you" (standard liturgical greeting between service attendees) has sprung to mind more frequently, and I sometimes use that to close letters or emails.
Now, as a Unitarian Universalist, that's not part of our services - there is no UU liturgy - but I could still say it when greeting others. "Peace be with you" seems like a good thing to say for many, most, all people, regardless of their religious / non-religious persuasion.
Are there any bits of a former religion you remember - and maybe might still use or at least consider valuable?
As an offshoot, I know many former Christians who still enjoy singing the Christmas songs they grew up with. I'm one of those, even though I don't believe some of the words anymore and those particular parts kinda stick in my throat. I might hum through those and then pick up the other words ...
I've never been part of the Roman Catholic church or any other church that required confession, so that must have come from watching movies or tv or reading. I was an Episcopalian from about age 24 - 40ish and it's optional and rarely used apparently. I never went to confession.
As a former Episcopalian, the phrase "Peace be with you" (standard liturgical greeting between service attendees) has sprung to mind more frequently, and I sometimes use that to close letters or emails.
Now, as a Unitarian Universalist, that's not part of our services - there is no UU liturgy - but I could still say it when greeting others. "Peace be with you" seems like a good thing to say for many, most, all people, regardless of their religious / non-religious persuasion.
Are there any bits of a former religion you remember - and maybe might still use or at least consider valuable?
As an offshoot, I know many former Christians who still enjoy singing the Christmas songs they grew up with. I'm one of those, even though I don't believe some of the words anymore and those particular parts kinda stick in my throat. I might hum through those and then pick up the other words ...