General Chat

Vanessa, where was that? I always went to convent schools, first holy communion took place when you were about eight and you didn't get confirmed until 12 or 13. My confirmation name was Anastasia, just because I liked the sound of it. Christina

Hi Christina. I went to a convent called the sisters of the good shepherd in Newcastle. Because my mother is no longer alive and my father has had several strokes i am able to say that it was a school for `Naughty Girls`. I had never had any religous upbringing before i went to this school. I was 13 when i arrived. It was disided by the nuns that because i knew nothing they would start from scratch with me. I have to admit, some of the sisters i loved as if they were family. Vanessa

Len,Its funny you should mention The Odinist faith,Im reading about it at the moment,Its very Interesting:-))

Thank you to all who have replied. I am very suprised at the response. I only expected a few replies but i am overwhelmed by all. I hope you all do not think i am a religious fanatic( I must sort out my spelling) but i was intrested to see how many on this web site where confirmed and strong in their beliefs. I myself am a believer but i do not believe in the church. I say if Jesus loved to talk to everyone on a hill why have fancy churches built. Jesus talked on hills and river banks etc where everyone was about his or her daily duty. Who says we have to go inside a church and pay for the privalige. He is all around and in the air we breathe. I think i have been humbled by the response!! Vanessa

How's this for hedging your bets? I was christened by my Catholic parents as a baby, did first Holy Communion at 7 and confirmation at 11 in Catholic school, then Anglican confirmation at 16 at High School, cos everyone did! Then, and much more importantly, chose for myself to have and pursue a personal relationship with Jesus, and was baptised by full immersion in water (the biblical original way!) when I was 19! Phew! Definitely covered all possibilities! Denise

Hi Denise. It was intresting to read of your introduction to Jesus. What are your views now? Why do i sound like a discipule of god? You know!! I will have to sort out my spelling or keyboard! Vanessa

I thought i would add this little postscript. I am not a religious fanatic but i do believe. I do not believe in the church as i expect more than most do. I feel that the church is there to make a profit and not look after mankind. I thought that i would ask a question and see how many responded. I am amased at the response. Thank you all. Regards Vanessa

I'm too wicked. len

Len!! Life would be too boring if we wern`t a little wicked!! Vanessa

Stella, From what I understood, in the Catholic church, confirmation is where you take the responsibility upon yourself for being a Catholic, and repeat the 'vows/oath' your God parents said for you at your baptism. The bishop lays his hands on you to strengthen you in the faith. Like a few others on here, I do believe, but I very often get annoyed and disappointed at the church's behaviour and attitude. Margaret

Thank you margaret for adding your respose. I totally agree and feel that the church as become to commercilised( i have`nt spelt that correctly). I feel if i stand in my garden, if i sit in my bath i will be heard! Vanessa

Hi Vanessa Thanks for asking- you are quite right, I failed to cover the time between my late teens & now! I am 41 now, and have been a committed Christian all my adult life. Having experienced, then moved on from all those ceremonies & rituals, I found and chose to follow Jesus without the trappings of religion I was brought up with. Why do you think they are called 'trappings'? Could it be because the ritual and patterns of 'religion' trap people into a set of behaviours which prevent them from a vibrant, living relationship with God? I never say I am 'religious', but more that I have faith and trust in God. But, in answer to your observations about church, I definitely do belong to a church! It's a non denominational evangelical Christian church, which closely follows biblical principles. There are many many churches like this all over the world now, where the good news about Jesus is freely proclaimed, without all the red tape of the traditional denominations. Sadly the message of salvation has been altered and watered down in various ways by different types of churches over centuries, amd made so complicated. It was meant to be a very simple offer of a free gift ! D

I also get tired of them 'changing the rules' every time it suits them (e.g. fasting, eating fish on Fridays, wearing or not wearing head a covering in church). I don't think such details are really that important. Today the priest who gave us a sermon was reading from a newly published book about the church (must get the title of it 'cos I'd like to inspect it in more detail!) about how the church has and still is changing. We lay people seem to becoming more popular now ..... that there is a shortage of priests. He said how some people think they aren't up to doing this and that (i.e. taking catechism classes, etc) and that they shouldn't doubt themselves and just have a go at it. I have nothing against lay people helping out now and then, but I don't think they should expect us to actually 'take over'. Most of us already have full time jobs of our own and families to see to. I'd better stop there, or I'll be on all night. Cheers. Margaret

I was born into a very strict Catholic family.I was confirmed when I was nine and took the name Aleksandra after my Polish aunt. I think the bishop came to our church every four years and confirmed all those of the right age. Had to learn a lot of Catechism in preparation for the big day. You didn't have a choice in whether you were confirmed or not, you just did asyou were told.