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LAST MONTH, A group of TDs and senators called for churches to be allowed to open for limited attendance for Easter week.
Speaking on the plinth in Leinster House, they said religious services are very important in many peoples’ lives, particularly at a time of worry and stress, and also in Easter week.
However, under the current Level 5 restrictions, public Mass cannot take place.
In light of this, a number of places of worship have been streaming masses or other services online so people can pray remotely with their community if they so wish.
So, today we want to know… Will you watch a religious service online over Easter?
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Just thought I would share an experience I had.
Firstly though I think churches should stay closed to help protect the communities they serve.
I am what you would call a soft catholic, Communion, Easter and Christmas. Don’t attend mass regularly.
When I was away on holiday I went to a gospel Sunday mass, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, the gospel signing was incredible, the priest was so down to earth and relatable, he didn’t talk in biblical terms.
He used real world analogies, a troubled man came to him to seek advice and instead of asking the question what would Jesus think, he was asking what would your mother think, what would she do, that really got to me.
The priest asked those who birthday it was to stand up and people clapped and congratulated those who birthday it was, they celebrated veterans,
The feel of love from the community honestly made me cry, it was just really beautiful. People who were struggling in life were surrounded with love and support from everyone, words cannot do it justice.
The regular parishioners were so kind to us, we were invited back to their home for tea and snacks.
So I get it, I understand why people want to go to church and to be with their communities, there is a great comfort in that.
@Ally Mc Culladgh: amazing story. I too would only go to mass on occasions. Would love to experience a gospel choir
@Ally Mc Culladgh: I wouldn’t be into that at all, but I do like a bit of singing, just not the happy clappy type, but glad you enjoyed it.
@Ally Mc Culladgh: sounds like the opposite of mass in Ireland.
@Ally Mc Culladgh: I say each to their own. Personally I have turned from Catholicism but I do not belittle or disrespect those who remain. Whatever helps you gain inner peace is fine by me, so long as it’s not doing harm.
@Anna Carr:. Take your happiness and comfort wherever you can find it. Life is tough enough as it is without having any hope or meaning in it.
@Ally Mc Culladgh: I’m just curious if that was a Catholic Mass. I’d not be so impressed if it was.
@Brian Hunt: the question states ‘religious setvices’ does that also apply to non Christian religions.. I. m Jewish so how does that apply to me?
@Ally Mc Culladgh:
Sounds like it was an evangelical church.
@Anna Carr: I agree, all religions are man-made and mankind is flawed. I believe in spirituality but as you said, each to their own.
Not if you paid me. Complete waste of time… But “oh, it’s brings such relief and inner peace to the auld dears”… In other words, it’s no better than reading a good book
@Joecantdance: not if you were to be paid?! I’d be confident that you would probably watch a religious service this weekend for a relatively small amount of money…..
… and if it does bring ‘relief and inner peace to auld dears’ then how bad is that?!
@Dec: Depends on what kind of money we’re talking about.
@Joecantdance: why not just choose not to watch, without belittling the faith of those who wish to? I practice no religion, but I fully accept the rights of others to do so and if they take peace and comfort from it, well good for them. Not everyone enjoys reading either you know, but I’m sure they don’t want to come around and burn your books!
@Joecantdance: What you should have said was “A complete waste of time for me. I know it brings inner peace to others, but for me I would get the same from reading a good book”.
The exact same message but far less disparaging.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Well said!
@Jo H: Thank you for making a thoughtful and compassionate comment.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: perhaps if religion wasn’t so pervasive and influential in society they might well have said that. I say “might” because I don’t go around policing what people say and telling them what they should say or not.
@Jo H: and there’s the rub, religion does go around trying the influence the society we live in. If they didn’t do that, then I would say something similar to your comment. Until religion doesn’t try to influence Irish society, then your comment might as well have been, “I don’t brain wash people or rob them of their freedom, but I fully accept the rights of others to do so”. People have a right to believe what they want, but when those beliefs try to influence other people who do not believe the same thing, then we should stop pandering to them and start calling a spade a spade.
@Jo H: It deserves to be belittled as do people who blindly follow a God who has ignored them for the last 14 months.
@Joecantdance: ah in fairness “God” has been ignoring people for a lot longer than 14 months.
@David Stapleton: I am not telling people what they should or should not say. I am just hoping that people might put a little thought into the way they sat it!
@David Stapleton: I am specifically saying allow people to follow whichever faith they choose, that includes your own opinion too. I’m not talking about the rights andd wrongs of the higher organisation. It seems in this thread the only people being forceful are those without faith, I don’t see any believers, right here, in this particular conversation arguing, pushing or brainwashing anyone. I know plenty of people with strong faith, but none ever try to convince me that I am wrong, they are tolerant of others views just as much as I am
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Then perhaps your first line shouldn’t have been “What you should have said…”.
@David Stapleton: Point Taken! :-)
@Jo H: I too know religious people who don’t push their faith on people, but, they belong to an organisation that does, and until they don’t I will speak out. Are you saying that at least some of them didn’t vote against the majority who voted for divorce, the right to abortion, etc.? That they said “I wouldn’t do it and I will vote so that nobody else can do it either”? You say they didn’t try to influence society, but this is simply not true because their beliefs are given to them by that organisation. If these people have kids and have indoctrinated their children into the same organisation that they belong to, then they are guilty of brain washing vulnerable children. That they don’t see it that way doesn’t change the facts.
@Joecantdance: It deserves to be belittled as do people who blindly follow a God who has ignored them for the last 14 months.
Maybe he/she is just ignoring you Joe.
You seem pretty miserable whatever the reason.
@Joecantdance: peace be with you
@Jo H: well said
@Rúraíocht: Way too much nonsense talked about God from both supporters and detractors.
@David Stapleton: I said they didn’t try to influence me. Again, I’m talking about the rights/ beliefs of an individual, not the behaviour of an organisation. I personally voted in support of same sex marriage and repealing the 8th, I’m just a tad too young to have voted in the divorce referendum but would have supported it too. I have debated these issues with people of course, there will always be opposing views and conversations educate both sides. In relation to those three issues, most people I know, even those of a religious persuasion voted in support of SS marriage and divorce as they were able to look at it outside of the scope of religious teachings and I know very well educated, scientifically minded, non religious younger people who voted against repeal much to my surprise.
@Jo H: Is today, when; Obi eat Orbi.
@Jo H: and, once again, I do too. However, no matter how selfless and quiet a person is, if they follow that organisation, get the basic rules from that organisation, then I will point it out. Their item of faith, their outlook on life, while having much to merit, is also from that organisation. That organisation is a lying, hypocritical entity, that is based on lies, have influenced world events because of those lies and, in my opinion, needs to go.
@Joecantdance: Read Ally’s post above again. Many non-religious people could relate to that.
@Joecantdance: “the auld dears” is that meant to be insulting?
@David Stapleton: I am not debating the organisation, fundamentally I completely agree with you on the over-reaching influence of the church. However, this discussion all began with a comment that was, in my opinion, needlessly rude and dismissive of an individual’s beliefs and any comfort they receive from those beliefs. You, I or Joe maybe not believe or take that same comfort but we don’t have any right to put down someone else who is minding their own business and taking solace where they find it. The same commentator later went on to say these people deserved to be belittled – nobody deserves to be belittled and even if they did, it is not to any of us to be the judge and jury on it.
@Jo H: I 100% agree with you. So long as we remain relatively respectful, I still think that, even those who say that they have faith should be brought up, again, respectively on where that faith derives from, and what organisation is the head of that faith.
@David Stapleton: for an atheist religion seems to be a big part of Your life.
@Seamus Mac: Thanks for making my point. Unfortunately it’s a big part of everyone’s lives because it is so entrenched in society. However, I live in France, so it’s not as big as all that. If religion truly didn’t influence or try to influence others, then I would be one of the ones standing up for people to choose, as long as it is not as children being indoctrinated into their parents religion. But it is what it is…
Everyone has the right to practice their religion without persecution. Some of the comments here are disgraceful. If you don’t want to watch don’t. But leave those that do in peace.
@James Kelly: Comments on a news app poll aren’t persecution.
@James Kelly: just like they let everyone do their own thing through out history. Oooo hold on they didn’t. I don’t believe in God but karma is a hard pill to swallow
@James Kelly: would you be happy for Mosque to be set up in your neighbourhood?
@Robbie Doyle: True, but a good deal of them stink of the same type of intolerance the church has displayed for centuries.
Let’s not make hypocrits of ourselves and accept that others have beliefs we don’t agree with.
@Ted Logan: WHAT THE ACTUAL TRUCK does that have to do with anything?
@Davey Ohanlon: intolerance all round it would seem. Perhaps it is part of the human condition?
God is imaginary.
@Philip Cooper: yes nobody ever saw him but it’s faith that keeps people going these days
@Eoin Fitzgerald: speak for yourself
@Eoin Fitzgerald: which is just plain stooopid in this day and age. Stu-pid and lazy.
@Talkingsense 2.0: I didn’t say faith keeps EVERYBODY going but it does help quiet a lot. If you don’t want to have faith in your life, that has no impact on me but faith is important for many.
@Eoin Fitzgerald: I have faith in God being imaginary.
That doesn’t mean we can’t stay optimistic.
@Philip Cooper: whatever floats your boat
@Philip Cooper: by fairh you mean that you believe this but cant exactly prove it? Proof being verifiable, measurable and concrete? Worth a look.
https://online.wsj.com/articles/eric-metaxas-science-increasingly-makes-the-case-for-god-1419544568
@Dermattg …faith…
@Dermattg: no that’s not what I mean.
I mean I’m certain God is imaginary.
@Dermattg: You offer proof of a god by posting an article by a christian conservative radio host? Dear oh dear. Whats next, an article by Ronald McDonald about how happy meals are good for kids??
@Philip Cooper: sure how do you know you’re not!
@Philip Cooper: “I mean I’m certain God is imaginary.”
I don’t believe myself but seeing as you’re certain, you must have proof.
Care to enlighten the rest of us?
@Dermattg: I don’t think there is any evidence for or against the existence of a God. There is plenty of evidence against the Catholic idea of God though
@Mickety Dee: The god of the bible, thanks to the contradictions in the bible itself, cannot exist by definition.
@The Risen: That makes no sense. Thanks to the contradictions in the bible itself, cannot exist by definition. 1st of all what contradictions? And since when does a contradiction disprove something?
@Alan: Proof by contradiction is one of the main methods learned in Mathematics. To prove that Sqrt2 is irrational, we assume that it is rational and then we contradict that statement.
@Will: the burden of prof lies with those who believe a magical bearded man who lives in the sky invented us.
Prove to me that banjo-playing unicorns don’t exist. Time starts now.
Yes looking at mass every Sunday
Where is the option for “i will in my ballix”
@Anthony Hilton: it’s the “no” option
JESUS SAID I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE .
He is alive and able to heal and change the heart of anyone who calls to Him .
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: give it a rest.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: looks like he shouted it.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: I say that a lot too does that mean I am a god too
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: His punctuation wasn’t great.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: I am sure others said pretty much the same thing before him…
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: is that the 4ft carpenter fella a bunch auld lads wrote a book about cause he did a few magic trick at a sesh one night?
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: No. Some human said Jesus said this. Snap out of it.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: Tell him tó heal the world so I can visit my kids
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: no he didn’t actually say anything. Someone you admired, trusted,loved and respected told you he said it and you believed them.
Racism, religion, bigotry all spread in the same way, it’s the people in our lives that we loved, trusted or admired that told us the way of the world back when our minds were too immature to think critically.
@Philip Cooper: well it’s proven that JC existed, then you may or may not believe he was a god. The ‘things’ that others said and did in the past it’s called ‘history’.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: What’s the Number.
@MB Ní Dhonnagáin: Here is the problem, you have the right to believe and practice whatever you want. Please show a little respect for others by not shouting superstitious nonsense. Thank you.
@Dixieblue: why should MB Ni Dhonnagain give it a rest can everyone not have a point of view.
Ah come Journal, this is just pure dog whistling.
@Jane: How so?
I’m too spoilt for choice. I’m never sure which of the 3500 gods I’m to worship?
Do I just take a pick via eeny meany miney mo or do I pick Catholicism or Christianity cause they’re the most common gods and faith to follow here in Ireland cause I was born here?
Who is the coolest god? One that’s sound like and doesn’t allow for parasites to burn the eyes out of children?
@Tom: Crocodylus pontifex is pretty cool. Not quite sure if he’s an actual god though. Howld on, I’ll try to summon him…
@Tom: You don’t get to pick. Your place if birth has already predetermined your choice
Why can’t we vote to ban religions the way we vote to ban a person’s human rights?
These doctrines have harmful content, and followers have enacted what is said in these writings.
@Dean: we could ban atheism too while we are at it.
People who play darts or bridge or pick blackberries or any other human activity don’t interfere in schools, demand access to the airwaves or take over countries and control people with laws. They just get on with doing their thing but religions have to always be in other people’s faces.
Makes me laugh the people giving out about religion, and believe me I’m not myself and never will be a fan of the RCC, are the same people who probably vote for political parties who’s promises and faith are as blind as any religion, expect God doesn’t fleece the taxpayer for massive pay packets and pensions. Online mass is some comfort for many especially the elderly who have been locked away like endangered animals for the last year in their own homes or nursing homes and even though fully vaccinated in cases still have no freedom….so while ya might hate on the church, for many it’s the last bit of normality they get to experience for the last 12 months
@Tarraing Mo Liathróidí: god doesn’t fleece the taxpayer but his self-appointed representatives most certainly do.
@Joey Navinski: I don’t think priests get multiple pensions for failing at their jobs like politicians….again the church isn’t great but in terms of financial damage caused to this country, it’s still got a way to go to be even in the same league as say FFG causing us economic misery
Is there anything to be said for saying another mass?
Even when I was more religious/spiritual the idea of attending mass never appealed to me. Tbh I never felt I got anything out of it, spiritually or otherwise.
I don’t know what I believe. However I’ll never knock religion for defining a value system that brings spiritual harmony to communities.
Those whom criticise followers of faith have no right to. Live & let live.
@Rúraíocht: In simplified terms – what Atheists think of religion and its followers – It is a man made ideology and people are a bit silly for following it.
What Christianity thinks of atheists (according to the bible) – all will go to hell to suffer for eternity.
What Islam thinks of atheists living in a Muslim state – they should be converted to Islam if they don’t they must pay the “jizya” a type of tax or if they do neither of these they must be fought until they are killed.
But yea, the atheists have no right to criticise anyone religion.
@Ted Logan: the jizya was paid by anyone who is non muslim.
I think a “Hell No ” , option would have been very appropriate .
I’d rather put a bonfire out with my face
I’ve no meas in mass.
To try not to forget completely the religious aspect of Easter yes I will
Is it not a bit strange that Jesus was “supposedly” born on the 25th of Dec, but he died and arose on different dates every year ? I’m confused.
@Barry Teehan: basically he allegedly died after the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after the Spring Equinox. That date changes every year because the moon isn’t always doing the same thing on the same day every year.
@Barry Teehan: Wasn’t the 25th Dec picked because it coincided with another pagan festival held at that time of year? The Church has cooped many non Christian festivals in this way I think. Clever really!
@Will: Correct, Emperor Constantine co-opted the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia in order to ‘convert’ them. Pope Ratzinger also stated Jesus was most likely born in September.
@Ian Downes: other groups and individuals in society were also culpable. Try to see the bigger picture. Abuse is vile, and it’s too easy to blame ‘the church’ and not look at the abuse taking place on the street outside ‘the church’. The cover up by the institution of Catholicism was appalling, but so was the cover up in families. I know. I experienced it.
No but Ill give the red wine a good shot:)
I like to record mass then play it backwards, watch pensioners spit communion out then march backwards into their seats.
@Koochulan: sounds like a fulfilling life you lead.
Haven’t been to a church in 40 years, don’t intend to start now. Had enough of that crap beaten into me when I was growing up.
Contrary to what others have said above, many people have seen Jesus/God in many forms – Moses and the Burning Bush (10 Commandments tablets – said to be now in Ethiopia, jealously still guarded by generations of Christian Ethiopian Monks); The Apostles, in his human life, spent mostly in Galilee, in (now) Israel; Apostles Peter, James and John on top of Mount Tabor – the Mount of the Transfiguration (of Jesus merging into God) – in Lr Galilee (I was up the Mount) and many others.
In more recent centuries and decades:
- A doubting Brazilian Catholic priest, while boringly celebrating Mass and Consecration, lifted the ‘bread’ Host up as normal, placed it on the altar, knelt down and when he got up again, found a bleeding beating human heart in its place and promptly fainted. Everyone in the Church saw this happen and later gave testimonies. The ‘heart’, no longer bleeding or beating, is now preserved in some Brazilian Church, which can be visited (sorry, I don’t have a link; I saw a video of it all once).
- German Nun Anne Catherine Emmirich (d. 1824) had several visions of Jesus while sickly bed-ridden and received the Stigmata wounds… She was the one who, though bed-ridden and never outside Germany, told two German monks exactly where to find what’s now known as the ‘House of the Virgin Mary’ in Ephesus, Turkey, now a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims. (I visited it).
- In Knock, Ireland, in 1879, 15 people of differing ages saw Jesus, represented by a lamb on an altar, with the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John beside the altar and ‘angels’ hovering above the altar (I’ve been there three times, always a beautiful experience).
- Polish Nun Sister Faustina (d. 1938) also had several visions of Jesus and is responsible for painting, under Jesus’ orders, the famous ‘Jesus I Trust You’ image that is widely revered in the week after Easter. (I keep the image beside my bed, in trust).
- Italian Padre Pio (d. 1968), also a Stigmatic, saw Jesus every time he lifted the Host during Mass & Consecration (photos of him in ecstasy frequently historically photographically captured).
- In our more recent times, Pope Benedict XVI, is also said to have seen Jesus… which is why he retired to privately write books about his beliefs (anyone can buy them). He has a particular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
All the above can be researched online.
It never amazes me how much ignorance many posters here display about Jesus/God. You have to “get out there” and experience these things, travel a good bit and experience the historical facts in your own real life.
My religion doesn’t observe special days in the calendar as every day is holy.
That said. I wish everyone who observes Easter a lovely celebration. Next Easter will be much more hectic with all the families likely to come together again. Enjoy the silence before the storm.
In the near future all forms of religious adherence will be recognised as a form of mental illness
Genuine question, what’s so special about Easter?
@Ted Logan: it is when we worship Ostara, goddess of fertility and renewal.
I’ll be a book of myths and legends alright, but it won’t be the religious one
I will not attend a service but I will listen to highlights from Handel’s Messiah.
have your say