Michael Barnes's Dark Secret

Jeff White wrote: My wife and I were raised Catholic and I'm down with some traditional hymns or gospel songs, but for the past few years we've been attending a United Methodist service and they play this 'contemporary/pop' music and it's garbage. Honestly, I feel a bit embarrassed when the band plays or the congregation sings (with hands in the air). Not for me at all.

This statement I made yesterday bothered me a bit last night. I didn't mean to throw these folks under the bus, who am I to say how they should express themselves? This part of the service simply isn't for me though. All the rest is good.

White, I think it's completely fine to judge a service that you're attending. it's not like you saw it on TV and got all judgmental. You have an informed opinion and there are ways that you prefer to worship, that's all.

I was also raised Catholic and that scene wouldn't be for me. If church service doesn't put you to sleep then it's not proper church service.

This (still) Catholic from the other side of the world think the same way.

I really like some of the things I heard. Once a Christian priest told me that we should be happy during church service. I fully agree. Catholic mass often become a somber or even boring routine. But, boy, they do go overboard!

(I love jumping and clapping during Christian service just for the heck of it)

Every once in awhile, they'll break out an old time tent revival song and that's fun, but yeah the pop stuff...no.

Sevej, I'm down with Pope Francis. So far the man is golden.

I think metal bands into faux 'theatre' Satanism are just as bad, preaching to the converted indeed. Wow, let's be real cool and say a prayer to Satan. It's like watching a bad Hammer horror or a shitty Dennis Wheatley novel.

They wouldn't know a real Satanist if he/she came up and vomited pea soup over them.

Chapel wrote: I'm a stuffy old Lutheran, and I hate when white non-denoms try to be a"cool" by introducing hip flavor savor creed screed.

Say your hail Marys, and be safe from evil.

Disclaimer: Stryper was a little bit awesome.

Hail Satan.

P.S. Johnny Cash was my 2nd cousin.

I thought I was the only stuffy old Lutheran here...

Christian music to me is the height of blandness and takes no real skill to write. Nothing against the singers, many of whom have musical talent, but it is the Diet Coke of music: just one calorie, not musical enough. One of my favorite South Park episodes is "Christian Rock Hard," which absolutely nailed it. Substitute "Jesus" for "baby" and the songs write themselves.

I had a dream about Barnes last night. He was directing a golf tournament. No idea why he was doing so or why I was in it.

I had a Barnes dream, and I've never met him. I can't quite remember what happened.

I sing Mormon hymns, but prefer the more upbeat ones, while my wife, who was raised Episcopalian, likes the slower, somber, puritan/amish sounding stuff.