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| Satan, by Richard Westall, Poetical Works of John Milton, 1794 |
A letter from Bishop Slattery of Tulsa:
The battle is very real, if not between divine and devilish sides, then human approximations that are equally hostile.
Aside from the religious aspects, it's a matter of manners. We all share the same space, breathe the same air, enjoy the same public services and protections. A lot of problems could be solved just by being a little more considerate of others' feelings.
For those that don't know, the Black Mass involves the desecration of a previously consecrated host (communion bread), which Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans and some others believe is the real body of Jesus.
It's not a trivial insult, and the communion bread is likely stolen (if it's really consecrated at all; consecrated elements are not kept in a cupboard, but on the altar or in an ark).
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The spectacle will certainly attract a few curiosity seekers, countercultural types, and kids looking for meaning outside family, school, or church (which provide increasingly less).
But not real Satanists.
From what I know of such things, black masses are private affairs open only to carefully screened and sincere participants. You can't just walk into one (or buy a ticket).
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And if I might be allowed one final observation, it's mostly the hope for something new and persistent that attracts alienated personalities to this sort of thing. Christian churches do it too.
Novelty is fleeting, and if there's nothing anchoring the initial enthusiasm, seekers will move on.
How quickly they leave and what they leave behind says a lot.
This is a real church service at Central Christian Church in Henderson, NV
(I have no personal experience with this church or anyone that goes there. Just a good example from Youtube of what a church should not be.)
[2014-08-07]
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