i had to fix a couple of typos...you can remove the other one....


Guest(whoever you are because you don't sign in with a name, and you should)..I'm aware of Constantine, and the battle at Istanbul, in which he claimed to see a cross etc etc...and about his mother pushing for all the other stuff too...and i was going to put that history into my post, and you are correct...but I cut and pasted from another site, being short on time....regardless, the Roman Empire co-opted the newly spreading Christian faith..(much like the Democratic Party co-opted the 'Peace Movement' in the 60's)..Christianity had nothing to do with forming the 'First Reich'..and for that matter not really much to do with the formation of the Catholic Church, either.

That being said...which brings us to the second point, Catholic schools spit in the milk of public schools academically....NO Comparison!! If a parent wanted their kids to get a decent education and are willing to pay the tuition, let them...matter of fact, all the more power to them!
.....and that being said.....Spirituality is a gift..it does not come from how many crucifixes are on the wall, or how many chants you repeat....it doesn't come from liturgical attendances...music, as well is a gift...it doesn't come from what 'artists' you like..or what everyone around you is listening to...or what is 'hip' and the trend d'jour....it IS a gift....and truth to tell, it comes from the same place spirituality comes from...not because you picked up an instrument in your pubescent years just to get noticed or laid....and the people who excel at music are people who have a PASSION for it...people who get spiritually closer are people who have a PASSION for it...and that doesn't particularity mean making a pest of yourself about it or trying to shove it down other people's throats...it's way too personal, as is music and how it forms within.
...and of course, that being said......
'Religion', the word, just means 'way of life'...for those who miss out on being spiritual there's always a Religion(as in an organized church) that they can subscribe to. That doesn't mean that a parishioner isn't or can't be spiritual, but it also doesn't mean that their spirituality comes from being a good parishioner or 'church member'....
....that being said(again), your 'way of life'(religion) has to do more with your behavior patterns, more than what you THINK you 'Believe' or say you profess.......
..and that being said (once again) atheism is NOT a religion, or way of life...but it can be an excuse for bad behavior and resenting authority...but atheism is NOT a striven for attainment of anything...if so, what?...and if they 'battle God' or the widespread belief in God, then it would be safe to say that they are more obsessed about God, than many a church going parishioner!!!

Now instead of re-acting, just THINK about it, first...CALMLY...and you will probably come to the same conclusion....unless you're still grinding you own personal axes...that nobody sees, or even cares about.
(Must feel about the same as a 'religious' fanatic!!).

Waving.........
GfS