The Catholic position would be that that isn't what the Mass is for; it's a ritual sacrifice that meets a real spiritual need. Similarly, the priest doesn't need to be especially likeable or even give a homily in order to say a valid Mass.
Re:Japan's Hometown Tax
by EatingWithForks on Monday September 18, 2023 @02:41PM
(#37560214)
None of those have to do with community formation, which is what the subject is about.
Sure, but you're going to be fighting an uphill battle if you want to make the Mass into that.
Re:Japan's Hometown Tax
by EatingWithForks on Monday September 18, 2023 @03:59PM
(#37561191)
Right, so I'm pointing out that places of worship may not actually be great Third Spaces. They may not offer the community that people say they do.
I'm extremely skeptical of church as a community building thing now, because based off of my white friends recollection there's very little actual community around worship itself. There are a bunch of volunteer actions outside of it, but just going to worship isn't itself community. This makes me question why we can't have a generic mutual aid group do this instead, like the Anarchist Soup folks.