Mr. Piggott,

I was raised as an RC, and attended schools grammar (1-8), and HS (9-12th) the last one - Jesuits! Society of Jesus! Let me tell you something, they were corrupt to the “core”. I do not wish to dishonor them for any publicity, or disrespect Jesus. Even the grammar school where I was taught basics of my religion was corrupted by bad nuns. (One of them saved me from hell, a dear Sister Noreen, 250 pounds of LOVE! She’s my hero! She turned a blind eye and sometimes laughed at my dark humor! I’m not a bad guy. I defended the weakest boys in my class, when bullies met with the weak guys.

I was not in any “popular group”, just a tough kid from the sticks. (I was a rural unpopular kid, but since my dad required me to work physically, on the weekends, I developed muscles, and speed with same. I’ll always bet with “the underdog”. I like the odds when I’m on that team!

Regarding all this “scripture” stuff? I’ve heard it all! You know what stuck with me all those years of “brainwashing”? The story of the Good Samaratin. Read it sometime. I’ll tell you something important my internet friend. “I’ll take ACTION over PRAYER ANY DAY! You pray all you want, “I’m the guy asking the old lady struggling with carrying the bag of groceries.” “I’m the guy giving anybody a “little help”.” Prayer is what I do, when I fucked up, and accidentally pissed someone off. I always apologize. I request grace and forgiveness for mishandling someone, or something. I think this church thing is a “scape goat” for most of the attendees, not all, but most. I walk between two religions, my wife is a Buddhist. I don’t try to “convert”, I am the living example of what would Jesus do! I have my wife and one sister “mirroring me”. I ask them, as Buddhists, “Did Buddha ever have followers murdered for following his teachings?, 11 did for Jesus? These were common men, nothing beyond ordinary men.” I then say “Do you think these ordinary guys knew something?” My MD sister has been asking me questions about this, and my faith. In every province that we visit, if there is a church, I spend an hour there, “my time’. Can’t talk about it.

Mr. Piggott, I don’t attend mass unless it’s a funeral, wedding, or baptism.

If you ever want to attend something “transformational”, attend a Buddhist Songkram Festival. I just did. Tamboon by my lovely Nong (baby sister). I’m still a devote follower of Jesus but attempt in my own way to “exemplify” good deeds. Be a leader, not a “follower”. When I arrive at the Pearly Gates, “I’m the guy who didn’t attend church, but took your words into things I could do, to help out where I could”! The more selfless acts of kindness, sometimes “charity”, “I dig that!” That’s my Jesus. No proclamations. When someone asks “What’s your faith?” “Why do you do this or that?” They’re already hooked! My internet friend.

Simple actionable state of being. Simple, but profound.

“Act as though you were God in that moment!” “Be Jesus!” You will NEVER BE WRONG! Church (is in my mind), it’s a place I visit to express the most gratitude I possibly can, express need for wisdom and assistance in matters of importance (guidance, consol, path forward, sometimes “tools”). My training is as an empath (not the ordinary kind, but the one forged in iron from Catholic schools and the deranged nuns and priests who were my prison guards, and wardens).

Mr. Piggot, I mean you no disrespect. I can only speak from my honest truth. If you can respect that, then I am pleased. I hope did not offend you, (I’m an Asperger’s, among many unique challenged folks who have no friends). I don’t have a “social filter”, it’s absent in my intellect. I can’t even fake it, because I don’t know how. I hope this message doesn’t upset you, not my intent. Just to awaken you to the possibility, that Jesus wants you to interact with his children, and pull them out of “shit” when you can! When they decide your a person they wish to mirror, then you say “Jesus”. Then you have performed something good. You mirrored Jesus. Capishe? Comprende?

What your being sedated by, you can “read on your own”. “God made everyone of us, even the assholes!” He has a sense of humor! “You have his spark inside you!” “Just awaken that “spark”. Feed it, it will feed you! Promise. The most powerful force in the universe, it’s “love”. The “love” I speak is not lust or “longing for another”, it’s the same love that appears when you kiss your mother, father, relative, or child your fond of. It’s the “parental version” of love, or the love you have for a close friend, while you are attending their funeral. That’s the stuff I’m describing! Just an old guy musing over lost friends and family.

Mr. Piggott, you’re a good guy. I know that! Thank you for penning your article. It took work. You hit the soccer ball towards the goal. It was still going to be a goal, but it bounced off my foot, and it’s still a goal! Amen to you man! It was your kinetic energy that hit the ball. I touched it in a teensy beensy way.