http://www.poptheology.com/2008/10/the-real-thing/ Where religion meets pop culture. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:49:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.poptheology.com/2008/10/the-real-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-2119 Audrey Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:35:19 +0000 http://www.poptheology.com/?p=664#comment-2119 Well, there is some level of imposter-ness in all ministers. It just seems heightened in those in whom too much faith is given. I would say that yes, people can have 'authentic' religious experiences even if their minister is a sham at it, but they can also be complicit in expecting their minister to be more holy than they are and in being disappointed when they find out their minister's truer thoughts. Expecting an outside force to convey the religious experience for you, and expecting him (or her) to be pure and sacred enough to be that conduit, sets you up for disappointment - and that is actually a good thing, because it may uncover for you paths to real-er, authentic religious experience that originates within you, and which can, frankly, be tapped into in any circumstance, regardless of one's peers' or ministers' intentions.... Well, there is some level of imposter-ness in all ministers. It just seems heightened in those in whom too much faith is given. I would say that yes, people can have ‘authentic’ religious experiences even if their minister is a sham at it, but they can also be complicit in expecting their minister to be more holy than they are and in being disappointed when they find out their minister’s truer thoughts. Expecting an outside force to convey the religious experience for you, and expecting him (or her) to be pure and sacred enough to be that conduit, sets you up for disappointment – and that is actually a good thing, because it may uncover for you paths to real-er, authentic religious experience that originates within you, and which can, frankly, be tapped into in any circumstance, regardless of one’s peers’ or ministers’ intentions….

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