Drinking or working? Part 2

Out early evening yesterday. Dropped oldest off at Beavers and then to the pub for an hour with the youngest, his friend and her dad. Time for another run at my questions, this time with 'Mr Philby'.

Again, my age (ish)- male, 2 children. As a recap, these are the questions:-

• Did you ever go?
• First impressions of word ‘church?’
• What led to you walking away?
• What kind of church would you go to?
• Is spirituality important?

So.... he was confirmed in a CoWales church and went to a church school. It was a place he valued and felt comfortable in.

The 'c' word- 'childhood', 'nostalgic'. Church was compulsory, but not resented at school. He now describes himself as a 'Creaster' Christian- always there at Christmas and Easter, but no more than that (has appeared at 'Sunday Breakfast' and 'Messy Church' from time to time.) He did start to come more often since the children were born- felt it was important for them to have a Christian framework. Wanted to replicate his childhood for them. This was a 'positive' and not a 'passive' statement.

His training in environmental science has led him to question the existance of God, but not actively. Science and faith contradict- particularly the O.T.

If he went to a church, it would be CoE- nostalgia and knowing the hymns. Feeling safe in the liturgy.

Spirituality is hard to define, but it is important- lies behind all his answers.

Annoyance- why have good human values been hijacked by religion? So, for instance- 'human values' become 'Christian values'.


A lot to think about for me. Again, not least the importance of 'third places'- being in situations where I have no authority- using these questions as jumping off points and listening...,...

Oh well- finally (at 1.30am) the GCSEs have finished- no framework now......