T is a Catholic, and tries to visit church every week. The last time I dropped in to the 7-11, we chatted about his religion, after I noticed him wearing a cross.
'Do you go to church often?' T asked.
T wears his hair in a Korean-style hairdo, long down the sides of his face. His chest is bony, and he pulls at his pants nervously when we talk.
'Hardly ever...I went to a tiny Christian church in the market here once. Middle-aged women were learning Chinese. It looked like a happy-clappy church.'
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| The church in Talad Phlu |
T says he has been to several local churches, none of them particularly grand. The congregation is mainly Thai.
I shall have to ask him tomorrow when he started observing Christianity, or whether he was brought up that way.
With the exception of that poky little place in the market, I have not been inside a real church since I left the West to live in Thailand more than eight years ago.
It's about time this sinner returned to the fold of a warm, friendly congregation, though I am nervous about what awaits.
I am not a Catholic, but no one else in church will know that. But will they try to button-hole me as their only farang churchgoer, and ask me to spread the word?
T says he enjoys taking the bread in his mouth which the priest hands out at communion.
If he invites me to join him at communion, I might have to decline, as it's not part of my faith.
On the other hand, it's been a while since a man put anything in my mouth, so why not?
Today T called me with instructions where to meet. 'Wait for me at 8.30, outside the 7-11, if you like,' he suggested. 'I will come and get you.'
I wondered if I would be able to get up in time.
'What do I wear?' I asked.
Before I leave I shall have to look up the Thai words for Bible, congregation, and priest. Then I'll be right...well, that's what I am telling myself anyway.
At that early hour of the day, my mind is barely functioning, but I will have to make sure I am fed, watered, washed and dressed by 8.30 if we are to make it to church on time.
Another unsettling thought has just occurred to me. Do I have to sing?
I also haven't been to church in more than 5-6 years. I don't remember the last time i went. Even though my religion is fairly accepting of gays, i still have some trouble bringing myself to go. Maybe this will inspire me :P
ReplyDeleteCan you sing in Thai?
ReplyDeleteJudging by recent comments from the pope, the old Nazi might not be welcoming gays into his church.
ReplyDeleteThere are hundreds of religions on this planet & they can't all be right. More likely, the Catholic church is just a long running money making scam.
A visit to the Vatican will confirm how much wealth they have creamed off over the centuries.
But do go if you must.
Neil: I have never sung church music in Thai before.
ReplyDelete