I had a data entry job at a catholic university around the time
of the oj Simpson trial. Sat at noon services with the priests.
Seemed like nice guys. Figured I could do what they did. Being
in a helper role, you can perform it anywhere you go, whatever
the context. There's humans - they need help somehow. While I
was there, considering becoming Roman Catholic and straight to
priest or monk (glad I didn't but I could've done it), I talked
to a lot of 'em. The priests, the academics, read the whole
Catechism as it was in.. 1995 I guess. Big thick book. Nice Q&A
format. Reminded me of the FAQ from Usenet that I was already
familiar with. Started a mailing list called MINISTRY - got a
bunch of ministers and priests and religious leaders of all
faiths together. Talked things over with them, let them talk
amongst themselves. It got pretty big - a few thousand members.
Participated in AOL chat rooms too on the subject. Still a few
things didn't 'jive' with me very well. I could've ignored them
and done it anyway, but there were things that just "got in the
way" a little bit that I couldn't quite put my finger on. One
lunchtime, I went through the yellow pages trying to find a
religious group I HADN'T looked at, as I was trying to get "As
Authentic" as I could get, and there was this Orthodox thing.
Called one up, immediately felt more comfortable. Married
priests, did house blessings, traditional without 'feeling' old
or conservative - had all the ancient qualities I'd expected to
see in the RCC but didn't really find. So, it was a fun ride.
