In that a bishop put oil on my forehead, taped my check, and declared me a soldier of Christ, after weeks of theological study.

Stopped attending mass a few years later. Still go, now and again. Only for funerals and weddings. Not even a Christmas/Easter Catholic (C&E) anymore.

But much depends on the priest. Get A Jesuit up there for the homily and you might actually learn something.

I have known many priests over the decades, and without exception they have been smart and caring individuals. The ones that gave last rights to my father, mother, and uncle were wonderful people who helped our family during those difficult times. The priest when I was in middle school was a cigar smoking, whiskey drinking Irishman with a wicked sense of humor.

But my own spiritual perceptions evolved. And as I became educated on the history of the Vatican and the church I could no longer view them in a favorable way. And the abuse scandals were the final straw.

I like the philosophy of Jesus Christ in the four main Gospels. But starting with his apostles, I don't think many of his followers actually got the message. I don't need a church to strive to be a good person. Christ said as much.

The Garden of Love

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

I went to the Garden of Love,
And saw what I never had seen:
A Chapel was built in the midst,
Where I used to play on the green.

And the gates of this Chapel were shut,
And 'Thou shalt not' writ over the door;
So I turn'd to the Garden of Love,
That so many sweet flowers bore.

And I saw it was filled with graves,
And tomb-stones where flowers should be:
And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds,
And binding with briars, my joys & desires.