It’s weird being an outsider, y’know. But, I went to a Carol Service, ‘cos it was Christmas, innit.
Ok, let’s examine this: I didn’t go because it was Christmas. It was to do stuff related to recording the service for an unspecified reason for a friend. And because it was Christmas, that’s why the Carol Service was happening. But hey, I’m probably explaining stuff you already know.
Anyway, I don’t ever do this religion stuff, so, as I say, I’m an outsider. Therefore seeing god-bothering in action is a novelty at best and very strange and unusual, maybe even scary, at worst.
I don’t get exposed to people prostrating themselves at their god’s feet on a daily basis. Well, I suppose, not ever really. So, this was a novelty for me.
The bit I found most fascinating is how ‘real’ it is for those under its spell. I thought it would be just a sing-song. However, at various random points a keyword would be said, and eyes would close or heads would bow and all would go silent and ‘pray’. This is similar to watch to the state that those deeply hypnotised will drop into on command by a stage hypnotist for the amusement and entertainment of the rest of the un-hypnotised audience.
However, the un-hynotised audience for this Carol Service seemed to consist of one – me.
I appreciate that there are other religions that demand their drones fall into this type of trance 5 or 6 times a day rather than stop and question or free-think about what they are doing, so this particular religion with its Carol Service lets its followers off a bit.
I’m sure those attending went away feeling spiritually cleansed and rejuvenated, and I know that most can’t exist without the addiction of the crutch that their religion gives them. However, shouldn’t we be rehabilitating them and encouraging them to think for themselves? Or would it be dangerous having a world of free-thinkers?
England's England 
We go to our village carol service every year. It's fine. Mostly, until the vicar starts banging on about world peace and how we should all be getting on better (conveniently forgetting to mention that the main reason folks around the world are blowing eachother to pieces is..er………religion). Then he comes out with all the, Mary was impregnated by a magic ghost llobocks (pardon my Welsh), and I look around me and people just seem to buy into it. No rolling of eyes, no sighing, no FFS's, nothing. Most odd. And these are largely bright people- doctors, scientists, estate agents* etc. It is as you say like some kind of spell- the god botherers start their claptrap and the vulnerable- and the gullible unquestionably buy into it. It seems that all you need to do is wear a fancy frock and people will believe any old shite that comes out of your mouth. I might try it sometime!
*OK maybe not everyone was that bright
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