11:33 p.m. — I think I just realized the hidden secret to meeting friends as an adult and/or parent…
Join a church.
After pouring a glass of whiskey and Coke tonight, I thought, why do people even get involved with a church community in the first place?
I can’t deny the prevalence or importance of religiosity and spirituality (and other equivalent moral dogmas) among individuals in contemporary life. But many would agree: Organized religion is obviously a simple comfort or vehicle for cynical ends (depending on your motives). I’ve noticed that even devout believers have gradually begun to step away from the church as an institution.
Perhaps this view of mine can be attributed to my lapsed Catholicism, or my appreciation of Nietzsche’s deconstruction of Christianity.
The notion of people only attending Sunday morning services to compare clothes was always puzzling to me. But as I thought more about it, I gradually realized the appeal.
It’s been almost 4 years since I graduated from college, and the most significant shock of transitioning to post-graduate adulthood was the isolation. After graduating, it’s common to experience moving to another state for work, or friends moving away. Additionally, the 40-hour work week is a major hindrance on social life — weekends are for catching up on sleep, not socializing. It can be very lonely at times.
All of this begs the question: Where do people look for friends in the adult world?
The answer to which is, usually, their coworkers.
But myself? Yeah, I don’t want to be friends — real friends — with my fucking coworkers. I don’t mix business and pleasure. Maybe that’s just me. Who knows.
There’s an advantage in knowing members of a congregation are guaranteed to live nearby, so it’s basically your neighbors — the people you would be friends with a generation or two earlier.
Furthermore, it’s actually a benefit that religion is actually bullshit, because: Then you know for certain that someone you meet at your church is probably just there by reason of minimal critical thought about religion, so they don’t necessarily give a shit if you’re a True Believer or not.
Random pontification — I know.
While it is true, I have all my best thoughts drinking alone at night, my thoughts here on this subject are by no means complete.
I don’t know what my point here is. I’m just saying, hell yeah I’d be the volunteer treasurer of my local congregation for some social clout. Why not?