For me, in my selfish state, all and any rules deny the natural way God made us; and yet the fasting, daily prayers of morning, meal, noontime, evenings, the mandates to go to church, the rubrics, the "this and that" and after a bit it seems to Pharisaical. During this Season we prostrate, but during another Season we do not. No connubial bliss for about 4 months out of the year? 52 Saturdays plus Great Lent, plus Christmas time adds up! Before Eucharist (which I am dying to receive) we may not eat, or even DRINK WATER? RULES, rules and Rules!
I have a picture of "guys in caves" (forgive me, but plain English is my first language wherein I should say Holy Fathers) writing on things eternal and from that I draw distinctive conclusions which translate poorly into this world we now find ourselves in. I already knew the fallen world we deal with day to day is FAR from "real" life, yet function we must. And it is not a "guy in caves" world, though the eternals written may be applied, albeit with "failure and ridicule" to be the only reward.
For example, the beautiful hymn that ends in "He is clothed in Majesty" keeps evoking guys in caves (COLD caves) in tattered shredded, torn rags and they are the ones coming up with that hymn or wording. And THAT is what our relationship to God should be, in my overly prideful opinion.
If that were the case, what can WE come up with NOW that would address and call attention to the world and how we may think about Him?
Speaking or writing not in Russian translated from the Greek, but rather plain and simple ENGLISH: Much of what I read or am told (instructed) is plain, simple and common sense, however it is put in "faith speak" or "God-talk". And these ceremonies go ON and ON to the point of watching folks (my own projection and judgment as I AM a HUMAN BEING) and it gets to be a "who can stand the longest" game! While I (and I am not alone) am playing THAT game of Pharisee it really does detract away from The One with Whom I am worshiping. Sitting so as not to be SO distracted by pain and pride is conducive to worship as well, no? I also wonder if the length of service is do to pride on those creating it, or did create it. I understand that loving God and worshipping Him is the only thing we may try to do (plus service to each other) but dang those things are LONG...to long for this American, by about 20 minutes. This applies to all EXCEPT Divine Liturgy, and only because as a selfish one, WE get to "have" God in a participatory manner. Not even the angels get to do that!
As for my previous faith tradition, Evangelical Protestants have few if any. Besides that is no longer my focus. As a cradle Catholic we had our ways too but that was almost 50 years ago, so that hole has been dug, moved and refilled.
Thanks for the response and forgive me for the rant. I think the word "katharsis" comes to mind....OK, so I AM a hypocrite and use the Greek and poorly at that.