Excellent post. buttercup! Those are people who go to church to be seen and perhaps tithe each week, but it just religion to them. Right now I think Black rook has everything he needs to begin search for another church. One that does not find his life a sin, for it is not. I had a similar problem and talked to a pastor about it and found a new way. I have a;ways been a child with love in my heart and never went to church until I went to College~!My mother had strong faith, she never missed Mass.
She did not love me.
Please substitute the word "faith" with religion. If your mom did not have love in her heart but never missed a mass, then it sounds like she had RELIGION, not faith.
A true faith in God involves surrender. Doing God's will, not out of duty, but out of a genuine LOVE and respect for God and His will. And God's will is for us to love.... to love God, and others. That is the first and second most important commands.