Well I don't take offense to your post. Is'nt this what it's all about? We are all trying to find our way, and too understand.
I'm not sure that it matters what religion you are. I do know that some places i've felt the spirit more than other places.
There is a Franciscan Monastery not far from here and there are paths and statues through-out the paths as well. These paths follow along the ocean. It is quiet and serene there. There is an alter there for praying, a place where people leave written notes, and other things.
The last time I went there I felt very close to god, and I prayed. I have not had that spiritual feeling often, but that day I did.

I traveled in England a couple of years ago and did the whole tourist-y American thing complete with polaroid. My husband is a Catholic gone Presbyterian minister. We were both struck by the churches...well lack of churches... in England. It surprised us that most of them were ancient stone structures without roof even in the midst of a bustling town. The cathedrals were spectacular, but the little churches where I think much of real worship takes place seemed deserted and sad. Only when we traveled in Scotland did we see churches intact and in use. So I know where you are coming from. I just thought it was something I, as an American, needed to get over. Scratch us a little, after all, and you'll find a Puritan. That's our heritage and like it or not, we're still much more fanatic than the rest of the world about our religion in many ways. But I don't know that it's just England. I think most of Europe is this way, isn't it? After all, Puritanism isn't YOUR background. Neither Catholics nor Anglicans presently feel a real tie to the church in the way protestants do. With protestants, there has usually been a choice (unless you were an indigenous person, then you were subject to the protestants attempts at "helping" you become Christian... often at gun point.) What I'm trying to say is, one chooses protestantism. With both Catholicism and Anglicanism, there have been many times in history when the church and state became one and people had no choice. For this reason, I think, when there is a choice, people choose to look elsewhere. This is not a commercial for protestantism. I was just thinking in terms of Anglicans vs. Catholics. It seems to me that history often dictates devotion which means that if given a choice, people who were once forced to do something will quit doing it. Maybe I'm making no sense whatsoever.

Gosh, that sounds like I'm Catholic and Anglican bashing. I just think HISTORY has a lot to do with how "Christian" a country is at any given point. Could have just SAID that in the first place!

Do you think this is based on a history in England of government forcing religion on people? I wonder sometimes if that type of historical background might encourage people to make a choice away from the church when given the freedom to do so. However, I feel that you should worship wherever you feel the most comfortable be that Catholic or Anglican. I hope that made sense.

During English history the Church of England was hugely powerful, so I think that it did exert much influence over peoples lives, they were literally God fearing.
I do think that in this Country that there is still a class war going on, and that middle/upper class people claim
to be egalitarian, but are extremely snobby and intolerant and look down upon lower social/economic classes, and in fact dominate through the Church and social standing.
Screw over their fellow workers all week and claim a clear conscience in church on Sundays.

well ,
i always believe that the holiness of a place has to do with those who live or usually visit .We all have energy and if a church is primarily inhabited by thoughts and spirits which are more of fear(of god,class inequality,etc) thats probably what will remain in the building.
On the flip side u cd go to a tiny cottage of a loving prayerful individual and feel tremendous loviing ,spiritual energy.
I dont believe any religion is more holy or less than another.God can be called within any place or time.the belief,love makes evrything..
it always has.