Before I was a Christian, being in church really felt like a dead place. No wonder, since at that time I considered myself a Unitarian. I felt that way particularly about Catholic worship observing their rites, clerical apparel, bells and smells, etc. I have no idea why I, as an atheistic Unitarian, would have a clue, let alone a right, to judge any other religion as “dead”. I felt it was a peculiar waste of time, sort of like a Unitarian service. When people talked of their “love of God” it sounded like such a hard effort, full or various requirements, and ultimately a useless one.
But since I came to know Christ, I do not feel a deadness in my religion. I think there are people in every Christian church who understand who Christ is, what he did, and what he will do. These are the “Saved”. There are others who do not know, who are the “unsaved”. I think this is what the book of Romans describes. When we were in the law ritualistically performing only the rites, the actions and reciting the “proper” words, and in the flesh, we were dead. But now that we are in Christ (know who Christ is, what he did, and what he will do) we are alive. When I was not a Christian (BC) I was spiritually dead; now that I am a Christian (after BC) I am spiritually alive.
