Interesting and respectful though this exchange of views is, it is getting away from the original question. My wife and I have no problem at all because we respect and love each other. However her family cannot understand that I don't share their faith because everyone they know is RC and it is difficult for them to conceive of another viewpoint. I get great pressure to "support" their local church because I am the rich white guy and they are expected to be able to twist my arm. When I refuse, or try to put conditions on any gift that it must be distributed to the poor and needy, it causes a few problems. I got very upset that they wanted to adorn their building with expensive statues and other fanciful decoration, expecting me to pay, whilst people were starving close by.
I once visited Jerusalam and stood by the Western Wall and inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The feeling by the Western Wall was of respectful reverance and a connection to history. It had a truly magical atmosphere. Inside the church are a series of chapels for some of the various branches of Christianity, well the older established ones at least. The feeling there was much more competitive and close to the "rock" was downright unruly. The only place I felt came close to being inspirational was in the Coptic chapel, which was completely unadorned and gave off a simple message of love for your fellow man. This of course proves nothing. Faith is personal but I do think the churches sometimes do their best to alienate people by putting their own spin on what is a good message and a sensible way for us to live together.
