Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday wishes to my Brother, he won\’t see this for a while as he is on his Jollies, but the thought is there.

Also tomorrow would have been my Father\’s 82nd birthday, unfortunately he was only 46 when he passed on, but he is always in our thoughts.

Colombia and Religion, you automatically think of Catholic, and indeed it is predominantly a Catholic Country, but it is not as religious as it once was. There are many who talk the talk in Public, but in private are as critical of the Church as in many other Countries. That said, there are still many Catholics who attend Services, note I say attend Services, not Church, because surprisingly many Shopping Malls, put on a Service every Sunday, they set out the chairs and the \’Altar\’ and a local Priest comes along and conducts the Service, and these are well attended, and as I understand it, there is no collection plate sent around either.

Then you have the Protestants, I suppose I should be supporting them, being Church of England, well… in name only! but the Protestant Churches here are a business, not a Religion, if you want to be a Pastor, you obtain a licence, register and can set up in a Garage, that then becomes your Church, unfortunately it is not set up for the good of the \’Flock\’, but for the Bank Balance of the Pastor.

A number of Colombians have told me stories about their Protestant Churches, the Pastors are in the main interested in one thing, and one thing only, lining their pockets, I am sure there is the odd genuine one, but most expect their Congregation, to donate a percentage of their monthly salary, notably 10%, however poor they may be, and if they fail to do so, they are diddling God! however there is no suggestion that the Pastor donated 10% of anything. One local Pastor has set up eight Churches, and as a result, both he and his wife drive around in top of the range cars, and routinely take holidays in the U.S.  It is a shame so many people want to believe and are so gullible, I had thought of setting up an Institution which asked all Protestant Pastors for 10% of their salary, I wouldn\’t have to worry about receiving my pension then!