I notice you didn't tag this and I don't know if that's deliberate or not. Do you mind if I tag this #talkreligion?

I don't go to church every Sunday, partly because I'm not Christian but mostly cause other reasons that I won't get into. That said though, I like to go when I can. There's something that's genuinely invigorating about worshiping with other people. I've been to various services, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Non-Denominational, etc. Some are very somber and serious while others are jubilant and energetic. The quality of the sermons, likewise, run the gamut from dull to interesting, but I think the common thread in all of the good sermons I've listened to is that the pastors/preachers don't talk to you, but they talk to you.

What I mean is, they have a way of speaking where even though they're the only ones talking, it still feels like you're involved in a conversation. They speak in an engaging manner, they present the subject in such a way that it interests you as a listener, and while they're talking you're thinking about what they're saying. You think about what you agree with and what you disagree with. You think about whether or not what they're saying reflects aspects of your own life. Most importantly though, when you listen to what they have to say, you find yourself inspired to find ways to apply their teachings to your own life.

Public speaking isn't easy. It takes a lot for a public speaker to be engaging, but when someone is on point, they're on fire. I think the same can be said for teachers and professors. It's a genuine skill, something that some people come by naturally and something that other people have to work on. It's something I've come to appreciate more and more the older I get.

That said, I also tend to prefer more intellectual and grounded sermons over emotionally charged ones. I liken worship to working on a car engine. You can't change the spark plugs in a car if the engine is running and gunned to 6,000 rpms.

And, you know, he wasn't opposed to me on such grounds like my doubts about God and religion.

In my opinion, most good priests aren't really hung up on that. When they truly believe that God's love for us is unconditional, their love for us becomes unconditional. I'd say overall, he's probably much more concerned that you're happy, healthy, and living a virtuous life.