This was interesting to read... I think we grew up in similar ways, but somehow, I luckily never experienced church in the way you did. It wasn't cold, and even though it was boring and I found the hymns to be extremely outfashioned, I still went through it in a positive way.

Of course, I had my challenges, and I remember once I had to attend church instead of handball practice... My father told me, I'd become a better handball player by going to church... I didn't really get it then, but it is easier for me to understand now.

Then again, we had a Sunday breakfast before church, but that was the best breakfast of the week, and there was no stress about dressing up or cleaning or forced actions (like reading the Bible), so I clearly see that it must have been tough the way you grew up!