Gloria Al Padre?

The ending prayer, offered by a local elder, brought to mind a notable oddity that has already become apparent. I can’t quite put my finger on community’s relationship to Christianity. Some samples:

“And I think I would have destroyed myself, if not for the intervention of my family, acting out the will of Christ Jesus.” (Applause, Cheering)

“And I walked straight out of that Church and I haven’t needed to drink since.” (Applause) “Praise Jesus!” (Applause)

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this wonderful day.” (Murmurs of Approval)

“So this White Church tried to make us like them. And where is their White God now? Their God is dead.” (Applause, Cheering)

“And I walked straight out of that Church and I haven’t looked back since.” (Applause) “They can keep their Jesus!” (Applause)

“Thank you, Grandfather, for this wonderful day.” (Murmurs of Approval)

This, to me, is strange. The only way I can explain it is that people are happy that other people are energetic, emotional, and have something that works for them. What, precisely, those people are saying is more or less irrelevant.