Thinking about getting back into religion

[margotb822]

I raised in the Unitarian Church, but we kind of just stopped going when I was in elementary school. I tried to go back in college, but I wasn't comfortable with the "I talk, you listen, no questions" of the church (I want to say it was 'Christian' without any specific denomination...lots of born-again attendees). Well, I'm at the point where I'm interested in trying to find a church that suits me. I've thought about going back to the Unitarian Church, but would love to hear input from people who are Democrats and religious. Thanks!

[margotb822]

1. One more thing

I'm not necessarily looking to attend a Christian Church. I am open to trying all religions.

[housewolf]

4. I loved a Church of Religious Science that I used to go to

Such a positive, open, loving place - they identify themselves as a "New Thought" organization, not a Christian one. It's teachings are based on Ernest Holmes' "Science of Mind" which I found to be both inspirational and empowering. Somewhat similiar to Unity but with less of a Christian bent to it. Services were always uplifting and the people were some of the most loving, accepting folks I'd ever been around. It had all the community-aspects of a christian church but with a more empowering, uplifting philosophy. If there's one in your area, go check it out.

[SidneyCarton]

2. Good Question

As a practicing Mormon I obviously have my preferences, but this is something that you will really have to look at. What are you seeking in religion? What kind of commitment do you want? What interests you? What don't you like about religion? Your ultimate satisfaction with your choice will depend heavily on the answers to these questions.

[Wanet]

3. Lots of great choices out there

The United Church of Christ is very inclusive and socially conscious. I am very interested in the Uniterian Universalist Christians, but there aren't many congregations outside the East Coast. I'd go on Ask.com and look up "liberal Christian" and see what you get. --Wanet

[texastoast]

5. Gimme that old time religion

Works for me!

[okasha]

13. Me, too.

And one of the reasons it does work is that one can incorporate the things one feels are best from any and all traditions. There's no doctrinal orthodoxy and no creed.

[texastoast]

17. That's the best part

There is a general aura of goodness about the practice--goodness for all, no matter what "faith" one was raised in. In earth religions, it's all about health, well-being, and joy for all.

The witch's rede is a hellava commandment: harm none. It pretty well encompasses how to relate to people and our environment in two little words.

[Speck Tater]

6. Speaking as a (nearly) life-long Buddhist

there's "religion" and then there's "spirituality".

Religion is largely worthless, in my view. Spirituality, on the other hand, is indispensable.

Go to this web site and listen to some talks explaining the Buddhist perspective: http://www.dharmaseed.org/

Click "Teachers" and select from the drop-down menu. You might start with Sharon Salzberg, Carol Wilson, or Jack Kornfield to listen to some talks given at meditation retreats to get the general flavor of Buddhist teachings.

I was raised in a Catholic family but at age eight or nine I told my parents that I wasn't going to church with them any more because "I was supposed to be a Buddhist like I was before." Surprisingly, they were understanding and supportive. I've been a practicing Buddhist ever since. (That was about 55 years ago.)

[pingzing58]

7. The eightfold noble path influenced Christianity. It's one of the great spiritualities of the

world. But remember just like there are different expressions of Christianity so is there of Buddhist teaching and practice. Go to the source and begin from there.

[Speck Tater]

8. Exactly

Start with the Pali Canon. That's (more or less) the actual transcripts of the Buddha's teachings. (Or pretty close, since they were compiled not too long after the death of the Buddha.) So much other stuff that was added later is claimed to be what amounts to "channeled" teachings of the Buddha after his death. (In other words, later followers trying to push their own pet "reforms".) In addition there is a lot of "Buddhist Mythology" which is NOT claimed to be literally true, but only stories of uncertain origin meant to illustrate some spiritual principle (like the "Jataka Tales" for example). Add to that the fact that each country or region that adopted Buddhism did so by incorporating bits and pieces of their own earlier religions into it. Tibetan Buddhism, for example, is a blend of actual Buddhism with the ancient Bon religion of pre-Buddhist Tibet, including "gods" and "ghosts", and elaborate rituals. The Buddha himself deplored rituals, and when asked about the existence of "gods" replied, in effect, "Don't know. Don't care." Chan Buddhism (called "Zen" in Japan) is a blend of Buddhism and Taoism, yet since so much of Taoism so strongly resembles much of Buddhism, that blend worked out much better, having less clap-trap and ritual, and more real, practical meat.

[pingzing58]

9. The study of Religion in history is a study of syncretism. I've come to believe that "pure and

simple" is the best expression of any religious system. For example from the O.T. Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” And from the N.T. James 1:27 >>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

[margotb822]

12. Definitely a good point

I think I haven't been feeling the spirituality has been largely missing in my experiences. Thank you for the information!

[kwassa]

10. I was raised a Unitarian, did Church of Religious Science for 6 years

and now am attending an Episcopal church.

all three were very liberal churches, there are many out there.

None of them demanded that you specifically believe something to be a member.

The Unitarian church is really a secular humanist society, in my opinion, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Religious Science is Christian mysticism, a practice I found valuable.

It really comes down to what belief you have in God, or of a higher power, or whatever you are interested in exploring. What works for me is different than works for others, including other people in this thread.

My approach is eclectic, influenced by Eastern religious practices as well. All paths lead to God, IMHO, but what exactly that means to each individual is different.

[PassingFair]

11. I get the feeling you shoud check out a Quaker meeting.

Don't know why, but they seem to allow
belief and feelings to FLOW, not be forced
or dogmatic.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. You'll need to go "religion shopping"

Try different denominations and religions, see which ones appeal to you, and then try a couple of different congregations of each one.

Eventually, one will make you feel, "I'm home." No one else can predict when you will feel "at home." It's different for every individual.

Just a word of advice, though. Any church that brags about being "non-denominational" is almost certainly evangelical or fundamentalist.

[margotb822]

15. Thanks for the advice

I'll try to steer clear of the crazies!

[Dorian Gray]

16. Finding a religion

is a very personal thing. Without knowing anything about you, I couldn't presume to suggest any denomination of any major religion. So, instead, read... read... and read more. Theology, spirituality, religion are all very personal things. Our beliefs continue to evolve, even after we've picked an organization. I am very happy with Roman Catholicism, but I recognize that it certainly isn't for everyone. So, be careful while choosing, and don't rush into anything. Take your time. And good luck with the search!

[Silent3]

18. So many styles and colors to choose from!

I often get the impression that atheists and agnostics take religion more seriously than believers do.

Fundamental truths aren't personal. To hear many believers talk about their choice of religion, they don't sound like they're looking for fundamental truths -- what I thought religion is, or should be, about -- it sounds more like they're making a fashion choice.

[Dorian Gray]

20. I chose to be Catholic

because I identify with the theology. I recognize that not everyone would agree with that, therefore, I wouldn't insist that everyone looking for religion should choose Catholicism.

Do I believe that it's fundamentally correct? Of course I do. It's very important to me. But, some people may be unable to believe that Transubstantiation occurs at Mass, let alone believe that Christ is divine. Those people should not choose Catholicism.

That's why I said READ, Read and Read more. Learn about the religions that fit the truths that the poster believes to be most important. If the poster is interested in learning more about Roman Catholicism, then I will be happy to discuss that with him/her personally. Unitarianism is very different from Catholicism, and that's the faith in which she grew up, so I assume that Catholicism is not on her radar.

[Silent3]

22. I realize it's hard to separate individual inclinations, but...

...truth is truth. I don't have to "identify" with the periodic table or laws of gravitation. Light waves travel at a constant speed in a vacuum for you, me, and everyone else, regardless of whether any of us have an individual inclination to consider the speed of light an "important" truth.

If someone else finds transubstantiation hard to believe, is that a failing on their part? Is it not a failing because it's only true for those who believe in it? Is it an "understandable" failing that you generously accept, with certainty that your God wouldn't punish others for not understanding what you understand?

Religious tolerance is certainly better than the alternative -- we've seen how ugly that gets. But I still see ecumenical thinking as pretty wishy-washy, and it ends up leading to a world where many people view religious choices in a manner much like I characterized earlier -- more of a personal statement or a fashion choice than a search for truth.

And no... I don't consider the idea of "exploring different paths" until you find something you feel good about or comfortable with a "search for truth". The problem is the metric that people typically use -- some sort of internal feeling that what they've found is "right", more "right" than other things they've exposed themselves to, as if that really means much of anything. I'm not saying your own choices can be characterized that way, but it does seem very typical to me about the attitudes I've heard many other people express about their choice of religious and/or "spiritual" beliefs.

[Dorian Gray]

23. You don't like ecumenicalism?

I believe you are an atheist, so what difference does ecumenicalism vs. one who is stringent in their faith really mean to you? If I am not mistaken, you hold that there is no divinity to be the Truth. I disagree.

I can start prosthelytizing here, if you think that would make me less of a hypocrite.

But, I am not evangelical. If you would like to discuss personally Catholicism, then by all means, I will do so. But this was a topic written by someone who is searching for something. I think that in the search to find the truths or faith she is looking for, she shouldn't jump in willy nilly into anything.

And for the record, there is nothing WRONG with ecumenicalism. There is nothing inherently wrong with working with and understanding other paths. There is a danger that in doing so, you may water down your own faith. And I agree with you that Truth IS Truth, regardless of personal belief or desire for what that belief should be. But, I don't think it's incumbent on me to force someone to accept the Truth. And I hold true with prior church writings by John Paul II that there are many paths that lead to truth (small "t") , but our church is the most direct path to fully realized Truth.


But I wasn't here to encourage the OP that Truth as I understand it is right. This is a topic about her search for a religion. WHo knows the reasons that she wants to join a religion? It may be to find truth, but for many, it is about community, celebrating the earth, searching for a philosophical place in the world, or just plain being. And I think the best path for her is to SEARCH thoroughly before she makes up her mind. I don't see where the folly in that is.

[uberllama42]

24. They're looking for an in-group, as I read the situation

There's no evidence for any of this stuff, so you read a lot and listen to people talk until your confirmation bias hooks onto something. The very idea of consciously picking a religion operates on the premise that, in the final analysis, all the metaphysics is vaguely equivalent. Metaphysics ought to be orders of magnitude more important than the aesthetics and the social makeup of a religious organization. Since it's all bunk, the more earthly concerns determine one's choice.

Do you like the membership of a certain group? The music? The power structure? I'm sure they'd love to have you. Rather than being subordinate to the answers to the "Big Questions," all of these things are primary determining factors in the choice of which clique to join. That's is where the substance is. If you find the right in-group, all the theological questions are ancillary.

[Crunchy Frog]

19. You might want to try a Quaker Meeting.

It's pretty much the complete opposite of the sort of church you describe in your OP.

[PassingFair]

25. Hey, check out my post 11.....

Maybe WE need to check out the Quaker meetings....


:crazy:

[edhopper]

21. I think you need to ask yourself

what you believe, and more importantly why. When I did this a few decades ago, the result was my atheism. I'm not suggesting that you will be an atheist, just that whatever organized religion you end up is not as important as why you believe in it's doctrines.
Always ask the next question, there are no questions not worth being asked.

[Dorian Gray]

26. That is very true...

Knowing WHAT you believe and WHY you believe that is the most important step in this search for a religion to be compatible with your beliefs. Sometimes it takes a little soul searching and education in order to fully understand. Meaning, it may not be something you've contemplated all that much, and you might not have the answer right now. And that is fine. This is an exciting crossroads for the OP!

[kanrok]

27. It's very cool that you are thinking this way

It's good to ask questions about faith, religion and spiriuality. No one can be forced into believing in any religion. If it's real, people come to their beliefs in their own way, and on their own terms. Even for "cradle" Catholics like me. I grew up in the Church. I, like many who did the same, fell away for a fairly long while. I never lost my faith, I just lost my enthusiasm for it. I searched for alternatives periodically, but ended up coming back to the religion of my youth. Now, I absolutely love it. Not that Catholicism is for everyone; it's not (boy, is the little evangelist in my soul yelling at me now). Take your time. Investigate many faiths. Keep an open mind. Enjoy the journey. Good luck, you're on the right track, no matter where it leads.

[Realityhack]

28. I'm sorry n/t

[edhopper]

30. That's pretty snarky

to some one who seems very sincere.
As I said in my earlier post, I think the OP should just keep asking questions, including questioning religion itself.
I would suggest he read a book like "The God Delusion" or "The Blind Watchmaker" by Dawkins. At the least it will make him think deeply about why he believes.

[davidinalameda]

29. check out your local UCC church

http://www.ucc.org/

the church's motto is no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here

it is definitely not a I preach, you listen type of church

very big on social activism

[northernsoul]

31. Have you considered becoming a Pastafarian?

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster:

http://www.venganza.org/

[edhopper]

32. All hail

the flying spaghetti god!

[Gala328]

33. Welcome

Religion is a beautiful and wonderful thing. I encourage you to reflect upon your newfound/refound faith. There are a great deal of different options available to you (as many of the posters have suggested). However, have you considered looking into Liberation Theology? As a member of the Eccumenical Movement, I have been exposed to many wonderful individuals in this respect and have found quite a communal kinship.

Back when I was healthier I tried to organize Love Crusades which were aimed at bringing people together of all types and doing what Christ intended for us to do - accept one another, appreciate one another and celebrate our differences. That being said, I am certain that there is much the right faith has to offer you.

[Quantess]

34. You were raised UNITARIAN?

In the Unitarian Church? Really?
I am here to call you a liar.