Thanks to all who recommended Unitarians to me...

[vi5]

In a thread a few days ago I spoke of my atheism even in the face of severe personal struggle during this past first 10 weeks of my son's life. But I expressed a desire to do something in expression of gratitude to the many people of faith in my son's life who are using that as a source of strength for themselves and for my son. I mentioned the promise I had made last week to myself at my son's bedside, that if he had a good week that I would do something spiritual minded as a show of gratitude to all of those people of varying faiths who have helped us through, even if it didn't mean that I became a believer because of any of this.

Well my son had a good week and at the recommendation of several DUers I attended a Unitarian Universalism service today. There was mention of god, and buddha, and judaism and islam, and there were people there from all of those faiths. But I also met other atheists and agnostics who simply spoke of wanting a like minded liberally spiritual community for their children to learn of different faiths if they should choose to follow that path despite their own atheism/agnosticism. There was talk of gay rights, and peace, and justice, and love for mankind. In short all of the things that despite my not being religious myself, were things I always thought religion should be. It was a free exchange of ideas and thoughts and respect for others. It was spiritual without being religious or dogmatic and it was just what I needed, not only as a source of solace for what I'm going through, but for me to have kept my promise to myself to do something like this.

So thanks to all who pointed me in that direction. It was a moving experience for me and gave me a much needed grounding during this difficult time.

[grasswire]

1. I'll pass this on to the two Unitarian ministers in my family.

Every little bit of appreciation helps them get through the week.

[JDPriestly]

2. I have been Unitarian since I was 17.

I hope you will join. It is a great fellowship of tolerance and love.

[msongs]

3. UU Church in Riverside CA congratulates you! we have a

big stained glass window of the jesus character (church built in 1898) but it is just a man, not somebody who condemns the majority of the human race to hell after death :-)

msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[peacetalksforall]

4. ..not the Jesus who some would say said 'bring it on' referring

to war and killing?

[Kiouni]

5. glad to see

your furthering your spirituality. i wish you success in your path.

[patrice]

6. Yep, many of the best people I know are Unitarians.

They are a strong and intelligent community and active in social justice efforts.

[Maccagirl]

7. All good grace and karma to you and your son

I have been thinking about Unitarians. As a life-long Catholic, I am getting more and more disillusioned with the impact Opus Dei is having on my church. I may have to leave.

[NEOBuckeye]

8. Sounds like what faith should be all about

Respect -- rather than condemnation -- for everyone, regardless of personal differences in faith (or lack thereof).

I've been wanting for quite sometime to attend a UU service in my area. Unfortunately, my job currently requires me to work Sundays. When that changes, I will have to go for it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Glad to see you found a community that resonates with you!

It's not for me (I like more religion in my religion :-) ), but I know that it works for a lot of fine people!

[kwassa]

10. I'm glad that your son had a good week.

and I'm glad you found a community that you like.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

11. Good news all around

Unitarians have always seemed like great folks to me.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Yes. If I wasn't so attached to our liturgy

(maybe it's the theatrics -- who knows?) I suspect I'd be quite comfie there.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

12. Unitarians don't mind having maroon facepaint dripped over their hymnals.

I found this out when the morris dance side I dance with was called in to dance for our local Unitarian Church on Plough Monday. I can forgive them much for this.