My skepticism of religion.

[coloradodem2005]

I have become an agnostic seeker for a long time and I have grappled with a lot of spiritual and religious issues throughout my life. On one hand I do believe that there is a God. But at the same time, how much of a leap is it from believing that God wants you to kill someone? I got scared off by the conservative Christians. For the fact that I feel their views go against what Jesus and what God would want. I also didn't like the somewhat authoritarian nature of the church and the tendancy to rag on those who didn't conform. Now the ragging may have been in jest, or at least they would have you believe that, but I always felt that there was something underlying to it. Many will always say things are God's will, especially bad things that people are likely to have a problem with. I like a lot of the more moderate to liberal Christians much better, especially the likes of Reverend Jim Wallis and President Jimmy Carter. But I still have a lot of reservations about them, not as individual people but as a group and sometimes wonder if they are prone to the same pitfalls that the conservative types have gone through. This is one of the reasons that I am wary of religion.

[silverlib]

1. They need me and you

I am a left-wing Christian Methodist who doubts and argues and slams my fist in the table at Bible studies where I'm told that God will send us to hell, that he hides from us and causes bad things to happen. If I wasn't there (and a very few like me) who would give this people something to think about?

I've thought about switching to a more liberal church - bur is that where I belong? Is that the easy way out? There are a total of six liberals in my church - we meet regularly and constantly stir up the emotions of our church.

You are supposed to doubt and question.

Whatever you decide is okay by me, as I don't think you will go to hell and I do not think, for obvious reasons, that any religion has a monopoly on goodness and morality.

Peace be with you.

[coloradodem2005]

6. I don't belong at a conservative church.

I have been trying to find more liberal churches because I am having a hard time with my spirituality as it is and I will never go back to an evangelical church.

[Maat]

2. Check out the DU Groups:

Liberal Christians/Progressive People of Faith, and
Seekers on Unique Paths.

Between the Mission Statements and the threads, you will see that a vengeful God is not part of many of today's progressive faiths.

A vengeful God is not part of any New Thought Church, for example, such as Religious Science (mine) or Unity. Religious Scientist believe that God, or Spirit, is within, and a part of everything; in fact, everything and everyone are part of God. No externality or vengefulness.

A vengeful God is not part of Unitarian-Universalist material.

And most United Church of Christ churches are "open and affirming." And they are too!

I was out of being a part of any organized faith for over 30 years. It kind of breaks my heart to think that many do not understand that they have choices. A person does not have to choose between being progressive and part of a faith. And, a person can join a fun and healing church without having to be part of that "fear is a good thing" mentality of the religious right.

Maybe I'm not expressing this right, but I hope this helps.

I've been involved in my newly-found faith for over a year and a half now. My life has been immeasurably enriched - no question.

If I can furnish any links on progressive faiths, let me know. I have a list ready.

[biscotti]

3. Seems to me organized

religion is about money, power, control and division of the masses.
George Carlin has said on the subject "Why does god always need money...he's god?" I love his rants on religion.

[adwon]

4. Just remember

A big, huge, major, unbelievably important tenet of Christianity is that God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful. That doesn't reconcile itself to God telling you to kill anybody. In fact, I doubt it reconciles itself to the existence of Hell, either.

Oh, for fun...

If someone decides to disagree on those 3 characteristics, tell that person that he/she is a heretic. Since, well, they're committing heresy by denying that tenet. :P

[stellanoir]

5. basic human decency

and human kindness would go along way.

It's not that novel a concept.

[coloradodem2005]

7. To many people it is.

[tjdee]

8. You're wary of organized religion, but not God....

One of the only wacky thoughts I have is that a number of the people who have turned you off from religion are in fact not serving who they think they are.

I'd encourage you to think more about your relationship with God/Spirit/The Universe as a personal one. Pick up the Bible. Or the Q'uran. Or whatever. Read through it yourself. Know what you think, so when you walk into a UU church or a temple or whatever, you know if it fits with you.

I didn't belong to a church for a long time--wouldn't set foot in one--but there is something to be said for the community feeling and the 'we're all on the same side'ness of it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. religion no-spirituality yes?

In my spiritual quest, I've found that my concept of God has changed mightily over the years. As Inayat Khan said, I've shattered my ideals on the rock of Truth. As my concepts of God change, I've found my religious affiliation has changed to the point now where I have found God in the temple, in the sweatlodge, in the church, and in the zhikar circle. Those who are whacky about religion have, I believe, been afraid to let go of their concept of God and realize that there is much More beyond their concepts.

[Tux]

15. Same here

I found that instead of thinking of god as all-powerful, etc and in control of things as I did as a little kid, I understood, for me anyways, that anything after "god is" separates us from god. A mental barrier is built and he have to remove it.

[Zynx]

10. Any Christian who wishes death on others cannot call themselves Christian

Those are mutually exclusive actions.

[saltpoint]

11. Your wariness is healthy. There are a lot of snake oil --

-- Christians out there. I've found the more conservative the congregation, the higher concentration of snake oil.

You're right to keep a watchful eye out.

(Maybe check out the UU!)

[Disturbed]

12. Heaven is not a place.

Did not Jesus say that heaven is within you?

Organized religon is prey to what all organizations are. I find it best to go within myself to find the spirit. No one can take me anywhere unless I allow them to do so.

[saltpoint]

14. I don't recall suggesting that it was a place.

The peace-within-one's-self notion predates Christianity.

My response to the OP was in support of his wariness. I think it's healthy.

[ElectricIron Sweeney]

13. Religion is

a search for God, and Churches are buildings.

[Maat]

16. We in Church of Religious Science believe in all paths to God.

We believe that God, or Spirit, is within, and always available to help; all you need to do is ask.

We are open and affirming, welcoming and healing.

I also enjoy visiting UU churches.


And for someone who wishes to connect with liberal Christianity, I suggest Unity and United Church of Christ churches.

www.rsintl.org (Religious Science)
www.ucc.org (United Church of Christ)
www.uua.org (Unitarian Universalist)
http://www.unity.org/ (Unity - New Thought Christianity).

We don't have to choose between progressive values and faith.

Take care!