I’m secular- what can I offer my kids instead of church?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m secular but DD keeps asking to go to church and tells people we pray (we don’t but her very religious grandparents do). It seems like she’s looking for some type of structure and I’m sure the church thing sounds fun from the description from the other kids in her class. For a variety of reasons, I’m am no longer religious but want to give my kids some tradition, routines and social network with a strong value and strong community outside of school. We have a good community in our neighborhood, etc but I’m looking for something more. Any ideas?

Unitarian Church? Seriously, I just drove by one near where I live and the sign outside said this is what we believe: the it said "Love is love," Black Lives Matter;" something about immigration, gender equality -- I was driving too fast to catch them all, but none of the statements were "religious."

I love the IDEA of UUs, and I agree 100% with the statements. But I agree, it feels like it has become some sort of activist for the underdogs -- like, the manifestation of progressivism (again, which I actually am in alignment with) vs. spirituality in itself

You've pinpointed what I experienced last time I went to the UU church in DC. I know there is lots of work to be done for the underdogs, but the identity politics has edged out the ethical soul searching and shared humanity.

. Each congregation is different, try another one. In the larger ones there are groups like you seek. It isn’t all the same across the board.

The UUs in this area are pretty uniformly SJW.

There is wide variation within each of the Congregations. There are plenty of similarly indeed folk at every one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ethical Humanism

Can you tell me more? Is there a community with some type of gathering?

I do mindfulness stuff with her, and she seems receptive to that.

Here is a link to the Washington Ethical Society:

http://ethicalsociety.org/

As I understand it, there are kids classes and community gatherings. I'm guessing its like Unitarian Universalism but I'm not sure.

Here is their statement of purpose:

The Washington Ethical Society is a humanistic congregation that affirms the worth of every person. We strive through our relationships to elicit the best in the human spirit. With faith in human goodness, we appreciate each person’s unique capacities. We joyfully celebrate together and support each other through life. We nurture a sense of reverence and responsibility for each other and the earth. We invite you to join our community of children and adults as we work for a world where love and justice cross all borders.

My understanding of the ethical society is that it's usually Jewish people who are no longer religious. UUs are usually Christians who are no longer religious.

The Ethical Society movement was started over a century ago by the son of a Rabbi. UU started even longer ago by former Christians. Now it's very mixed. I've seen lots of former Jews and Christians in both groups - and both seem like "church lite" to me - no mention of god or prayer, but there could be "spirituality" and probably will be meditation, candle lighting, bell ringing and a talk by the leader that is not call a sermon.

You can believe in god or not in either group, but there's little or no talk about god and definitely no angels or saints or "worshipping" of a supernatural being.

[Anonymous]

Get her involved with a volunteer organization with a mission and a purpose. Show her that she can bring comfort and aid to people with her presence. Do it religiously (e.g. every Saturday)

[Anonymous]

The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

Cue the Christian victims...

[Anonymous]

Seriously? Two things:

1. Mindfulness practice as a means to mental and physical self-awareness and control of one's emotions.

2. Geopolitical and global humanities knowledge to foster a sense of the critical goals of the modern world: climate change, migration, food security, education, inequalities... and how to discuss and advocate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

And no one is forcing you to listen to what non-religious people have to say - or forcing you to tell them that they will be going to hell because they don't believe in Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

And no one is forcing you to listen to what non-religious people have to say - or forcing you to tell them that they will be going to hell because they don't believe in Jesus.

+1,000. The behavior of many Christians in this country is laughable. Why do you so strongly desire to feel persecuted in a country where you make up the vast majority, and have used your majority to actively suppress atheists and people of different faiths? You don’t think nothing of attacking Muslims as violent, or atheists as immoral and unfit for public office (even though you elected one- joke’s on you). You don’t hesitate to drive your own gay kids to suicide. Unless they’re black or abortion doctors, Christians don’t have to worry about getting shot up when they go to a church. So what people say mean things about you. You’re in a free country. You’re free to leave for some place where they throw Christians to the lions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

And no one is forcing you to listen to what non-religious people have to say - or forcing you to tell them that they will be going to hell because they don't believe in Jesus.

+1,000. The behavior of many Christians in this country is laughable. Why do you so strongly desire to feel persecuted in a country where you make up the vast majority, and have used your majority to actively suppress atheists and people of different faiths? You don’t think nothing of attacking Muslims as violent, or atheists as immoral and unfit for public office (even though you elected one- joke’s on you). You don’t hesitate to drive your own gay kids to suicide. Unless they’re black or abortion doctors, Christians don’t have to worry about getting shot up when they go to a church. So what people say mean things about you. You’re in a free country. You’re free to leave for some place where they throw Christians to the lions.

because Jesus was persecuted -- so feeling persecuted makes them feel like they are good Christians, suffering as Jesus did.

Pretty sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

And no one is forcing you to listen to what non-religious people have to say - or forcing you to tell them that they will be going to hell because they don't believe in Jesus.

+1,000. The behavior of many Christians in this country is laughable. Why do you so strongly desire to feel persecuted in a country where you make up the vast majority, and have used your majority to actively suppress atheists and people of different faiths? You don’t think nothing of attacking Muslims as violent, or atheists as immoral and unfit for public office (even though you elected one- joke’s on you). You don’t hesitate to drive your own gay kids to suicide. Unless they’re black or abortion doctors, Christians don’t have to worry about getting shot up when they go to a church. So what people say mean things about you. You’re in a free country. You’re free to leave for some place where they throw Christians to the lions.

Yeah -- It's prety obvious that Trump is an atheist -- and not the good kind who goes about his/her business, doing harm to no one. Trump thinks if there is a god, he must be it. There is no higher power than him. He humbles himself before no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hate and bigotry shown by the atheist starting all the anti-Christian threads today? Oh wait, nobody wants that for their kids.

+1 And it's always passionate anti-Christian hatred, never hatred for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Wicca, etc. It bodes well with the whole anti-Christian narrative in the media. Every 5-6 months we get passionate Christian haters on this forum starting numerous threads against Christians. It's become almost a cliche.

Really ?-- more like NON-Christian

Yeah, but Christians are so accustomed to being in charge that anything non-Christian seems anti-christian.

Plus, the other religions mentioned don't go around sanctimoniously telling people that they are going to burn forever in hell for not believing in their religion.

Some other religions kill you if you are in their territory and don't accept their religious law. Why don't you move there if you find it so oppressive here?
But aside from that, no one is forcing you to listen to what Christians have to say. You can simply do or adhere to those other religions or to none at all.
Stop demonizing Christianity because that's currently in vogue.

And no one is forcing you to listen to what non-religious people have to say - or forcing you to tell them that they will be going to hell because they don't believe in Jesus.

+1,000. The behavior of many Christians in this country is laughable. Why do you so strongly desire to feel persecuted in a country where you make up the vast majority, and have used your majority to actively suppress atheists and people of different faiths? You don’t think nothing of attacking Muslims as violent, or atheists as immoral and unfit for public office (even though you elected one- joke’s on you). You don’t hesitate to drive your own gay kids to suicide. Unless they’re black or abortion doctors, Christians don’t have to worry about getting shot up when they go to a church. So what people say mean things about you. You’re in a free country. You’re free to leave for some place where they throw Christians to the lions.

Yeah -- It's prety obvious that Trump is an atheist -- and not the good kind who goes about his/her business, doing harm to no one. Trump thinks if there is a god, he must be it. There is no higher power than him. He humbles himself before no one.

And still, his "base" is heavy on Christians. How can that be? Can't they see that he is not anyone's idea of a Christian?