Sikh

Anonymous wrote:Muslim.

Except for all the stuff about women's rights, no alcohol, dietary restrictions.... There's someone on here who keeps posting that the only difference between Christianity and Islam is lack of belief in Jesus' divinity and the Trinity, and that Islam's superiority is down to the lack of confusion over the Trinity. Well if that's all you got, I guess you should keep playing that same card. But OP should really take a close look at other aspects of the religion.

Muslim.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks -- I think a lot of people are in church for the ongoing social contact with people "like me." For some people the idea of "growing spiritually" has no meaning because they do not accept the concept of spirituality.

Somebody keeps saying this, but it's off-base. Most people attending church are at least open to the possibility of God and Jesus' message. The church-as-social club argument makes no sense. If you want a social club or to "find your people," there are so many other options--country clubs, book clubs, poker night, drawing classes, every athletic or arts event your kids attend--that are generally cheaper and don't make you get up early on Sundays.

None of those other options offer the promise of eternal life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I can't speak for all Unity churches. At my church, yes. My 17 year old is agnostic. He is very active in our youth group. They've had some great discussions about exactly that. I know several adults who are not really "seeking" as much as working to grow as compassionate, loving beings. But most people who attend a church are looking to grow spiritually. That's why they are there.

Thanks -- I think a lot of people are in church for the ongoing social contact with people "like me." For some people the idea of "growing spiritually" has no meaning because they do not accept the concept of spirituality.

Agree that "spirituality" is a very over-used yet poorly defined word. PP above equates "growing spiritually" with "learning compassion". The crystal collectors and many people who enjoy a sunrise and nature also call themselves "spiritual." Many others associate "spirituality" with faith, or at least some sort of openness to some religion or other.

Nobody here has a monopoly on the word "spiritual." But accuracy in language seems like a desirable goal. If your purpose in doing something is to
"learn compassion" then why not just say "learn compassion" instead of "develop spirituality"? Also "spirituality" seems like a weasel word for people who don't want to commit to either a faith or to atheism/agnosticism, but lack the confidence to take a step in either direction.

Maybe it's just me, though. I think I'll start a thread and see what others think.

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks -- I think a lot of people are in church for the ongoing social contact with people "like me." For some people the idea of "growing spiritually" has no meaning because they do not accept the concept of spirituality.

Somebody keeps saying this, but it's off-base. Most people attending church are at least open to the possibility of God and Jesus' message. The church-as-social club argument makes no sense. If you want a social club or to "find your people," there are so many other options--country clubs, book clubs, poker night, drawing classes, every athletic or arts event your kids attend--that are generally cheaper and don't make you get up early on Sundays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would think you would be happy in just about any new-thought type denomination. Unity, UU, Christian Science..... All encourage people to seek their own path. You don't have to fit your beliefs into a neat and tidy little box. We encourage spiritual exploration, fully confident that there are many paths to the same destination.

What is the destination? self fulfillment? Heaven?

That's kind of my point. I don't get to tell you what to believe. In my church (we attend a Unity church) we have people who believe in heaven, reincarnation, enlightenment, .... all kinds of things. Many people change their thoughts about these things as continue to grow. For us it's about being a spiritual seeker. No path is more valid than another. We honor all paths. I don't know what that final destination will look like. And that's OK.

Are people who are not spiritual seekers welcome at your church. For instance, there are people who feel they have found what they were looking for spiritually, and others who do not believe in a spiritual realm. Would those people not be a good fit for the Unity church?

I can't speak for all Unity churches. At my church, yes. My 17 year old is agnostic. He is very active in our youth group. They've had some great discussions about exactly that. I know several adults who are not really "seeking" as much as working to grow as compassionate, loving beings. But most people who attend a church are looking to grow spiritually. That's why they are there.

Thanks -- I think a lot of people are in church for the ongoing social contact with people "like me." For some people the idea of "growing spiritually" has no meaning because they do not accept the concept of spirituality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would think you would be happy in just about any new-thought type denomination. Unity, UU, Christian Science..... All encourage people to seek their own path. You don't have to fit your beliefs into a neat and tidy little box. We encourage spiritual exploration, fully confident that there are many paths to the same destination.

What is the destination? self fulfillment? Heaven?

That's kind of my point. I don't get to tell you what to believe. In my church (we attend a Unity church) we have people who believe in heaven, reincarnation, enlightenment, .... all kinds of things. Many people change their thoughts about these things as continue to grow. For us it's about being a spiritual seeker. No path is more valid than another. We honor all paths. I don't know what that final destination will look like. And that's OK.

Are people who are not spiritual seekers welcome at your church. For instance, there are people who feel they have found what they were looking for spiritually, and others who do not believe in a spiritual realm. Would those people not be a good fit for the Unity church?

I can't speak for all Unity churches. At my church, yes. My 17 year old is agnostic. He is very active in our youth group. They've had some great discussions about exactly that. I know several adults who are not really "seeking" as much as working to grow as compassionate, loving beings. But most people who attend a church are looking to grow spiritually. That's why they are there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would think you would be happy in just about any new-thought type denomination. Unity, UU, Christian Science..... All encourage people to seek their own path. You don't have to fit your beliefs into a neat and tidy little box. We encourage spiritual exploration, fully confident that there are many paths to the same destination.

What is the destination? self fulfillment? Heaven?

That's kind of my point. I don't get to tell you what to believe. In my church (we attend a Unity church) we have people who believe in heaven, reincarnation, enlightenment, .... all kinds of things. Many people change their thoughts about these things as continue to grow. For us it's about being a spiritual seeker. No path is more valid than another. We honor all paths. I don't know what that final destination will look like. And that's OK.

Are people who are not spiritual seekers welcome at your church. For instance, there are people who feel they have found what they were looking for spiritually, and others who do not believe in a spiritual realm. Would those people not be a good fit for the Unity church?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would think you would be happy in just about any new-thought type denomination. Unity, UU, Christian Science..... All encourage people to seek their own path. You don't have to fit your beliefs into a neat and tidy little box. We encourage spiritual exploration, fully confident that there are many paths to the same destination.

What is the destination? self fulfillment? Heaven?

That's kind of my point. I don't get to tell you what to believe. In my church (we attend a Unity church) we have people who believe in heaven, reincarnation, enlightenment, .... all kinds of things. Many people change their thoughts about these things as continue to grow. For us it's about being a spiritual seeker. No path is more valid than another. We honor all paths. I don't know what that final destination will look like. And that's OK.