Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give church a try?

Why would she do that if she's secular?

OP, I agree with UU. It's also great you're doing mindfulness things with them.

Maybe this feeling she is having/ her child is having is calling her to give it a try. We all change, evolve. Be open to new experiences.

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.

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.

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

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give church a try?

Why would she do that if she's secular?

OP, I agree with UU. It's also great you're doing mindfulness things with them.

Maybe this feeling she is having/ her child is having is calling her to give it a try. We all change, evolve. Be open to new experiences.

Yes, but she said church isn't for her, so suggesting it isn't helpful.

Wow, PP, you sure are defensive about that. What are you so afraid of about church?

Yes, OP, why not give it a try? God does work in mysterious ways.

She's made a decision about what she believes. Why are you trying to foist church onto her? I'm not afraid of church -- my mom is Catholic and I've been to mass many times. I was raised Jewish. I have ample exposure to it. I have decided I don't believe in Judeo-Christian religions; my beliefs aren't compatible with it.

It's fairly patronizing to respond to someone who says "this isn't for me" with "just try it; God works in mysterious ways." Why not respect what she believes in?

And you are obviously terrified at the idea that OP might actually change her view, which means.... perhaps... that you could potentially change your view as well. And I know that can be scary when you are so antagonistic about religion.

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 feel the same way as OP, the feel UU's are too liberal politically. I'd like to find a place that is religion lite, but not all filled with SJW's.

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."

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.

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.

Anonymous[b wrote:]If she is asking to go to church, why not let her go to church?[/b]

I am just getting "back into" religion and really enjoy the community, the sermons that keep me grounded morally, etc even though I have a ways to go with my faith

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give church a try?

Why would she do that if she's secular?

OP, I agree with UU. It's also great you're doing mindfulness things with them.

Maybe this feeling she is having/ her child is having is calling her to give it a try. We all change, evolve. Be open to new experiences.

Yes, but she said church isn't for her, so suggesting it isn't helpful.

Wow, PP, you sure are defensive about that. What are you so afraid of about church?

Yes, OP, why not give it a try? God does work in mysterious ways.

Gee, god does work in mysterious ways... but I never figured out where there was any good in pediatric cancer- or any other major source of population level devastation and suffering for that matter. Any why oh why would god go through the trouble of telling someone to go to church but not curing some innocent child with hundreds of people praying for her? Hum, must just be his mysterious ways...

This has been discussed in other threads ad nauseum, plus it is so condescending. Do you really think that religious believers have not considered why suffering exists? Do you really believe that other people are that stupid, that they literally do not think about this?

Its also condescending to tell an atheist/ secular person to try church because “God works in mysterious ways”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give church a try?

Why would she do that if she's secular?

OP, I agree with UU. It's also great you're doing mindfulness things with them.

Maybe this feeling she is having/ her child is having is calling her to give it a try. We all change, evolve. Be open to new experiences.

Yes, but she said church isn't for her, so suggesting it isn't helpful.

Wow, PP, you sure are defensive about that. What are you so afraid of about church?

Yes, OP, why not give it a try? God does work in mysterious ways.

She's made a decision about what she believes. Why are you trying to foist church onto her? I'm not afraid of church -- my mom is Catholic and I've been to mass many times. I was raised Jewish. I have ample exposure to it. I have decided I don't believe in Judeo-Christian religions; my beliefs aren't compatible with it.

It's fairly patronizing to respond to someone who says "this isn't for me" with "just try it; God works in mysterious ways." Why not respect what she believes in?