GP, I agree. When I answer the questions, I put "not applicable" for all the political ones. I have very, very strong beliefs in terms of abortion, divorce and homosexuality, but I don't expect a religion to necessarily agree with them, if that makes sense. For example, I'm realizing more and more that I am Buddhist, but Buddhism generally teaches that abortion creates very, very bad karma -- even though I'm pro choice, I can understand that belief. I guess what's more important to me is that they don't try to force their belief on others.

I thought that Unitarians are not necessarily Christian these days.

Orthodox Judaism is not what you think. Divorces are granted and divorced women are not shun. There are actual rules that you have to "satisfy" your wife. On many levels, women are considered closer to G-d, etc.

And in regards to gays - no it's not accepted but considering the bible does not accept it, I don't know what Judaeo-Christian religions do accept it. However, there are other rules in Judaism. To embarass or hurt someone publicly is the equivalent of killing them. There can be quotes taken out of the Torah saying bad things, but someone who truly understands knows what else is written and doesn't take things out of context. There is a movie on homosexuality and Orthodox Judaism called Trembling Before G-d if you want to watch it.

-Rudey
--Had to replace the word "read" with "watch" so I don't sound too retarded.

Rudey, is that a book or a movie? Your post confused me a little, but I'd definitely be willing to read/watch it.

My mom is a non-practicing mormon. My dad is a non-believer.

For 7 years, I went to a christian school run by Baptists. I tried very hard to buy into their religious teachings, but it didn't take.

A few years ago, after a lot of thought and introspection, I finally figured out that I, too, am a non-believer. It's a lonely feeling at first, but it is also very liberating.

It's one of those smaller award-winning movies. I think it's probably out on video or whatever at this point. It comes a bit from the left-wing so the lines of tolerance and acceptance.

What's confusing? And as others said being open-minded means accepting the fact that some people see what you don't.

-Rudey

You said it was a movie if I wanted to read it. That's what confused me. ;)

I, like MattPike, am a member of the Church of Christ...

I guess it just depends on individual congregations. I do know, as a national body, the UU does not consider itself a Christian denomination. The congregations I've visited, however, are certainly Christian.

I was raised, and remain, a practicing Roman Catholic. I don't agree with everything they stand for as an organization (birth control, priests marrying), but the faith itself is very special to me.

My fiance is a non-practicing Methodist, who comes to church with me occasionally now, and we will go together once we are married.

A good friend of mine who is atheist is very involved in the Unitarian church. He's planning on going to divinity school to become a UU minister. He has explained to me that the UU church accepts all religions and beliefs.

I find that very smart people are usually Unitarians. Its big in academic circles. I had an uncle who was a physics professor who was a Unitarian. My Con Law professor is Unitarian. Lots of big thinkers!

Beliefnet told me I should be an Orthodox Quaker, which I thought was odd, because I'm extremely conservative (both politically and morally) and as someone mentioned earlier, the Quakers tend towards being liberal. Wierd!

Like I said, I am beginning the process of converting, but it's not to be a Quaker :) I have decided to become a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I'm excited! I've finally found a religious "home" :D :D :D

I was raised Presbyterian (PCUSA) and became Catholic in college. My story of how that came about is strikingly similar in many ways to ThetaPrincess'.

And I do believe in, support, and practice the moral applications (ie, birth control, Mass weekly, fill-in-your-choice-here, etc etc etc)

FWIW, Mr. Adrienne is the same--except he converted in grad school from the United Methodist Church.

Happy New Year, Everybody!
(We got in a couple of hours ago from Houston's biggest NYE party at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. We're blowing off the opening of the "commuter lite rail" :rolleyes: )

Adrienne
:D
( ETA Off to join my other half watching Purdue in the WhateverIt'sCalledNow (formerly Citrus) Bowl)

I was baptised methodist. Then I broke with church and explored various different religions and spirtual traditions. I am a Buddhist for over a year now.

Rudey-And as others said being open-minded means accepting the fact that some people see what you don't.

This is the truth... dang, the ever lovin truth.

Yeah, that's what I expected. I've read a bit about Unitarians not being Christian, but I would bet money on the fact that most of them are, which is a turn off for me. I battled with the fact that I don't believe in God when I tried to be a Baha'i for a while -- no matter how much I'd be comforted by believing in God, I just don't.

Anyway, I've been doing some research online, and I've decided to start attending some type of Buddhist temple in my area.

I am very involved with my church. I am an officer at my church and have recently served for a year already. My official term is over in two years. I am also a member of choir, go to Bible studies when offered, attend service on Christmas morning and New Year's Eve, etc. But I also know how to have fun too. I believe that I have a balance between my beliefs and way things are in the earthly world.

I would say that I'm semi-religious. I understand and fully convinced that my religion is the one for me. But I feel that I am not fullfilling the obligation of my chosen religion, but I strive to by doing research for myself.

Someone said that being religious gets in the way of your spirituality? I thought spirituality=religion. I know that most people consider religious being observant on the physicalities of the religion (i.e. refraining from fornication, going to mass, etc) but things like convinction and praying and keeping god in your heart and fullfiling your obligation is also a part of spirituality..or so I thought.

_Opi_ , I see your point, but like so many things, one's feelings about a "greater being" is very personal. I see the difference as an and/or situation between accepting God's laws, man's laws or both.

For instance, in the Catholic religion, we are taught to follow the 10 Commandments-God's law. We are also taught to attend mass on Holy Days of Obligation-laws of my religion, the Catholic Church, which were made by men.

I consider myself to be spiritual because I make every effort to follow God's laws (even though I often fail). The laws of the church, which include things like not practicing birth control with the only exception being the rhythm method, are sometimes difficult to see as logical. Yet, the reason is due to a quote in the bible about "spilling your seed" as interpreted by our leaders.

Maybe it's just an excuse I use to do what I feel is "right".
This puts me into another category-guilty of committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins-Pride-by thinking my interpretation is as good as those who are charged with our spiritual development.

Justamom,

precisely. I know where you are coming from. Thats just choices that we have to make in life. I think that religion and spirituality is very personal thing.

Ginger, congrats on finding the place you feel at home! I converted recently to LDS...baptized on december 6th! I couldn't be happier..it really was the right decision for me. Best wishes!

JAM and Opi,
Doesn't it all really boil down to what Christ said when questioned about "the Law". That the two things that really matter are first to love God with your whole heart and soul, and second to love your neighbor as yourself. (Or as we used to say in my Chapter, be cool with the Boss and hang with your bros).

I'm not religious. I was born Jewish, had a bar mitzvah and have even been to Israel. I haven't found a need for religion in my liife, and don't see that changing anytime soon.

In my mind, you hit the nail on the head. Your interpretation is what I feel "spirituality" is all about. I don't see how all these different denominations can point a finger at others and state, "YOU people are all going to hell because__________"
fill in the blank. I know one of our foundations is to believe Jesus
is the Son of God and I DO. It's the idea that because someone calls God by a different name than me, they are banished from heaven- that seems ludicrous. I guess in time we will all find out.

When I went through the RCIA (adult conversion to Catholocism), I was working with an awesome priest who explained it like this...

He drew a big circle with a dot in the middle. He said the dot represented being one with God. He then put dots all over within the circle, including one that was very close. He said each dot represented a different religion/denomination. Then he said that as Catholics, we'd like to believe that we are the dot closest to the center, but, we don't really know and the most important thing is that everybody is working toward the same goal. I was VERY surprised that a Catholic priest was saying this because I had expected that there was less tolerance for other religions within Catholicism. I was equally surprised that if you go through the RCIA and have been baptized in any other Christian denomination, it is recognized by the Catholic church and you then only have to do the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation. (and confession of course).

Dee

AGDee What a beautful explanation! I am a tad shocked to hear this came from a priest. Then again, I have felt that nothing was really uniform any longer. It's like- depending on the congregation and the mindset of the priest, the age of Monsignor, the attitude of the bishop... you see what I mean?
I really need to check that out. My "religion" may need updating!
So cool to hear this! It's past due. Thanks for the sharing!!!!

I've always been told the best Catholics were our converts!:D

Practicing LCMS Lutheran (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) -- we're more on the conservative side of Lutheranism. Hubby and I were both born and raised and our parents are still very active in their respective churches. It's what feels right for us. But I personally believe that as long as you believe in whatever you believe in and live your life to the best of your abilities in whatever beliefs you subscribe to (be it Buddhist, Muslim, RC, agnostic, whatever) then that's all you need to do for your life.

Whoa, me too. Except my mom was Episcopalian and I started questioning religion when I was a few years older. I was baptized Catholic, though.

I had a very similiar explanation from my Anglican theology prof. this summer and I really liked it. He was very big into universalism and managed to convert about half the class. I'm taking New Testament Overview with him this semester and he apparently has a lot of fun discussing why Fundies shouldn't take the Bible so darn literally, so I'm looking forward to that!

That seems ludicrous to me as well..doesn't God love *everybody*? Why would he send someone who believes in him to hell? That's one thing I love about the Mormon doctrine..we don't believe that anyone "not Mormon", or of other denomination or an unbeliever, is going to hell.

I have found that I am becoming more religious as I (1) get older, and (2) have children.

I was not raised in a religious home at all. I only remember going to church maybe 10 times by the time I was in high school.

I found God and Jesus when I was initiated into my fraternity. Believe it or not, our Ritual started it all for me to look more deeply into the Bible, and, I found what I was looking for.

I'm Jewish and I am what you call nonpracticing. I go to synagogue on the High Holidays and bar mitzvahs but that is about it. I was much more religious in high school after I returned from Israel.

One of these days I'll probably get more into religious life.

You have NO idea how comforting that is to me! So glad you posted!

Thanks so much! It's very true.

The initiation ritual started me on the path. And I hope I'm not the only one!

Now, I'm very involved with church, leading a Bible study, conduction communion, etc...