Are you religious???

[Rudey]

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

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

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Rudey
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.

[Tippiechick]

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

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I thought that Unitarians are not necessarily Christian these days.

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.

[juniorgrrl]

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"

[adduncan]

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" )

Adrienne

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

Originally posted by ThetaPrincess24
I was raised Baptist. However, my senior year in high school I took it upon myself to find out about the "terrible" catholic church that I kept hearing so much about. So I attended a mass with some friends of mine that were catholic. I saw nothing wrong with it, what I had been told of the catholic church I found out was false as I saw for myself, and I rather enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much in fact I continued to go to mass every week with my friends. I even attended the youth group with them, and one even sponsored me in RCIA. That year at the Easter Vigil mass I was baptized, confirmed, and took my first communion. Very overwhelming and powerful experience and one I've never regretted. Unfortunately while I no longer attend mass as "religiously" as I once did, I do pray each day, I do read from my Bible, and do try to live a moral life to the best of my ability (to the best of my ability doenst mean that I am "holier than thou" and dont have my moments of sin because I certainly do). I also prefer to date other catholics as I am looking for that someone and I do intend to have a catholic wedding and raise my children in the catholic church, so whoever would have to be okay with that, eventhough most of my dad's side of the family and half of my mother's side of the family are in total disagreement..........(some even disowned me for leaving the Baptist church and joining the Catholic church but that's a separate story).

[Optimist Prime]

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.

[justamom]

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.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
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.

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.

[MareImbrium]

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.

[_Opi_]

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.

[justamom]

_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.

[_Opi_]

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.

[RxyChrldr]

Originally posted by Ginger

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"

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!