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Say Hi, Gracie (Newbies say hello thread)
- Thread starter CaDan
- Start date
Hi!
If you enjoyed that and want to know more, read on...
I've followed a path that has led me through legalistic Protestant fundamentalism, laissez-faire Deism, disinterested Agnosticism, anti-religious Atheism, secular Buddhism, and deeply spiritual Buddhism/mysticism. However others may view or use the concept in theory or practice, I don't see interfaith as "mixing" or "blending" but rather recognizing a common underlying experience of reality-as-it-is. That is I am not an advocate of a single synthetic universal religion and I also don't see using analogies or stories from one faith tradition in another as "watering down" the true teaching of a particular religion to make it palatable, even if some borrow phrases or images for that purpose. My understanding of the Buddha compels me to seek a more meaningful appreciation of Jesus, and in turn this appreciation of Jesus confirms my respect and gratitude for the teachings of the Buddha.
I know some may conclude I would be a good fit with the Unitarians, yet I am somewhat ambivalent toward Unitarian-Universalism because from what I have read and encountered many congregations seem more interested in being non-offensive to those wounded by religion and in being "non-partisan" with regard to any particular belief or tradition than in guiding and aiding people to a deeper and transforming experience of God/Tao/Spirit/Source/Being/etc and providing the resources and opportunities to do so in a truly interfaith way. In many congregations the inspiration for such inclusiveness (i.e. Jesus) as been virtually ex-communicated. The emphasis on social justice is noble but often not strongly rooted in faith of any kind (FYI for me faith and imagination are different aspects of the same disposition of being open to the possibilities - faith is having an open and creative heart and imagination is having an open and creative mind). So, I like the potential and the general goals of UUism in theory, but I am left a little let down in practice.
On the other hand, I am pretty certain more mainstream denominations and congregation assemblies will look askance at someone claiming that they have come to a deeper appreciation and affection for Christ through the study and practice of Buddhism. Yet my path has not been aimless. It has simply required and been guided by an honest pursuit of what I able to determine is true and just (and which has been hampered by shyness, doubt, and bouts of laziness, frustration and disaffection). I am certain my story is a fairly common one, and I look forward to reading where others have gone from a similar place as well as about those whose story is nothing at all like mine.
If you enjoyed that and want to know more, read on...
I've followed a path that has led me through legalistic Protestant fundamentalism, laissez-faire Deism, disinterested Agnosticism, anti-religious Atheism, secular Buddhism, and deeply spiritual Buddhism/mysticism. However others may view or use the concept in theory or practice, I don't see interfaith as "mixing" or "blending" but rather recognizing a common underlying experience of reality-as-it-is. That is I am not an advocate of a single synthetic universal religion and I also don't see using analogies or stories from one faith tradition in another as "watering down" the true teaching of a particular religion to make it palatable, even if some borrow phrases or images for that purpose. My understanding of the Buddha compels me to seek a more meaningful appreciation of Jesus, and in turn this appreciation of Jesus confirms my respect and gratitude for the teachings of the Buddha.
I know some may conclude I would be a good fit with the Unitarians, yet I am somewhat ambivalent toward Unitarian-Universalism because from what I have read and encountered many congregations seem more interested in being non-offensive to those wounded by religion and in being "non-partisan" with regard to any particular belief or tradition than in guiding and aiding people to a deeper and transforming experience of God/Tao/Spirit/Source/Being/etc and providing the resources and opportunities to do so in a truly interfaith way. In many congregations the inspiration for such inclusiveness (i.e. Jesus) as been virtually ex-communicated. The emphasis on social justice is noble but often not strongly rooted in faith of any kind (FYI for me faith and imagination are different aspects of the same disposition of being open to the possibilities - faith is having an open and creative heart and imagination is having an open and creative mind). So, I like the potential and the general goals of UUism in theory, but I am left a little let down in practice.
On the other hand, I am pretty certain more mainstream denominations and congregation assemblies will look askance at someone claiming that they have come to a deeper appreciation and affection for Christ through the study and practice of Buddhism. Yet my path has not been aimless. It has simply required and been guided by an honest pursuit of what I able to determine is true and just (and which has been hampered by shyness, doubt, and bouts of laziness, frustration and disaffection). I am certain my story is a fairly common one, and I look forward to reading where others have gone from a similar place as well as about those whose story is nothing at all like mine.
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Izdaari Eristikon
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Izdaari Eristikon
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allusion
n00b
I'm a n00b to the forum. Hi.
I have very recently come back to the faith after several years of "wandering in the wilderness." I got tired of running eventually. I'm a Christian, but I'm also a seeker in a way. I had a very bad church experience years back and I'm trying to "record over those tapes" now. I'm politically and socially liberal. I'm a member of a Baptist church, but I haven't gone to church in a while. I'm thinking about joining a local Presbyterian congregation that is very into helping those in need and accepting everyone.
I've mostly been hanging around this forum; I'm kind of afraid to venture into other sections of the site right now!
I have very recently come back to the faith after several years of "wandering in the wilderness." I got tired of running eventually. I'm a Christian, but I'm also a seeker in a way. I had a very bad church experience years back and I'm trying to "record over those tapes" now. I'm politically and socially liberal. I'm a member of a Baptist church, but I haven't gone to church in a while. I'm thinking about joining a local Presbyterian congregation that is very into helping those in need and accepting everyone.
I've mostly been hanging around this forum; I'm kind of afraid to venture into other sections of the site right now!
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I'm a n00b to the forum. Hi.
I have very recently come back to the faith after several years of "wandering in the wilderness." I got tired of running eventually. I'm a Christian, but I'm also a seeker in a way. I had a very bad church experience years back and I'm trying to "record over those tapes" now. I'm politically and socially liberal. I'm a member of a Baptist church, but I haven't gone to church in a while. I'm thinking about joining a local Presbyterian congregation that is very into helping those in need and accepting everyone.
I've mostly been hanging around this forum; I'm kind of afraid to venture into other sections of the site right now!
Welcome allusion!!! Don't force yourself yet but please contribute soon!! We're glad to have you!!
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emilybeingemily
All we are saying is give peace a chance!
- Apr 8, 2007
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Hi everyone, I'm new. I'm sorta new to being a Christian (I was raised one, didn't really care much, then fell away and joined another religion, now back!). I'm moving to college in the fall and hoping to join the local UCC congregation so I can grow spiritually.
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Izdaari Eristikon
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redheadmt
Junior Member
Hi! I'm not really a newbie, but it's been about 1 1/2 years since my last visit. I thought I'd introduce myself again before just jumping in after such a long time away.
My name is Michelle. I live in Ohio with my husband and four children. I consider myself to be a very liberal minded Christian.
My name is Michelle. I live in Ohio with my husband and four children. I consider myself to be a very liberal minded Christian.
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wayseer
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Hi - Have been on CF for a little over a month. I am old, a campanologist, an Australian and an Anglican.
I'm interested in the more progressive elements arising within Christian thought. I am also a traditionalist which is to say, not a conservative.
I'm interested in the more progressive elements arising within Christian thought. I am also a traditionalist which is to say, not a conservative.
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D.W.Washburn
The Artist Formerly Known as RegularGuy
Hello wayseer! I learned a new word today.
Campanology: the art or study of bell casting and ringing.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Campanologist
I assume that you ring the changes rather than cast bells?
Campanology: the art or study of bell casting and ringing.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Campanologist
I assume that you ring the changes rather than cast bells?
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wayseer
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Yes. I'm relatively new to the art. The bells, similar to those in Britain, rotate through 360 degrees so controlling up to a ton of swinging bronze takes some skill. I've been in training coming on six months and have just started to ring with the rest of the team. Now comes the tricky part - learning to ring in those changes.
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