What religion am I?

[CoffeeCat]

I was born to a staunch Catholic family. I enjoyed Mass, the stories and ceremony involved in the religion, and I liked the structure that church provided for moral teachings.

However, the church turned me off around 1980--when every sermon was about giving more money or political issues. I grew disenfranchised. Then I went to college and all hell broke loose!

I took a class at the University of Iowa called, "Quest for Human Destiny" taught by Jay Holstein. He defined religion as "A response to a feeling of inadequacy." I was shocked. I began to realize that my grandmother, who said, "The Catholic religion is a beautiful apple tree, and the other religions are rotten apples that fell off", might not be the final authority on God.

I fell off of the religious grid for 2 decades. The "Quest" class taught me that it was ok to question, and that faith is in your heart--but believing doesn't make it so. So, I drifted for a while.

Now, at age 40, I find myself believing in something, but I'm not sure what it is. Through some pretty intensive psychotherapy for childhood trauma--I've been able to access a part of myself that is totally pure, unscathed, wise and at peace. I am unsure if this is the part of me that was damaged before the trauma--or if it is my soul. The part feels connected to the universe and a part of something bigger.

I believe in some kind of higher-power thingee. However, I really haven't found a religion that fits with me. I believe that homosexuality is just one aspect of a person--like blue eyes. I don't believe it's a sin. I believe that Earth is one test of the soul; and that it is a brutal and beautiful test.

I believe the Bible is not meant as a historical text or something that should be taken literally. I think many of the stories and words are inspirational and beautiful--but I also think a great deal of it is political bunk.

As for Jesus, I think he could be the Son of some God. I believe the crucifixion happened, but I also believe that the stories/legends from other religions are probably true, as well. I think our Earthly ideas of "God" are manifestations of spirituality that help us to tap into our souls. I don't think any religion is right or wrong--it's a way of expressing your soul and that can never be wrong. Whatever works! I really don't have any answers!

I strongly believe that each person has a soul, but that soul gets buried and hidden underneath layers--as we trudge through our Earthly experiences. I think we all have a duty and an obligation to treat each other with respect, dignity, and kindness. I believe in volunteering and charity. Good works are important. We should all try to leave the world a better place than when we came into it.

So....does anyone know if any of this fits into a religion?

Am I an agnostic? Am I confused? Am I a religious mutt?

I'd like to attend a church. I have two little girls--ages 5 and 3--and I would like for them to have the kind of structure that I enjoyed as a child. I had fun learning the stories and gleaning insight and comfort from religious teachings. I would also enjoy some structure around my beliefs.

Is there a church out there for me?

[Warpy]

1. Try the Unitarians

They're people who are wondering the same things you are. They're a completely mixed bag and very liberal on social issues.

You'd fit right in.

[rawtribe]

2. I'm an atheist

All though I'm not anti religion if I had to choose a church it would be the Unitarians

http://www.uua.org

I enjoy the Buddhist teachings...

http://www.drba.org

good luck on your quest.

[CindyDale]

3. You sound very spiritual

I've had good experiences with Unitarian Universalist and Episcopalian churches. I knew someone who grew up Catholic that swears by Unity, though I've never been to it.

A really good source to find out about religions is http://religioustolerance.org

IMO, it's one of the best sites on the Web.

Here's a link to the Unity magazine:

http://www.unityonline.org/read_unity_magazine.htm

Hmmmm It looks pretty interesting.

[NAO]

4. Unitarian Universalist Church might work for you

The Unitarian Universalist Church does not have dogmas like most churches. They respect the spiritual teachings of all other denominations, all other religions, and even agnostics and atheists.

Unitarian Universalist Church
http://www.uua.org/

Unitarian Universalist FAQs
http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/uufaq.html

******

About Unitarian Universalism

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups.

[autorank]

7. I was ex-communicated from the Unitarian Church.

Yes, it's true. I was teaching a Sunday School class of 8 year olds. The lesson was around the story of Noah's Arc. I told the kids that, if they behaved, I promised them that they could have the 2 dozen donuts in the see through box. They were excited then they calmed down and listened to the story of Noah, which centered around "God's promise" to Noah. When I was done, I said, "OK kids, and I'm keeping my promise to you, here are the donuts." They were pleased. A member of the education committee was there, took offense at my sweet strategy, and reported me to the uber committee for this very liberal congregation. So what happens, I get a call about being respectful to the Bible etc. when I teach the kids. I responded by saying, I'm in this f'ing church because I don't believe in the Bible...it went down hill from there. I was not formally ex-communicated but I was shunned so I took my overly generous monthly donation and quit. Nice crew, huh. The kids were very happy with the donuts so it was worth it.

Organized religion is all the same animal; bureaucracy breeds contempt for the individual.

[NAO]

5. So far it's Unanimous - all posts point to Unitarian Universalists

Three posts in four minutes from three DU members.

If DU members were to establish an official state sponsored religion - not that we would ever do such a thing, but if we did - I'd bet it would be UU.

[pop goes the weasel]

6. try the Unitarians n/t

[Tux]

8. I'm weird

You could try UU or read up on Buddhism. I think that you might wander to UU though. Hope you find your path.

[autorank]

9. Here is something you might be interested in.

OK, here is my suggestion. Take a look at the first book. The Q gospel. That will help you understand just how powerful the consistent teachings of Jesus are in the three synoptic gospels and just how condensed they are also.
The Lost Gospel : The Book of Q and Christian Origins. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060653752/102-6806225-7958519

Then take a look at the Gospel of Thomas. Get this edition and also pay attention to the introduction by Harold Bloom (amazing essay/sermon).
Gospel of Thomas : The Hidden Sayings of Jesus
by Marvin Meyer. The introduction and the text will just amaze you.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D006065581X/102-6806225-7958519

Now, keep in mind that the founders of "the church" made a point of discrediting, harassing, and killing every Gnostic thinker (as per the Gospel of Thomas) just to have a tidy doctrine.

Take a look at this. It is updated and a nice symbolic interpretation of the metaphysical aspects of Christianity.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060628626/ref=pd_sim_b_1/102-6806225-7958519?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life and the Lord's Prayer : An Interpretation Emmet Fox

If you still feel the need for church, try these guys. They are very tolerant, pro-peace and environment, and don't make you believe anything other than the positive aspects of your own mind and experience.
http://www.religiousscience.org/
United Church of Religious Science (CRS)

It's all good...

[GOPBasher]

10. Definitely Unitarian.

All religions are welcome there. They continue ask questions and to seek; they don't presume to know everything about the universe. This sounds like you.

[Az]

11. You pretty much fit the demographic of a Unitarian Universalist

You even fit where they typically come from. The 18-35 age gap is particularly unrepresented because most don't discover (or rediscover) the UU church until they have a carreer, a mortgage, and a family. Then they find they want their kids to have some of the tradition they had but not all the dogma. Bam suddenly they are a UU.

[Maat]

12. This is what I recommend:

Try a service at each of the following congregations in your area:

1) Unitarian-Universalist,
2) Church of Religious Science,
3) United Church of Christ, and ..
4) Episcopalian.

Or go to Beliefnet.com, and take their test.

I scored 100% Unitarian-Universalist, but Church of Religious Science was in there. As it turns out, I enjoy their customs better (CRS).

The point, in my humble opinion, is that we progressives have progressive choices (which I didn't even know about until about two years ago, and I'm 46).

Also ... and here is the BIG plug ... we have a DU Group, that has ALL kinds of useful information (go down to DU Groups) ... and it is called Seekers on Unique Paths. Go to the Mission Statement, up at the top, click, and it has all kinds of useful links.

Take care!

[Sgent]

13. Could also be

some varient of Reform Judaism.

Other than the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, most of the rest fits.

[Maat]

16. That worked for my friends - Reform Jud.

Also, they have formed a new branch that is even more progressive. I forget what it is called, though.

[Stunster]

14. Try Tom Wright's work

Though I myself am Catholic, I cannot speak too highly of the work of Anglican bishop and scholar, N. T. Wright. Quite simply, I think he's the best Jesus scholar in the world.

If you can work through a big book, the one I would recommend is this one.

If not, then this will do.

But I'd recommend getting your money's worth by choosing the bigger book.

You can get a taste of Wright's work by going to http://www.ntwrightpage.com/

If Wright's work convinces you, then be a Christian. Personally, I have a theological preference for Catholicism because of its apostolicity, catholicity, sacramentality, and because it is where the Petrine ministry and office are located. I also enjoy the aesthetic, intellectual, and historical richness of the Catholic tradition more than I could any with other Christian tradition. But perhaps you'd be happier in another denomination. All I know is that I'd rather be a lapsed Catholic than a practitioner of another Christian denomination.

If Wright's work doesn't convince you, then keep searching...

[Telly Savalas]

15. Sounds a lot like my story.

If you lived in Toronto, I'd invite you to come to my church cause it has a lot to offer to folks like us. (A nice blend of old-school catholic style ritual and ceremony with extremely liberal outlook on the world.)

While I can't help you with finding a church, I do have a book recommendation: The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg. It might help you flush out your beliefs a bit more, and give you some food for thought.