on the prospect of going back to church

[ulysses]

For a variety of reasons, Ms Uly and I are planning to check out the local United Methodist congregation in Douglasville this weekend.

When we first discussed the thought, we decided that we would walk out at the first sign of homophobia or some such. Since then, we've decided, if the worst is the case, to invite the preacher to dinner and explain our problems with such a point of view. The First UMC is a relatively liberal denomination, so I'm hoping for the best.

The agnostic goes back to church. This should be interesting.

[Sapphire Blue]

1. Consider discussing the Jacksonville Declaration w/the pastor

http://www.christianalliance.org/site/c.bnKIIQNtEoG/b.689007/k.2601/Flash_Movie.htm

You can download the letter on their website. You might bring more people to the movement.

[ulysses]

4. looks good.

Thanks. I'll keep that in the arsenal. :thumbsup:

[Shoeempress]

2. Good luck, hope you don't burst into flames or get struck by lightning

when you walk in.

[ironman202]

3. define an agnostic: a cowardly atheist

Just joking...I applaud your attemt at rapproachment. Good luck.

[ulysses]

5. um, no.

I'll be happy to discuss what agnosticism actually is if need be.

[bonofor prez]

6. Don't worry...

I am an Episcopalian who went to Catholic school in Utah and now live in the buckle of the Bible Belt, no one can be more anxious about religion than me.

Seriously though...I once told a Priest who taught me in high school that I didn't like church because of all the hypocrites there. He said "well where else would they be? That's what makes them hypocrites. Don't let men keep you from a relationship with God if you want one. There will always be people that are good to share your spirituality with, seek them out."

I hope that helps.

Peace.

[ulysses]

7. thanks.

Good advice from your priest. I'm not looking for a relationship with god, though. If I'm looking for anything spiritual from this experience, it's the opportunity to sing in a choir again and the occasional chance to argue religion with someone well-read enough to care. :)

[bonofor prez]

8. I must admit

the main reason I go is for singing in the choir, too.

[ulysses]

11. when I was growing up,

my parents when to choir practice *every* Wednesday night. I learned to hum in harmony on the nights I went with them.

[More Than A Feeling]

9. That's what drew me in too

I am up for some religious talk, if you want. I was an atheist for 19 years, then a Buddhist, then a liberal baptist, now I am moving towards being a theological conservative, political liberal. I am trying to read the top 100 spiritual books of the 20th century as well, so I have lots of material to talk about.

If you don't want to, that is cool too. Just a thought.

[ulysses]

14. lay it on me.

I enjoy discussion. If you're on the road to becoming a religious conservative, this could get interesting. :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Good luck. If the UMC doesn't do it for ya, try UCC, UU, or, MCC

[undeterred]

12. I'm not gay, but how a church /denomination treats gays

is kind of a litmus test for me. If they are inclusive of homosexuals as clergy the denomination is usually pretty progressive.

[thinkingwoman]

13. I have a question

Please don't take this the wrong way, because I do not wish to offend, but I want to ask...Why you want to go back to a church?

As someone who believes strongly in a universal spirit (God and Goddess both, for lack of better terms), who hasn't set foot inside a church for more than a decade and doesn't miss it, I have trouble understanding the appeal.

[ulysses]

15. not offended.

I grew up in the UMC, and while I'm not the main one pushing for the return to church simply because I don't feel the personal need, Ms Uly and I are in agreement that the experience of relatively liberal religion is one we want our kids to have as we did. I've wound up agnostic, she's wound up a somewhat "unchurched" believer. Of sorts. It's a weird area.

My dad has always been a solid agnostic, but I appreciate the fact that he let me be exposed to the whole trip with minimal guidance, even when I veered toward the absolutist side of things as an early teen.

I guess the appeal is in the understanding.

[thinkingwoman]

16. aha, kids change everything

Although our kids have grown up with our liberal pagan jewish tendencies, I understand the desire to bring up kids as you were raised.

In that case, I echo the recommendations that other posters have given, particularly UU churches. I have friends and relatives from many different faiths that love their UU church community.

Good luck.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Or you could try a liberal Episcopal or ELCA Lutheran church

Call the local diocesan (Episcopal) or synod (Lutheran) office and ask which parish in the area is the most liberal.