Why I do you believe in God(s)?

[elshiva]

I believe based on my upbringing, but mostly through personal revelation.
How about y'all?

[Maat]

1. Now, that is a tough question.

I just have always had a feeling inside. In my faith (Church of Religious Science), we believe God is within everyone and everything - a infinitely loving, powerful, able energy. I just feel that within - and that accessing that energy has helped me stay healthy and safe in the past.

I did attend Presbyterian Church, until I was 15. Then I was out of the church, and sort of invented my own inclusive, nonjudgmental God/Goddess that I prayed to for 30 years. My God was both feminist and pro-human-rights.

Then, at 45, my husband and I researched faiths. C.R.S., because it honors all paths to God, and one researches all of the faiths equally, or can do so, and fit the bill. It matched what I have always believed. I was fortunate to find it.

This is my favorite topic, and my favorite forum. Welcome! Nice to see you here.

I'm trying to think up a great post. Need to research a bit more.

Take care! Be patient! Sometimes it takes the participants awhile to post in response. It's a little club where the meetings are spread out.

Unitarian-Universalist was our inspiration here - it is all spelled out in our mission statement that Skinner put up (first thread listed). For those of the most liberal Christian variety, there is also a neat DU Group for the liberal Christian so named. It's all good!

I sure like these DU Groups. The ground rules are honest, respectful participation, and I've really enjoyed them so far.

[kwassa]

2. Science of Mind

Maat
"Then, at 45, my husband and I researched faiths. C.R.S., because it honors all paths to God, and one researches all of the faiths equally, or can do so, and fit the bill. It matched what I have always believed. I was fortunate to find it."

C.R.S. honors all paths, but it is also a path unto itself. I was member of a C.R.S. church in Santa Monica for five years.

a few questions:
Do you practice spiritual mind treatments? Have you taken any of the practitioner training courses? And, have you read the big "Science of Mind" book by Ernest Holmes?

[Maat]

3. Yes, it is a path unto itself - I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

Sorry.

Yes, I engage in our special type of affirmative prayer, called 'spiritual mind treatment (for those outside the faith - no, it's not weird or dangerous)' with my favorite practitioner.

I have taken a class, and worked with my pastor, but, no I have not gone in a significant way on the journey to being a practitioner, because I just graduated with my doctorate in law (J.D. - law degree) in June 2004, and am working on taking the CalBar. Getting more involved in my church will probably have to wait.

What unites us is the lifestyle, and particularly the method of prayer - and the idea of being positive, viewing 'sin' as merely a mistake, and accepting self-responsibility, in my humble opinion.


I am just on the following bandwagon: I want people to know that they don't have to choose between not being in a church/faith at all, and being in one, such as a church of the Southern Baptist Convention, whose philosophy does not jive with progressive values.

So, we started the DU Group Seekers on Unique Paths from an inclusive perspective. There are many fine faiths that jive with progressive values: C.R.S., UU, UCC, MCC, Episcopal, etc.

My child actually goes to a school with a religious-science orientation/new-thought kind of an orientation, a Carden school. I feel very fortunate.

I've read parts of his main book - still working on all of it. I've been involved for a year. I have a really dynamic, wonderful female pastor.

[elshiva]

4. I'm Jewish-Episcopalian,

most half-Jews are pretty progressive.

[Maat]

5. That's sounds like quite an interesting combination.

Seems like you would be a pretty tolerant person. You would probably really fit into a Unitarian-Universalist congregation, or a Church of Religious Science congregation. Every once-in-awhile, a Rabbi will perform a ceremony (usually a mini-ceremony) in our service, or we may have an Episcopalian perform one (just to learn something new). I wanted to raise my daughter in a open, warm, comfortable accepting environment. My friend's son is gay, and I was concerned about the religious consequences. They belong go to a Reform Synagogue, however, which is pretty progressive.

[elshiva]

6. Actually, I feel really uncomfortable at UU services,

because they do not mention the name of God. The leader told me it my offend people to mention his name. The fact is I don't get to praise God enough for his/her bounty and I have a longing to do it in a group.
All said and done, though, I love UUers openness to a people. Personally, I'm universalist cos I believe all people will be saved.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. If you take one step towards God, God runs ten steps towards you

and God met up with me at quite an early age. My Friend is always there-it is a matter of me clearing the rust from my heart so that I can see the Friend shining within.

[elshiva]

8. Amen! How God loves us all!