I am not a "spiritual independent" but then what is that?

[elshiva]

:cry: But it is true, I am still a member of the Episcopal Church. I have no intentions of leaving...

[Maat]

1. A DUer used that term and I like it.

When I use that term, I think of the fact that some of us are still spiritual seekers.

For example, I feel that I am basically a Religious Scientist (Church of Religious Science - www.rsintl.org), but I also enjoy attending Unitarian-Universalist.

Neither of my churches tells me what to believe, and both are non-creedal. So, I can explore Neopagan concepts, or Hindu concepts or whatever.

I just conceptualize them in a way that is compatible with my basic core beliefs as espoused on Beliefnet.com's summary of some New Thought principles:

Beliefnet Summary of New Thought:

"An umbrella term for diverse beliefs that emphasize experiencing God's presence for practical purposes, such as healing and success. Examples include Unity, Religious Science, and Divine Science."

"Belief in Deity
There exists one God--Universal Mind, creative intelligence, omnipresent--a principle (not a being), an impersonal force that manifests itself personally, perfectly, and equally within all."

"Origin of Universe and Life
The universe and all within it are expressions of God--the creative intelligence--with no beginning and no end."

"After Death
Some believe in continual rebirth as a gift from God so that all may become immortal, as was Jesus Christ, with each lifetime a preparation for the next. Others believe the individual soul merges with the universal spirit after death."

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8056_1.html


Elshiva, you identify yourself as an Episcopalian. That must mean that you can agree with the majority of what they put forth - and their customs/traditions. That's a good thing.

It is every bit as good as being a 'Spiritual Independent.'

But neither of my churches satisfies me 100%; I like to attend both, and I like to explore other spiritualities too. So, that's why I'm kind of a maverick.

[elshiva]

2. Only God can satisfy a person 100%.

Thanks Maat!

Probably agree with Episcopalianism 95% of the time. Sometimes we waver as far as gay rights, but besides that it is correct. NOT that it is the only real group, IT IS NOT, and the good thing is most Episcopalians will acknowledge that it isn't.

As for our creeds, we are not to take them literally or as something we are told to believe. It is rather something to grow into believing...
They are skeletons of our faith, basic, but not all there is.

[Maat]

3. That's pretty cool.

That means that Episcopalians are FLEXIBLE. The danger nowadays is when people are inflexible.

My sister sends her child (my niece) to an Episcopalian day school - my sister really thinks that they do a good job.

[elshiva]

4. Thanks!Yes, Episcopalian education is very good.

What is good about Episcopalians is that there is no papal infallibility or (in general) fundamentalism, which leads to flexibility.

I went to a Roman Catholic college and grad school which were both very flexible, though, but only because they did not stress papal infalibility and were very liberal.