What, after all, is the church?

[Fredl]

OK, I'm feeling like I'm coming to terms with my time as a Mormon.

First, let me say that I firmly believe that God does not care a whit what church you belong to. (S)He loves you just as you are. (S)He does not have an agenda for your life, but wants you to mature into a being capable of creating your own purpose(s). If being a Unitarian furthers this end, then (S)He approves of you being a UU. If being a Mormon does so, then, by all means, that's where you belong. For at least so long as this is still true.

(S)He wants you to be true to yourself. If you are one of those blessed souls who can truly see that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, (S)He will bless you for professing it. If you are one of those more modest souls who can only wonder at how others reach this conclusion, (S)He will bless you also for your honest statement of the truth as you see it. If you're one of those poor souls just blundering around blindly in the dust storm that modern religion has created, know that he blesses and loves you, also.

There was a time in the past when I would answer questions about my religious affiliation to the effect that it has not yet emerged, but I think it may in the future. I intend to return to that view.

It is my present opinion that the churches are little more than clubs, much like the Lions or the Rotary. Their members pretend they are of much greater significance, but they aren't to me. As Reverend Lovejoy once told Ned Flanders in exasperation on The Simpsons, "Ned, have you ever thought about joining another of the major religions? They're all pretty much the same, you know."

So there you are. My simple and heartfelt declaration of emancipation. Which leaves me much destressed over the entire issue of leaving the church.

Fred

[free thinker]

said to me once, and I agree. If god wanted us to know exactly which way was his/hers, he/she would have made it much clearer.

And just in case it matters. This woman was, and is, kind, loving, non-judgemental, a great mother, and a terrific and compassionate human being. :cool:


I liked the post fred.


free thinker

[miss taken]

OK, I'm feeling like I'm coming to terms with my time as a Mormon.

First, let me say that I firmly believe that God does not care a whit what church you belong to. (S)He loves you just as you are. (S)He does not have an agenda for your life, but wants you to mature into a being capable of creating your own purpose(s). If being a Unitarian furthers this end, then (S)He approves of you being a UU. If being a Mormon does so, then, by all means, that's where you belong. For at least so long as this is still true.

(S)He wants you to be true to yourself. If you are one of those blessed souls who can truly see that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, (S)He will bless you for professing it. If you are one of those more modest souls who can only wonder at how others reach this conclusion, (S)He will bless you also for your honest statement of the truth as you see it. If you're one of those poor souls just blundering around blindly in the dust storm that modern religion has created, know that he blesses and loves you, also.

There was a time in the past when I would answer questions about my religious affiliation to the effect that it has not yet emerged, but I think it may in the future. I intend to return to that view.

It is my present opinion that the churches are little more than clubs, much like the Lions or the Rotary. Their members pretend they are of much greater significance, but they aren't to me. As Reverend Lovejoy once told Ned Flanders in exasperation on The Simpsons, "Ned, have you ever thought about joining another of the major religions? They're all pretty much the same, you know."

So there you are. My simple and heartfelt declaration of emancipation. Which leaves me much destressed over the entire issue of leaving the church.

Fred

I pretty much share the same world view... Amen, and amen!!

[cactus jack]

I say if God is a he, then I look forward to someday cutting a few decks with him over poker.

If God is a she, I hop She can come down here and show me some tricks on dealing with wimen and how I can make myself a better lover.

I'm not greedy and I ain't a lot!

[hitchiker]

OK, I'm feeling like I'm coming to terms with my time as a Mormon.

First, let me say that I firmly believe that God does not care a whit what church you belong to. (S)He loves you just as you are. (S)He does not have an agenda for your life, but wants you to mature into a being capable of creating your own purpose(s). If being a Unitarian furthers this end, then (S)He approves of you being a UU. If being a Mormon does so, then, by all means, that's where you belong. For at least so long as this is still true.

(S)He wants you to be true to yourself. If you are one of those blessed souls who can truly see that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, (S)He will bless you for professing it. If you are one of those more modest souls who can only wonder at how others reach this conclusion, (S)He will bless you also for your honest statement of the truth as you see it. If you're one of those poor souls just blundering around blindly in the dust storm that modern religion has created, know that he blesses and loves you, also.

There was a time in the past when I would answer questions about my religious affiliation to the effect that it has not yet emerged, but I think it may in the future. I intend to return to that view.

It is my present opinion that the churches are little more than clubs, much like the Lions or the Rotary. Their members pretend they are of much greater significance, but they aren't to me. As Reverend Lovejoy once told Ned Flanders in exasperation on The Simpsons, "Ned, have you ever thought about joining another of the major religions? They're all pretty much the same, you know."

So there you are. My simple and heartfelt declaration of emancipation. Which leaves me much destressed over the entire issue of leaving the church.

FredI don,t think you have to leave if you don,t want to , just see it from a different perspective and enjoy , enjoy , enjoy

[why me]

Thanks fred, I think that you are on to something there. I have always tried to embrace other churches. As a young adult in new york, I also attended the fifth avenue presbyterian church and met many wonderful protestant young adults. We would meet for coffee cake and hot chocolate after the sevice and we had a monthly program for togetherness and fellowship. They were great people and the pastor was wonderful too. I still remember some lovely moments over his house at christmas time when the young adults of presbyterian church were invited over his house for a christmas party. All knew that I was a mormon but I was a 'missionary' mormon...I just wanted to meet people who shared some of my values. I also go the catholic church which is the church of my relatives. I still light candles for the deceased catholics in my family. And of course the UU church which I attended in salt lake. Good people are found everywhere and I am grateful for all of these experiences that I have had with christian minded people. Thanks fred for the post...Oh and of course there are lovely mormons too...which I have also appreciated throughout my life...I like the idea of a 'community of human-spirited' people and this has guided me in my life....take care, fred :)