I remember sitting at my desk, going about my usual tasks at work when I found out about the attack on the World Trade Center. We all brought up the news on our computers, and were enventually allowed to go to the cafeteria to watch the television and to comfort each other a bit. I did not know at the time that a high school classmate of mine had perished in Pennsylvania when Flight 93 went down. I found that out later that day. Sandy Bradshaw was a good woman, and I still mourn her loss, as well as that of all the victims on 9/11.
I look at the world today, and I wonder how much we, as the human race, have accomplished since then. I hope that we have moved forward, but I just don't know. In the United States, fear has led to loss of freedoms, xenophobia, and bitterness or hatred toward those who believe differently. Those who look to profit from this fear have fueled the flames and many of us have let them, or even helped them.
Too many lives have been lost on all sides (one life is too many), and the money spent on conflict in the Middle East is overwhelming. Yet conflict is growing. The coalition troops stepped down in Iraq and sectarian violence escalated. Political, religious and sectarian violence are all over the Middle East, and in the United States. If you don't believe that America has its share, look at the number of hate crimes that are occurring in this country. Look at how immigrants are treated. Look at how peoples of different faith are treated. Oh, it may not be a governmental thing, but the undercurrent is there among the populace. It is poison and spreading more than we'd like to admit.
What can we do about this? I don't have the answers, but I have some suggestions.
1) Quit letting the beliefs of others threaten the beliefs that we hold dear. We think that our beliefs are the only right ones and we want to push them on others. Live and let live. If our beliefs can't stand the challenge of being questioned, what good are they? I have friends of all faiths and political beliefs. I have friends who are atheists, who many times make more sense to me than some other people of religious faith. The differences do not bother me in the least. I love them all. My personal belief as a follower of Christ informs my life. I draw strength and comfort from it. If I live a life that makes people want to know more about my faith, I'll share. I have always appreciated people of other faiths who have shared theirs with me. I've learned much and have had my own faith strengthened. We all have to get through this life the best way that we can, to become as whole as we can. Let's help each other to do so, instead of being stumbling blocks.
2) Go out of our way to be nice to someone who is different, especially if that difference makes us uncomfortable. If possible get to know someone like this. Befriend them. We might be surprised at how much that makes us grow.
3) Sacrifice for others, be it time, money, or comfort. Give and see how it is given back in ways that we would never imagine.
4) Let differences help us to make better decisions as a whole, instead of letting these differences tear us apart. Communication with an open mind is the only way to move forward.
5) Finally, spread love as if it is greater than money or possessions, because it is. John Shelby Spong uses the term, "love wastefully". Love not because we will receive something in return, but because we see that which is sacred in each living being. The Bible says that humankind was formed out of the dust of the earth and animated with the breath of God. Carl Sagan liked to say that we are all made of "star stuff". We are all connected in ways that we don't even realize. We must grow into this realization if we are to heal this planet. We are all one.
Shalom, Namaste, Love to all people, everywhere. Blessings to you all.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
On Changing Churches
It has been quite some time since I posted anything on this blog. I've been dealing with a bit of spiritual stagnation up until the last couple of weeks. That said, I seem to be gaining clarity that I have not possessed in quite a while now.
This week, my wife and I were discussing our current church, which we have been attending for the better part of the five years since we married. It is a great church, filled with wonderful people. We've never had a problem with the church or the people there, though we have never been really involved with the day to day life of the church. As the church is about 30 minutes away, it is difficult to spend as much time being involved as we'd like. Having a toddler to take care of does not make the task easier. Just a few days ago, we announced to each other quite spontaneously that we would like to begin the search for a new church. She would like to be more involved and would like to find a church where she would have more mothers of young children to fellowship with. I'd like a church where I could feel that I am getting fed what I need spiritually. Currently, neither of us feel that our needs are being met.
Finding a church where I feel at home is a difficult task. Most churches that I have checked out are theologically a bit too conservative for me. I am a progressive Christian and fit in better with the emergent church movement than any other Christian movement. I am also quite ecumenical when it comes to my beliefs on other religions as well, which does not go over well with some people. The only church where I have felt totally comfortable to be my authentic self has been a Unitarian Universalist church, roughly 45 minutes from my home. Finding a church that is even close to progressive near my home is almost impossible, considering the spiritual climate of the area. At this point, however, I am no longer willing to supress myself spiritually. I am being called to grow and to help others to grow I have thought about reaching out online to see if there are like-minded people, churched or unchurched, who would consider getting together on a regular basis.
My wife is a bit more traditional Christian in her beliefs, and Unitarian Universalism is not a good fit for her. That said, she is a seminary graduate with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies and can understand where my beliefs and convictions come from, even when she does not always share them.
The spiritual journey is both private and communal, a duality that can be difficult to reconcile. The trick is finding a church that we can both feel comfortable getting involved in. There are good churches in this area, as well as good people in them. The trick is finding a good fit for us and a church that we both feel comfortable nurturing our daughter in. The time for prayerful consideration is now.
This week, my wife and I were discussing our current church, which we have been attending for the better part of the five years since we married. It is a great church, filled with wonderful people. We've never had a problem with the church or the people there, though we have never been really involved with the day to day life of the church. As the church is about 30 minutes away, it is difficult to spend as much time being involved as we'd like. Having a toddler to take care of does not make the task easier. Just a few days ago, we announced to each other quite spontaneously that we would like to begin the search for a new church. She would like to be more involved and would like to find a church where she would have more mothers of young children to fellowship with. I'd like a church where I could feel that I am getting fed what I need spiritually. Currently, neither of us feel that our needs are being met.
Finding a church where I feel at home is a difficult task. Most churches that I have checked out are theologically a bit too conservative for me. I am a progressive Christian and fit in better with the emergent church movement than any other Christian movement. I am also quite ecumenical when it comes to my beliefs on other religions as well, which does not go over well with some people. The only church where I have felt totally comfortable to be my authentic self has been a Unitarian Universalist church, roughly 45 minutes from my home. Finding a church that is even close to progressive near my home is almost impossible, considering the spiritual climate of the area. At this point, however, I am no longer willing to supress myself spiritually. I am being called to grow and to help others to grow I have thought about reaching out online to see if there are like-minded people, churched or unchurched, who would consider getting together on a regular basis.
My wife is a bit more traditional Christian in her beliefs, and Unitarian Universalism is not a good fit for her. That said, she is a seminary graduate with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies and can understand where my beliefs and convictions come from, even when she does not always share them.
The spiritual journey is both private and communal, a duality that can be difficult to reconcile. The trick is finding a church that we can both feel comfortable getting involved in. There are good churches in this area, as well as good people in them. The trick is finding a good fit for us and a church that we both feel comfortable nurturing our daughter in. The time for prayerful consideration is now.
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