Dilemma

[Anonymous]

Heber13 wrote:

You may find some things in the UU fellowship you and your hubby really benefit from, and you may find some things that remind you that you really like things in the mormon church.

I think you should follow your heart on what leads you to greater peace and enlightenment, and you probably don’t need to publicize it a lot at church as it is no one else’s business.

Article of Faith#11:

Quote:

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Here’s a little update on our experiences with the UU church. Our gay son was able to go out last Saturday with some of the gay friends we introduced him to from the UU church and he had a really good time. Sunday, my husband, son, and I attended the UU church and sat with our gay friends there. The people are very warm and friendly and their services are unique and interactive. The sermons were on appreciating the good of the old year and making plans for the new year. We all got New Years hats and horns to cheer in the new year. Sang Auld Lang Syne and some other News years songs. Then we were asked to write down one thing we gleamed from 2009 on one slip of paper and what we want out of 2010 on another slip of paper. I wrote that my 2009 trip to Europe helped me appreciate America more and that I wanted to make Jesus Christ more the center of my life in 2010. They did not read mine out loud which I was a little disappointed about. 60% of the members are atheists and I guess they do not really want to hear about my faith in Christ. Church services are really not about worshipping God or making Jesus your Savior but more about philosophies and humanitarian efforts. Alot of members voiced their happiness for Obama becoming President in 09 and what a great job he is doing, which I don’t necessarily agree with. So, it does seem more like a liberal political church. They also pass around the plate for money to support Planned Parenthood and Pro-gay political events which is not my bag. It did make me realize that I learned to love Jesus Christ in the lds church growing up as a child singing primary songs about Jesus and hearing the stories of Jesus. I realized that my faith in God and the plan of salvation are very meaningful to me. So, I recognized that I am much more of a ‘Christian Mormon’ than anything else. But, I have intrograted things I learned in the 7th Day Adventist church years ago and the UU church now into my life. I find there is good to be found in many places in the world. So, you are right Heber about finding what fits me best in Mormonism, and what I want to incorporate from other faiths in my life have been helpful. Mormons do not have a monoploy on all truth and I think they could learn alot from other faiths just as other faiths could learn some things from Mormonism.

[Anonymous]

bridget_night wrote:

Mormons do not have a monoploy on all truth and I think they could learn alot from other faiths just as other faiths could learn some things from Mormonism.

Well said, Bridget. I think that when people are ready and mature…there are great things from other religions that are worthy of study and it helps us to respect others’ views and appreciate the good things.

It sounds like your family had a good experience. That’s good to hear…thanks for the update!

[Anonymous]

Dear Bridge,

I have always loved the Unitarian Church. Check out the “Standing on the Side of Love”. These are people who do wonderful work in the community, but, I consider them a “Social Network”, not a religious faith. They have no pure creed. They serve families who are interfaith, just a Jewish and Christian or Atheist and Christian, so they never establish core doctrine.

I enjoy this congregation for “Social Visits”, debates, fellowship with other Christians and non-Christians in the community, but I do not expect to receive the “spiritual bread of life” from them.

[Anonymous]

MWallace57 wrote:

I enjoy this congregation for “Social Visits”, debates, fellowship with other Christians and non-Christians in the community, but I do not expect to receive the “spiritual bread of life” from them.

My husband and I were just discussing this last night and totally agree with you. We both fit better as Christian Mormons than anywhere else. I was hoping more for my son to have a place he could find a fit, but he said he was not interested in any church right now. He did like the UU visit and perhaps he will turn there someday. Like Heber said, it is a good place with good people and would affirm him being gay. Right now, he is so focused on finances and finding a boyfriendand this is all that matters. As his raging hormones age or calm down and has some more life experiences he might turn to faith for deeper needs is my hope. I do what I can for my 3 kids, but ultimately they have to learn things in their own way. I have a few gay friends right now who have AIDS and cannot get their meds because of beauracies, and my son does not practice safe sex so that scares me. What we do in our families does affect each other, so I pray each day for God to watch over him.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update, Bridget! I am so glad you are so supportive of your son. That love and support is very helpful for our gay bros/sisters. The AIDS issue is indeed a challenge, unfortunately particularly for gays (for many reasons, none of which have to do with “sin,” IMO)…but it is always a concern for parents, I’m sure!

I’ll put my “oblique” spin on your experience with UU. I’ll paint a broad brush with my remarks, and I don’t mean to offend or contradict experiences that any have personally had — this is just my experience and take on things (okay, enough for the disclaimers….) — I think, generally, that “spiritual experiences,” or “feeling the spirit,” happens in Mormondum as a self-fulfilling prophecy. IOW, a teacher/leader tells us that “if we feel the burning, or the ‘lump in the throat,'” it is the spirit confirming some sort of physical event being good, or true. I think in most cases it is actually an emotional response that typically occurs when we feel a bond, or validation from another person we respect, and/or want to please…or when we are connecting with a courageous behavior of service between people.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I think it IS a great experience to have, and we strive for it often (movies, plays, music, interactions with others, etc.); I just don’t think it is what we often think it is. And if we understand what it really is, we won’t have the cog-dis that many have when outcomes don’t match our presuppositions and expectations.

To the point re the UU service, I think most UU services are extremely “spiritual,” from the perspective that most UU attendees view as “spiritual.” They speak of unconditional love and acceptance of people regardless of race, religion, sexuality, etc. This is “spiritual” to them (and to me, since I DO believe that true spirituality is connecting with the “all” on an equal plane). They tend to downplay the common Christian (and others) attitude of “sin,” and need for salvation/redemption, and the paradigm of earning/attaining salvation through works or grace. I don’t think they generally disbelieve it, they just focus on the issues of the day, since many of the attendees range from atheist to very religious…and they find a common denominator. At least that’s been my experience there….

Anyway, again, thanks for the update, and I applaud your support of your son!

[Anonymous]

Rix wrote:

To the point re the UU service, I think most UU services are extremely “spiritual,” from the perspective that most UU attendees view as “spiritual.” They speak of unconditional love and acceptance of people regardless of race, religion, sexuality, etc. This is “spiritual” to them (and to me, since I DO believe that true spirituality is connecting with the “all” on an equal plane).

Amen, Rix. I can’t tell you how special and connected and peaceful I feel at the UU services. But, like you, that’s probably because I am not really looking for a Pauline church. If it were a Pauline church, I would surely be chafed.

[Anonymous]

Rix wrote:

To the point re the UU service, I think most UU services are extremely “spiritual,” from the perspective that most UU attendees view as “spiritual.” They speak of unconditional love and acceptance of people regardless of race, religion, sexuality, etc. This is “spiritual” to them (and to me, since I DO believe that true spirituality is connecting with the “all” on an equal plane). They tend to downplay the common Christian (and others) attitude of “sin,” and need for salvation/redemption, and the paradigm of earning/attaining salvation through works or grace. I don’t think they generally disbelieve it, they just focus on the issues of the day, since many of the attendees range from atheist to very religious…and they find a common denominator. At least that’s been my experience there….

Anyway, again, thanks for the update, and I applaud your support of your son!

Hi Rix,

Thank you for your support and comments. I did not mean to say it was not spiritual there. I think it is. I just meant that I did not feel free to voice my strong belief in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father there or feel like I could worship them openly there as most of the members are atheists in this particular UU congregation. I also do not feel my husband and I can express our conservative political views because they express such strong liberal view sthere. I just gleam the good I can.

[Anonymous]

bridget_night wrote:

Hi Rix,

Thank you for your support and comments. I did not mean to say it was not spiritual there. I think it is. I just meant that I did not feel free to voice my strong belief in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father there or feel like I could worship them openly there as most of the members are atheists in this particular UU congregation. I also do not feel my husband and I can express our conservative political views because they express such strong liberal view sthere. I just gleam the good I can.

Thanks for the clarification…although I think you said it well the first time! Yes, I can see how it might be a bit stifling from your perspective. But I applaud your willingness to branch out — I think that is good for all of us!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rix, btw, I see you have a new avatar photo. New grandchild?

[Anonymous]

bridget_night wrote:

Thanks Rix, btw, I see you have a new avatar photo. New grandchild?

Yes, thanks for noticing! He’s my first, and I’m just giddy about him! And he’s much “cuter” to look at when I log on here than my boring face!

[Anonymous]

Rix – I too liked the avatar, but I thought it was just a metaphor for taking a fresh view on life, like a child! Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

hawkgrrrl wrote:

Rix – I too liked the avatar, but I thought it was just a metaphor for taking a fresh view on life, like a child! Congratulations!

Hah! I love it…why didn’t I think of that?! I guess I’m too enamored with the “reality” of how adorable he is!

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