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Interesting statistics

How do you practice your faith?

  • Regular church attendance

    Votes: 7 14.6%

  • Through meditation and/or contemplation and/or prayer on my own

    Votes: 25 52.1%

  • In a small group of like-minded people

    Votes: 3 6.3%

  • None of the above (please comment)

    Votes: 13 27.1%
  • Total voters
    48
CaptainXeroid

CaptainXeroid

Following Christ
Booko said:
It's a little milder in Georgia, I think, but the description isn't too far off. Maybe we have a higher percentage of people who are "fallen away." It seems to be fairly acceptable, even in less urban areas, to be "unchurched."...
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I was thinking the 'Bible Belt' is less applicable to metro Atlanta, perhaps inside the perimeter, but that it's still pretty strong in the rest of the state.
Booko said:
...I don't think there are many people in Atlanta who spend 20 hours in church -- they spend 20 hours on the road commuting, maybe...
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Sad, but true.:D..about the commute. About the only time I spend 20 hours a week in church is Holy Week, Palm Sunday to Easter, and the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Booko said:
...There's a megachurch within walking distance of my house. I mistook it for an office building when we first moved here. :) In some parts of town, there are yellow street signs that say "Church." I wondered about those when I first moved here. I mean, should I stop the car and pray or something?...
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I know that one, and I still forget it's a church even though it's been years since they moved out of downtown.

As for the signs...I always thought that was to warn other drivers of the greater probability of encountering blue hair 'Sunday drivers'.:help:
BruceDLimber said:
...So I would humbly suggest that the poll is unnecessarily restrictive in the choices it offers, and would probably work better with a "check all that apply" format!...
Click to expand...
After some thought, I concur 100%! My wife and I certainly attend church, meditate on our own, and meet in small groups with like-minded and sometimes not-so-like minded people for discussions about faith.:162:
 
Green Gaia

Green Gaia

Veteran Member
None of the above/All of the above, and more. Actually the way UUs "practice" our faith is by doing; taking action. We believe the world can be a better place for everyone and we actively make that happen. To me practicing my faith isn't about going to church or mediating or going to a circle (small group meeting). Those are things I do to learn more, to recharge my batteries (so to speak) and to connect with others. I could practice my faith without doing any of those things, but they help me be stronger and more educated to when I do go out to try to make the world a better place.

(Write this day down, a UU is going to quote the Bible!)

This is one Bible verse that UUs take to heart:
James 2:14-18

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
 
sojourner

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
although I am in worship regularly, I also find the avenue of solitary, contemplative prayer helpful. Too bad I couldn't check both of those options!!!
 
MdmSzdWhtGuy

MdmSzdWhtGuy

Well-Known Member
I am not Canadian, but will answer the question, just in case it is open to all readers. I grew up in church, but do not attend any more. I do not seek other ways to express my faith, as I do not have a faith to express. My parents are very active in their Southern Baptist church and my brother and his wife go to church as well, tho I beleive it to be a more liberal non-denominational type of church.

Most of my extended family is hard core southern biblical literalists, of some sort or another, tho I couldn't tell you all the denominations of the church's they attend.

B.
 
Sunstone

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
maggie2 said:
Just heard a piece on the news and wanted to share the information here.

Stats Canada recently released a study showing the religious leanings of Canadians.

Here are a few of the results.

32% of Canadians go to church regularly.
21% of Canadians prefer to pray or meditate or contemplate in private.

Church attendance has dropped over the past 10 years.

It seems more people are finding other avenues for spiritual expression besides church.

Are you one of the regular church-goers or do you express your faith apart from church?

I would have added a poll to this thread but I can't find the button for it. Oh well, I'll be interested in the answers anyway.
Click to expand...
I try to express my faith (to the extent I have any) out side of Church (which I don't attend) in my daily behavior towards myself, other people, and the rest of nature.

I don't attempt forced or preset meditation. I believe meditation is something that best occurs naturally, during the course of other activities, rather than according to a well defined technique. So, I sometimes go for long periods without meditating, but when I need it, it seems to come.

As for contemplation, if I've understood what you mean by that, then I tend to contemplate nature and art, especially photography. It sometimes happens that I become meditative when doing so.

I hope this stuff is the sort of stuff you're looking for.
 
Halcyon

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
I am not Canadian, but will answer the question, just in case it is open to all readers.
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Ditto for me.

I was brought up atheist so i never got the opportunity to join a church. I have though visited several churches and sat in on services (usually in the local cathedral). I've never taken eucharist or any other special rituals though.

From my experiences i have found although i enjoy listening to teachers preach (and i've even been known to watch the God channel despite not believing a word of it) i do not like public prayer, it makes me feel uneasy and self-conscious. Private meditation and contemplation is much more up my street.
 
maggie2

maggie2

Active Member
First of all, you folks are right, I should have included an 'all of the above' choice. Sorry about that!

Also, although the statistics quoted are about Canadians the poll is meant for everyone.

Lots of interesting answers so far.

Thanks for being willing to share.
 
Comet

Comet

Harvey Wallbanger
I chose none of the above. It would take this entire site to describe my "religion" and many pages to start a debate with those of no faiths, one faith, or many faiths. So I shall just answer to the majority of what surrounds me, the same majority that seems to surround the repliers to this should they not be one of the following: Any Christian-Catholic-LDS

I Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's spirit dwells in you?"

Therefore it is all the above. You are always in worship as a temple of god: in congregation, in solitude, or in a small group who understands as you do. Therefore the answer must be: none of the above for it is all the above.

As a Monistic type- I view it all the same. So take my answer as none of the above or all the above. Either way, it is my answer to this poll.
 
Draka

Draka

Wonder Woman
I chose personal prayer and meditation because that is how it is most of the time for me. On more formal times, such as certain Sabbats and even a few Esbat rituals, I may have someone join me. Whether it is my best friend or Turk or another friend or all those mentioned, at those times you will find me leading ritual with a small group. But as my spirituality is a daily thing and you never know from one moment to the next when I might wander outside and catch a glimpse of prayer and meditation, or even if I "space out" on my couch;) ...it is a personal thing the majority of the time.
 
Doktormartini

Doktormartini

小虎
Since I do not have a faith I do not really practice anything! I believe in certain things from lots of different faiths...so yeah.

Actually, you could say my faith is Kindness and that I try to practice 24/7!
 
Mr. Hair

Mr. Hair

Renegade Cavalcade
A little from option B, and a little from option C... :)

For the most part how I experience and express my faith is a personal and intimate matter for me. While I'm not aware of any explicitly Taoist communities, I do however take part in various interfaith meetings; I'm also considering spending some time in a local Bhuddist retreat.
 
telecino

telecino

Member
Meditation is the way i found.

I do a lot of Chi-Gong, kuji-in, and buddhist "no-mind" meditation. I also do some pranayama (hindu breathing) to keep my energy up.

I've been in a lot of retreats, those pilgrimages where you don' t eat for a week, sleep 2 hours a day but don't mind cause you meditate 6 hours a day, work hard, sweat, meditate, pray, and learn. The typical buddhist/hindu approach, adapted to our occidental society, but nevertheless demanding retreat.

After that, you don't mind sitting in meditation for 1 hour, your leggs don't even scratch or trouble you. Peace of mind.
 
M

Maxist

Active Member
Well, I am, to tell you the truth I am not religious. I practice my faith by attempting to join the Sub-Genius church, speaking of which, does anyonne know how I can join? Send me a Private Message if you do; it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
Comet

Comet

Harvey Wallbanger
Maxist said:
Well, I am, to tell you the truth I am not religious. I practice my faith by attempting to join the Sub-Genius church, speaking of which, does anyonne know how I can join? Send me a Private Message if you do; it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

To join send $30 to:

The SubGenius Foundation
PO Box 140306
Dallas, TX 75214

Hope that helps you get started anyway.
 
A

anders

Well-Known Member
Don't know if I was meant to answer, but having nothing resembling a faith, I went for "None of the above".
 
Katzpur

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
maggie2 said:
Are you one of the regular church-goers or do you express your faith apart from church?
Click to expand...
Hmmm. Interesting. Seven regular church-goers at this point in the thread, but none of them willing to come out of the closet. ;) I attend church pretty close to every week. I miss occasionally, however -- sometimes because of circumstances beyond my control, other times out of choice. But my most spiritual experiences generally happen when I'm just meditating, praying or reading on my own.
 
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