Thanks for taking the time to post a thoughtful and well written response. I particularly appreciate your differentiation between "conservative" and "fundamentalist". Well said and thought provoking!
Sometimes I notice that Christians who identify as fundamentalist/conservative are treated with criticism, sarcasm and derision by other Christians who identify as mainstream/liberal.
It seems to me that some believers may need a more black-and-white, concrete and dogmatic religious tradition...
It seems as if you are looking to outside sources to define your inner spiritual life. What do you believe? What are you looking for? IMHO it's probably all inside of you. Why let someone/something define you? Good luck!
No significant change in my own beliefs/religious affiliation, but a deeper appreciation for the diversity of views expressed here and admiration for many who seem to be seeking answers to life's big questions.
It's an intriguing question and I don't believe I have seen the issue specifically discussed in any reading I've done on Buddhism. One thing that stands out for me in HH Dalai Lama's teaching is that he does not use "always" or "never" terms so I would think that there would be many factors...
I just finished reading Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor from Denver, Colorado. I enjoyed her book and found her point of view and voice to be interesting and refreshing. I was wondering if anyone else has read or heard her and what you think of her approach.
Thanks!
Looking back the initial recordings by the Beatles were very sweet, focused on love. But the Beatles were always so much more than their music. They were a phenomenon and during the years that they made music together, they changed the culture.
I know that their early music sounds quaint now...
In the last few months, I have been reviewing and examining my commitment to my faith tradition. I had taken a break from attending religious services (ok, so it was 8 years) in order to figure out what made sense at this point in my life. During that time I distanced myself from my religious...
I've had visits from JW and LDS missionaries and have found both to be polite and respectful. When they introduce themselves, I let them know that we are involved and active in our faith tradition and wish them well in their work. The JW folks seem to be more persistent. It must be so difficult...
I am always very cautious before labeling someone's unique way of thinking "delusional." I try to listen carefully and understand where their unusual thoughts stem from. Many times, such thoughts arise from perception/misperception of experience although the origin may not be initially obvious...
I find that over the years my beliefs evolve but there remain core principles of compassion and lovingkindness. My early years were spent in the Roman Catholic tradition, followed by a change to trinitarian Protestantism. More recently I embrace the concepts of Unitarian Universalism and...
I have recently been introduced to the writing and off-beat Christian point of view of Nadia Bolz-Weber. OK, so I'm a little slow keeping up with changing culture. I just started reading Pastrix which was published a couple of years ago.
She has such a different approach to Christianity that I...
Spiritualism is alive and well in western New York at the Lily Dale Assembly. Lily Dale is the home of many spiritualists who perform readings (if that is the correct term) as well as providing daily education sessions through the summer. It is open to the public and visitors are welcome.
Check...
Is it my imagination or is there an inordinate and disproprotionate focus on gays on RF? Gay marriage, God & gays, the Bible and gays....and on and on ad nauseum. Some people are gay, some are straight, some bi, some trans and that's the way life is. Get over it!