How do you worship?

[Sand Dancer]

With the diversity of UU worshipers, I was just wondering what your view of God is and how you worship.

 

[SteveGrayFTW]

I consider myself an agnostic theist. I believe there is a God, a something greater that is behind everything in the universe, but I don't know for certain, or what their actual role is, etc. I'd like to know, and sometimes I drive myself crazy trying to make sense of it all, but I don't think any one belief system has the whole answer.

As far as worship, I attend UU services on a semi-regular, but I think I could just as easily go to another Church, even a Christian one. At the end of the day, I kind of think all religions are just different roads leading to that one "something greater," so they have my respect. I grew up a Catholic, so I'm still drawn a bit to some of the traditions and rituals involved there.

I also have a candle and little prayer that I say every morning, acknowledging God, the unknown and wishing peace, hope, compassion and love for everyone.

I hope that answers your question.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Thanks! That sounds very nice!

 

[BlackAce]

Hi there!

I consider myself to be a HIGHLY Eclectic and DEEPLY spiritual UU and I am also a Satanist, I know...There have been debates about how that can work, believe me, with compromise, It can.

Of course I do not believe in God but until recently did think of myself as slightly Pantheistic and a Witch and believed in The Goddess as The living Universe/Nature but I am having SERIOUS doubts that I fit into that category these days so I am leaving that for another discussion.

I attend church every Sunday and I am lucky that my church has an all day program, we start with a sermon on a subject, have a potluck that reflects that topic and then meditation time and another sermon followed by a ritual that is connected to the topic of the day.

At home, I have very personalized rituals which can range from lighting candles for peace and healing to more active rituals which include Magics of various kinds, spirit dancing, Visualizations and more to darker more Satanic rituals that are about my own personal needs which as my mom used to say, charity begins at home, take care of your own needs first and then you can worry about other people and be of better service to their needs if your own needs are met :-D

Ace!

 

[StarryNightshade]

I consider myself to be a Panentheist of sorts. For years, I tried to pick one religious tradition and stick with it, but I just find too much inspiration from many sources to just choose one. Plus, I've been going to a UU church for 3 years anyway, so it's not like I don't know where to go for my pluralistic spirituality fix.

As for worship? Mostly church on Sundays, sometimes meditation, and studying/reading. I also go to a Hindu temple on occasion, as well as a Buddhist temple and Pagan circles.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I consider myself to be a Panentheist of sorts. For years, I tried to pick one religious tradition and stick with it, but I just find too much inspiration from many sources to just choose one. Plus, I've been going to a UU church for 3 years anyway, so it's not like I don't know where to go for my pluralistic spirituality fix.

As for worship? Mostly church on Sundays, sometimes meditation, and studying/reading. I also go to a Hindu temple on occasion, as well as a Buddhist temple and Pagan circles.

I like that! Sounds freeing.

 

[Goddess Ashtara]

I worship the highest deity who is God/ Allah/ Yod He Vau He as the greatest attainment of good & evil balance, who is neither male nor female, who is the greatest at creation & destruction. I worship God through my actions and through communing with Ishtar/ Athena, Ereshkigal/ Lilith, Michael/ Mikail, and Iblis/ Lucifer during prayer, meditation, ritual, and adventuring. Michael and Iblis guide the light and dark sides of my masculine nature while Ishtar and Ereshkigal guide the light and dark sides of my feminine nature. I know that our spirit is neither male nor female, for such is an illusion imposed on us by our physical body and world.

I also equate those four gods with the seasons, directions, the elements, etc...

 

[Sand Dancer]

I worship the highest deity who is God/ Allah/ Yod He Vau He as the greatest attainment of good & evil balance, who is neither male nor female, who is the greatest at creation & destruction. I worship God through my actions and through communing with Ishtar/ Athena, Ereshkigal/ Lilith, Michael/ Mikail, and Iblis/ Lucifer during prayer, meditation, ritual, and adventuring. Michael and Iblis guide the light and dark sides of my masculine nature while Ishtar and Ereshkigal guide the light and dark sides of my feminine nature. I know that our spirit is neither male nor female, for such is an illusion imposed on us by our physical body and world.

I also equate those four gods with the seasons, directions, the elements, etc...

Interesting. So how do you worship?

 

[Sundance]

As a Unitarian Bahai, I worship God in very diverse ways, though, I mostly search for God within myself. I will even worship God with people in other houses of worship. Bahaullah says to associate with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

Sorry practise only 'watchfulness'; if that can also be termed as prayer then it is that!

Love & rgds

 

[Sand Dancer]

As a Unitarian Bahai, I worship God in very diverse ways, though, I mostly search for God within myself. I will even worship God with people in other houses of worship. Bahaullah says to associate with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.

Do you also do the fast and daily prayers?

 

[Sundance]

As for me personally, I have Bible Study, practice mantra meditation, dance to Goa Trance, Straight-Edge, and Reggae music, and practice Bhakti yoga, among other things. I love to diversify my spiritual practices. Now, when it comes to my beliefs about God, I am an inclusive Monotheist and a Panentheist.:beach:

 

[Sundance]

Do you also do the fast and daily prayers?

OK, this may sound awkward, but I think your referencing an older account of mine, when I was a Bahai. Since posting that, I've since become a radically Alternative Christian. My most sincere apologies for the confusion. Peace and Love to you! :sorry1:

 

[Sand Dancer]

Oh, why did you leave the Baha'i faith? What does alternative mean? Sounds intriguing.

 

[Sundance]

Uhh...Thirza Fallen, before I answer your question, I'll just say that you're replying to a message I posted under my previous account, XxUUJesuscorexX...yep, a different account. But to answer your question, I don't dig much of the specifics such as not allowing women to serve on the Universal House of Justice, the constant censorship, and the sheer ignorance of other religions and their teachings on the part of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdul Baha, especially manifested in the doctrine of progressive revelation.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Censorship?